Calendula flowers are the bright yellow tops of a plant with the latin name, Calendula officinalis. Other common names include pot marigold and wild marigold- rightly so because the calendula flower looks a lot like the common garden marigold and is actually in the same daisy plant family, Asteracea. The word Calendula may be derived from the Latin, calendae, which means little calendar.

Calendula flowers grow wild in many areas of the world including Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean region, and are often grown in North American gardens as well.

Calendula flowers have often been used for spiritual ceremonies. For example early Catholics called the flowers “ Mary’s Gold.” Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans often prepared crowns out of the Calendula flowers and wore them during rituals and ceremonies. Hindu deities are honored in India by Calendula flower decorations. In more modern ‘New Age” Philosophy, calendula flowers are considered to be linked to the second chakra, which relates to creativity, sensual expression and empathy. The second chakra is located in the abdominal area below the navel. The bright orange-yellow flowers can bring joy and uplift the spirit. *

Calendula is an easy to grow herb that can grow as a potted plant or in the garden. The petals are edible and can ‘brighten’ up a salad or steamed veggies. The orange yellow color has also been used as a dye, and has been utilized in place of the very costly spice saffron, and was also used to add color to cheese and butter. The flowers were traditionally added to soups and stews in Germany, which supports the use of the term “ pot marigold.”

Calendula contains a variety of active natural compounds, such as flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, and soothing soap-like molecules called saponins. Perhaps the presence of these compounds helps to explain the centuries old use of Calendula to support skin care and skin health.* In addition, the bright yellow pigment lutein, is found in the orange yellow flowers.

Calendula has been used extensively in natural recipes to promote skin health* for centuries, and has been used as a tea, herbal extract and as an ingredient in skin creams and ointments.