• Growth habit: An upright to rounded cool season annual growing to 18 inches tall and equally wide. The leaves are medium green, elliptic in shape and growing to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.

• Light: Plant in full sun to lightly shaded locations.

• Water needs: Prefers a moist soil but tolerates short period of drought.

• Feedings: Apply a general garden fertilizer monthly to in ground plantings; every other week to container plantings.

• Propagation: Start from seed.

• Ease of culture: Easy.

• Hardiness: Hardy

• Major problems: Plants are susceptible to nematodes; plant in pest -free soils. Chewing insects and slugs are common feeders.

• Pruning: Trim faded blooms from plantings to keep calendulas attractive and encourage additional buds. Remove declining plants when the hot weather returns and replace with warm season annuals.

• Uses: A colorful traditional annual gardeners can count on for cool season flowers in beds and containers. Buds open November through April producing displays of over 2 inch diameter blossoms in shades of yellow to orange colors often with a dark center; flowers may be single or double depending on the variety. Petals from pesticide-free plantings are edible and sometimes added to salads, soups and rice.

• Florida native: No; native to Europe and North Africa.

TOM MacCUBBIN

Special to the Sentinel

Calendula and comfrey have skin-softening properties. They can be used in a facial sauna or to make herbal or floral waters. Comfrey also reduces redness and soothes irritated skin.

Add 5 drops of В lavender oilВ  or oat extract to bath water. After the bath, apply diluted evening primrose oil or aloe vera cream.

Drink teas of В chamomile, dandelion or peppermint.

Borage, fennel, coltsfoot or calendulaВ  tea also helps improve the skin. Add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water and drink daily.

Tea tree oil has been known to penetrate into the skin’s cellular level. Add 1 drop of oil to your favorite day or night cream to help moisturize and smooth skin.

Herbal Facial Sauna

A weekly facial sauna using the herbs chamomile, lavender, and peppermint is good for dry skin.

Using a glass or enameled pot, simmer a total of 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried or fresh herbs in 2 quarts of water. When the pot is steaming, place it on top of a trivet or thick potholder on a table, and sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for fifteen minutes. You can use a towel to trap the steam if you wish.

After fifteen minutes, splash your face with cold water and allow your skin to air dry or pat it dry with a towel. Then either apply a good natural moisturizer or facial oil, or apply a clay mask.

After the sauna, you can allow the herbal water to cool and save it for use as a toning lotion to be dabbed on your face with a cotton ball after cleansing.

Pick the calendula blossoms on a warm dry morning. If the blossoms are still damp, spread them out on a flat surface and let them dry in the sun for a few hours. It’s important that the blossoms are dry because moisture on the blossoms can cause mold to grow in the calendula oil.
Step 2
Put the calendula blossoms in a quart-size canning jar, and pour the oil over the top. Stir until all of the blossoms are covered with oil.
Step 3
Cover the jar with cheesecloth to allow any moisture to evaporate, and place the jar in a sunny window. Leave the jar of calendula oil in the window until it has turned a sunny golden color.
Step 4
Strain the calendula oil through a folded cheesecloth laid in a strainer, squeezing the blossoms with a wooden spoon.
Step 5
Pour the calendula oil into the sterilized bottles and store in a cool, dark place.

Commonly known as “pot marigold,” calendula is an exceptionally versatile herb native to the Mediterranean. For centuries, it has actively been grown in gardens to use as food and for its healing properties. Identified by its bright orange and yellow petals which hold medicinal properties, it should not be confused with the garden variety marigold.

The name calendula is derived from the plant’s tendency to bloom according to the calendar, either once a month or with the new moon. This annual flourishes in cool, temperate climates and grows to a height of 9-20 inches.

What can calendula do for me?

The flavenoids present in the calendula flower and its inherent anti-inflammatory, astringent, antifungal, and antiseptic properties result in an ideal topical agent. It can be applied to the skin to treat boils, rashes, sunburn, chafed skin, insect bites, and other skin irritations. The properties of calendula make it an attractive herb for treating and soothing the scalp.

How do I use calendula?

Calendula is usually found as dried flowers or essential oil. It can be used to create tinctures, ointments, lotions, infused oils, and body butters to name a few. When mixed with oils like olive oil, the effects of calendula are enhanced. Products containing calendula are readily available at health food stores and online – or create your own using one of these recipes!

Calendula Infused Oil

Pack a glass jar with dried calendula flowers
Cover packed flowers with olive oil
Cover with a tight lid
Store the jar in a dark cupboard and shake well every day for two weeks
After two weeks, strain oil into a clean glass jar or bottle
Add Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative
Apply directly to the skin, scalp, or hair
Tip:

Test the oil on a small area to test for allergic reactions

Calendula Cream

6 ounces calendula infused oil (above)
2 ounces sweet almond oil
3 ounces shea butter
2 ounces cocoa butter
Mix ingredients in a small pot on very low heat
Once the ingredients have melted, simmer for 20 minutes while stirring regularly
Carefully pour into plastic or glass jars and allow to solidify
Apply directly to the skin, scalp, or hair
Tips:

Store in the refrigerator to lengthen the shelf life

Increase or decrease ingredients for the desired consistency

Calendula Soothing Scalp Oil

6 ounces calendula infused oil (above)
2 ounces jojoba oil
10-15 drops of rosemary essential oil
10-15 drops tea tree essential oil
10-15 drops sage essential oil
Mix ingredients together in a spouted applicator bottle
Shake well prior to use
Apply directly to the scalp
Tip:

Use this oil on the scalp to sooth scalp conditions and combat dandruff

Check calendula.name soon