Marigold or Marigold - A flower that never goes out of fashion

Marigold belongs to the Asteraceae family, and its scientific name is Calendula officinalis L. Its origin is found in the Latin word calendae, which means the first day of the month (moon). The Croatian name is "neven", and the English name is "marigold".

The name comes from the name Mary's gold, as Christians often brought marigold flowers to Mary's altar as a symbol of gold on the feast of the Annunciation, which coincides with the feast of all mothers on March 25. Marigold is also symbolically associated with positive, solar energy, which brings optimism and joy to life.

This garden and undemanding plant blooms from June to October. Marigold has enriched its reputation throughout a long historical period. The ancient Egyptians used it for rejuvenating purposes, and its origin is attributed to the wider Mediterranean area. The whole plant is edible , but the most well-known and researched use is its flower petals. The healing properties of marigold have been proven by many studies, but its effects are best confirmed by thousands of years of user experience.

William Shakespeare dedicated his place in literature forever in his The Winter's Tale: " Here is the moon, who goes to bed with the sun, and rises weeping with it ."

You can add marigold to dishes, drink marigold tea, make compresses from its infusion, use the flowers as a bath additive, make a tincture from it, use it as a dye, but the most widespread and popular use is its oil extract .

Creams and ointments that contain it in sufficient quantities should be intensely yellow in color. Only then will calendula have a beneficial effect on your skin problems.

To prepare the oil extract present in our products (e.g. Calendula Cleansing Milk and Chamomile with Yarrow - for sensitive and dry skin), we use fresh, cold-pressed Slovenian organic sunflower seed oil and marigold petals, which we pick in our fields in good weather after the dew has dried in the sun.

The correct procedure for preparing calendula oil extract:

Place the freshly picked flowers upside down on a piece of wood in an airy and shady place. When they are dry, pluck the petals by hand and fill clean jars for preserving. Press the contents down firmly and pour over the vegetable oil so that its level is two to three centimeters above the leaves. Stir to remove any air bubbles, then seal the jar tightly. Store in a warm, dark place for four to six weeks, stirring well every day in between. After six weeks, strain the oil through clean gauze and squeeze out the most valuable drops from the residue with a press. Let the oil stand for a few days to allow any impurities to collect in the sediment, then pour the pure oil into a dark bottle. Protect it with rosemary extract to prevent premature oxidation of the preparation. 

The resulting extract can be used alone, as part of a home pharmacy, or mixed into ointments, emulsions, and serums. Scientific research has confirmed its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its wound healing promoting effect. It is also suitable for the care of the most delicate and sensitive skin, even in children and infants. 

You can also use calendula hydrosol in combination with oil. It is a product of water distillation of its flowers, which experience shows has an extremely beneficial effect on the skin. Use it as a base for better absorption of ointments and creams. 

Until next time,

Daria