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Herbal Wisdom: Calendula  |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
    
3335 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3335 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 10:42:09 PM
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 Calendula---Calendula officinalis Uses: Culinary/Medicinal/Beverage/Aromatic Duration: Annual When to Sow: Spring Ease of Germination: Easy (Pot marigold) Flower petals give delicate flavor and strong color to salads, omelettes and cheese, and is used as a saffron substitute for rice.
Invaluable in first-aid skin lotions and ointments.
I use finely chopped calendula petels every time I make a batch of Lemon Verbena soap...so soothing and healthy for your skin and it adds a creamy yellow color to my soap. 
Melody http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.com www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com www.andsewitgoes.etsy.com |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4811 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4811 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2009 : 08:45:45 AM
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Melody, have you ever used it in rice? My husband is Persian and I put saffron in our rice and practically all of the Persian dishes I make. As you know saffron is expensive, so far I have a batch my mother-in-law gave us from Iran. But some day that will run out. It would be nice to know if the calendula will taste as good as a future substitute.
Dawn in IL |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
    
3335 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3335 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2009 : 09:06:50 AM
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We have been searching for two years for the unique crocus plants that produce saffron so we could grow our own! I can honestly say I have never tasted saffron, but I know how EXPENSIVE it is! I can't even imagine what it must be like to harvest it.
I know calendula does wonders in my soap as far as healing properties. It's a very soothing herb for your skin.
I might just try it in some rice and let you know!
Thanks Dawn. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
   
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2009 : 09:31:30 AM
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I use calendula in my Comfrey Calendula Salve and in my Morning Sun soap. I sprinkle petals only on the bottom of the mold and then pour the soap over them. It turns out so beautifully. Calendula is one of those herbs that don't turn brown in soap. Yahoo! By the way.....I have found that dried calendula makes a much stronger oil than fresh. xo
I woke up on January 1st and it was 2009. And it's been that way ever since!
www.goodnaturedearthling.com Cedar Mountain Herb School |
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NudeFoodFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
   
433 Posts
Heide
Benton City
WA
433 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2009 : 08:03:46 AM
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YOU CAN EAT IT TOO! one of my favorite recipes is to take a block of cream cheese and bring it to room temp, add 1 cup of sharp chedder finely grated, form into a ball and roll in calendula, pansy/viola and nasturtrium flower petals. It looks so good and you can eat it!
Nude Food Farm ~Grown so good, Dressing is Optional. |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4811 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4811 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2009 : 2:56:09 PM
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Melody, you inspired me to grow some of my own Calendula. I have a tray full that have germinated in my basement. Hopefully they will be sturdy enough for the outdoors in May.
My mother-in-law is going to Iran in the fall. I will ask her to let us know what kind of crocus they use for the saffron. I don't think she can legally bring any back with her.
Dawn in IL |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
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BeckySue
True Blue Farmgirl
  
63 Posts

BeckySue
Arizona
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 08:16:59 AM
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Oh gosh, how pretty is that photo you posted of the Calendula. I planted Calendula seeds last year and they did terrific! i shared the seeds from those flowers with friends and now they have a ton of them growing in their front yard now. Such a happy flower and hearty too!
i like to put some petals in my salads for a dash of sunshine!
Love, BeckySue
You are Welcome to visit My Serenity Garden |
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
  
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2009 : 8:51:48 PM
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This is fabulous! I just got some calendula from the farmer's market to plant in pots, can't wait to use it!
Cherian |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
    
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 07:36:35 AM
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I am also going to have to try this :) I have heard that it is wonderful for your skin.
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 09:49:14 AM
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I love calendula! It is such a beautiful plant - what a color! and I know it is good for you, but I never know what to do with it besides admire it. It is one of those things that just lights up a garden. I just got back from my quilt meeting and people's yards are filled with forget me nots. It is such a luscious blue, made me have a yen for blue fabric. Calendula color would be lovely too.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan http://moodranch.blogspot.com http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
   
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2009 : 07:05:23 AM
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I evidently must have planted it once on the north side of our house about 7 years ago and it has self-seeded and come up every year since. I didn't really know what it was, thought it was a zinnia, I guess.
I just bought a book on companion planting and it recommended using calendula in the vegetable garden to attract beneficial insects... I was thrilled, didn't even have to buy it, just went out front and dug up a dozen seedlings!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2 Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
    
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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Herbal Wisdom: Calendula  |
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