Thursday, October 11, 2012

About Calendula..Medicinal and Magickal and More

Cheery Calendula Spell


Spell Date: Thursday, October 11, 2012
 
 

Color of the day: Green

Incense of the day: Carnation

Calendulas are associated with the Sun and the element of Fire. According to the language of flowers, the calendula has the message of constancy, cheer, and hope. These flowers are easily grown in the garden or picked up at a local florist.
Try a little flower fascination today and see what new positive things you can bring into your world.
Gather together a little bouquet of calendulas and tie them with a pretty autumn colored ribbon. Take them to work, or display them in a prominent place in your home, and cheer everyone up!

Enchant the flowers with this verse:

"Calendulas bring affection and constancy,

Weave your subtle floral magic all around me.

Fresh autumn flowers do brighten up everyone's day,

Work your magic for all in the best possible way.

Blessed be."
 
 
Calendula is also called marigold
Other Names:

bride of the sun, butterwort, cowbloom, death-flower, drunkard gold, fior d’ogni (Italian), gold bloom, husband’s dial, kingscup, maravilla, marybud, marigold, poet’s marigold, pot marigold, Mejorana (Spanish), publican and sinner, Ringelblume (German), summer’s bride, sun’s bride, water dragon, yolk of egg.

Note: Don’t be confused! Calendula is not the same as the common garden or French marigold ( Tagetes ), African marigold ( T. erecta ), or Inca marigold ( T. minuta ).
---Parts Used---The flowers and leaves. Leaves. - Gather only in fine weather, in the morning, after the dew has been dried by the sun. Flowers. - The ray florets are used and need quick drying in the shade, in a good current of warm air, spread out on sheets of paper, loosely, without touching each other, or they will become discoloured.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Marigold is chiefly used as a local remedy. Its action is stimulant and diaphoretic. Given internally, it assists local action and prevents suppuration. The infusion of 1 ounce to a pint of boiling water is given internally, in doses of a tablespoonful, and externally as a local application. It is useful in chronic ulcer, varicose veins, etc. Was considered formerly to have much value as an aperient and detergent in visceral obstructions and jaundice. It has been asserted that a Marigold flower, rubbed on the affected part, is an admirable remedy for the pain and swelling caused by the sting of a wasp or bee. A lotion made from the flowers is most useful for sprains and wounds, and a water distilled from them is good for inflamed and sore eyes. An infusion of the freshly-gathered flowers is employed in fevers, as it gently promotes perspiration and throws out any eruption - a decoction of the flowers is much in use in country districts to bring out smallpox and measles, in the same manner as Saffron. Marigold flowers are in demand for children's ailments. The leaves when chewed at first communicate a viscid sweetness, followed by a strong penetrating taste, of a saline nature. The expressed juice, which contains the greater part of this pungent matter, has been given in cases of costiveness and proved very efficacious. Snuffed up the nose it excites sneezing and a discharge of mucous from the head. The leaves, eaten as a salad, have been considered useful in the scrofula of children, and the acrid qualities of the plant have caused it to be recommended as an extirpator of warts. A yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower, by boiling.
Calendula flowers, when rubbed directly into a bee sting, will relieve the pain of the injury

INDICATIONS: irregular menses, fever, erruptive diseases (eg measles, chicken pox), externally for burns, rashes, sore nipples, diaper rash, gastric and duodenal ulcers, dysmenorrhea,  PRECAUTIONS: considered completely safe  CONSTITUENTS: essential oil containing carotenoids (caroene, calenduline, lycopine)(see below), also triterpenes, pentacyclic alcohols such as faradol, anidiol, calenduladiol, heliantriol, flavonoids, isorhamnetin clycosides including narcissin and quercitin, chlorogenic acid, a saponin, resin, and bitter principle.  PREPARATION AND USE:
-3-6 grams in infusion
-1 tsp in 1 cup boiling water three times daily
-cold infused oil or aqueous infusion are used in creams and lotions for burns and rashes  NUTRITIONAL USE: often used as a decorative edible flower in salads

Magical Uses of Calendula

Calendula is used for prophetic dreams and to increase latent or minor psychic powers. Scattering the leaves under the bed is believed to bring dreams to the sleepers

Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
USE IN MAGIC: Protection, Prophetic dreams, Legal matters, Psychic powers
- picked at noon when the sun is strongest, will strengthen and comfort the heart
- hung over doors to prevent evil from entering
- scattered under bed to protect during sleep
- make dreams come true
- help you dream the identity of one who has robbed you
- added to bath water to win respect and admiration
- carried in pocket to help win justice in legal matters
- if a girl touches the petals of marigold with bare feet, she will understand the language of the birds
- looking at the flowers strengthens the heart
- oil (made by maceration) or an incense of the petals is used in consecrating magical tools
- often used in rituals to honour the Goddess, and especially at Beltane
- blossoms collected when the Moon is in Virgo may help you have visions of those who have robbed you ro wish to harm you.
- an infusion with marjoram, thume, and absinthe may help you to visions of your beloved
USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-helps one feel the joy of doing one's lifework
-helps one recognise the comfort and security of knowing we are all given all the talents we need.
-
- "I experience the pure joy of knowing I am all I need to be."

 
THE ESSENTIAL OIL

CONSTITUENTS: Is actually an absolute obtained by solvent extraction from the flowers. Contains CALENDULIN (a yellow resin), waxes, and a small amount of volatile oil

AROMATHERAPY USES: burns, cuts, eczema, greasy skin, inflammation, insect bites, rashes, wounds. The infused oil can be a valuable carrier for aromatherapeutic skin products.

USE IN MAGIC: Health, Psychic dreams, Comfort - strengthens and maintains health
- strengthens sight
- sniff the aroma at night to induce psychic dreams
- offers comfort to the weary and distressed


THE FLOWER ESSENCE

POSITIVE QUALITIES: Healing warmth and receptivity, especially in the use of the spoken word and in dialogue with others.
 
PATTERNS OF IMBALANCE: Tendency to use cutting or sharp words, prone to argumentativeness, lack of receptivity in communication with others. "The Calendula flower imparts a warm, golden light of healing for those souls who must learn to use "the Word" as a truly creative spiritual force. The Word is the source of all creation, ever renewing itself through the womb of Nature. Thus Calendula is also known as "Mary's Gold"; for the golden sun-radiance of the Word must be birthed through the receptive feminine matrix. In every human communication there is always this masculine and feminine polarity, of that which is spoken and that which is heard, or received. Calendula flower essence helps those whose innate creative potential to use the spoken word often deteriorates into argument and misunderstanding. It is especially indicated for personal relationship work, and for all healing and teaching work when the art of communication must be intensively developed as a soul force. Calendula gives great forces of warmth and benign compassion to the human soul; especially helping to balance the active and receptive modes of communication. "

 
Other Uses:

*Simmer massive amounts of calendula for a long period of time, replacing the flowers periodically, to produce a lovely yellow dye.
*Feed laying chickens calendula flowers and the egg yolks will be a deep yellow color.
*Use in a footbath on swollen feet or as an eyewash on sore, tired eyes.
*Use a calendula tincture as hair rinse to reduce dandruff.
*Plant in the garden to repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
*Great for dry and fresh flower arrangements.
*Sprinkle petals or young leaves over a salad, or add petals to soups for a nice added color and some extra vitamins.
*Mash calendula into a paste with some water and massage onto areas with varicose veins to reduce their severity.
*Petals can be used to color homemade butter and cheese, as they were used in the 17-1800s.
*Use as a substitute for saffron—it’s cheaper…

A note on baby’s butts…
Chamomile, Lavender, Yarrow and Calendula infused oil is fantastic for preventing and healing diaper rash. There are many such combinations of these herbs (either as infused oils, tinctures, powders, washes, etc) in addition to other herbs and essential oils that can be used in a variety of ways for infants.

 
RECIPES
Calendula Souffle
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
6 eggs
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
dash nutmeg
1/2 pound sharp Cheddar, cut into small pieces
10 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup calendula petals

Spread butter inside a 5 cup souffle dish. Sprinkle with the 2
tablespoons Parmesan.

Beat eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, half and half, mustard, salt, cayenne
and nutmeg in a blender until smooth. While motor is still running,
add Cheddar piece by piece, then the cream cheese. Pour into
prepared dish and stir in calendula petals.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 375F, or until top is golden brown
and slightly cracked. Serve immediately, garnishing with more
calendula blossoms.

Calendula Wine
2 oz. dried calendula petals
1 lb 14 oz granulated sugar
4 tsp acid blend
1 finely crushed and dissolved Campden tablet
7-1/2 pts water
1-1/2 tsp yeast nutrient
1 sachet Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast
Put 3 pints water on to boil. Dissolve sugar in water. Put petals in nylon straining bag with 3-4 glass marbles, tie closed and put in primary. Pour boiling water over petals. Add remaining water, acid blend and yeast nutrient. Cover primary and set aside to cool. When at room temperature, add Campden tablet (finely crushed and dissolved in some water), recover primary, and set aside for 10-12 hours. Add activated yeast. Recover primary. When specific gravity drops to 1.015 or lower, transfer to secondary fermentation vessel and attach airlock. Recipe makes slightly more than one gallon so put extra in small sanitized bottle (use later for topping up) and attach airlock (#3 bung fits all wine bottles down to 125 mL). Wait until all fermentation ceases and airlock is still for two weeks, then rack into clean secondary, top up and refit airlock. Wait additional 30 days and add another finely crushed and dissolved Campden tablet and 1/3 teaspoon potassium sorbate to clean secondary, rack wine onto it, top up and refit airlock. Wait 30 days, sweeten to 1.006 s.g. or to taste, and bottle. Wait two months before tasting for bouquet to develop.
From http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/request221.asp 
 
Calendula Fruit Bread
3 eggs
2/3 C. vegetable oil
3 C. unbleached white flour
2 Tbs. pure vanilla extract
2 C. grated apple
2 C. toasted, chopped walnuts
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 C. currants
2 tsp. baking soda
2 C. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 C. loosely packed calendula blossoms
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 x 5″ loaf pans. In a bowl mix flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, salt. Blend well. Combine eggs, oil, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat until well blended and frothy. Add dry mixture to egg mixture, stir. Mix fruit, nuts and calendula blossoms into batter & stir just until blended. Pour into loaf pans and bake for about 1 hr, 35 min. You may pour 4 Tbs rum or brandy over loaf while warm if desired. Can be frozen, or allowed to age for a week in refrigerator.


Calendula Custard
2 cups milk
1/3 cup unsprayed calendula petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 to 2-inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water
Heavy whipped cream
Using a clean mortar and pestle, pound marigold petals or crush them with a fork. Mix the salt, sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the slightly beaten yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool.
Top with whipped cream, garnish with fresh marigold petals (optional).
Contraindications:

Calendula is generally considered safe for topical application. It should not be applied to an open wound without a doctor’s supervision. People who are sensitive to plants in the daisy or aster family, including chrysanthemums and ragweed, may also have an allergic reaction to calendula (usually a skin rash).
Calendula is also known to affect the menstrual cycle and should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Theoretically, calendula may affect conception when taken by a man or woman, so couples trying to get pregnant should not use calendula. *
From: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/calendula-000228.htm
*In animal studies, calendula has had effects on the uterus, and calendula has traditionally been thought to have harmful effects on sperm and to cause abortions. However, it is not clear if these effects occur with use of calendula on the skin.

For information on possible food/drug interactions, try here…http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsInteractions/0,3926,4092|Calendula%2Bofficinalis,00.html

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