More about Marigolds

A fascinating family of around 50 species of annual and perennials that can be found in gardens all over the world where they are known as African marigolds, American Marigold or Mexican Marigold

The name comes from  " Mary's Gold "  because of the richly golden flowers.  

Marigolds have the potential to play an important role in both medicinal and insecticidal properties. 

NB.  Do not confuse the name marigold with Calendula Officinalis which is sometimes called Pot Marigold overseas especially in the UK and USA. 

The African Marigold comes from the Asteraceae Family and has its origins in Mexico.  This plant thrives in any soil but really does well in compost rich soil and likes the sun.



    Culinary Uses:

Dried marigold leaves and petals have been used for centuries to flavour soups, stews and sauces. 

Can be used in salad dressings or include the fresh petals in your salad.  

They taste delicious and are well known for their digestive calming properties

Dried petals added to spicy mixes can be ground over savory dishes and especially nice on sweet potatoes, pumpkin or brinjals (aubergines or egg plant)


Marigold Spice Mix Recipe

1 tbs  coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, black peppercorns and fennel seeds 

3 tbs dried marigold petals.  

Mic the ingredients and spoon into a grinder.   Give a good shake now and again.  

Use liberally on vegetables or in your sauces, soups and stews. 

 

Medicinal Uses:

A marigold tea is a soothing digestive, can ease colic, sour belching and tummy rumblings.  Also destroys internal parasites

To make a tea:

Pour a cup of boiling water over 1/4 cup of fresh petals, buds and leaves,  Let this draw for a few minutes, then strain and sip slowly.   You can add a touch of lemon juice or some honey.

Marigolds make a wonderful external wash valuable in the treatment of skin infections, haemorrhoids, infected mozzie bites, rashes, heat rash and grazes.

Other Uses:

Extracts from the bright orange marigold petals can be used to colour butter, cheese, creams, custards, yogurt, ice cream, poultry feed, handmade soaps and even fabric.    

As already covered in the previous blog - Marigold spray is an excellent insect repellent.

The spray can be used for  mildew, fungus, sooty mould and scale.   Spray these 4 times a day to see results.

You can also use the Marigold Brew to put down ant holes to successfully get the ants to leave their nests. 

 Marigolds are worth their weight in gold in your gardens.   Plant between roses and strawberries. 

This really is a companion plant that you cannot afford to be without.   In summer these draw bees and butterflies into the garden in abundance and the lovely bright colours are  a pleasure to add to any garden. 

 

      Tangetes tenuifolia

This is a fairly newly found, very attractive marigold.  T. tenuifolia that has a small single petal flowers on a meter high perennial bush of lacy leaves.  Very pretty and richly fragrant. 

This bush keeps all plants insect free in a wide area around its growing spot.  This includes asparagus plants and for an organic gardener this is an invaluable find for your garden especially a vegetable gardens.

 Making a Marigold Lotion or Wash.:

 Use 2  cups of fresh marigold leaves and flowers.    (add Black jack leaves to the mix if you have some.                                  

        2  liters of water.                                                                          

Simmer the marigolds for 20 minutes.  Cool the liquid and strain.

Use to spritz spray over infected areas or use as a wash.    It really is that simple and the benefits are huge.                                                  

Spray in your organic vegetable garden to keep it pest free. Your vegetables will grow in abundance .

Also use the spray for your animals, to keep them tick and flea free. 

The plants themselves can be plucked in a bunch and used to rub over cattle to eradicate ticks. This has been done by herders using blackjack plants,  a close relative for centuries and Marigolds work just as effectively.


     Harvest and dry the marigold heads continually and use throughout the summer for planting.  The seeds germinate really easily.

Harvesting your Marigolds:

Pick sprays, flowers and leaves continually.  Pulling up the whole plants is worthwhile, as they set seed so prolifically and having seeds saved is vital.   Dry the seeds in a cardboard box or on trays, turning them daily until completely dry.   Store in screw top jars and best to label them so that you use oldest first. 

To sow the seeds simply scatter into seed trays or well dug soil in the semi shade.  Keep moist not wet until well established plants are available to handle.  Then plant out.  If it is really hot ( these are best grown in summer )  water the seedlings twice a day.  

 Happy gardening. 


     

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vetiver - The Oil of Tranquility

Image
Vetiver  Derived from the roots of the Vetiveria Zizanioides (Botanical name).  Chrysopogon zizanioides ( Scientific name) A tall fragrant perennial grass from the Paoceae grass family and very similar in structure to other grasses like Citronella, Lemongrass and Palmarosa.  Very closely related to sorghum. The grass is tall and erect with long narrow blades and these grow in tufts.   The grass prefers a tropical, sub tropical or mediterranean climate but is very adaptable.  It tolerates high acidity, alkaline and even saline soil.  It does best in sandy loam or clay/loam soil.  While indigenous to India, Pakistan and Malaysia this grass is now cultivated in Argentina, Jamaica, Japan, China, Australia and parts of Africa especially in the DRC.   Both drought and frost resistant, this beautiful grass likes full sun.   Vetiver has long linear leaves +_ 1 to 2 m long.   The roots are spongy and fibrous while being very aromat...
Read more

Kojic - The Science - Brighten and Glow

Image
Do you know there is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from mushrooms that has amazing brightening properties ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀  Kojic acid has the ability to lighten skin by inhibiting the melanin-synthesizing enzyme tyrosinase. It’s also a potent anti-oxidant with amazing anti-bacterial abilities. A powerful ingredient that provides an anti-aging effect.    You probably already use some form of acid in your skincare routine such as glycolic or salicylic acid, but there is another acid that deserves a mention in the skincare arena. If your goal is a brighter glowing skin, or a more even complexion Kojic a great option.   Kojic Acid, a naturally-derived ingredient which comes from mushrooms,  is excellent at fading hyper-pigmentation and discoloration,  also known as dark or sun spots.  Kojic also helps to treat scars. Naturally produced by a fungi this  acid is a by product of the fermentation of rice wine or yeast fermentation.  A q uick look at...
Read more

Croc Matters - An Age Old Natural Skin Care Secret

Image
Earth & Thyme makes a range of natural products that use Croc Oil as an ingredient in some of the products.  Many of our customers have come back for more and more of the Croc products and I am continually asked to tell new customers about Croc oil and the products that are available. I decided to include this information as a short informative blog for easy reference.    I would definitely encourage looking into the research and benefits yourself. There have been scientific studies and there is information available to assist you make your own choices. Croc Oil is the only animal derived ingredient which Earth and Thyme uses and promotes. This is because this is a waste product (by product) from the commercial farming of Croc's for the fashion and food industry.    Farming is very strictly controlled as this is a "Cites" protected animal.  Personally, I really dislike waste and having done some careful research and learnt as much as possible from the s...
Read more