Wax and Bubbles

Calendula is known as the “poet’s marigold” and is among the most colorful herb flowers in anyone’s garden who plants them. It can be used in the kitchen, as well as the bathroom in many products from homemade to store bought. It has the ability to brighten any garden or flower pot where ever it grows.

The smell of Calendula mainly resembles the smell of honey to most, or a reminiscent of fresh rhubarb or angelica flowers.

Calendula can be used in vegetable dishes, salads-particularly egg salad, custards and puddings, herb butters, as well as some soups.

Here are some of the basic information about Calendula:

• Description: Hardy annual thrives in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Bears bright daisy like flowers, 1 to 3 inches across, on carefree 8-to 30-inch plants.

• Planting: Start seed outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the average frost-free date; transplant 4-week-old seedlings outdoors. Or, sow seed directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Thin to 10 to 12 inches apart. Be sure and allow full sun, with a few hours of partial shade in very hot areas. Allow soil amended with compost. In hot climates, sow seed in late summer to early fall for bloom in fall or early next spring. Try heat-resistant cultivars such as ‘Pacific Beauty’.

Try this homemade calendula body scrub: Growing and cultivating Calendula for your own health is a great way to make all-natural products that you know what they contain. It’s even a great way to add all-naturally grown herbs into your cooking and meal preparing.

• Calendula Body Scrub:

1 cup Sea salt
1/4 cup calendula-infused oil
16 drops sweet orange oil
4 drops chamomile oil
1 tablespoon dried calendula petals
Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sea salt, calendula-infused oil, and the essential oils. Stir together until well blended. Sprinkle the calendula petals on top of the mixture. Fold in the calendula petals into the oil mixture, be sure not to smash the petals too much. Spoon the scrub into your jars and allow to rest for 15 minutes before closing the lids.