
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Ocululus Christi, Pot Marigold, Jin zhan ju (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Native to
North Africa, Mediterranean, Southern Europe
A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake we include it's nativity.
Parts Used
Flowers
Herbs
Leaves
Medicinal Actions
Note: When considering the Medicinal properties, do not forget that the species, application, and parts used are critical. And please read all warnings.
Anti-Fungal: Stops or slows the spread of fungi
Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation/swelling
Antibiotic: Prevents the growth or spread of bacteria
Antiseptic: Stops the growth of disease-spreaders
Antiviral: Stops or slows the spread of a virus
Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile
Diaphoretic: Makes you sweat
Emmenagogue: Stimulates menstruations
Immunostimulant: Activates the immune system
Lymphatic: Supports the clearing and healthy drainage from tissues
Vulnerary: Helps to heal wounds
Divinities & Mythos
Xochiquezal (Aztec)
Holidays
Dia de los Muertas
Samhain
Plant Energies
Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:
Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.
Planet(s): Sun
Element(s): Fire
Gender: Feminine
Chakra(s): Sacral, Solar Plexus, Root
Taste: Bitter (mild)
Energy: Warming, Drying, Soothing demulcent
Warning: Pregnancy + Dopplegänger
As with all EMMENAGOGUES, do not use if you are pregnant as it can cause contractions of the uterus (which can be relaxing and even helpful for difficult periods). This particular plant is a mild emmenagogue but it should be used with extreme caution.
Doppelgänger Alert! While many (including the site's proprietors) believe all marigold to be created equal, alas we are thwarted. Garden Marigold is non-edible and is known in scientific terms as Tagetes spp. be careful when wildcrafting if you're looking to make a summer salad!
Magical Properties
Balancing Emotions
Beauty
Cleansing
Comfort to the Heart & Spirit
Consecration of Tools
Divination
Dream
Happiness
Healing
Heart healing
Honoring and remembering the dead (often a Dia de los Muertas or Samhain)
Hope
Intuition
Love
Luck in Legal Matters
Money
Moving stagnant energies
Nurtures Potential
Patience
Positive energy
Prophetic Dreams
Protection
Rejuvenation
Spiritual Protection
Success
Sustained Wealth
Tolerance
Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.
Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have.
When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?