Hello friends! Today I invite you in my garden and kitchen to find out the secret power of Marigolds and how to use it.
The Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a very common flower in Europe, that grows almost everywhere. Calendulas are considered by many gardening experts as among the easiest and most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially because they tolerate most soils. In temperate climates, seeds are sown in spring for blooms that last throughout the summer and well into the fall. The Latin specific epithet from its name, officinalis, refers to the plant’s medical and herbal uses.
Calendula was named by the ancient Romans, who observed that the plant was in bloom on the first day (Latin: kalends) of every month. They looked upon the plants nonstop-blooming as a symbol of joy, and cultivated it in their gardens to spread happiness. Ancient Egyptians valued it as a rejuvenating herb and in India they are used to decorating temple altars. During the American Civil War, doctors on the battlefield used the flowers on a large scale to treat open wounds. It proved effective as an antiseptic, staunching the bleeding, preventing infection, and speeding the healing of wounds. Today, this plant is still used in many ways, mostly in pharmaceutical industry and I will show you how to use them at home.
Marigold oil recipe
The marigold oil is used for multiple purposes, such as healing wounds, skin allergies, sun protection, acne. Basically, calendula oil is an alternative remedy to treat various skin conditions as well as improve the quality and appearance of the skin. This oil is also, very easy to make at home.
Ingredients: dried marigold flowers and regular sunflower oil (optional you can use olive oil or grapeseed oil)
All you have to do is to put some dried flowers in a glass jar and cover them with sunflower oil (1/2 flowers, 1/2 oil). Then let this composition in direct sunlight for 7-14 days. When the infusion is done, keep the oil in a dried and cold room.
Marigold cream recipe
Now, that you have the marigold oil, lets use it to create a special cream with many beneficial uses. You will want this cream in your house, because as my grandma used to say `it is good for everything`. Personally, I use this cream especially in winter for skin as a cold protection, for open small wounds because it has natural astringent and antibiotic properties and also, I use it as a lip balm and let me tell you, is the best you will ever try. As the oil, this cream is very easy to make and you will need only natural organic products. There are two recipes, one is a very old one used by most of our grannies and the other one is a new-ish recipe with more ingredients. I prefer using the second one because is no needed to boil the ingredients and in this way are kept all the natural properties.
Ingredients (old recipe): 500 gr lard, 5-10 cups marigolds (not dried). The ingredients are mixed together and boil for 20 min, after that you put the whole composition is some small jars and keep it in a cold room, maybe in the fridge (6-12 month).
Ingredients (new recipe): 100 ml marigold oil, 20 gr bee wax, 5 gr honey, lavender essential oil; Optional: olive/ grapes/ argan oil, coconut/ cocoa butter, essential oils (different flavors), just keep in mind you have to put 20% bee wax. Also, you will need some small containers (glass jars or recycled empty cream container). Now, lets make this cream together.
First you need to prepare a `bain marie`. In a pot with boiling water I put a ceramic dish on a large cookie cutter as a support (you can make any improvisation you like). After that I put the first two ingredients, the oil and the bee wax. When they are melted and mixed together is time to put the honey and a few drops of lavender oil. We put lavender oil not only for its flavor and scent, but for its beneficial too, this oil is a natural antibiotic and also, anti-fungal which means that prevent the cream composition to mold. Mix everything well and put the composition in the containers. You need to work fast because the bee wax strengthens rapidly. The cream is done, now you can keep it in a cold place for 6-12 months and use it as you wish.
I hope you liked making creams with me and until the next time, I invite you to enjoy a cup of Marigold tea with honey and lemon (is the best)!
If you want to find out more information or see more pictures, there is another article on my blog about the lilies. Check this link and use the translation button from the right corner of the page: 
The goldfinch is a common European bird, known by its scientific name, Carduelis carduelis. We can find it in Europe, North Africa, and recently was successfully introduced in Australia and New Zealand. The bird is recognized by the colors of its plumage which is golden-brown on the body and red on its head. Goldfinches are commonly kept and bred in captivity as pets, because of their distinctive appearance and pleasant song. Unfortunately, the popularity of goldfinches as a cage bird in Victorian Britain led to huge numbers being trapped to supply demand, causing the population to crash.
The goldfinches on the railway paling were worth looking at
