In these dark, cold days of August (isn't it hard to believe it is summer?) tiny golden suns adorn our herb-garden at Herbal Tinctures Supplies. They bring a joyful blaze to the garden, and I am always amazed at how versatile these commonly-seen flowers are.

Marigold (Calendula Officinalis) is one of the most wonderful, and probably underestimated herbal remedies available. Skin inflammation, bruising, strains, cuts and wounds,minor burns and scalds,skin ulcers,all are healed safely and quickly with Marigold flower ointment or lotion, or, in the case of muscle-strains, with warm herbal poltices. For internal use, Marigold, taken as a tea or herbal tincture has excellent results withduodenal or gastric ulcers,indigestion,(if the stomach is very sensitive, a tea may be gentler to take than an alcohol-based tincture, or if a tincture is preferred, it is easy to 'take the edge off' the small amount of alcohol by adding the dose to a herbal tea, for example, peppermint, spearmint or camomile)

Marigold is also classed as a 'cholagogue'. That means it stimulates the secretion of bile from the gall-bladder (which can have great beneficial effect ingall-bladder complaints.) And as a result, is mildly laxative, which aids detoxification of the whole system, gently and without side-effect.

It is known as an 'emmenagogue' (this means it tones the womb, and can help normalize menstrual irregularities.)n.b. please be careful when taking herbal remedies during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek professional advice.

And, most interesting of all, Marigold has anti-fungal properties, so is the herb which is most useful in cases ofThrushor Candida albicans. Taken internally, as a tea or tincture three times a day, it will help tremendously to banish fungal infections. ForVaginal Thrush, a douche made with a herbal infusion of Marigold is a natural way to help clear this uncomfortable problem.(1-2 teaspoonfuls to 1 cup of boiling water:steep 15 minutes: allow to cool to body temperature.)

It tastes quite bitter as a tea, but apparently the bitter taste affects a certain nervous system response which actually helps the herb to work! (Or that's what we're told in order for us to take our medicine!) As a tincture, it is much easier and more convenient to take.

Marigold contains Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which according to a study published in The American Journal of Nutrition, have a role in the prevention of degenerative eye problems, such as Cataracts and Macular Degeneration. It has also been discovered that Lutein lowers the incidence of Mammary Tumours (as a result of a study of laboratory mice.)

Wow! What a flower!