Our drunken Bride of the Sun, Calendula Officinalis.

Our radiant Bride of the Sun, Calendula Officinalis—a flower so vibrant it looks as if it’s been sipping daylight, a little drunk on its golden glow. Whether we’re plucking its flaming petals at Trolley’d HQ in the city or cultivating its edible brilliance in the countryside, this glorious bloom is a stalwart companion, flourishing year-round in our gardens like a sun-chasing devotee. As the sky’s fiery acolyte, it tracks the sun's arc, even in the bleakest winter frost when the earth is hard as iron beneath your feet.

These flowers are the animated stars of our botanical wonderland—imagine a scene from Alice in Wonderland, where even the blooms seem enchanted. Each dawn, they spread their fiery petals wide, and by dusk, they close their sleepy eyes, like a proper genteel curtain call. The flower’s obsession with sunlight extends so far that, in the 16th century, those who imbibed a potion brewed with marigolds were reputed to see fairies by evening. Who needs absinthe when you’ve got a hallucinogenic horticulturalist's dream?

We at Trolley’d infuse this magic into our drinks—fresh petals garnish our cocktails, while dehydrated ones steep into boozy teas and tinctures. Our signature Calendula Tincture blends tisane with high-proof spirit, added to our Intercontinental Elixir of Love—or perhaps taken alone, should we find ourselves longing for a glimpse of those fairies. It’s not merely about flavour, though. It’s about the story, the connection with nature, and a bit of mythic whimsy that goes into each glass.

Calendula, with its unapologetic brilliance, also boasts a medicinal CV longer than a Victorian novel. In Western medicine, it’s lauded as a healer of wounds, inflamed skin, and digestive distress. Calendula is detoxifying, too—a quiet botanical warrior against chronic infections. Its potent antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties have earned it the status of a herbal multitasker, healing everything from eczema to Crohn's disease.

Ancient herbalists, like the 17th-century Nicholas Culpeper, praised its solar alignment, advising the leaves be soaked in vinegar to treat swelling. Meanwhile, its bold orange pigment, packed with carotenoids, was used across history as a dye for food, fabric, and cosmetics. The Romans, who couldn’t afford saffron, turned to calendula petals, dubbing it “poor man’s saffron.” Even the Greeks wove it into their myths, where jealous nymphs turned into dull marigolds, only to be revived by Apollo’s golden rays.

But it’s not all science and history. There’s a mystical allure to Calendula. For the superstitious, wearing it meant protection, scattering its petals under your bed brought vivid dreams, and bathing in calendula water could make you the darling of all who crossed your path. Mediaeval witches, naturally, included it in their forbidden concoctions—apparently, smearing benches with calendula could make them fly. Whether you’re seeking visions of fairies or simply a gorgeous garnish, Calendula Officinalis is a flower that carries ancient wisdom in its fiery petals.

So next time you’re sipping a cocktail adorned with this golden bloom, remember you’re drinking in a piece of history, folklore, and a whole lot of sunshine. After all, why just drink when you can dream?

This one’s for the sun-worshippers and flower fanatics alike.

Calendula Officinalis - Latin officinalis refers to plants associated with medicine, herbalism & cookery. Florets and leaves are edible, although the leaves aren’t very tasty.

Common Names: Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, Riddles, Scotch Marigold, African Marigold, Garden Marigold, Chin Chan Ts’ao(Chinese), Galbinele (Romanian) and Ringblomma (Swedish). 

Folk Names: Bride of the Sun, Drunkard, Goldes, Holigolde, Husbandman’s Dial, Marybud, Mary Gowles, Ruddes, Riddles, Spouse Solis, Summer’s Bride, Marygold.

Botanical Family: Asteraceae

Native Habitat:  Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia and the US.

Toxicity & Allergens: No toxic compounds have been identified. Allergies consistent for people allergic to the Asteraceae or ‘Daisy’ family.

Traditional uses: Calendula is one of the most versatile herbs in Western Medicine. The flowers are an excellent remedy for inflamed and angry skin, their antiseptic and healing properties help to prevent the spread of infection and speed up the repair. Calendula is also detoxifying and can assist in the treatment of chronic infections [4].

In Europe the leaves were used to sweat out toxins, while the flowers were used as a stimulant, antispasmodic and to stimulate menstrual flow [1].

In England, the flowers were used in a posset drink for the treatment of measles and smallpox, the fresh juice was used for jaundice, constipation and the softening of Menstrual Flow [2].

In India, the florets are used in ointments for treating wounds, herpes, ulcers, frostbite, skin damage, scars and blood purification. The leaves are used in infusions for treating varicose veins externally  [1,2].

The orange pigment, known as Carotenoids or Tetraterpenoids, have been used in Ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern & Indian history as dyes for fabrics, foods and cosmetics.

In traditional medicine it has been used for wound healing, jaundice, blood purification, and as an antispasmodic. The flowers are considered to be anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants. 

It is a useful remedy for dry skin, eczema, haemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal inflammation, specifically in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, colitis and gastritis [5].

Phytochemistry: 

The main identified chemical compounds from phytochemical studies are terpenoids*, flavonoids**, coumarins***, quinones^, volatile oil^^, carotenoids^^^ & amino acids`.

The plant extracts, as well as the pure compounds isolated from it, have been demonstrated to possess multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-HIV, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective (great for the liver!) amongst other beneficial properties [3].

History: 

The word calendula is derived from the Latin calens meaning the first day of each month because the Romans claimed they bloomed the first of each month. Calendae in Latin refers to ‘Little Calendar’, ‘Little Clock’ or possibly ‘Little Weather Glass’. 

Christians called it "Marygold" and "Marybud" because it bloomed at all the festivals celebrating the Virgin Mary, also because people believed by constant association with the flowers they could ward off evil. It should not be confused with Tagetes, also called "marigold". 

Known as the "herb of the sun" because the flowers open in the morning and close in the evening. 

Mentioned as such in Shakespeare's ‘A Winter's Tale’. 

The culinary use of calendula dates back to ancient Rome. Common people couldn't afford to buy saffron and they discovered that powdered calendula petals were an excellent substitute which is why it has been called "poor man's saffron".

In Greek Mythology, four wood nymphs who fell in love with Apollo, the sun god, became so jealous of one another they began neglecting their duties to Apollo's sister, the goddess Artemis. She turned them into four dull-white marigolds, which distressed Apollo, but his only recourse was to send down his most brilliant rays to color them gold. 

In German folklore, rain was predicted if the flowers remained closed after 7 am. 

In India, Buddhists held pot marigolds sacred to the goddess Mahadevi, who carried a trident emblem adorned with the flowers, while her followers crowned themselves with marigolds at her festival. 

Marigold was commonly used as an aphrodisiac, and thought to have great significance in love. Planting marigold in the footsteps of a loved one was supposed to tie them to their beloved. 

In the Middle Ages in Europe it was believed that those who wore marigolds would have a vision of anyone who had robbed them. 

Spanish sorcerers were said to wear it as a talisman. 

Traditionally it was picked when the Sun entered the sign of Virgo and the picker had to carry a wolf’s tooth wrapped in a bay leaf. 

In Mexico it is thought to be a flower of death and is believed to have spring from the blood of the Indians killed by the Spanish invaders. 

Xochiquetzal, the Aztec love goddess, taught her people the message of the marigold, the petalled book of the cycles of life, of seed to leafy stem, of leafy stem to bud, of bud to flower open to the Sun, of flowers to drying petals that were the womb for the seed – to complete the cycle. Offerings of marigold petals were made to her. 

The pigmentation of ornamental fish in captivity can be intensified by adding Calendula to regular fish food [9].

The 17th Century herbalist and astrologer Nicholas Culpeper, described the Marigold in The English Physician as, ‘herb of the sun, and under Leo’, recommending the leaves be mixed with vinegar to bathe ‘hot swellings’ [6].

Powers & Magical Uses:

Pick noon when the Sun is hot and strong and the flowers are open, the flowers will then strengthen the comfort of the heart. 

Stringing garlands on doorposts stop evil from entering the house, scattered petals under the bed will protect you while you sleep and make your dreams come true.

Adding the flowers to your bath water helps to win the respect and admiration of everyone you meet.

Looking at the bright flowers strengthens the sight, and carried in the pocket, marigold helps justice to smile favourably upon you while in court.

If a girl touches the petals with her bare feet, she will understand the language of the birds [7].

Dr. Johannes Hartlieb (ca 1400-1468), described a witches ointment in his 1456 book Das Buch aller verbotenen Künste (The Book of All Forbidden Arts). The calendula would be picked or dug up on a Sunday and was referred to as solsequin,  meaning “following the Sun”.  It would then be combined with 6 other herbs picked on their corresponding days, combined with bird’s blood and animal lard, then when appropriate smeared benches, chairs, rakes or pitchforks, so they could then fly away on their desired aircraft. It was considered nothing but Black Divination and strictly prohibited [8].

In the 16th Century, those who drank a potion of Marigolds were reputed to see fairies of an evening [9].

Glossary:

*Terpenoids contribute to the flavour, scents, and colour of plant's leaves, flowers, and fruits. The terpenoids produced by plants do not only protect them against insects and herbivores but also provide protection from fungal diseases and infestations. Different Terpenoids have been found to have anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties [11].

**Flavonoids, a group of natural substances with variable phenolic structures, are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. They have been found to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties coupled with their capacity to modulate key cellular enzyme function [10].

***Coumarins, are a white crystalline solid. Its odour has been described both as vanilla-like and as having a note of 'freshly mowed hay’. It is known for its pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antihypertensive, antitubercular, anticonvulsant, anti-adipogenic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties [12].

^Quinones, are plant-derived secondary metabolites that present some anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis effects in various cancer types both in vitro and in vivo [13].

^^Volatile oil, A substance of oily consistency and feel especially one that is derived from a plant tissue that are characterised by their volatility and failure to saponify. They evaporate when they are exposed to the air and thus are capable of distillation. Often referred to as ‘essential oils’ as they are considered the essence of the plants fragrance.

^^^Carotenoids, are a class of more than 750 naturally occurring pigments synthesised by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. These richly coloured molecules are the sources of the yellow, orange, and red colours of many plants [14].

`Amino Acids, used by plants for the formation of vegetable tissue and chlorophyll synthesis. They are often referred to as the ‘building blocks of life’ and are vital in the building of proteins, and synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.

Acknowledgments:

1.  Lt. Colonel Kirtikar KR, Major Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol II, Dehradun, India, International Book Distributor, 1993, pp 1413-1414.

2. Khare CP. Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plants. Germany, Springer-Verlag Publisher, 2004, pp 116-117

3. BP Muley, SS Khadabadi & NB Banarese. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Benin City, Nigeria, Pharmacotherapy Group, 2009, pp 455-465

4. Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. London, UK, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1996, p 73

5. Thomas Easley & Steven Horne. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, A Medicine making Guide. Berkeley, California, USA, North Atlantic Books, 2016, pp 200-201

6. Monique Simmonds, Melanie-Jayne Howes & Jason Irving. The Gardener’s Companion to Medicinal Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK, Frances Lincoln Publishing, 2016, pp 42-43.

7. Scott Cunningham. Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury, Minnesota, USA, Llewellyn Publications, 1985, p 169

8. Christian Rätsch. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Verlag Aarau, Switzerland, Park Street Press, 1998, p 801

9. Herbalpedia. The Herb Growing & Marketing Network, PA, USA, 2016,p Calendula

10. A.N. Panche, A.D.Diwan, S.R. Chandra. Journal of Nutritional Science, v5 2016, PMC5465813

11. Chhandak Basu, Department of Biology, California State University. Medicinal Plants Journal. CA, USA, Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2019, pp 333-359 

12. K. N. Venugopala, V. Rashmi, B. Odhav, "Review on Natural Coumarin Lead Compounds for Their Pharmacological Activity", BioMed Research International, vol. 2013, Article ID 963248, 14 pages, 2013.

13. Lu JJ, Bao JL, Wu GS, Xu WS, Huang MQ, Chen XP, Wang YT. Quinones derived from plant secondary metabolites as anti-cancer agents. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China. 2013, PMD 22931417

14. Wang XD. Carotenoids. In: Ross CA, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014:427-439