| Archive for The Potting Shed A forum to discuss Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Countryside, Livestock and Pets |
| morlan75 |
CalendulaI baught 1 packet of Calendula seeds (45p Wilkinsons ) with the plan to dry the petals wich I have started doing already with sucessas they can be used as a healthy flavoursom cheap substitute for saffron in cooking I found this information below  seem's the simple Calendula flower has powerful hidden talents 
Calendula is prized by herbalists for its versatile benefits. Triterpene saponins, flavonoids, carotinoids, and volatile oils give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antilipid effects. Its virus-fighting properties have been proven in tests on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a family of viruses that affect horses, cattle, and pigs, and the herb is of interest to AIDS researchers because extracts made from dried calendula have potent anti-HIV activity. Some human clinical studies support the use of calendula in the early treatment of stomach ulcers, and it is valued as an ingredient in preparations that, when applied externally, reduce pain in post-mastectomy lymphedema. Calendula teas and extracts make effective mouthwashes that help treat and prevent gum disease, and the tea can be used as an eyewash. Calendula is most popular, however, as a wound healer and skin-repair herb. It speeds the healing of cuts, burns, and abrasions by promoting the formation of granulation tissue while preventing bacterial growth. Calendula tea is a highly effective wound wash or rinse, and petals strained from freshly brewed tea make an effective poultice or wound dressing. I think a trip to Wilkinsons for more seeds is in order 
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| Kathy |
It's a great wee plant isn't it, we grow lots! One of my daughters is a qualified herbalist and uses it in many applications. We bought a dehydrator so we could dry more of it. 
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| morlan75 |
Ive been thinking about investing in a dehydator for awhile for the very small buisness we run, are they any good? all I get off the net is sales pitches about them no firm yes or no 
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| sparhawkiw |
Marigold (Calendula) is also one of the best plants to plant with other things as a companion plant good for aphids
(Libby for your greenhouse greenfly problem)... One thing to watch though, make sure its not French marigold as that I believe is poisonous... |
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| Lizzie |
In addition to all that, it's a beautiful thing to have in the garden - a real splash of sunshine in the borders - and the flowers look fabulous in a salad
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| polgara |
I would be interested in a recipe for making a cream. 
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| Lizzie |
Here's one although I expect Greenlady (Kathy's daughter) has one of her own...? | ||
| Kathy |
There's a recipe here | ||
| Libby |
already done
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| sparhawkiw |
Tee hee, I have planted a calendula with each of my tomato & cue plants this year, I went into my greenhouse this evening & there is a lovely small pile of white fly under the calendula but none any where near the tomato plants...
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| polgara |
Smarty pants 
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| polgara |
Thank you for the recipes. Much appreciated.
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| Libby |
I have so many greenfly, I have never ever seen so many, the marigolds are blooming and so are the wretched greenfly, I may have to invest in a biological control otherwise I shall have no tomatoes at all this year 
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