The ancient Romans gave this plant it's name of Calendula. It was seen to be in flower on the first day ofd the month or calends. The Romans grew this plant to treat scorpion bites and because it was pretty and bloomed for a long time.

It is know by these other Names: Bride of the Sun, Calendula, Drunkard, Goldes, Holigolde, Husband-man's Dial, Marybud, Marygold, Mary Goweles, Ruddes, Ruddles, Spousa Solis, Summer's Bride. It is masculine, ruled bu the Sun and is of the element of Fire. It's sign is Leo. It's powers are over Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Legal Matter, Psychic Powers.

Marigolds picked at noon when the Sun is at its hottest and strongest, will strengthen and comfort the heart. Garlands of Marigolds strung on the doorpost stop evil from entering the house, and scattered under the bed they protect you while asleep and give you true dream. Especially effective in discovering a thief who has robbed you.

Marigold added to the bath water help 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 favorably upon you while in court. If a girl touches the petals of the Marigold with her bare feet, she will understand the languages of the birds.

Also to see faries, here is and old formula: Take a pint of sallet oyle and put it into a vial galsse; and first wash it with rose-water and Marygolde water; the flowers to be gathered toward the east. Wash it till the oyle becomes white, then put into the glasse, and then put thereto the budds of young hazle, abd the tyme must be gathered neare the side of a hill where fairies use to be; and take the grasse of a fairy throne; then all these put into the oyle in the glasse and sette it to dissolve three dayes in the sune and then keep it for thy use.

Marigolds are not used in cooking much anymore but in the past they were used as a vegetable. They are often gown with spinach and cooked with it. in Elizabethan times they were used to flavor stewed lark or sparrow, in soup, and oatmeal. A good cook would have throw Marigolds in with just about anything. If you can find them there are recipes for Calendula pudding ( it is really excellent), dumplings and wine.

Antispasmodic (helps relieves cramps), aperient (a gentle laxative), cholagogue (increasing the flow of bile to the intestines), diaphoretic (an agent that promotes perspiration), vulnerary (a healing application for wounds). An infusion of the flowers (either the ray flower alone or the whole head) can be used for such gastrointestinal problems as ulcers, stomach cramps, colitis and diarrhea. It is also useful taken internally for fever, boils, abscesses and to prevent recurrent vomiting. The fresh juice of the herb or flowers can substitute for the infusion. For external use, a very good salve for wounds can be made from the dried flowers or leaves from the juice pressed out of the fresh flowers or from the tincture. The salve or dilute tincture is also good for bruise, sprains, pulled muscles, sores, and boils.