In the past, Calendula officinalis was used to colour cheese yellow (rather that than some of the chemicals used today!). It was called “poor man’s saffron”.

It can be consumed (eaten or drunk in tea) or used topically (applied to the skin) to assist with pain swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds.

It was used as a treatment for smallpox and measles, in fact so much was grown in the former Soviet Union that it became known as Russian penicillin.

In the 12th century, Macer concluded that there would be an improvement in your eyesight just by looking at the plant.