Calendula, also known as marigold, is a popular flower with yellow-gold blossoms seen throughout Europe and Asia. Its petals are edible and are used to make a fragrant herbal tea.

Most people know this flower under its more common name, marigold. A relative of daisies, marigold's natural range stretches through western Europe, southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean. Its brilliant yellow-gold petals have made marigolds a popular flower in many gardens, and they were used historically to make a vibrant yellow dye. These petals are also edible, sometimes included in salads or, naturally, steeped into a delightful cup of herbal tea. Calendula tea offers a floral fragrance and taste, smooth and pleasant, and makes a delicious brew when complemented with a bit of honey or sugar.

Along with having a very enjoyable flavor, calendula tea offers other positive qualities. Calendula is a great natural source of vitamin C and E, as well as calcium. Furthermore, it contains a number of plant constituents, including essential oils, saponins, mucilage, quercetin, beta carotene and complex polysaccharides, merely to name a few. Dig a little deeper into the many qualities of calendula, and you'll discover a truly valuable herbal tea.