by Herb Pearce
Calendula is our pick for Enneagram Type 7, called the Optimist. This personality type is sunny, bright, positive and a best-case-scenario type of person. The yellow and orange, sunny-petaled calendula is a perfect match for the qualities of The Optimist. Type 7s like to be positive and optimistic above else, and criticize others for being “negative.” Be positive or else! They shy away from pain and problems and only like rosy perspectives on life.
In warm climates, calendula can grow all 12 months and in cooler climates it’s often the last flower to bloom, even through to December. Calendula officinalis has been recognized for centuries as a miracle plant which can cure just about anything. It’s in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is an edible flower. It’s native to southern Europe but resides also in North America and North Africa.
Planted in our climate in mid-spring, it grows easily. It’s a sun lover but can tolerate some partial shade. Besides yellow and orange some calendula petals are russet colored and even multi-petaled. Some varieties are grown to produce extra sticky resin on the sepals, which is where a lot of the medicinal value lies. Pick flowers every few days to brighten up your home, foods, or freeze into ice cubes.
Calendula is our pick for Enneagram Type 7, called the Optimist. This personality type is sunny, bright, positive and a best-case-scenario type of person. The yellow and orange, sunny-petaled calendula is a perfect match for the qualities of The Optimist. Type 7s like to be positive and optimistic above else, and criticize others for being “negative.” Be positive or else! They shy away from pain and problems and only like rosy perspectives on life.
In warm climates, calendula can grow all 12 months and in cooler climates it’s often the last flower to bloom, even through to December. Calendula officinalis has been recognized for centuries as a miracle plant which can cure just about anything. It’s in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is an edible flower. It’s native to southern Europe but resides also in North America and North Africa.
Planted in our climate in mid-spring, it grows easily. It’s a sun lover but can tolerate some partial shade. Besides yellow and orange some calendula petals are russet colored and even multi-petaled. Some varieties are grown to produce extra sticky resin on the sepals, which is where a lot of the medicinal value lies. Pick flowers every few days to brighten up your home, foods, or freeze into ice cubes.
The outer ray flowers of calendula improve the immune system and brighten up one's disposition -– perfect for Type 7s in the Enneagram who already have these tendencies, as well as would-be 7s who are wanting to be more positive. Secretly, 7s stay over-positive to protect themselves from feeling fearful or depressed so calendula can help with more of a natural balanced high. Sometimes The Optimist will hit the skids when grief or anxiety can’t be assuaged by their overly-positive minds and actions.
In Roman gardens calendula was a symbol for happiness and was regularly used for cooking and medicine. The Germans used it in soups and stews, as well as a saffron substitute in hearty large pot dishes, thus the nickname “pot marigold.”
Pick the flower petals and dry them in airy containers or baskets in warm dry areas so that you’ll have them available later — especially in winter to brighten up grayer days. Add them to quiches, salads, soups, relishes or any dish. Traditional people put them in breads, syrups or conserves.
Modern herbalists use calendula for a wide range of issues: from treating skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, sunburn and wounds to soothing intestinal inflammation. The flowers are also an important herb for lymphatic health and poor immunity. They can be made into a yellow-hued tea, taken as a tincture, or added to food. 7s love options and want to make sure calendula can be taken in many forms or used simply as a visual brightener.
In Roman gardens calendula was a symbol for happiness and was regularly used for cooking and medicine. The Germans used it in soups and stews, as well as a saffron substitute in hearty large pot dishes, thus the nickname “pot marigold.”
Pick the flower petals and dry them in airy containers or baskets in warm dry areas so that you’ll have them available later — especially in winter to brighten up grayer days. Add them to quiches, salads, soups, relishes or any dish. Traditional people put them in breads, syrups or conserves.
Modern herbalists use calendula for a wide range of issues: from treating skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, sunburn and wounds to soothing intestinal inflammation. The flowers are also an important herb for lymphatic health and poor immunity. They can be made into a yellow-hued tea, taken as a tincture, or added to food. 7s love options and want to make sure calendula can be taken in many forms or used simply as a visual brightener.
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Nicholas Culpeper, a famous English herbalist in the 1600s wrote, “The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spirits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them.”
Another account, written in 1699, states “The yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept throughout Dutchland against winter to put into broths, physicall potions and for divers other purposes, in such quantity that in some Grocers or Spicesellers are to be found barrels filled with them and retailed by the penny or less, insomuch that no broths are well made without dried Marigold" (another name for Calendula).
Old time texts used it as an uplifting herb particularly in the winter, along with rose, mimosa, lavender, lemon verbena or lemon balm. The only caution is that some people are allergic to the Asteraceae family.
If you’re down in the dumps, anxious or need cheering up, don’t forgot about calendula!
Another account, written in 1699, states “The yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept throughout Dutchland against winter to put into broths, physicall potions and for divers other purposes, in such quantity that in some Grocers or Spicesellers are to be found barrels filled with them and retailed by the penny or less, insomuch that no broths are well made without dried Marigold" (another name for Calendula).
Old time texts used it as an uplifting herb particularly in the winter, along with rose, mimosa, lavender, lemon verbena or lemon balm. The only caution is that some people are allergic to the Asteraceae family.
If you’re down in the dumps, anxious or need cheering up, don’t forgot about calendula!
Herb Pearce is an expert on the Enneagram with 28+ years experience. He has authored four books on the Enneagram including his most recent work, Presidential Profiles: Washington to Trump - Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Perspectives. Herb has taught over 2000 Enneagram workshops and has worked with hundreds of organizations, individuals and couples using the Enneagram in his counseling practice. Herb resides in Arlington, Massachusetts where he is a practicing psychotherapist and life coach. He emphasizes developing the strengths of all 9 Enneagram types and is known for his exacting insights, moderated by gentleness, humor and compassion. You can learn more at www.herbpearce.com or email him directly at herb@herbpearce.com.
Herb will be teaching his class, Herbs of the Enneagram, at Herbstalk on Sunday, June 3rd!
View the full class schedule here.
Herb will be teaching his class, Herbs of the Enneagram, at Herbstalk on Sunday, June 3rd!
View the full class schedule here.
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