Marigold (Marygold, Marigould, Marygolde)
Marigolds are a good salad herb, both the flowers and leaves being edible. It was considered a plant good against poisons and fevers of all kinds, as well as recommended for sore eyes and to take away warts. The flowers can also be made into a soft yellow dye, traditionally used to color cheeses.
Marigold blossoms can be strung in windows to both brighten your rooms and to keep away flies. Planting marigolds in your garden around fragile plants can also drive bad insects away, and draw both bees and butterflies close.
TO MAKE AN INFUSION OF MARIGOLD
Place several petals (preferably fresh, but dried is fine) into a mug of water, and heat this mixture as rapidly as possible. In the 17th century, this would have been done using a mulling iron that had been heated over a fire and then plunged into the cup of water, bringing it to a nearly instant boil. Today, use of a microwave is generally suitable for your needs.
This infusion may be taken internally as an antiseptic to help combat fever or may be used to soak a cool compress for wounds.