Read about Calendula officinalis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Calendula officinalis, Linn. Pot Marigold. Fig. 741. Annual: 1-2 ft. high, more or less hairy: Ivs. oblong and more or less clasping, entire, thickish: heads solitary, on stout stalks, large with flat spreading rays, showy, closing at night. S. Eu. B.M. 3204. V. 5:44; 16:165.—One of the most universal garden fls., running into many vars., distinguished by size, color, and degree of doubling. The color varies from white-yellow to deep orange. This is the marygold of Shakespeare's time. The fl.-heads are sometimes used in cookery, to flavor soups and stews. The calendula is of the easiest culture in any warm, loose soil. The seeds are usually sown where the plants are to stand, but they may be sown indoors or in a frame and the plants transplanted. The achenes are large and germinate quickly. The plant blooms the whole season, particularly if the fls. are picked. It is a hardy annual, and in the southern states will bloom most of the year. In the N. it blooms up to the first frosts, sometimes beyond. Sown in summer or autumn, it makes a good winter bloomer. Florets are used in medicine as a vulnerary and anti-emetic. The flowering plant was formerly used for removing warts.
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Pot Marigold or English Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a plant in the Calendula genus. It was used in ancient Greek, Roman, Arabic and Indian cultures as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics.
The leaves and petals of the Pot Marigold are edible, with the petals added to dishes as a garnish and in lieu of saffron. The leaves can be sweet but are more commonly bitter, and may be used as or as part of salad.
It is also used in homeopathic medicine (in a gel form) as a way to promote the healing of minor burns, scrapes and skin irritations.
Medical Uses
Flowers harvested between June and September are most potent.
Hot calendula tea helps soothe ulcers. Gargle with cool tea for inflamed tonsils or canker sores.
To make the tea:
-Pour 10 oz of boiling water over 2/3 cup of dried flowers and let steep for 15 minutes.
Or
-Add 5-10 drops of calendula tincture to a cup of hot water.
Ointment is used on scabs, eczema and psoriasis.
To make the ointment:
-Melt 1/2 cup of petroleum jelly over low heat in a double boiler
-Add a handful of dried calendula flowers
-Heat on low for an hour
-Strain out herb and pour into glass jar
Tincture or spray can be applied to rashes, cuts, scrapes, or acne with a cotton ball. Spraying is good for sunburns, vaginitis and pinworms.
To dry the flowers themselves, put it on a mesh in direct sun for 1-2 weeks. Afterwards, store in an air tight container.
Pharmacology
Plants are used for the treatment of skin disorders and pain, and as a bactericide, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. The petals and pollen contain triterpenoid esters (an anti-inflammatory) and the carotenoids flavoxanthin and auroxanthin (antioxidants, and the source of the yellow-orange coloration). The leaves and stems contain other carotenoids, mostly lutein (80%) and zeaxanthan (5%), and beta-carotene. Plant extracts are also widely used by cosmetics, presumably due to presence of compounds such as saponins, resins and essential oils. Organic extracts have even been tentatively shown to inhibit HIV-1. [1]