calendula

A Mediterranean annual plant (Calendula officinalis) in the composite family, widely cultivated for its showy, yellow or orange, rayed flower heads that were formerly used in medicine, coloring, and flavoring of food. Also called pot marigold.

[Medieval Latin, marigold, from Latin kalendae, calends. See calends.]

Description

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is also known as garden marigold, holligold, goldbloom, golds, ruddes, Mary bud, bull's eyes, and pot marigold. It is a member of the Asteraceae family. Other members of this plant family include daisies, arnica, chamomile, and yarrow. This bright, flowering herb opens its gold blossoms in the morning and closes them at dusk, or when rain threatens. Calendula is native to Asia and southern and central Europe. Early settlers brought the herb to North America where it has become a garden favorite. It is cultivated throughout the world and valued for its culinary and medicinal uses. The first name, Calendula, is from the Latin kalendae, the word Romans used to indicate that it bloomed throughout the year in their area. The second name officinalis indicates that calendula was included in official lists of medicinal herbs. The common name marigold refers to the blossoms' association with the Virgin Mary.

Calendula is a familiar garden plant with yellow or orange-gold blooms that have a strong and distinctive scent. The plant likes sun and will re-seed from year to year, even in poor soil. The erect, square and branching stems emerge from a taproot to grow up to 2 ft (0.6 m) high. The lower leaves are broad and spatula shaped. Upper leaves may be oblong, are smooth at the edges, and are arranged alternately along the stem. Blossoms may be single or double, are 1–4 in (2.54–10.2 cm) across, and are made of many small florets. The bushy herb blooms continuously throughout the summer. Seeds are crescent to horseshoe shaped with a rough exterior.

General Use

Calendula has been used for centuries as a culinary, medicinal, and magical herb. It was believed that calendula could bring protection against dangerous influences. The seventeenth century astrologer and doctor, Nicholas Culpeper, taught that the marigolds were under the influence of the constellation Leo. The flowers, he said were "a comforter of the heart and spirits." The bright yellow blossom of this herb was used to make a dye to color cheese and butter. In the kitchen, leaves and florets were added to sauces, soups, porridge, and puddings for color and medicinal benefit. The dried, powdered blossoms have also been used as a substitute for saffron in cooking. During the Civil War, calendula was used to stop the blood flow from battle wounds. Calendula blossom preparations continue to be valued as an antiseptic for external application to scrapes, burns, cuts, or wounds. Local application, in the form of a plant poultice or an infusion soaked in a cloth and applied to a wound, is an effective healing remedy. The Romans valued the herb for its ability to break fevers. During the Middle Ages, calendula used for protection against the plague. In early American Shaker medicine, calendula was a treatment for gangrene.

In addition to its first aid uses, calendula also acts as a digestive remedy. An infusion or tincture of the flowers, taken internally, is beneficial in the treatment of ulcers, stomach cramps, colitis, herpes viruses, yeast infections, and diarrhea. An infusion may also be used as an external wash helpful in treating bee stings, eye inflammations, boils and abscesses, varicose veins, eczema, acne, and as a gargle for mouth sores or a rinse to relieve toothache. The flowers have antispasmodic, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. They improve the circulation of the blood and the lymphatic fluids and aid in elimination of toxins from the body. The juice from the fresh flowers or stem is said to help remove warts and help heal mucous membranes and skin. An infusion or tincture of the herb is also helpful in cases of painful or delayed menstruation, and the herb is a beneficial ally in the transition to menopause. The tincture also has many other uses, such as a topical wash for diaper rash in infants, a mouth gargle for sores, a vaginal douche for yeast, an internal soother for inflamed lungs, a topical for hemorrhoids, etc.

Despite a large number of studies on the chemical constituents of calendula flowers, the agents responsible for the herb's healing properties haven't been clearly determined. Constituents include saponins, carotenoids, resin, bitter principle, essential oil, sterols, flavonoids, and mucilage.

Preparations

Calendula blossoms are harvested when fully open throughout the flowering season. The flower heads are picked on a sunny day after the morning dew has evaporated. The blossoms are then spread on a paper-lined tray to dry in a bright and airy room away from direct sun. The temperature in the drying room should be at least 70°F (21°C). When the blossoms are completely dry, the florets are removed, and the center part of the blossom is thrown away. The dried florets are then be stored in a dark glass container with an airtight lid. The dried herb will maintain medicinal potency for 12 to 18 months. The container should be clearly labeled with the name of the herb, the date, and place harvested. The fresh juice of calendula flowers is preserved with 20% alcohol; the traditional tincture contains 50% alcohol.

Infusions are made by placing 2 oz (56.7 g) of fresh or half as much dried calendula blossom florets in a warm glass container. Then 2.5 cups (0.56 kg) of fresh, nonchlorinated water that has been boiled is added to the herbs. The mixture is then covered and steeped for ten to fifteen minutes. Next, the mixture is strained and the tea is drunk warm. The prepared tea will store for about two days in the refrigerator. Calendula blossom tea may be drunk by the cupful up to three times a day, as needed, or applied as an external skin wash.

An ointment is made by mixing dried and powdered calendula florets with olive oil. The combination is then mixed with melted beeswax. Then it is poured into dark glass jars while still warm. The mixture is sealed tightly with a lid when cool.

Precautions

Calendula shouldn't be used during pregnancy. It also should not be confused with the French marigold Tagetes patula, sometimes grown in gardens as an insect repellant.

Side Effects

Calendula is a relatively mild, nontoxic herbal medicine with no known side effects reported.

Interactions

None reported.

Resources

Books

Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993.

PDR for Herbal Medicines. New Jersey: Medical Economics Company, 1998.

Phillips, Roger, and Nicky Foy. The Random House Book of Herbs. New York: Random House, 1990.

Tyler, Varro E., Ph.D. Herbs Of Choice, The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: The Haworth Press, Inc., 1994.

Tyler, Varro E., Ph.D. The Honest Herbal. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1993.

Weiss, Gaea, and Shandor Weiss. Growing & Using the Healing Herbs. New York: Wings Books, 1992.

[Article by: Clare Hanrahan]

For more information on calendula, visit Britannica.com.

Plant genus in the family Asteraceae; cause cyanide poisoning; include C. cuneata, C. viscosa (both = Dimorphotheca cuneata).

Ka-len'dew-la. A genus of 15 species of herbs, chiefly from the Mediterranean region.

Description
Leaves undivided, alternate, simple, and faintly toothed. Flowerheads large, the rays yellow, orange, or cream.

How to Grow
Calendulas grown to flower in spring are tall with small blossoms, while winter-grown plants are small with immense blossoms. For spring bloom, start seeds very early indoors and set out as soon as soil can be worked. For fall or winter bloom in warm regions, direct seed and transplant 12 in. (30 cm) apart. Prefers cool weather.

Calendula officinalis
Pot Marigold . 12-18 in. (30-45 cm) high. Flowerheads solitary, stalked, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 cm) wide, the day-blooming and night-closing rays flattish and orange, yellow, or cream. S. Europe. Many cultivars are available. Plants prey to slugs. Long-lasting flowers good for cutting. Blooms spring to frost. Hardy annual.

Calendula
Field marigold (Calendula arvensis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Calenduleae Genus: Calendula L.
Species
See text

Calendula (pronounced /kəˈlɛndjuːlə/ Ca-lén-du-la),^[1] pot marigold, is a genus of about 12-20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. Calendula should not be confused with other plants that are also known as marigolds, such as plants of the genus Tagetes, corn marigolds or marsh marigolds.

The name Calendula stems from the Latin kalendae, meaning first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year. The common name marigold probably refers to the Virgin Mary, or its old Saxon name 'ymbglidegold', which means 'it turns with the sun'. Marigolds typically bloom quickly (in under two months) in bright yellows, reds, and oranges throughout the summer and well into the fall.

Marigolds are considered by many gardening experts as one of the most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially since it is easy to grow. Seeds sown in the spring, in most soils, will germinate freely in sunny or half-sunny locations. They do best, however, if planted in sunny locations with rich, well-drained soil. The leaves are spirally arranged, 5-18 cm long, simple, and slightly hairy. The flower heads range from pastel yellow to deep orange, and are 3-7 cm across, with both ray florets and disc florets. They have a spicy aroma and are produced from spring to autumn in temperate climates. It is recommended to deadhead (removal of dying flower heads) the plants regularly to maintain even blossom production.

Marigolds are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth, The Gothic, Large Yellow Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Marigold petals are considered edible. They are often used to add color to salads, and marigold extract is commonly added to chicken feed to produce darker egg yolks. Their aroma, however, is not sweet, and resembles the smell of hops in beer. The oil from its seed contains calendic acid.

Contents 1 Constituents 2 Medicinal effects 3 Selected species 4 References 5 Gallery

Constituents

The flowers of Calendula officinalis contain flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, saponins, and a sesquiterpene glucoside.^[2][3]

Medicinal effects

Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that Calendula extracts have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. ^[4] Calendula in suspension or in tincture is used topically to treat acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding and soothing irritated tissue.^[5][6] There is "limited evidence" that calendula cream or ointment is effective in treating radiation dermatitis.^[7][8]

Calendula has been used traditionally for abdominal cramps and constipation.^[9] In experiments with rabbit jejeunum the aqueous-ethanol extract of Calendula officinalis flowers was shown to have both spasmolytic and spasmogenic effects, thus providing a scientific rationale for this traditional use.^[10] An aqueous extract of Calendula officinalis obtained by a novel extraction method has demonstrated anti-tumor (cytotoxic) activity and immunomodulatory properties (lymphocyte activation) in vitro, as well as anti-tumor activity in mice. ^[11]

Selected species

• Calendula arvensis – Field Marigold
• Calendula bicolor
• Calendula eckerleinii
• Calendula lanzae
• Calendula maderensis – Madeiran Marigold
• Calendula maritima – Sea Marigold
• Calendula maroccana
• Calendula meuselii
• Calendula officinalis – Pot Marigold
• Calendula stellata
• Calendula suffruticosa
• Calendula tripterocarpa

References

1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
2. ^ Ukiya M, Akihisa T, Yasukawa K et al. Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers. (2006). J Nat Prod. 69:1692-1696.
3. ^ Yoshikawa M, Murakami T, Kishi A et al. (2001). Medicinal flowers.III. Marigold.(1): hypoglycemic, gastric emptying inhibitory, and gastroprotective principles and new oleanane-type triterpene oligolycosides, calendasaponins A, B, C, and D, from Egyptian Calendula officinalis. Chem Pharm Bull. 49:863-70.
4. ^ Jimenez-Medina E, Garcia-Lora A, Paco L et al. (2006). A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation. BMC Cancer. 6:6.
5. ^ "Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers". Int J Tissue React. 27 (3): 101–6. 2005. PMID : 16372475. 
6. ^ "Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer". J Clin Oncol.;():1447-53 22: 1447–53. 2004-04-15. PMID : 15084618. 
7. ^ McQuestion M. (2006). Evidence-based skin care management in radiation therapy. Semin Oncol Nurs". 22:163-173.
8. ^ Bolderston A, LLoyd NS, Wong RK et al. (2006). The prevention and management of acute skin reactions related to radiation therapy: a systematic review and practice guideline. Support Care Cancer. 14:802-817
9. ^ Bashir S, Janbaz KH, Jabeen Q et al. (2006). Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers. Phytother Res. 20:906-910.
10. ^ Bashir S, Janbaz KH, Jabeen Q et al. (2006). Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers. Phytother Res. 20:906-910.
11. ^ Jimenez-Medina E, Garcia-Lora A, Paco L et al. (2006). A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation. BMC Cancer. 6:6.

• Flora Europaea: Calendula
• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Calendula
• Botanical.com: Calendula

Gallery

Calendula arvensis	Calendula suffruticosa	Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) from Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885	Bed of (Calendula officinalis)
The endangered Calendula maritima

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