Calendula Officinalis (Marigold, Pot marigold, calendula):

Habitate:

Native to Europe, common throught the world, mostly cultivated

Botanical description:

An annual plant with branched stems. Leaves are pale green, and scapulate. The flower heads are bright yellow or orange with ray and tubular florets surrounding a crown shaped receptacle.

Parts used:

Ray florets (but whole flower is usually used)

Historical uses:

Calendual has been used in Europe for a long time as culinary plant. The bright orange flowers are colorful addition to salads and stews. Calendula was also thougt to comfort the heart and soothe agitation. Calendula has a long history for use for headaches, jaundice, red eyes, and toothaches. The marigold was thought to draw evil spirits out of the head and strengthen the eyesite.

Constituents:

Volatile oil, calendulin ( a bitter resin), carotenoids, xanthophyls, steroidal saponins, mucilage, resins, salycylic acid, polysaccharides

Medicinal action:

Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, vulnerary, sytptic, antiseptic, antiviral, antiprotozoal, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, lymphatic, phytoestrogenic

Medicinal uses:

1)Calendula is a mild (no explosive action) diffuse (stimulates circulation) stimulating (stimulates tissue function) yet relaxing (visceral relaxant; anti-spasmodic_ plant.

2)Calendula is anti-inflammatory internally for GI tract and externally especially when used in a poultice. The saponins and resins decrease tissue swelling, increase capillary perfusion of tissue and therefore decrease inflammation.

3)Anti-fungal properties are only found in a tincture ( not in the succus or oil) because it is the resins that are anti-fungal and these need 90% EtOH for extraction .

4)The antiseptic (demonstraed anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic activity has been demostrated in several in-vitro studies) and immunostimulating properties are derived from polysaccharides and volatil oil.

5)Calendula is mildly anti-viral and seems to have a tropism for the lower half of the body, versus baptisia which works best on the head and neck. Both of these herbs combine synergistically with echinacea. The calendulin resin gives calendula its cholagogue activity which in turn contributes to the depurative action. The diaphoretic action of calendula in mild and is secondary to the increase in peripheral circulation.

6)The stypic and vulnerary action are due to the xanthophyls (which stimulates granulation tissue), the mucilage and volatile oil. The xanthophyls are water soluble. Thus, calendula succus and tea can be used topically for wound healing and internal hemorrhage, inflammation of the throat, nasal passages, conjunctivitis (as an eye wash), otitis procitis and colitis (esp. as suppositories) gastritis and vaginitis.

7)Calendula is most indicated in chronic and acute inflammatory skin lesion, the symptoms of which may include itching , burning and swelling. The anti-inflammatory action of calendula have been demonstrated in several in-vivo animal studies.

8)As a lymphatic stimulant, calendula is most specific for the lymphatic in the breast and pelvic tissues. This may follow the fact that the saponins in calendula have mild phytoestrogenic activity, thus directing the hern to these areas. Calendula stimulates the drainage of enlarges, inflammed lymph nodes. For this reason, calendula is good for pre and post –op support.

9) It combines well with phytolacca as poultic to drain cysts such as fibrocyctic breasts. The main lymphatic herbs can be classified as follows:

Phytolacca: neck, breast, arms, glands

Galium: most systemic, excellent in the throat, pelvic area, urinary tract

Calendula: pelvic chest

Pharmacy:

It is expecially effective for skin condition (excluding fungal conditions ) as a fresh plant succus

Succus in 25% EtOH : 3-5 ml TID

1:5 90% EtOH tincture: 1-2 ml TID

Fluid extract 1:1 40% EtOH: 0.5-1 ml TID

Infusion 1-4 g TID (1tsp = 0.8g)

Specific tincture 1:3 96% EtOH, macerate 2 weeks ; sig 1-3 mls/day;

Creams, ointment, oil, poultices, suppositories

Toxicity:

Calendula is an extremely safe herb without documented side-effects. However, it is contraindicateed in pregnancy due to its emmenagogue and abortifacient effects

Medicinally = carry in pharmacy since it has function in every system of the body

Nutritional, has mucilinage m polysaccharide, anti-inflammatory for bladder and uterus, antimicrobial and fungal, used for tinea and athelets foot could be used internally and externally. Treat stagnant condition. Lymphagogue, used for female diseases, congestion, emetagogue

Used to = treat strep throat who are under the age of 12 for antifibrotic. The negative sequela occurs at this age. Used with echinacia , antifungal activity in a tincture form, succus form . athelets foot especially oil since it smuthers the fungus thus it is used in this fashion for the athelets foot . ointment form for tinea versicolor. Calendula oil plus the DMSO to clear nail fungus. Use for IBF and IBG for gastric ulceration, duodemun. Easy to grow. Very safe for children and pregnant female . not used for endocrine and neurological.