Natasha Richardson and Claire Goulding
Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
Plant Profile
Names: Calendula officinalis (Latin). Marybud, Marigold, Gold-bloom, Summer’s Bride, Husbandman’s Dial, Holigold, Bride of the Sun, Spousa Solis, Golds, Gold, Golds, The Sun’s Gold, Ball’s Eyes, Bees-love, Oculis Christi, Drunkard, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Ruddles, Ruddes, Solis Sponsa, Solsequia
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun
Magical uses: Protection, Divination, Find lost items, Prevent or stop gossip, Happiness and joy.
Qualities: Warming
Actions: Immune stimulant, anti-protozoal, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti-haemorrhage, anti-histamine, anti-bacterial, active against staphylococcus and streptococcus, anti-emetic, anti-cancer, antiseptic, styptic, haemostatic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, oetrogenic activity, menstrual regulator.
Physical Uses: Eczema, Wound healing, Lacerations, Grazes, Ulcers, Abscesses, Sore nipples, Stop bleeding, Varicose veins, Chilblains, Fistulas, Radiotherapy burns, Thrush, Sunburn, Insect bites, Bruises, Infection, Colitis, Balanitis, Gallbladder inflammation, Endometriosis, Infertility, Amenorrhea, Painful periods, Leucorrhea, Irritated vaginal walls, Tearing in childbirth (externally), Heavy periods, Hot flushes, Fibroids.
Emotional Uses: Uplifting, Anti-depressant, Grief.
Parts used: Flowers
Constituents: Triterpenes; pentacyclic alcohols; flavonoids including rutin; resins; saponins; sesquiterpene glycosides; volatile oils and polysaccharides; bitters, phytosterols, mucilage, carotenoids such as carotene and calendulin.
Legend & Tradition
In the language of flowers it would be used to symbolise grief. When combined with roses it could represent the bittersweet pains of love. This association with death in Europe is mirrored in Mexico where it is used as decoration on the day of the dead. (Grieves, 1992).
Medicinal Uses
SKIN
Marigold is well known for its external uses as it is often found in creams to help heal the skin. It is known to help heal dry skin in eczema but it can also be used to heal wounds including ulcers. (Buzzi et al., 2016) It can be used as a cream on sore nipples as this will prevent the transferral of thrush at the same time. (De Klerk, 2015). Marigold is less commonly known for its internal uses although it has many obvious applications once you know the external uses. For instance, just as it is used on ulcers externally it can be used on ulcers internally such as stomach ulcers. It can also be used to treat thrush in the throat, vagina as well as on the skin as previously mentioned. (Yadav et al., 2016)
IMMUNE
As a lymphatic it is useful in reducing inflammation in the system (including immune hyperactivity). It is helpful in reducing raised glands in common colds and will break a fever in flu. As an anti-inflammatory it is used to treat colitis, balanitis and gall bladder inflammation. (Ashwlayan & Verma, 2018).
LIVER
It is a mild bitter and will help digestion but it is also known for treating Jaundice. (Hamad, 2016).
REPRODUCTIVE
It is said by Matthew Wood to increase the life force in the pelvic region. As such it can be used for myriad problems. These include; endometriosis, infertility, amenorrhea, painful periods, leucorrhoea, irritated vaginal walls, tearing in childbirth (externally), heavy periods and hot flushes and fibroids in the menopause.(Ashwlayan & Verma, 2018)Safety ConsiderationsNone known.
References
AshwlayanVD, K. A., & Verma, M. (2018). Therapeutic potential of Calendula officinalis. Pharmacy and Pharmacology International Journal, 6(2), 149-155.
Buzzi, M., de Freitas, F., & Winter, M. (2016). A Prospective, Descriptive Study to Assess the Clinical Benefits of Using Calendula officinalis Hydroglycolic Extract for the Topical Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Ostomy/wound management, 62(3), 8-24.
De Klerk, M. (2015). The Anti-Fungal Properties of Calendula Officinalis on Candida Albicans. University of Johannesburg (South Africa).
Hamad, M. N. (2016). Detection and isolation of flavonoids from Calendula officinalis (F. Asteraceae) cultivated in Iraq. Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (P-ISSN: 1683-3597, E-ISSN: 2521-3512), 1-6.
Yadav, A. K., Pushpesh, K. M., Jain, P. K., Chandana, V. R., Tiwari, S., & Singh, V. (2016). Investigation of Calendula officinalis whole plant as a gastroprotective and antioxidant in peptic ulcer. Br J Med Health Res, 3(7), 67-76.
