Calendula
What Is Calendula? Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold or just marigold, is a self-seeding flower that is used in food and medicine around the world. There are well over a dozen different kinds of 'calendula' flowers known in the world today. There are similar 'marigold' flowers outside of the calendula family but they fall under the genus 'tagetes' as opposed to genus 'calendula'. tagetes marigolds contain different medicinal properties than calendula officinalis, so it is important to know the difference between the two before you use this herb.
Calendula officinalis (latin) sheds its flowers regularly, providing many petals and seeds to the garden floor for the attentive gardener. The flower, which is said to have originated in parts of Asia and around the Mediterranean, adapted very well to the parts of the world in which it can now be found. The plant's rapid growth and adaptability have resulted in a flower that has been adored for centuries by many different cultures
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A Brief History of Calendula Calendula has become naturalized in many parts of the world making its true origin a bit of a mystery. We do know that it became popular among many early civilizations, quite possibly because of its rapid flowering cycle. In my experience, frequently harvesting the flowers of a calendula plant will encourage quick flower regrowth and, in most occasions, double the overall flower yield. This would explain why the flower has been a longstanding ingredient in traditional German soups and stews; hence the name "pot marigold". Although I've never personally tried to cook with the flower, it is said to give a "bitter" balance to soup and may even add an orange or yellow color to the broth.
We also know that calendula flowers were a popular item in ceremonies and other important cultural events. These flowers can be traced to as far back as the Aztecs, Mayans, Greeks and Romans, and are also considered "sacred" throughout India and Hindu culture. As for the name "marigold", the Catholic church used to fashion the flowers into wreaths and would refer to them as "mary's gold". And the Egyptians may have been one of the first to capitalize on the flowers skin-rejuvenating properties. Are Marigolds Perennials A perennial lives year after year. Calendula, which is considered to be a perennial, hibernates in the winter and returns in the spring. Annual flowers will finish their cycle and die in the winter. They call Calendula Officinalis a short-lived perennial because, while this plant species is of perennial nature, it can easily become stressed and die in the winter. |
How Calendula Benefits The Skin
C. officinalis was widely used among populations that thrived along the Mediterranean sea. From there we know that these cultures, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, all used the flower in one form or another to heal skin related ailments. The folklore and health benefits of calendula run as wild as the flower grows.
Around the world, research is increasing on ancient medicinal plants and we are discovering that there is hard science to support their perceived benefits. Calendula officinalis is a perfect example.
Around the world, research is increasing on ancient medicinal plants and we are discovering that there is hard science to support their perceived benefits. Calendula officinalis is a perfect example.
INFLAMMATION AND Skin Repair
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recently approved "lipophilic and aqueous-alcoholic extracts" of calendula officinalis as "traditional medicinal products for the treatment of minor inflammation of the skin and as an aid in the healing of minor wounds" (2).
The "wound healing properties" of three c. officinalis extracts were tested by a series of medical institutions and universities including the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg, and the Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.
The "wound healing properties" of three c. officinalis extracts were tested by a series of medical institutions and universities including the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg, and the Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.
"The purpose of this study was to analyze the molecular mechanism of the wound healing effects of Calendula extracts, which may reflect the phytomedicines currently used in the market." (1)
The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the healing benefits of Calendula officinalis as claimed by the EMA. The study found that:
"The n-hexanic and the ethanolic extracts from Calendula flowers influence the inflammatory phase by activating the transcription factor NF-κB and by increasing the amount of the chemokine IL-8, both at the transcriptional and protein level, in human immortalized keratinocytes." (1)
In other words, two of the three extracts prepared from calendula flowers showed strong results in the reduction of skin inflammation.
"it can be assumed that the granulation tissue was affected, as the ethanolic extract inhibited the activity of collagenase in vitro and enhanced the amount of collagen in the supernatant of human dermal fibroblasts." (1)
A dermal fibroblast is a specific cell type located within the dermis layer of the skin. These cells generate connective tissues in the dermis, connective tissues that are essential to repairing damaged skin.
What they mean above is that there is evidence to support that calendula officinalis extract promotes healing, and that it should be researched further, specifically in regard to the effect of calendula extract on human dermal fibroblast.
Conclusion:
What they mean above is that there is evidence to support that calendula officinalis extract promotes healing, and that it should be researched further, specifically in regard to the effect of calendula extract on human dermal fibroblast.
Conclusion:
- Calendula officinalis extracts contain beneficial properties that reduce skin inflammation and help repair damaged skin cells. Further research should be conducted.
Antimicrobial
In 2012 a study was conducted and released by the Center of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Ulster in the United Kingdom. The intention of the study was:
"to assess the antimicrobial activity of methanol and ethanol extracts of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) petals against clinical pathogens." (4)
Their study tested calendula extract against various microorganisms including bacteria and fungi.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
- Both forms of extracts made from calendula officinalis (methanol and ethanol based) showed strong growth inhibition against the tested strains of fungi. The methanol preparation exhibited greater antibacterial properties.
How Calendula Is Used Around The World
Agriculture - Pest Control:
As Medicine:
Culinary / Food:
- One method of pest control is to introduce a 'predator' to the 'pest' at issue in a crop or garden. One such predator is the flower bug Orius sauteri (Poppius). The bug is very common and effective in treating greenhouse aphid and thrips infestations in Asia.
- A study conducted mostly by various Chinese universities found that if you can improve the living conditions of the predator bug Orius sauteri, the pest populations (aphid and thrips) will be reduced. (3)
As Medicine:
- Burns, cuts, and bruises
- Skin rash and irritation
- External inflammation
- Ear infections
- Muscle spasm
- Induce menstrual period
- Soothe menstrual cramps
- Reduce Fever
Culinary / Food:
- Soups and stews
- Salad topping
- Eggs, quiche, and omelets
- Calendula Tea
- Raw
Works Cited:
1) In vitro studies to evaluate the wound healing properties of Calendula officinalis extracts.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27956358
2) European Medicines Agency Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use - COMMUNITY HERBAL MONOGRAPH ON CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L., FLOS. http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2009/12/WC500018121.pdf
3) Using Calendula officinalis as a floral resource to enhance aphid and thrips suppression by the flower bug Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27860184
4) Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22789794
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27956358
2) European Medicines Agency Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use - COMMUNITY HERBAL MONOGRAPH ON CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L., FLOS. http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2009/12/WC500018121.pdf
3) Using Calendula officinalis as a floral resource to enhance aphid and thrips suppression by the flower bug Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27860184
4) Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22789794