Effects: The oil of C. officinalis is used as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-tumor agent, and a remedy for healing wounds. Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that Calendula extracts have anti-viral, anti-geotaxis, and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro Calendula is known to cause allergic reactions. It should be avoided during pregnancy
Use: Calendula oil is still used medicinally. In herbalism, Calendula in suspension or in tincture is used topically for treating acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding, and soothing irritated tissue. Calendula has been used traditionally for abdominal cramps and constipation. Most importantly, the flowers were made into extracts, tinctures, balms and salves and applied directly to the skin to help heal wounds and to soothe inflamed and damaged skin.
Background information: The name calendula is a modern Latin diminutive of calendae, meaning "little calendar", "little clock" or possibly "little weather-glass"; The petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads or dried and used to colour cheese or as a replacement for saffron. Good for companion planting and self-seeds with abundance. Why ‘marigold’? Because as a healing plant brought from the Mediterranean to northern Europe in the Middle Ages it was named in honour of the Virgin Mary, to distinguish it from other, non-therapeutic ‘golds’ such as chrysanthemums.
[wpspoiler name=”Where to find it”]Ireland: It is rare in Ireland, but found sometimes in the south east of Ireland. Commonly cultivated in gardens.
Germany: Calendula is very common and grows at sunny places, in gardens or even at rubbish dumps it can be found.
Greece: It is commonly grows in meadows
Poland: N/A
Italy: Very prolific, especially in fields in Italy. It cannot be found only in the regions of Trentino and Val D’Aosta.
[/wpspoiler][wpspoiler name=” Cultural aspects(stories/songs)”] Ireland: N/A
Germany: The plant was used for forecasting the weather. It is said that if the flowers were still closed after 7am, it will rain. In addition it is connected to love:
It is said that if the seeds are planted in the footprints of the beloved, he will come back. Until today it is often used as a kind of oracle to see it someone is in love (saying he loves me, he does not love me while picking one petal off a flower). One other recommendation is to apply a cream made of different summer herbs with honey, vinegar and calendula to dream about a great love.
Greece: N/A
Poland: N/A
Italy: The characteristic orange and yellow-orange colour of the plant inspired Pietro Gori, Italian poet of the late nineteenth century 1800, who in his poem "Love for flowers", wrote : "… How is it that you can always flower without dying ? For they symbolize the plots of life down here …"[/wpspoiler][wpspoiler name=”Contemporary use(cuisine/ cosmetics/medicine)”]Ireland: Edible parts: flowers and Young shoots, leaves – raw or cooked.
Germany: Calendula is still used in creams (against cuts, sores and other skin infections) or in hair shampoo. In kitchen calendula sugar is a nice possibility, in a blender the petals are mixed with sugar and dried in the oven or the sun. The sugar can be used to dye cake batter or other desserts. In addition the flowers can be used as eatable decoration on salads or in soups.
Greece: Extracts of the plant are also used widely in cosmetics due to the presence of compounds, such as saponins, resins and essential oils.
Poland: Some species are grown as ornamental plants. Marigold is a plant medicinally. They are fairly resistant to frost, do not have a special requirements for soil. It reproduces by seeds.
Italy: Preparations as skin cosmetics are applied for skin protection and against inflammation. Taken orally, the flowers are used against mouth and stomach (gastric) ulcers.[/wpspoiler][wpspoiler name=”Traditional use (remedies, uses)”]Ireland: Tea made from calendula flowers is helpful during menopause and can also be helpful for digestive disorders. Cold calendula tea can be used as a skin wash for cuts, sores and skin infections. Measles and chickenpox sores can also be soothed with cold calendula tea. Calendula compresses can be applied to burns, cuts and scrapes, bee stings, bug bites, inflammations, and other skin irritations. They can even be used on animals with minor skin conditions or injured paws.
Germany: As in Ireland tea was prepared with calendula to stimulate menstruation and against different female diseases. Hildegard von Bingen saw the plant as cold and humid. She recommended it against intoxications. Besides, she recommended to prepare tinctures against skin problems.
Greece: 1. The concentration of silicon makes it one of the most important herbs for treating skin problems for the cure of which the body must regenerate new tissues. 2. In the past it was a source of yellow orange color.
Poland: N/A
Italy: Mostly used traditionally to beautify homes in terrace or window vases[/wpspoiler]
