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Calendula officinalis Pot marigold (1 Page of 5) The Calendula officinalis plant species is found in S. Europe. A garden escape in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Pot marigold. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Calendula officinalis Common Name: Pot marigold Family: Compositae Author: L. Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 0.6 Mature Width: 0.5 Habitat: The original habitat is obscure but it is found as a garden escape on waste, cultivated and arable land and along roadsides[200].
Medicinal Information: Pot marigold is one of the best known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine and is also a popular domestic remedy[4, 254]. It is, above all, a remedy for skin problems and is applied externally to bites and stings, sprains, wounds, sore eyes, varicose veins etc[4, 254]. It is also a cleansing and detoxifying herb and is taken internally in treating fevers and chronic infections[4, 254]. Only the common deep-orange flowered variety is considered to be of medicinal value[4].
The whole plant, but especially the flowers and the leaves, is antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, skin, stimulant and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 165, 201]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, they are best harvested in the morning of a fine sunny day just after the dew has dried from them[4]. The flowers are also used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested when fully open and need to be dried quickly in the shade[4].
A tea of the petals tones up the circulation and, taken regularly, can ease varicose veins[201].
An application of the crushed stems to corns and warts will soon render them easily removeable[7].
The leaves, blossoms and buds are used to make a homeopathic remedy[232]. It is used internally in order to speed the healing of wounds[232].
For further Calendula officinalis gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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