Calendula Health Dictionary

Linn.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Throughout India; wild in Punjab.

English: Pot-Marigold, Marigold; Calendula.

Unani: Zergul.

Siddha/Tamil: Thulvkka Saamanthi.

Action: Flowers—antiinflammatory, antiseptic, stimulant, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, antihaemorrhagic, styptic. Used in gastric and duodenal ulcers and dysmenorrhoea; externally for cuts, bruises, burns, scalds. Plant—antiprotozoal. Flower— antimicrobial. Essential oil— antibacterial.

Key application: In inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, internally and externally. Externally, on poorly healing wounds, ul- cuscruris. (German Commission E, WHO, ESCOP.) Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The flowers contain triterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, carotenes, bitter glycosides, resins, volatile oil, mucilage (do not contain tannins). Polysaccharides from flowers exhibited immuno- stimulating and antitumour activity in several in vitro test systems.

An alcoholic extract has been shown to have antitrichomonal activity.

Wound healing and antiinflammatory properties are attributed to Mn and carotene. An aqueous alcoholic extract of florets showed CNS inhibitory effect with marked sedative activity in experimental animals.

The extract of flower-heads exhibited estrogenic activity (reduces period pains and regulates menstrual bleeding).

Calephlone, the extract containing the total polyphenols of the inflorescence, has a marked cholagogic effect in rats and has been found helpful in the treatment of CCl4-induced hepatitis. A hypocholesterolaemic saponin has been extracted from the plant.

Dosage: Dried inflorescences powder—1-3 g (API Vol. II); fruit powder—1-2 g. (API Vol. IV.)... calendula officinalis

Calendula tea can be consumed for its healing properties as well as for its taste. It is efficient in treating a large array of diseases, being an important ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry. Calendula Tea description Calendula, or ‘marigold’, is an orange or yellow flower, originating from the northern Mediterranean countries. In Roman Catholic Church, calendulas are used in the events honoring the Virgin Mary. In households, marigold flavors and colors cereals, rice and soups. Nowadays, calendula is appreciated for its ornamental features.   Calendula tea is the resulting beverage from brewing the abovementioned plant. Calendula Tea brewing Calendula Tea is prepared by steeping dried calendula flowers in boiling water for about 5 minutes. After taking it out of the heat, strain it and drink it slowly. Calendula Tea benefits Calendula tea is successfully used as:

• an anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial adjuvant
• an immuno-stimulator
• an ear infections aid
• a conjunctivitis treatment
• a collagen production stimulator
• a sore throat and a mouth inflammation adjuvant
• a gastrointestinal disorders treatment
• a menstruation cycle regulator
• a body detoxifier (after an operation)
• a soothing skin treatment
• a minor burns healer
• a toothache mitigator
• a flu adjuvant

Calendula Tea side effects As a topical treatment, Calendula tea should not be applied on open wounds. Also, allergic responses were noticed by people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums and other plants from the daisy or aster family. Calendula tea is best known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, but also for its healing properties for gastrointestinal disorders.... calendula tea is anti-bacterial

Less. non-Rich.

Synonym: W chinensis Merrill.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Bengal, Assam, Konkan, and Tamil Nadu.

Ayurvedic: Bhringaraaja (yellow- flowered var.), Pitabhringi, Pitabhringa-raaja, Avanti, Ke- sharaaja, Kesharaaga.

Siddha/Tamil: Manjal karisaalai, Potralai kaiyan tagarai, Patalai Kaiantakerai.

Action: Leaves—bechic; used in alopecia, juice used for dyeing hair and for promoting hair growth. Plant—deobstruent; used in menorrhagia and abdominal swellings, as a tonic for hepatic and splenic enlargement.

See Eclipta alba.

The expressed juice of the herb contained an oil-soluble black dye 11.2; tannin 220; saponin 500 (contradictory reports) and phytosterol 3.75 mg/100 g among other constituents. The leaves contain isoflavonoids.

The bisdesmosidic oleanolic acid saponins have been isolated from the fresh leaves. Significant hepatoprotec- tive activity has been found in the pro- saponin from ginsenoside Ro (chiku- setsusaponinV); and in coumestans, wedelolactone and demethyl wedelo- lactone, isolated from the methanol extract of the herb.

Wedelolactone has also been found to be a potent and selective 5-lipoxy- genase-inhibitor, the process being an oxygen radical scavenger mechanism.

Wedelolactone (0.05%), isolated from the leaves, is analogous in structure to coumestrol, an estrogen from Melilotus sp. (clover).

Family: Rubiaceae.

Habitat: Sub-Himalayan region, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Ayurvedic: Tilaka.

Folk: Tiliyaa (Bihar), Tilki, Mimri (Bengal).

Action: Bark—administered in urinary affections.... wedelia calendulaceae