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Keynote: injuries. Not the same plant as French Marigold (Tagetes patula).
Constituents: volatile oil, flavonoids, triterpenes.
Action: immune stimulant, anti-protazoal, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti- haemorrhage, anti-histamine, anti-bacterial effect particularly against staphylococcus and streptococcus, anti-emetic, anti-cancer, antiseptic, styptic, haemostatic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, oestrogenic activity (extract from fresh flowers), menstrual regulator.
Uses: Internal. A remedy which should follow all surgical operations. Enlarged and inflamed lymphatic glands, gastric and duodenal ulcer, jaundice, gall bladder inflammation, absent or painful menstruation, balanitis, rectum – inflammation of, gum disease, nose-bleeds, sebaceous cysts, measles (cup of tea drunk freely), pneumonia – a cooling drink which is anti-inflammatory. Vaginal thrush.
Uses: External. Rapid epithelisation process in damaged skin tissue, especially alcoholic extract; rapid wound adhesion and granulation without suppuration. (Weleda)
Wounds where the skin has been broken: laceration with bleeding (Arnica for unbroken skin). Sores, leg ulcers, abscess etc. Sore nipples in nursing mothers, varicose veins, nosebleeds, grazed knees in schoolchildren. Bee, wasp and other insect stings. Chilblains, fistula, inflamed nails, whitlow, dry chapped skin and lips, wind burn, air pollution.
Dentistry: Tooth extractions: rinse mouth with infusion of the florets or much-diluted tincture – 5-10 drops in water.
Malignancy: strong tea, 1-2oz to 1 pint boiling water; use as a wash to cleanse exudations.
STD purulent discharge: inject douche of strong infusion as above.
Wm M. Gregory MD, Berea, Ohio, USA. “I have never seen one drop of pus develop in any wound, however dirty.”
Preparations: For internal or external use. Average dose, 1-4 grams, or equivalent. Thrice daily.
Tea: dried petals/florets. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Drink freely.
Home tincture. 1 handful petals/florets (approximately 50g) to 1 pint (500ml) 70 per cent alcohol (Vodka); stand 14 days in a warm place, shake daily. Filter. Dose: 5-20 drops in water.
Poultice. Handful petals/florets to 1 pint boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Apply on suitable material to injuries where skin is broken; replenish when dry.
Herbalist’s Friend. 1 part Tincture Calendula to 4 parts Witch Hazel, for phlebitis and painful varicose veins.
Weleda. Calendula lotion locally, or as a mouth wash and gargle.
Marrigold, Maragold, Maregold, Marygold, Marigolde
Habitat: Common in English gardens; native of South America.
Features ? Stem angular, hairy up to one foot high. Lower leaves stalked, spatulate, upper sessile, all hairy. Flower-heads yellow, the tubular florets sterile. Fruit semicircular, angular, rough, no pappus. Taste bitter, smell unpleasantly strong.Part used ? Herb, flowers.Action: Diaphoretic, stimulant, antispasmodic.
The infusion of 1 ounce of the flowers or herb to 1 pint boiling water is prescribed both for internal use in 1-2 tablespoonful doses, and externally as a lotion for chronic ulcers and varicose veins. The infusion is also given to children (in doses according to age) suffering from measles and other feverish and eruptive complaints. Sprained muscles gain relief from the hot fomentation. Marigold is frequently combined with Witch Hazel when a lotion is required.FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)
SYNONYMS: Calendula, marygold, marybud, gold-bloom, pot marigold, hollygold, common marigold, poet’s marigold.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An annual herb up to 60 cms high with soft, oval, pale green leaves and bright orange daisylike flowers.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to southern Europe and Egypt; naturalized throughout temperate regions of the world. Widely cultivated, especially in northern Europe for domestic and medicinal use. The absolute is only produced in France.
OTHER SPECIES: There are several species of marigold, but the common marigold is the one generally used medicinally. It should not be confused with tagetes or taget from the Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) or the African marigold (T. erecta), the oil of which is also often called ‘calendula’.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: A herb of ancient medical repute, said to ‘comfort the heart and spirits’.. It was also used for skin complaints, menstrual irregularities, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, conjunctivitis and poor eyesight. The flowers are current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, specific for enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes, sebaceous cysts, duodenal ulcers and inflammatory skin lesions. The infused oil is useful for a wide range of skin problems including cracked and rough skin, nappy rash, grazes, cracked nipples, varicose veins and inflammations.
ACTIONS: Antihaemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, cholagogue, cicatrisant, emmenagogue, febrifuge, fungicidal, styptic, tonic, vulnerary.
EXTRACTION: An absolute by solvent extraction from the flowers.
CHARACTERISTICS: A dark greenish-brown viscous liquid with an intensely sharp, herbaceous odour. It blends well with oakmoss, hyacinth, floral and citrus oils.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: The absolute contains calendulin (a yellow resin), waxes and volatile oil.
SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, nonsensitizing. The real calendula absolute is only produced in small quantities, and is difficult to get hold of.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Skin care: Burns, cuts, eczema, greasy skin, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, wounds. NB: ‘The infused oil is very valuable in Aromatherapy for its powerful skin-healing properties.’ .
OTHER USES: Used in high-class perfumery.
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