Plant Study
Rhonda Cole
Arts, Environment and the Child
Plant Study
11-30-05
Calendula Officinalis
Family Name:Asteraceae
Family Name:Marigold
Latin Name: Calendula Officinalis
Common Names: Pot Marigold. Marygold. Bullseye. Golds. Ruddes. Mary Gowles. Occulus Christi.(5)
Related Species: St. Johns Wort(2)
Body System Affiliations:
- Intestines(7)
- Bile(7)
- Female System(7)
Botanical Description:
Habit: Herb
Size: 8-24 inches tall(8)
Arrangement: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm)(8)
Leaves: Light greenish yellow leaves(6)
Fruit: Petals, stem, and leaves(1)
Bark: Sap from the stem for removing warts and stones(^)
Ecology:
Habitat: Southern Europe
Range: Temperate climates above 25f(2)
Native Where: Mediterranean countries(7)
Places/ Dates Observed/Description: Northwest Natural Nursery on 11/27/05 in the evening/ soil was moist and the flowers were somewhat closed.(2)
Propagation:
Technique: Self Sowing(2)
Timing: Late Spring(2)
Harvest:
Plant Part: Petals(5)
Season of Harvest: Fall and winter(5)
Method of Harvest: Leaves when young. Flowers as they open, using the petals. Preserve by drying.(7)
Ecological Considerations of Harvest:
Cultural Considerations of Harvest:
Cautions: Pregnant women should not use calendula.(6)
Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Signifigance/Relationships: N/A
Western Uses/ Relationships:
Food: Petals are chopped and added to salads. Calendula replaces saffron. It is used to flavor rice, soups, etc..; a tea is made from the petals.(4)
Medicine:
Parts Used: Petals(4)
Medicinal Actions: Antiphlogistic; Antiseptic; Antipasmodic; Aperient; Astrigent.Cholagogue; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Homeopathy; Skin; Stimulant; Vulenary; Warts.(4)
Indications: Burns, cuts, scrapes, fevers, chronic infections, stings, sprains,
wounds, sore eyes, varicose veins.(4)
Body System Assosiations: Digestive system, liver, female system.(7)
Constituents:
Harvest: Whole flower heads are dryed on paper or cloth and stored in cool dark
Place.(2)
Storage: Protect from light and moisture, do not use after three years.(5)
Preparation: Lotions made from blossoms, infusion for eye.(6)
Applications: cream or ointment(6)
Pharmacy: 2-5 mg per 100 g(5)
Cautions: Do not use during pregnancy(5)
Personal Experience:
Part Used: Petals(1)
Medicinal Actions: Skin irritations
Indications: Rashes, cuts, and scrapes
Harvest: Cut flowers and dryed(1)
Site Location: Northwest Natural Nursery(2)
Site Description: Rich well drained soil(2)
Technique: dryed flowers first(2)
Processing: Infusing of olive oil
Storage: glass jar in dark cupboard
Applications: Calendula oil(1)
Preparation: Dried calendula flowers, picked off petals and put them into a bowl, weighed the flowers for 1 ½ 0z. and poured them into a crockpot with 8 oz. of olive oil on low heat for four hours. After four hours I placed the ingredients on cheesecloth and squeezed the liquid into a glass bottle.(1)
Reason/Purpose: I made calendula oil because it is soothing and relaxing, it is also very useful for skin problems.(1)
Cautions based on Experience: None(1)
Refrences Cited:
- Rhonda Cole
2. Steve and Holiday Eskridge; Owners of Northwest Natural Nursery
3.Unknown Author.www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?calendula+officinalis.Visited
on 11-30-05.
4.Unknown Author. www.Botanical.com.Visited on 11-30-05.
5.Weis, Gaea and Shandor. Growing and Using the Healing Herbs. Rodale Press Inc. 1985.
6.Mabey, Richard. The New Age Herbalist. Simon and Shuster Inc. 1988.
7.Oster Maggie. All About Herbs.
