Pot Marigold - Calendula officinalis

Detailed Description

A traditional herb celebrated for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and prized in the cosmetics industry for skin protection.

Botanical Information

Pot Marigold is an annual or biennial herb, typically growing to around 50 cm in height. Its stem is upright, often richly branched, and slightly hairy. The leaves are lanceolate or ovate, hairy, with smooth, scalloped, or sometimes toothed edges, arranged alternately on the stem. Upper leaves are petioled, while lower leaves are sessile. The flower heads perch at the branch tips and feature strap-shaped or tubular florets, usually in vibrant shades of yellow or orange. The root is comprised of spindle-shaped fibers. Pot Marigold blooms from June to September, with its flowering head persisting from spring until late autumn. The fruit is an achene.

Origin and Distribution

The origins of Pot Marigold are thought to be southern Europe around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, or possibly the Near East. However, its long history of cultivation makes pinpointing its native region difficult. Today, it is widely found across northern regions and thrive in any area with a warm climate. In many countries, including the Czech Republic, Pot Marigold is very common—from lowlands to mountainous regions, in gardens, on dumps, wastelands, by cemeteries, roadsides, and forest edges.

Usage / Dosage

The medicinal part of Pot Marigold is the flower (without or with the base and involucre)—known as flos calendulae sine calice or flos calendulae cum calice, respectively—harvested preferably when dry. Flowers are dried in the shade or with artificial heat below 40°C, as the drug absorbs airborne moisture easily and can become moldy, so re-drying is sometimes needed.

Traditional and pharmaceutical uses include the flower, ray florets, and leaves. The medicinal grade is typically sourced from plants with orangey-red flowers and a bitter taste. Pot Marigold may be used alone or in blends. Internally, it is consumed as a tea for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, supporting the circulatory system and used for varicose vein issues and capillary fragility. Externally, it is popular in pharmaceutical preparations for skin inflammation, frostbite, minor burns, and small wounds.

Historic herbals note that dried Pot Marigold, when drunk with wine, was given for blood in the urine, with other effects described as mildly laxative, diaphoretic (beneficial for jaundice), and even as a remedy against plague, warts, and other infections.

In folk medicine, Pot Marigold is used internally to support bile production, accelerate healing of suppurating wounds, suppress growth of bacteria and fungi, and to support the stomach and liver. Folk tradition also recommends it for cough, asthma, heart palpitations, severe and painful menstruation, internal inflammations, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, and in some tumors, where it helps ease psychological tension and symptoms.

Externally, Pot Marigold is frequently used as a poultice for any poorly healing wounds, as it stimulates the healing process. It may also be applied to leg ulcers, external inflammation due to bacterial or fungal infections, and can help with eye and ear infections (fresh, crushed plant parts work best for venous inflammation). Its decoction can be gargled for mild inflammation of the mouth.

The ancient Greeks, Romans, peoples of the Middle East, and Indians valued Marigold for folk medicine, dyeing textiles and food, and as an ingredient in cosmetics. Some uses continue to this day, especially Marigold oil for protecting the skin barrier. In South Slavic tradition, marigold was thought to foster love. Some extracts are still used for coloring food, hair, and cosmetic products.

In vitro studies have documented Pot Marigold’s potential for inhibiting the growth of viral infections, protecting genetic material, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Other in vitro studies have noted antibacterial effects as well as antifungal activity (notably from methanol and ethanol extracts). Together with horsetail, these are considered astringent herbs even without tannins.

Active Compounds

Pot Marigold contains a wide range of compounds, many still under investigation. Its bioactive groups include essential oils, bitters, calendin, carotenoids, flavonoids, salicylic acid, vitamin C, mucilage, and flavonoid glycosides. The petals and pollen contain triterpenoid esters and carotenoids like flavoxanthin and auroxanthin (pigments with antioxidant potential). The leaves and stems are rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. Other constituents include saponins, alcohols, resins, and essential oil.

Traditional Dosage

Calendula ointment is prepared by blending 2 handfuls or 30–50 grams of sliced or whole flowers, leaves, and stems with 500 grams of rendered pork lard. The fat is gently heated (ideally not above 60°C), the plant mixture is added, brought to a gentle boil, stirred, and left to infuse for a day or two, then gently reheated and filtered through cloth into a clean container. This salve is used for acne, burns, athlete’s foot, cracked skin, cuts, hemorrhoids, and frostbite.

As a tea, use one rounded teaspoon (or 2–5g) of calendula blended with 250ml hot water, consumed 1–2 cups daily as a preventative or 3–4 cups daily in more severe states such as liver disease, diarrhea, colitis, or during menstruation.

A tincture is made by infusing a handful (about 10g) of calendula flowers in 1 liter of 60% alcohol or distilled spirit, steeped for 14 days in sunlight at 15–20°C. Use as a compress for wounds, bruises, muscle or tendon strains, ulcers, swelling, or sprains.