Plant Name
Calendula officinalis L.
Botanical Info
It is short-lived aromatic perennial plant, growing up to 80 cm tall.
Geography:
Grows elsewhere in warm temperate regions of the world.
Chemical Content
The flowers contain triterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, carotenes, calendulin, a saponin of calendin , bitter glycosides, resins, volatile oil, mucilage (do not contain tannins).
Traditional Use and Activity
Flowers have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, stimulant, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, antihaemorrhagic, styptic properties and are used in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers and dysmenorrhea. They are used externally for cuts, bruises, burns, scalds, poorly healing wounds. The plant is antiprotozoal. Flowers are antimicrobial and essential oil is antibacterial being used for the inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, internally and externally.