Pot Marigold - an annual plant, up to 50-60 cm tall, with a specific aroma. The root is columnar and branched. The stem is erect, branched, covered with hairs at the top. The leaves are inverted ovate, elongated, rosette-shaped at the root, sitting on the top of the stem, lanceolate. The flowers are golden-yellow or orange, collected in large (4-7cm diameter) inflorescences. The plant blooms from June until autumn frosts. Seed pods begin to ripen already in July.

Marigold flowers (Calendulae flores) are used for medicinal purposes. They start to be collected when the sharp flowering has started, both types of flowers are collected by simply plucking them off. During one season, you can harvest 10-20 blooming marigolds. Systematic and frequent harvesting produces new flowers on the plants. After twisting the flowers, they can be dried in an open, shady place, or in the attic, as well as in forced dryers, not exceeding a temperature of 40-45C. Drugs, tinctures of this plant are state-approved as a medical remedy. And in many European countries, where the whole plant is used, including the root.

Pot marigold flowers contain up to 3% carotenoids - carotene, rubixanthin, lycopene, citroxanthin, violoxanthin, flavochrome, flavoxanthin and others (15 compounds). In dark orange marigolds, carotenoids are found in 10 times higher concentrations than in marigolds with yellow flowers.

Likewise, paraffin-class hydrocarbons (gentriacontan and sitosterol), resins, triterpene glycosides, mucilage and bitter substances, organic acids (malic, salicylic), ascorbic acid have also been found in calendula flowers. Triterpene saponins - oleic acid glycosides, which are called calendins A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, have been found in calendula extracts. In the roots and the surface part, the total amount of oleic acid ranges from 4-5%.

8 flavonoids (ramentin, isoramentin-3-glycoside, isoquercitrin and others) were found in the flowers of medicinal marigold. Their amount in the plant varies by species and population, on average 0.26-0.91%. Orange flowers with rough leaves are especially rich in flavonoids.

All parts of the plant also contain triterpene compounds: alcohols up to 5% and eleanic acid. Polysaccharides containing arabinose, galactose, glucose, rhamnose and xylose are obtained from the inflorescences of the plant.

Calendula flowers contain 0.05-0.2% essential oil, by the way, the essential oil in the calyx of the flower is up to 0.4%. A small amount of coumarins (scopoletin, umbelliferone and esculetin), resins (up to 3.44%) and tannins, mucilage (up to 2.5%), traces of alkaloids and trace elements have also been found in the inflorescences of the plant.

All parts of the plant contain sterols, especially in the leaves (up to 18%). Tocopherols and the bitter substance calendin are also obtained from the leaves.

Medicinal significance

Pot Marigold flower infusion acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and choleretic agent. Phytoncidal properties of the plant are provided by the essential oils contained in it.

Not taking into account that the bactericidal properties of the plant against streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria are insignificant, but inflammatory processes that occur under the influence of bacteria are much easier, most likely, this is due to increased granulation, epithelization and increased local defense mechanisms.

Calendula flowers have antispasmodic properties. By relaxing the smooth muscles of organs such as the stomach, intestines, and liver, the plant also enhances secretion processes, which promote bile production, bile separation, and increased gastric secretion.

In the Department of Stomatology of Ukraine, Pot Marigold was studied with the aim of finding out whether it can be used to treat inflammatory-dystrophic periodontosis. Studies indicated that calendula alcohol infusions reduced inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, reduced gum bleeding. Helped to make the gum tissue denser, this was facilitated by the carotenoids and flavonoids in the plants, which have a capillary strengthening effect. More stable results were observed in complex treatment (vitamin therapy, physiotherapy).

Pot Marigold preparations also have a beneficial effect on diseases of the heart and blood vessels, which are accompanied by palpitations, weakness and edema. The plant strengthens the heart, removes or reduces edema.

Calendula infusion has a hypotensive and sedative effect. However, to have an effect, this infusion must be used long-term.

The use of the plant for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract is justified by its high therapeutic effect on mucosal inflammation - dystrophic processes and parenchymatous tissues of internal organs. Good results are shown if chamomile and yarrow are additionally used.

The large amount of carotenoids, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and organic acids contained in calendula flowers promotes the metabolic function of the liver, during which the composition of bile improves, the bilirubin and cholesterol in it decreases, and secretory secretion functions increase. Combining Pot Marigold preparations with chamomile preparations improves the function of bile secretion, which prevents bile from being unnecessarily delayed in the gallbladder.

In folk medicine, this plant is used to treat the liver, gall bladder, spleen, stomach and break stones in the bladder.

In the folk medicine of many countries, calendula flowers are used to treat inflammatory and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and throat, including periodontitis, skin diseases (eczema, furunculosis), mastitis, to fade pigmentation spots. Calendula is also recommended for neurasthenia and pathological climax.

It is worth mentioning that in many countries calendula is one of the plants that are attributed with an anti-cancer function. Which is not so unreasonable.

For men

In mixtures, calendula is used to treat prostatic atony, infertility, impotence, frequent pollution, acute prostatitis, prostate cancer, premature ejaculation.

Not recommended for use

It is not recommended to use the plant in the early stages of pregnancy, especially the fresh plant. The plant should not be used by patients with hypotonia, the ability of the plant to reduce arterial blood pressure is dangerous for them. The plant often interacts with other medicinal products, so if you use it in combination, consult a specialist. The plant should not be used in case of pancreatitis.

Plant-based ointments or creams can be allergic because they contain many active substances.

Importance of food

Calendula petals are used for food. Their main importance in cooking is as a spice and coloring agent. Calendula petals replace saffron. Of course, calendula is not as strong as saffron, but it is significantly cheaper and more accessible. For the food coloring effect, the petals will have to be heated in fat.

The petals are usually dried and then added in powder form to salads, pilafs, concoctions and soups. With fresh petals, while they are available, you can decorate dishes beautifully. Collect inflorescences during the hottest part of the day. Choose inflorescences whose side petals (perimeter) are horizontal.

It should be noted that it is not worth collecting excessively large amounts, because already in the spring, as a spice, the plant will definitely be weak.

Diet recipes

Meat soup with Pot Marigold

200 gr. beef, 50 gr. onion, 200 gr. cabbage, 200 gr. tomato, 100 gr. carrot, 30 gr. calendula inflorescences, 200 gr. potatoes, 10 gr. cream, 20 gr. fat.

Put prepared potatoes and cabbage in boiling water, boil for 10 minutes, then add carrots, onions, fresh tomatoes and chopped marigold flowers stewed in a pan. Cook until done. Serve hot. Add cream before serving.

Vegetable salad with Pot Marigold

100 gr. fresh cucumber, 60 gr. onion, 60 gr. Pot Marigold inflorescences, 1 egg, 40 g of cream, spices, dill as desired.

Potato salad with Pot Marigold

500 gr. boiled potato, 50 gr. onion, 15 gr. Calendula inflorescences, 100 gr. salad dressings. To prepare 0.5L salad dressing: 350 gr. vegetable oil, 150 gr. 3% vinegar, 20 gr. sugar, 1 gr. ground pepper, 10 gr. salt.

Cut the potato, mix with chopped onion and calendula, cover with salad dressing.

Pot Marigold added to soup

Medicinal marigold dried inflorescences, crushed and used with a ratio of 1 tsp. on 1L of soup.

Pot Marigold brine

1kg Pot Marigold inflorescences, 0.5L water, 60 gr. salt.

Calendula inflorescences are boiled in salt water for 5 minutes, cooled, stored in glass jars and stored in a cool place. Used as an additive to first dishes.

Pickled Pot Marigold

1kg Pot Marigold inflorescences, 0.5L 3% vinegar, 40 gr. salt, 2 gr. pepper.

Boil marigolds in vinegar with pepper for 5 minutes, cool, store in jars, in a cool place. Used as an additive to second dishes.

Pot Marigold drink

50 gr. dried marigolds, 2 glasses of burdock juice, 1 glass of honey, 3 L of water.

Boil marigolds for 30 minutes, leave in a closed container for 12 hours, separate the thickness, add honey and burdock juice. Mix and bottle. Store in a cool place.

Pot Marigold infusion

20 gr. dried marigolds, 10 gr. dried mint, 1L vodka, 0.5L water, sugar as desired. Pot Marigold and mint are boiled in water, the pulp is separated and sugar is added. After the sugar dissolves, the decoction is mixed with vodka. Serve chilled.

Cosmetic significance

Pot Marigold is able to provide a whole "bouquet" of medicinal properties, but the basis is soothing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Pot Marigold extract, of course, is not limited to that, it also has astringent, wound healing, softening, pain-relieving and skin-protecting properties. The extract of this plant is used for the skin in case of various infections, as it has an antibacterial effect, it can also be used in the case of fungal diseases and even viruses! Pot Marigold acts as a conditioner and is able to enhance the effects of other medicinal ingredients. And, as you can understand, the yellow pigment in cosmetics is also obtained from calendula.

The main active ingredients are triterpene saponins, flavonoids, essential oil, mucilages, resins, polysaccharides, aromatic acids, as well as saponins, glycosides, sterols and carotenoids. Calendula extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and healing agent, as it contains a high concentration of triterpene alcohols and palmitic acid - they suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Other components - sterols, carotenoids and resins - also help to get rid of inflammation and diversify the already wide effects of this unique plant.

Pot Marigold is useful for skin and facial skin care (including sensitive skin). It can also be used in the care of children's skin, as well as in the treatment of various dermatitis. Calendula extract will also be useful to clean the skin after sunbathing, even if you manage to burn.

Pot Marigold is often used to treat various inflammatory skin diseases: liver, pustular rosacea, inflammations of various origins that have arisen on dry, sensitive skin. Pot Marigold extract has been used to treat wounds and various types of burns, it accelerates the granulation process and prevents infection from reaching the damaged area.

For cosmetic purposes, the concentration of the extract is 5-10%, in medicinal cosmetics 20%, in the AGFonds version there is pure extract!

Although allergic reactions are rarely observed, there is a possibility. If you are a person who is prone to allergies, then this plant should be used carefully, as it can cause an eczematous allergic reaction.