Calendula

Calendula
Field marigold (Calendula arvensis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Calenduleae
Genus: Calendula
L.
Species

See text

Calendula ( /kəˈlɛndjuːlə/ Ca-lén-du-la),[1] pot marigold, is a genus of about 12–20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. Calendula should not be confused with other plants that are also known as marigolds, such as corn marigold, desert marigold, marsh marigold, or plants of the genus Tagetes.

The name Calendula stems from the Latin kalendae, meaning first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year. The common name marigold probably refers to the Virgin Mary. Claims that its old Saxon or Anglo-Saxon name is 'ymbglidegold' are unsubstantiated, as is the claim that this means 'it turns with the sun'.

The most commonly cultivated and used member of the genus is the pot marigold (Calendula officinalis).

Contents

Constituents

The flowers of Calendula officinalis contain flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, saponins, and a sesquiterpene glucosides.[2][3]

Medicinal effects

Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that Calendula extracts have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties.[4] Calendula in suspension or in tincture is used topically to treat acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding, and soothing irritated tissue.[5][6] There is limited evidence that calendula cream or ointment is effective in treating radiation dermatitis.[7][8] In a randomized study of 254 radiation patients, topical application of 4% calendula ointment resulted in far fewer occurrences of Grade 2 or higher dermatitis than occurred in the group using trolamine. Calendula users also experienced less radiation-induced pain and fewer breaks in treatment.[9]

Calendula has been used traditionally for abdominal cramps and constipation.[10] In experiments with rabbit jejunum the aqueous-ethanol extract of Calendula officinalis flowers was shown to have both spasmolytic and spasmogenic effects, thus providing a scientific rationale for this traditional use.[10] An aqueous extract of Calendula officinalis obtained by a novel extraction method has demonstrated anti-tumor (cytotoxic) activity and immunomodulatory properties (lymphocyte activation) in vitro, as well as anti-tumor activity in mice.[4]

Traditional uses

Calendula has been used traditionally as both a culinary and medicinal herb. The petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads or dried and used to color cheese or as a replacement for saffron.[11]

Species[12]

References

  1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. ^ Ukiya M, Akihisa T, Yasukawa K et al. Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers. (2006). J Nat Prod. 69:1692-1696.
  3. ^ Yoshikawa M, Murakami T, Kishi A et al. (2001). Medicinal flowers.III. Marigold.(1): hypoglycemic, gastric emptying inhibitory, and gastroprotective principles and new oleanane-type triterpene oligolycosides, calendasaponins A, B, C, and D, from Egyptian Calendula officinalis. Chem Pharm Bull. 49:863-70.
  4. ^ a b Jimenez-Medina E, Garcia-Lora A, Paco L et al. (2006). A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation. BMC Cancer. 6:6.
  5. ^ "Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers". Int J Tissue React. 27 (3): 101–6. 2005. PMID 16372475. 
  6. ^ "Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer". J Clin Oncol.;():1447-53 22 (8): 1447–53. 2004-04-15. doi:10.1200/JCO.2004.07.063. PMID 15084618. 
  7. ^ McQuestion M. (2006). Evidence-based skin care management in radiation therapy. Semin Oncol Nurs". 22:163-173.
  8. ^ Bolderston A, LLoyd NS, Wong RK et al. (2006). The prevention and management of acute skin reactions related to radiation therapy: a systematic review and practice guideline. Support Care Cancer. 14:802-817
  9. ^ Pommier P. et al. J Clinical Oncol. 2004; 22:1447-1453
  10. ^ a b Bashir S, Janbaz KH, Jabeen Q et al. (2006). Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers. Phytother Res. 20:906-910.
  11. ^ [1] Spotlight on Marigold
  12. ^ Flann C (ed). "Species of Calendula". Global Compositae Checklist. http://compositae.landcareresearch.co.nz/Default.aspx?Page=NameSearch&searchText=Calendula. Retrieved 31 March 2011. 

External links