Calendula (Asteraceae)

The health Benefits of the Calendula Flower

 

Calendula, also known as marigold, is native to the Mediterranean region, but it is cultivated worldwide for its ornamental and medicinal properties.

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The genus Calendula (Asteraceae) includes approximately 25 herbaceous annual or perennial species. Calendula officinalis Linn., Calendula arvensis Linn., Calendula suffruticosa Vahl., Calendula stellata Cav., Calendula alata Rech., and Calendula tripterocarpa Rupr. are the most common herbaceous annual or perennial species in the genus Calendula (Asteraceae). The genus is indigenous to the Mediterranean region.

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Only four species of Calendula have had any phytoconstituents partially investigated out of the approximately 12–20 species of the genus Calendula reported in various floras. Most ethnopharmacological reports are available on C. officinalis and C. arvensis. Among the multiple species of the genus Calendula, C. officinalis is most commonly used clinically worldwide. Studies on pharmacology show that C. officinalis possesses antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor qualities. (Arora, Sharma, et al., 2013).

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Calendula is rich in various compounds contributing to its therapeutic properties. Here are some of the active compounds found in Calendula: flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenoids, sterols, polysaccharides, essential oils, saponins, quercetin, coumarins, mucilage, and salicylic acid.

 

Traditional uses:

Calendula’s potential health benefits include: anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties, promoting skin health, oral health, and easing menstrual discomfort effectively.