Calendula Oil
Calendula oil is extracted from Calendula plant. It belongs to the Asteraceae plant family. This perennial plant grows up to a maximum height of 80 cm. Calendula is indigenous to South Europe. The leaves of this plant are oblong and lanceolate. Calendula leaves measure about 5 to 18 cm long. The leaf margins are weakly toothed or occasionally waved. These leaves are hairy on the sides. Calendula has erect stems that are sparsely branched. Calendula is a short-lived plant and is often treated as an annual. This aromatic plant bears a bright yellow colored flower that is characterized by a thick capitulum. The appealing flower heads measure about 4 to 7 cm in diameter. The flower heads are often surrounded by two rows of hairy bracts whereas, the wild variety has only a single row. These flowers have central disc florets that are tubular and hermaphrodite in nature. Calendula plant bears both the male and female flowers. The male flowers have peripheral and tridentate ray florets. These male flowers appear deep orange-yellow in color than the female flowers. Yet another special feature about the Calendula flower is that it appears year long and has both ray florets and disc florets. The fruits of this plant are thorny and curved.
Latin name: Calendula Officinalis.
Alternative names: Cowbloom, Holy Gold, Death-flower, Ruddles, Common Marigold, Garden Marigold, Mary Bud, English Marigold, Pot Marigold, Solis Sponsa, Solsequia, Water Dragon, Scottish Marigold.
Calendula plant is grown as a herb and is cultivated in many sunny regions. This plant can grow in all types of soil. It cannot survive in winter and cold climatic conditions. It is found growing in the temperate climatic zones in the world. Calendula is found in abundance in many parts of Asia and North America. It prefers moderately rich soils that are light to sandy in nature. Water-logging soils might damage the plant hence it requires well-drained soils. Cultivation is carried out by sowing the seeds. The Calendula oil extracted from this plant contains carotenoids, zeaxanthin, flavonol glycosides, beta-carotene, lutein, triterpene oligoglycosides, saponins, mucilage, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, bitter principle, saponins, steroidal compounds and resin. This oil also has detergent, antibacterial, anti-viral, vulnerary, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, aperient, anti-genotoxic, cholagogue, toning and stimulant properties.
Uses: Calendula essential oil has a wide range of health benefits. It is used in the treatment of persistent fever, acne, cancer, severe wounds, diarrhea, colitis, stomach ulcers, abscesses, bedsores, athlete’s foot, burns, convulsions, bruises, eczema, boils and wasp stings. This oil is also proved to be effective in treating gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, jaundice, hepatitis, stomach ulcers and liver disorders. Calendula oil is also powerful in reducing inflammation, to soothe painful tissues and control bleeding.
