Parts Used |
| Scientific Name | Calendula officinalis |
| English Name | Pot Marigold, ruddles, common marigold, garden marigold, english marigold, scottish marigold, scotch marigold, calendula |
| Portuguese Name | Calêndula, margarida, malmequer, maravilha-do-jardim, maravilhas, calêndula-hortense, boas-noites, maravilhas-hortenses, maravilhas-dos-jardins |
| German Name | Ringelblume, Garten-Ringelblume |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Origin | Southern Europe |
| Habitat | Arable land. |
| Life Cycle | Annual |
| Preferences Cultivation | Well-drained soils, improved flowering when grown in poor soils sunlight, the flowers are sensitive to temperature and humidity - closing when it's dark or raining. |
| Method of propagation | Sowing - the seeds ripen from August to November, sowing should be done by early summer and in September. Seeds germinate better in the dark, and usually within one to two weeks with temperatures around 21°C. |
| Ornamental Characteristics | Flowering from June to November. H: 0.6 m, ᴓ 0.3 m |
| Description of smells and flavors | Flavor: when the flower petals are eaten raw have a taste initially sweet and viscous, followed by a strong penetrating salty taste. |
| Properties Medicinal | Very popular in the household. Applied to skin problems, bites, stings, wounds and varicose veins. It has detoxifying properties, treats fevers and chronic infections. It has antiseptic properties, anti-spasmodic, laxative, astringent, cholagogue (secrete bile), diaphoretic (induces sweating), emmenagogue (induces or promotes menstruation) and stimulates the skin. The infusion of the petals tones up the circulation and, taken regularly, relieves varicose veins. The German Commission E approves the Calendula officinalis as a medicinal plant to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, wounds and burns. Rich in vitamin A and C. When used for washing hair, color some tresses in golden tone. |
| Properties Edibility | Flowers are edible. Fresh petals are cut and added to salads. The dried petals have a more concentrated flavor and are used in soups and cakes. The yellow color of the petals replaces the saffron is thus used as a food dye on rice and soups. Infusion heating the temperature to about 85°C, leaving 3g / L in infusion for 5 minutes, strain and serve. |
| Properties Other | The flowers are used in cosmetics. |
| Contraindications / Side Effects / Comments | May cause dermatitis , skin rashes and irritations which are sensitive and allergic to plants of the daisy family allergies people. |
| Pests and diseases & how to fight them | Unknown |
| How and When to harvest and / or pruning and which parts used. How many cuts per year? | Parts used: flowers and leaves. Harvest: after flower buds open. |
| Can be used in intercropping ( repellent / attractive ) or is biopesticide? | Repellent, reduces much of the population of Anguillula (worm genus). Attracts pollinators. |
| Curiosity / Personal Experiences | The Egyptians , Greeks , Hindus and Arabs cultivated the plant for medicinal purposes since the 12th century. |
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