Marigold
Botanical Description & Habitat
Calendula officinale
Family
Compositae
Common names
Calendula
Holigod
Marybud
Habitat
Native to Southern Europe and widely cultivated.
Description
Grows one to two feet in height and has a hairy, branching stem. The lower leaves are paddle-shaped; the upper leaves are more pointed and stalkless, embracing the stem. Both type leaves are hairy and toothed. Yellow or orange terminal flower heads appear from June to October.
Medicinal parts
Leaves - dried
flowers - dried
herb - dried
The medicinal parts should only be gathered in fine weather after dew has been dried by sun.
Historical Properties & Uses
Marigold is a traditional vulnerary for treatment of wounds, sores and other skin problems (notably eczema). In recent years its action has been considered too weak to compete with numerous other wound treatments now on the market. In Europe, however, ointments and similar preparations containing marigold still enjoy some popularity, and there marigold is still one of the most popular herbs for stimulating the immune system.
Recent research, most of which has been done in the Slavic countries, indicates simple water and/or alcohol extracts of marigold significantly stimulate healing and tissue regeneration in wounds. Combined with allantoin acquired from comfrey leaves, the application is even more effective. Contributing to the healing effect of marigold is its proven bacteriostatic activity.
There is some experimental support for marigold's traditional use as a chologogue and as a means to enhance uterine tonus, but more research is required to determine its mechanism of action. Its cholagogue property might explain folklore reports of the herb's effectiveness in other gastrointestinal complaints, such as ulcers, colitis, and diarrhea.
Other uses of marigold, including its purported diaphoretic, antispasmodic, and febrifuge properties, have not been investigated. So far, even after extensive chemical investigation of the plant, no constituents have been identified that would exhibit any of those.
Calendula Flower has approval status by the German Commission E regarding the specific pharmacological actions as an antiinflammatory and for wound healing.
Calendula herb has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
Marigold extracts influence regeneration of skin cells
Several studies have shown alcohol and water extracts of marigold positively affect the regeneration and epithelization of surgically induced wounds.
In a typical study (usually on a rat), skin wounds are surgically inflicted on a shaven area on the animal's back under sterile conditions. The wounds are usually round or ellipsoid, with a diameter of about 4 cm. Experimental and control substances are then smeared on the surface of experimental or control animals. Wound exudates are studied by means of cell smears taken at regular intervals throughout the study. Cytological preparations are fixed and stained.
Histological tests are made on tissue samples from the edges and bottoms of the wounds several days into the study. Compared to controls, substances isolated from marigold (including flavonoids, carotenoids, calenden, calendulin, etheric oils, and slimy components) have been significantly more effective in stimulating physiological regeneration and epithelization of skin and mucous injuries.
Marigold has a synergistic healing effect on skin
In one very interesting experiment, alcohol and water extracts of marigold were combined with allantoin. Wounds were made on rats according to the procedures outlined above. Compared to groups of animals treated with inert substrate or with straight allantoin, the marigold plus allantoin group showed significantly more extensive epithelization. This effect was evident by the 3rd day, and reached its height by day 14. The allantoin group did not differ appreciably from the control group treated with the inert substance.
Wound regeneration displayed the following stages: inflammatory-exudative cell reaction; proliferation of cells with phagocytic functions; formation of young granulation and connective tissue; then, appearance of regenerating epithelium. Differences in the cytology of wound exudate appeared as early as the 24th hour. In the experimental group the polymorphonuclear eukocytes possessed acquired higher glycogen content, and a considerable number of blast cells was observed. Later, granulation and epithelization proceeded in a more accelerated fashion. The increased phagocytic activity and differentiation of the macrophages under the influence of the marigold extract/allantoin combination was presumably due predominantly to increased glycogen content in these cells, resulting from the supply of some glycides and amino-sugars. The accelerated formation of granulation and epithelial tissues probably was a reflection of an intensive metabolism of the nucleoproteides and collagen proteins during later phases of the process of regeneration.
Marigold is effective against periodontal disease
In a clinical setting with human subjects, a solution of marigold extract was applied topically to 48 patients with periodontal disease. Good therapeutic effect was obtained in 40 cases. Subsequent in vitro investigations with a 10% water extract of the plant found it inhibited all strains of bacteria and fungi tested. A combination of antimicrobial and tissue healing properties is probably responsible for the observed effects.
Miscellaneous pharmacology of marigold
Marigold increases the flow of bile from 20% - 50%, making it an herb of modest to good cholagogue activity.
Marigold's essential oil has strong bacteriostatic activity, inhibiting the growth of numerous strains in a nutrient broth, including Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina citrea, S. rosa, S. beige, Bacillus subtilis, B. anthracis., and Salmonella enteritdiis.
Water extracts (infusions or teas) of marigold were studied for their ability to enhance uterine tonus in isolated rabbit and guinea pig uterine horns. In a final extract concentration of 1 to 2 mg crude drug per 1 cubic centimeter, marigold significantly raised the tonus of the uterine preparation. In fact, among the plants so tested, marigold ranked second only to chamomile in this regard.
Whole marigold possesses spermicidal activity in vitro against rat sperm. Marigold leaf extract exhibits such activity against human sperm.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
Marigold should be used with caution in conjunction with CNS-depressants or stimulants.
It should be noted the anti-inflammatory activity of marigold can be seriously inhibited by phenobarbital and certain other sedatives and hypnotics, such as chloral hydrate and meprobamate. This is also true of beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as propanolol.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Marigold has exhibited no toxic properties, but there is a chance sensitive people may be allergic to it.
The German Commission E status is "null" or neutral for Calendula herb i.e. while it is not approved, there is no documented risk. There may also be some concern over the claims made by manufacturers i.e. they are unproven.
The flower, however (Calendula) has approval status by the German Commission E.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried herb
1-4 grams
Tea
made from 1 tsp of dried herb
Fluid extract
1:1 in 40% alcohol, 0.5-1 ml
Tincture
1:5 in 90% alcohol, 0.3-1.2 ml
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
Recommended daily dosages in Germany are as follows:
1 - 2 g herb per cup of water (150 ml).
1 - 2 teaspoons (2 - 4 ml) tincture per 250 - 500 mls water.
2 - 5 g crude drug in 100 g ointment.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Abd Elbary & Nour. Correlation between the spermicidal activity and the hemolytic index of certain plant saponins. Pharmazie, 34, 560, 1979.
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Boucaud-Maitre, Y., Algernon, O., Raynaud, J. Cytotoxic and antitumoral activity of Calendula officinalis extracts. Pharmazie. 43 (3) (1988): 220-221.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Chabrol, Charonnat, Maximin, Waitz, & Porin. L'action choleretique des composees. C.R. Societe De Biologie. (Paris), 108(12), 1100-1102, 1931.
Clark, T.H., A.H. Conney & B.P. Harpole, et.al. 1967. Drug interactions that can affect your patients. Patient Care, 1(11). pp. 33-71.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
Diemunych, A.M. & C. Mathis. Preparation and control of plant extract for cosmetic use. Labo-pharma. Probl. Tech., 294, 55-623, 1980.
Gasiorowska, I., M. Jachimowicz, B. Patalas & A. Mlynarczyk. Zastosowanie nagietka lekarskiego w leczeniu parodontopatii. Czas. Stomat., 36(4), 308-311, 1983.
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Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F.F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc: West Yorks, England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
Klouchek-popova, E., A. Popov, N. Pavlova & S. Krusteva. Influence of the physiological regeneration and epithelization using fractions isolated from calendula officinalis. Acta Physiologica Et Pharmcologica Bulgarica (Sofia), 8(4), 63-66, 1982.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Maiwald, L. Pflanzliche cholagoga. Zhurnal Allgemein Med, 59, 1983.
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Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Ocioszynska, J. Study of the chemistry of merigold (calendual officinalis). Herba Polonica, 23, 191-192, 1977.
Riesterer, L. & R. Jaques. 1968. Interference by beta-adrenergic blocking agents with the antiinflammatory action of various drugs. Helv Physiol Acta, 26. pp. 287-293.
Russo-maria, L. Use of calendual extracts (calendula officinalis) in cosmetology. Riv. Ital., Essense, Profumi, Pieant Off Aromi Soponi Cosmet., Aerosol., 10, 740-743, 1972.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983
Schwarz, H. Note on the pharmacological use of flowers and leaves of Calendula officinalis. Heil und Gewuerz Pflanzen. 12 (1929).
Setty, B.S., et.al. Screening of indian plants for biological activity. Vii. Spermicidal activity of indian plants. Indian Journal Of Experimental Biology, 15, 231, 1977.
Shipochliev, T. Extracts from a group of medicinal plants enhancing the uterine tonus. Veterinary Sciences, 28(4), 94-98, 1981.
Stuart, D.M. 1968. Drug metabolism Part 2. Drug interactions. PharmIndex, 10(10). pp. 4-16.
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Calendula officinale
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