Plant Research Term Project, Part 3: Superstitions, Folklore and Myths

Calendula

Calendula is my chosen plant, and this research will focus on the basic information, functions, and uses of calendula.

Brief introduction

The calendula plants are short and dense, with bright flowers and long flowering periods, We could see the calendula from April until September, and the fruiting period for Calendula begins in June. It will end in October. It is annual herb and flowers are yellow or orange which about 5 centimeters in diameter and about 20～75 cm high. Calendula can stand the cold, but it can't stand the heat, and like really hot environment. Also, calendula could not survive in the during the winter and cultivation of seedling. Therefore calendula needs sufficient sunshine because the sunshine is good for plants, seedling growth. Seedling is stocky and neat. When there exists too much water around the calendula or the light is insufficient, the base leaves of the calendula are prone to yellowing. As a result, the roots of calendula will become rot and die.

Besides, the calendula is a rich multivitamins plant. The flowers of calendula contain carotenoids, malic acid, seeds contain glyceride, wax, alkaloids and bitter taste in the roots, The leaves of and petals the calendula can be eaten by the human beings so that we could cook them as a side dish for dinner. Calendula used as a medicinal and cosmetic ingredient.

basic information

Calendula is known as marigolds, and in China Changchun, the name of the Calendula means the flower that can bloom for a whole year. The most commonly known flower of the Calendula is the pot marigold. It belongs to Plantae, Dicotyledoneae, Carduoideae. When people first know this flower, this flower was grown in western Europe, Macaronesia, southwestern Asia, and the Mediterranean. It has a long history of cultivation in Europe. It is widely used in the garden and potted plants.

Growth habitats

It grows in mild and cold climate, is afraid of heat, but can stand the cold. It is required to have light or light shade, loose, good drainage, soil rich and moderate soil, with certain drought resistance. The southern part of Europe and the Mediterranean coast are the place of origin of calendula. The soil pH should be kept at 6 ~ 7 so that the plants have a lot of branches and it's more large and dense. 7 ~ 20 ℃ is the most suitable temperature for Marigold growth, the seedling in the winter can withstand the low temperature of 9 ℃ below zero which can raise the ability to resist cold. And 0 ℃ is the best temperature for adult plants. If the temperature is very cold, the calendula could not survive, because the leaves of the calendula might be frozen. During the winter, if the temperature is above ten ℃, calendula will grow not good as usual, on the contrary, temperature rises in the summer, stem leaf grows too much, the flower could be unhealthy, and the petals of the flower decrease observably.

Common uses

Calendula, a magical flower, like many ancient plants, is of great use. It is mainly reflected in the pharmacological effect, medicinal use, edible value, and be used as a raw material for cosmetics and prevent multiple skin problems.

A.Traditional and ancient uses

Marigold species have been used traditionally for the medicine or the food because we could eat the petals of the Marigold. It can be used in salads or dried. Also, it can be used to color cheese. Moreover, it could replacement for the saffron. In Germany, the flowers are the common ingredient for the Germany soups and stews, which explains the why we call it "pot marigold." The golden petals are one of material when we want to add color to butter.

B.Pharmacological effects

During the Middle Ages, calendula was used for healing and against plague. In Europe, European have their custom of internal medicine that use calendula to treat the duodenal ulcer and the stomach, gastritis and so on.

In herbalism, calendula is a powerful herb, which has the function of relieving pain and promoting wound healing. For external use, calendula could be one crucial plant when to treat the skin disease. It will bring sound bactericidal effects, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. The antibacterial ingredients of the calendula are soluble in the alcohols and insoluble in the water, and results are better when the calendula met the alkaline. It can also be used to anti-inflammatory, anti-mildew and prevent fester and can reduce sunburn, burn, etc. If someone takes drugs containing marigold ingredients that can treat various inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcers, dysmenorrhea and abnormal menstruation.

Calendula suspensions or tinctures are topical for treating acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding and soothing the tissue. There is evidence that calendula creams or ointments are useful in the treatment of radiation dermatitis. Calendula oil is still medicinal. Calendula oil is used as an anti-inflammatory drug, an antineoplastic drug, and drug for treating wounds.

Plant pharmacological studies have shown that marigold extract has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the extract of the calendula has sedative effects on the human central nervous system. Moreover, it can reduce the excitability of the human beings. Also, the intravenous injection can lower the blood pressure, increase heart activities and heartbeat amplitudes, promote blood circulation, and promote bile secretion to accelerate wound healing. The saponins in the marigold can lower the serum cholesterol and phosphatide, to reduce blood lipid. It is also helpful to treat stomach pain and stomach ulcer and hemorrhoids. Cinerarias polysaccharide composition has a robust immune stimulation

· Medicinal use

Ancient culture and marigold treatment characteristics. In some of the earliest medical books, marigolds are recommended for the treatment of digestive diseases. It is used to detoxify liver and gallbladder. Apply flowers to the wounds and wounds to stop bleeding, prevent infection and speed healing. Regular use of marigolds can improve appetite and improve sleep quality. Marigold is also used in a variety of female diseases and treats some skin diseases. Calendula is used as an open wound on the battlefield to prevent bleeding and preservatives during the American Civil War and to treat wounds to promote healing. Calendula was also used during World War I. Today is still important in alternative medicine.

· The value of consumption and health care

The calendula is widely regarded as the best food for both medicinal and edible, so it is often used as food to eat to boost immunity. Its flowers can also be made into salads or cooked with other foods to add color and flavor. The most common way to eat marigold is to make calendula tea, which can improve our health, and it is delicious.

When choosing marigolds, you should pay attention to don't choose flowers that are too bright and too dark because the marigolds may have been stored for a long time and are harmful to the body. Should choose soft, smooth, the petals are not messy.

Calendula tea is the most common herbal tea in Europe, which can eliminate toxins and promote sleep in the long term. It can also prevent all kinds of diseases, and it has many functions such as protecting eyesight and liver, treating lymphadenitis and increasing the beauty and so on. Marigolds are suitable for drinking alone or with green tea. Golden petals float in golden tea, very fragrant, if you drink it feels a little bitter, can add some honey. Drinking marigold tea can effectively relieve your symptoms when you have a bad cold. In addition to, it can promote blood circulation and reduce alcoholism, but it's well worth noting

· About cosmetics

Because marigold has many functions, including the medicinal value and edible value mentioned above, therefore, the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and calming functions of marigold are also used in cosmetics.

Calendulas are made into cosmetic, such as creams, lotions, shampoos, etc. The advantages of using calendula products are as follows.

The addition of calendula can moisturize, guard against irritation and soothe the skin. It can effectively prevent the precipitation of melanin, improve skin luster and elasticity, and delay aging. Use calendula to evaporate face, medicinal herb bath or hand-foot bath, can make the skin clean and exquisite, and let the woman looked more natural after she makes up. Some young people like using shampoos that contain calendula ingredients to make hair lighter.

Products containing marigold are also suitable for children. If your baby's skin is sore, inflamed and sensitive, zinc-based Calendula diaper care soothes and nourishes the skin. Calendula Face Cream protects and cares for the delicate facial skin of your baby and also serves as a gentle moisturizer for hands and body.

Other uses

The beautiful flowers of marigolds used to be the source of fabric dyes. By using different mordants, a variety of yellow, orange and brown colors are available.

Culture

The calendula has been historically significant in many cultures. Calendula has been called the “Poor Man’s Saffron.” The name of calendula is a modern Latin diminutive of a calendar; it means little calendar, little clock, or little weather-glass. According to legend, calendula has the function of predicting the weather, if it blooms before 7 a.m., it will be sunny, and it will rain. Ancient Egyptians believe that marigolds can delay old age, while Indians think of it as sacred flowers. European and American people like to cut the flower stalks of marigold flowers for viewing in bottles. Since the calendula is the flower that informs the Virgin Mary, its flower language is the relief.

Work Cited

“Calendula.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula.

Price, Annie. “The Antiviral Herb That May Ward Off Cancer.” Dr. Axe, 4 Dec. 2017, draxe.com/calendula/.

“7 Impressive Calendula Benefits & Uses.” Organic Facts, 3 Nov. 2017, www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/calendula.html.

“5 Things You Need To Know About Calendula.” Rodale's Organic Life, 15 Sept. 2017, www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-calendula.

“Herbal Oil: Calendula Oil Benefits and Uses.” Mercola.com, articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/calendula-oil.aspx.