Herb: Field Marigold


Latin name: Calendula arvensis


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Field Marigold:

The leaves are diaphoretic. The flowers are said to be antispasmodic, emmenagogue and stimulant. The plant seems to have similar therapeutic properties to pot marigold, C. officinalis. These properties are:- Pot marigold is one of the best known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine and is also a popular domestic remedy. It is, above all, a remedy for skin problems and is applied externally to bites and stings, sprains, wounds, sore eyes, varicose veins etc. It is also a cleansing and detoxifying herb and is taken internally in treating fevers and chronic infections. Only the common deep-orange flowered variety is considered to be of medicinal value. The whole plant, but especially the flowers and the leaves, is antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, skin, stimulant and vulnerary. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, they are best harvested in the morning of a fine sunny day just after the dew has dried from them. The flowers are also used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested when fully open and need to be dried quickly in the shade. A tea of the petals tones up the circulation and, taken regularly, can ease varicose veins. An application of the crushed stems to corns and warts will soon render them easily removable. The leaves, blossoms and buds are used to make a homeopathic remedy. It is used internally in order to speed the healing of wounds.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
30 cm
(11 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
June to
November

Habitat of the herb:

Fields, vineyards and waste ground.

Edible parts of Field Marigold:

Young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are very rich in vitamins and minerals, they are similar to Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) in nutritional value. Flower heads - pickled.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow in situ from spring to early summer and again in September. The seed germinates best in darkness and usually within 1 - 2 weeks at 21°C.

Cultivation of Field Marigold:

Fields, vineyards and waste ground.

Known hazards of Calendula arvensis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.