Calendula. - Synonym. - Marigold. The florets of Calendula officinalis Linne (nat. ord. Compositae).

Habitat

Levant and Southern Europe; cultivated.

Characters

Florets about 12 mm. long, linear and strap-shaped, delicately veined in a longitudinal direction, yellow or orange-colored, three-toothed above, the short hairy tube enclosing the remnants of a filiform style terminating in two elongated branches; odor slight and somewhat heavy; taste somewhat bitter and faintly saline.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) A peculiar principle, Calendulin, which is regarded as analogous to Bassorin. (2) An amorphous bitter principle. (3) Gum.

Dose, 15 to 60 gr.; 1. to 4. gm.

Preparation

Tinctura Calendulae. Tincture Of Calendula

Calendula, 200. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol to 1000. Dose, 1 to 4 fl. dr.; 4. to 15. c.c.

Action And Uses Of Marigold

Marigold was formerly supposed to be antispasmodic, sudorific and emmenagogue, but now it is believed to have no therapeutic value.