Calendula officinalis
Presumably native to central China, it is widely used and common from England and the Mediterranean through to Arabia to India.
Now, this is the 'common' marigold we are talking about, not the imposters from Africa, namely the 'Targetes' which are 'pompom' like with their crinkled petals, fernlike leaves and unpleasant odour.
Beware also of the hybrids that come in any range of colours.
Hybridizing has left them bereft of medicinal value to all but the bees.
We are talking about the petals only for all remedies. As a medicinal herb it is best used topically in the form of creams or oils.
It does have a very high reputation amongst herbalists for internal use but it requires close monitoring by someone very familiar with it, to ensure safety. Externally, it is a queen among antiseptics and as such should be in everyone's first aid kit.
Calendula ointment can be used quite safely on almost everyone, (I say this as I'm sure there must be someone with an adverse reaction to it, even though I can find no text to that effect.)
The ointment can be used wherever there is an open wound or a crushed finger or toe. Rashes and skin infections also benefit from Calendula. Due to the presence of potassium and carotene, it is able to encourage blood flow to the damaged tissues, therefore allowing swelling and bruising to subside.
This can also be the reason that it allows the build up of fluid in blisters to re-enter the body, encouraging it to subside without damaging the surface. Varicose veins can be slowly reduced by using the cream around the damaged areas, allowing the blood to flow through and away. It can also be used as a gentle douche where necessary.
Homeopathic application of the herb is where we find it's greatest value.
The following summary is taken directly from Boerick's Materia Medica and we apply it where indicated......
A most remarkable healing agent, applied locally.
Useful for open wounds, parts that will not heal, ulcers, etc.
Promotes healthy granulations and rapid healing by first intention. Hæmostatic after tooth extraction. Deafness. Catarrhal conditions. Neuroma. Constitutional tendency to erysipelas.
Pain is excessive and out of all proportion to injury. Great disposition to take cold, especially in damp weather. Paralysis after apoplexy.
Cancer, as an inter current remedy. Has remarkable power to produce local exudation and helps to make acrid discharge healthy and free. Cold hands.
Head. Extremely nervous; easily frightened; tearing headache; weight on brain. Submaxillary glands swollen, painful to touch. Pain in right side of neck. Lacerated scalp wounds.
Eyes. Injuries to eyes which tend to suppuration; after operations;
Ears. Deafness; worse in damp surroundings and with eczematous conditions. Hears best on a train, and distant sounds.
Nose. Coryza in one nostril; with much green discharge.
Stomach. Hunger immediately after nursing. Bulimia. Heartburn Nausea in chest. Vomiting. Sinking sensation. Epigastric distention.
Respiratory.Cough, with green expectoration, hoarseness; with distention of inguinal ring.
Female. Warts at the os externum. Menses suppressed, with cough. Chronic endocervicitis. Uterine hypertrophy, sensation of weight and fullness in pelvis; stretching and dragging in groin; pain on sudden movements. Os lower than natural. Menorrhagia.
Skin.Yellow; goose-flesh. Promotes favorable cicatrization, with least amount of suppuration. Slough, proud flesh, and raised edges. Superficial burns and scalds. Erysipelas (use topically).
Fever.Coldness, great sensitiveness to open air; shuddering in back, skin feels warm to touch. Heat in evening.
Modalities. Worse, in damp, heavy, cloudy weather.
Complementary: Hepar.
Dose. Locally. Aqueous Calendula (Marigoldin) for all wounds, the greatest healing agent. For burns sores, fissures, and abrasions, etc, use Calendula Cerate.