Yellow Calendula: a flower of sunshine and health.
Calendula, known scientifically as Calendula officinalis, is an annual herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, loved for its bright yellow-orange flowers. Native to the Mediterranean area, calendula is cultivated throughout the world not only for its ornamental beauty, but also for its extraordinary medicinal and cosmetic properties.
Calendula grows up to 70 cm in height and has lanceolate and slightly hairy leaves. Its flowers, which bloom from spring to autumn, are composed of bright and radiant petals arranged around a central disk. The plant prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil, and is relatively easy to grow, making it a popular choice in gardens and vegetable patches.
Calendula has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its healing properties. Some of its medicinal applications include:
– Anti-inflammatory and healing action: Calendula extracts are known to promote wound healing and reduce inflammation. They are often used in ointments and creams to treat cuts, abrasions, minor burns and dermatitis.
– Antimicrobial properties: Calendula has been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal effects, helping to prevent skin infections.
– Skin health support: Calendula products are common in skin care due to their ability to moisturize and soothe irritation. It is especially useful for sensitive skin or skin with eczema.
– Herbal teas and infusions: Calendula can also be used in the form of herbal teas, which can help soothe digestive upset and aid digestion.
In addition to its medicinal properties, calendula is highly valued in the cosmetics industry. Calendula extracts are often included in skin and hair care formulations. Its emollient and soothing abilities make it an ideal ingredient in moisturizers, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Additionally, calendula is used in baby products due to its gentleness.
Growing calendula is easy, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Here are some growing tips:
– Exposure: Plant calendula in an area that receives full sun to obtain abundant blooms.
– Soil: prefers well-drained and fertile soil. Adding compost can improve growth.
– Watering: calendula requires regular watering, especially during periods of drought, but avoid waterlogging.
– Flower harvesting: calendula flowers can be harvested regularly to promote continuous flowering. They can be used fresh or dried to prepare herbal teas, extracts or ointments.
The marigold is often associated with the sun because of its bright color and its ability to follow the sun's path across the sky. In many cultures, it is a symbol of love, beauty, and fidelity. In the language of flowers, the marigold also represents grief and compassion, symbolizing the feelings of those who are grieving.
In conclusion, calendula is not only a decorative element of the garden, but also a plant with numerous benefits for health and beauty. Whether used in medicinal preparations, cosmetics or simply as part of a flower garden, the yellow calendula continues to shine like a little sun, bringing with it well-being and vitality.
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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.
The nursery I went to is: Gaggero Nurseries in Carasco.
The name of the genus derives from the Latin Calendae, a word with which the Romans indicated the first day of the month, given that it flowers continuously more or less throughout the summer. The scientific name of the genus was defined by the botanist Carl Linnaeus (or Linnaeus) (1707-1778) in the publication "Species Plantarum" ( Sp. Pl. 2: 921 ) of 1753.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia
The yellow marigold: a flower of sun and health – Le souci jaune : une fleur de soleil et de santé – La caléndula amarilla: una flor de sol y salud. – O calêndula amarelo: uma flor de sol e saúde – Die gelbe Ringelblume: eine Blume der Sonne und Gesundheit – Cúc vạn thọ màu vàng: loài hoa của mặt trời và sức khỏe
The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.
