World Wild Flora contest #4 || Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

My entry to WorldWildFlora Contest hosted by @worldwildflora.

One of the most complete medicinal herbs is Calendula officinalis known as pot marigold, ruddles or Scotch marigold is part of the Asteraceae family. The Romanian folk gave different names to this plant: filimica, rujulita, calinica. But the most known one is galbenele.

Camera	Huawei P8 smartphone
Settings	f 2, S 1/2000s, ISO 100
Edited	Snapseed, ToolWiz Photos

Calendula is a short-lived perennial plant, growing up to 80 cm. Its leaves are oblong-lanceolate, hairy on both sides. The flowers are yellow-orange colour and may appear all year long if the weather conditions permit.

Pot marigold is one of the most known and versatile herb, being used as medicine or edible plant since ancient times.
One of the most important benefits from using this plant is a healthy skin. Applying it externally (as a poultice), calendula helps in healing small cuts, skin rash, different wounds, bites, stings, varicose veins, but it also prevents infection. The tea has a powerful detoxifying effect and it's used as a remedy for fever or chronic infections. The entire plant is antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, stimulant. Also, the calendula tea, if taken regularly, tones up the circulation.

Camera	Huawei P8 smartphone
Settings	f 2, S 1/1730s, ISO 100
Edited	Snapseed

Other uses

• High in vitamins A and C, calendula is being used in seasoning soups and cakes or adding colour to the salads (the petals). Also, it is a natural food dye used to replace the expensive saffron.
• Cosmetic use: skin lotions and, added to shampoo, calendula gives a golden tint to brown or auburn hair.
• Insect repellent and it also reduces the soil eelworm population.
• The calendula flowers are part of a plant mixture used as a compost activator: Quick Return.

Sources for the article: www.pfaf.org, www.herbal-supplement-resource.com and, obviously, www.wikipedia.org.