MariGold

MARIGOLD

(CALENDULA OFFICINALIS)

Marigold (calendula officinalis linn. Family Asteraceae) is a small perennial herbaceous plant, with hardy and angular stems having sessile leaves. The inflorescences are big capitulums the tubulous disc-flowers and ray-flowers with tridentate ligula, all are orange yellow in colour.

Chemical constituents :-

The drug (flower or capitulum) contains flavonoids, (quercetin) carotenes, xanthophylls, and essential oil (containing sesquiterpenoid derivatives; mono, di and trihydroxylated derivatives free or ester from triterpenoids).

Cosmetics uses:-

The ethanolic extract prossesses in vitro antibacterial properties. The drug is useful for topical application to treat skin disorders (as an emollient and itch-relieving agent); as a protective agent for cracks, abrasions, chaps, for sunburns, superficial and limited burns, and diaper rashes. The drug is widely used in cosmetology as an emollient and hydrating agent in lotion, creams, soaps and after sun lotins.