Calendula

A garden favourite with great healing, soothing and restorative properties

The calendula plant, known affectionately as marigold, pot marigold, or common marigold is an essential feature of healing and ornamental gardens, as well as a popular garden flower. Hardly any other plant is as versatile and effective, which is why we have been cultivating it for its healing powers in our medicinal gardens for more than 80 years.

Calendula was not only popular as a medicinal plant. The radiant, sunny and vigorous flowers were also common as an ornamental plant among the Greeks and Romans, Indians and Arabs. The golden dye of calendula has long been used for fabrics, foods and cosmetics and in Europe, where the plant was introduced in the late Middle Ages, it quickly established itself as a welcome addition to food and as a medicinal plant.

Calendula's energetic and vibrant growth combines the elements of water and heat fire, with a warming, scented resin found in its lush, moisture-rich leaves and stems. The bright yellow, orange and red flowers of calendula are real sun traps, absorbing large amounts of light and warmth. The active compounds of calendula combat inflammation and promote the formation of new tissue while its carotenoids, flavonoids and essential oils strengthen the skin against external influences. Calendula is therefore particularly valued for its vibrant, restorative powers, which have a protective and defensive effect on healthy skin structures. Equally, it has a soothing, uplifting effect on skin that has become unbalanced – dry, inflamed or stressed.

Due to the plant’s calming and uplifting character, calendula is great for the delicate skin of new-borns and toddlers. Particularly in babies and young children, the skin forms a warming and protective layer with fat stores to ensure the healthy function of internal organs. But young skin can’t adapt to sudden changes in temperature on its own. Baby skin needs additional support in the form of loving care, clothing and warming treatments. This is where the soothing extracts of calendula come in, helping to develop the resistance and protective role of young skin.

With such strong regenerative and protective capabilities, calendula is playing a key role in many of our products. You will find tinctures and oil extracts of this radiant plant in about 30 of our drugs and cosmetics and, because calendula is indispensable for developing children's skin, for over 50 years the marigold has been the lead plant for our baby and child care.