Introduction to Calendula arvensis: Wild Wonder
calendula arvensis, popularly known as wild wonder, field marigold o pruner's weed, is an annual herbaceous species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Native to the Mediterranean region, it has spread and naturalized in large areas of Africa, Europe, Asia, and also America and Australia, adapting easily thanks to its great resistance and colonization capacityThis plant attracts the interest of botanists, farmers, gardeners and scholars of natural medicine for its countless medicinal properties, its versatility in cultivation and its ornamental beauty.
Botanical description and morphology
La calendula arvensis It is an annual plant that can reach from 5 to 50 centimeters in height, presenting a branched structure and erect or decumbent stems. The stem, slightly pubescent and sticky to the touch Due to the glandular hairs, it bears alternate, oblong leaves with entire or slightly toothed edges, typically 4 to 7 cm long and a deep green color. The lower leaves have petioles, while the upper ones tend to be sessile and somewhat hairy or pubescent.
The most distinctive feature of the wild marvel is in its floral chapters, which can vary between 2 and 5 cm in diameter, composed of pale yellow female ligulate flowers on the periphery and hermaphrodite tubular flowers in the center. These inflorescences arise solitary at the end of the stems and, after pollination, give rise to dry fruits, achenes, curved and with spiny appendages. The flowering period is long, spanning from spring to autumn, and in warm regions, it can even bloom in the coldest months thanks to its resistance to low temperatures.
Geographic distribution and natural habitat
La calendula arvensis It is a cosmopolitan species, widely distributed in the temperate and warm regions of Europe, Africa and Western AsiaIn the Iberian Peninsula, for example, it can be found naturally throughout the territory, including island areas. Its presence has also been recorded in countries in North Africa, Macaronesia (the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands), the Near East, the Caucasus, and large areas of the Mediterranean.
Prefer well-drained soils and sunny exposures, but it can also adapt to semi-shade and temporarily disturbed or depleted soils. It is commonly found in cereal fields, roadsides, banks, borders, vacant lots, vineyards, disturbed areas, and even walls and stony soils, acting as a pioneer species in the recovery of degraded spaces. This ease of adaptation has made it, in certain ecosystems, a species capable of displacing native flora, so its spread must be controlled in some contexts.
Etymology and popular names
The gender Calendula comes from the Latin term calendar, which means "calendar" or "first day of the month", in allusion to the photoclinia of its flowers: the daytime opening and closing of the flower heads is influenced by the duration and intensity of sunlight. The epithet arvensis It refers to its usual presence in cultivated fields, coinciding with its character as a ruderal and weed plant.
In Spain and other countries, the wild wonder It receives a multitude of local names, such as wild marigold, flamenco dancer, flower of each month, pruner's weed, wonder of the fields, bread and cheese, crow's foot, among others, a reflection of its wide use and popular knowledge.
Differences with Calendula officinalis
La calendula arvensis It is often confused with the Calendula officinalis, the common garden marigold, but presents notable differences. The C. officinalis produces larger and more colorful flower heads, in intense orange or yellow tones, while the wild one (C.arvensis) has smaller flowers, pale yellow or dull orange, and fewer ligules per flower head. In terms of their properties and uses, both have similar applications; however, some authors consider that the wild species may have higher concentration of active ingredients.
Active ingredients and chemical composition
La wild wonder It has been studied for its richness in flavonoids, polysaccharides, terpenoids, essential oils, saponins and carotenoidsIts biochemical composition is responsible for the main medicinal properties:More about its properties and uses.
- Flavonoids: responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
- Polysaccharides: with demulcent effect and immune system stimulant.
- Terpenoids: among them monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
- Essential oils: They provide a calming and antiseptic effect.
- Saponins and carotenoids: They contribute to cell regeneration and skin protection.
Flowers They are the part of the plant with the highest concentration of these compounds, although the leaves also contain beneficial active ingredients.
Medicinal properties: Traditional uses and current applications
- Anti-inflammatory properties: It helps in the external treatment of injuries, bumps, swelling, burns, eczema and insect bites.
- Healing activity: It promotes tissue regeneration and is used to heal small wounds, cuts, scrapes, sores and skin ulcers.
- Antimicrobial and antiseptic effect: Useful for disinfecting minor wounds and preventing dermatological infections.
- Emollient and soothing properties: Calendula extract softens the skin and soothes irritations, and is incorporated into creams, lotions, and ointments for cosmetic use.
- Menstrual regulator and antispasmodic: Traditionally, infusions of flowers and leaves have been used to relieve menstrual discomfort and regulate the cycle.
- Antioxidant action: Due to the presence of flavonoids and carotenoids, it protects cells from oxidative stress.
- Demulcent use: It helps soothe irritated mucous membranes, being useful in certain digestive conditions.
Preparation methods and traditional use
The flowers and leaves They are preferably harvested at peak flowering. Traditional uses include:
- Infusion: It is used to regulate menstruation, relieve menstrual or digestive cramps, and as a mild anti-inflammatory. It is prepared with one tablespoon of dried flowers per cup of hot water, allowing it to steep for 5-10 minutes before straining and consuming.
- Calendula tincture: Made from the maceration of fresh flowers (100 g per half liter of alcohol) in an airtight glass container for one week in a cool, dark place. It is filtered through linen and paper and used, diluted, in topical applications to disinfect and promote wound healing.
- Ointment or salve: It is prepared by combining calendula extract with vegetable oils or natural fats. It is ideal for rashes, burns, chafing, and dermatitis.
- Poultices: fresh leaves and flowers crushed and applied to the affected skin.
La lack of serious contraindications For external use, wild marigold is a staple of home herbal medicine. For internal use, especially in medicinal infusions, always exercise moderation and consult with your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a pre-existing condition, as in some countries its flowers are listed as restricted for use as a precaution.
Nutritional value and food uses
The calendula arvensis flowers are groceries and have traditionally been added to salads, vinaigrettes and pickles, not only for their decorative and coloring effect but also for their mild flavor and nutritional content. Due to their carotenoids, calendula has been used as a substitute for saffron to give color to rice and stews, there are references to its use in the counterfeiting or cheapening of saffron Since ancient times, it can be used in the preparation of flavored vinegars, vegetable butters, and to add a floral touch to fresh cheeses and breads.
Its nutritional value lies in the contribution of vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids and essential oils, which, combined with its low calorie content, makes it a healthy addition to the diet when used in moderate quantities.
Importance in natural cosmetics
La wild marigold It is a common ingredient in creams, lotions, and soaps for sensitive skin, due to its emollient, softening, and regenerating effects. It is valued in the cosmetics industry as natural anti-inflammatory active ingredient and for the care of skin prone to irritation, eczema, or diaper rash. Thanks to its hypoallergenic profile, it is included in baby products and in after-sun and lip balm formulas.
Growing and caring for Calendula arvensis
La calendula arvensis It is a plant of easy cultivation, ideal for low-maintenance gardens, natural meadows and organic orchards.
- Ground: It prefers well-drained, light soils rich in organic matter, although it tolerates poor and moderately compacted soils.
- Location: It needs direct sunlight at least several hours a day, although it tolerates some semi-shade.
- Sowing: It reproduces easily by seeds, which can be sown directly in the ground or in seedbeds. Under optimal conditions, it tends to self-seeding and sprout spontaneously year after year.
- Irrigation: Moderate. It is drought-resistant, although it appreciates occasional watering during peak flowering periods. It doesn't tolerate waterlogging, as excessive humidity can encourage the growth of fungi such as mildew.
- Plagues and diseases: It is generally resistant, although it can be affected by aphids, weevils or mildew if conditions are not suitable.
- Compatibility: It is an excellent companion plant in orchards, where it promotes pollination by attracting bees and other beneficial insects.
Its use in Ecological restoration It gives it value in the recovery of degraded soils, as a pioneer plant in spaces where other species do not thrive.
Ecological aspects and warnings
Despite its environmental and medicinal value, wild marigold can behave as an invasive species in some environments, displacing local species and disrupting the ecosystem's balance. For this reason, its propagation must be carried out responsibly, avoiding its expansion outside of controlled areas or where it could affect native biodiversity.
In Europe, in certain countries, Calendula arvensis flowers may be listed for restricted use. Due to the presence of compounds whose ingestion could pose a risk to some people, although there is no conclusive evidence of relevant toxicity. As a safety measure, it is advisable to consult current legislation and avoid excessive or uncontrolled consumption.
History and ethnobotany
The use of calendula arvensis It has been documented since the Middle Ages, with references in the writings of Saint Hildegard and in traditional European pharmacopoeias. Pio Font Quer, a renowned botanist, compiled information about its use by farmers and pruners to stop bleeding and heal cuts, hence the name "pruner's herb." The plant is a symbol of folk medicine, used in infusions, poultices, tinctures, wild salads, and traditional Mediterranean dishes.
La calendula arvensis It is one of the most valued species in phytotherapy and organic gardening. Its easy cultivation, wide distribution, medicinal properties, and traditional applications make it an essential plant for both the natural medicine cabinet and healthy cooking and sustainable gardening. The accumulated knowledge about its uses and precautions ensures that its responsible use can be maintained for generations as a legacy of ethnobotany and natural health.
