The benefits and uses of pot marigold are seen in ornamental, culinary and skincare aspects

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant in the genus Calendula of the family Asteraceae, also known as calendula or everlasting chrysanthemum, and is native to southern Europe. Its flowers are mostly golden yellow or orange-yellow, with a rounded shape like a small cup, which is how it got its name. This plant is highly adaptable and fairly cold-tolerant, and simple to cultivate and manage; it can be grown in the ground or in pots, and is one of the common ornamental flowers.

From the perspective of traditional use, the flowers of pot marigold are considered to have certain useful value. In folk practice, calendula flowers are often steeped in water and drunk as a tea, believed to help clear heat and reduce internal fire and soothe the body. In traditional medical records, calendula is also often used to regulate the stomach and intestines and relieve throat discomfort, though these uses mostly come from accumulated experience, and the specific effects vary from person to person; anyone with such needs should consult a professional physician.

Pot marigold also has many practical uses in daily life. Its petals contain natural pigments that can be used to color food, and the dried flowers can be brewed as tea and can also add flavor to dishes. In the field of skincare, calendula extract is quite common and is mostly used in soothing skincare products to help ease uncomfortable skin conditions. In addition, pot marigold has bright flower colors and a long flowering period, making it an ideal material for flowerbed arrangements and cut-flower decoration.

It should be noted that although pot marigold has a wide range of uses, care should be taken in how it is used. People with sensitive constitutions or allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should be cautious about touching and eating it, and special groups such as pregnant women had best consult a doctor before drinking calendula tea. At the same time, pot marigold grown as an ornamental plant may have been sprayed with pesticides, so it should not be picked and eaten at will. When using pot marigold for health purposes, one should also remain rational and must never treat it as a means of curing disease.