Althaea officinalis Althaea officinalis Althaea officinalis, or marsh-mallow, is a perennial species indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, which is used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian time evolved into today's marshmallow treat. The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect , but can reach 6′6″ (2m), simple, or putting out only a few lateral branches. The leaves, shortly petioled, are roundish, ovate-cordate, long, and about 1 inch broad, entire or three to five lobed, irregularly toothed at the margin, and thick. They are soft and velvety on
Calendula officinalis oils. The flowers of "Calendula officinalis" contain flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, saponins, and a sesquiterpene glucoside. Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that "Calendula" extracts may have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties "in vitro". In an "in vitro" assay, the methanol extract of "C. officinalis" exhibited antibacterial activity and both the methanol and the ethanol extracts showed antifungal activities. Along with horsetails ("Equisetum arvense"), pot marigold is one of the few plants which is considered astringent despite not being high in tannins. Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold or Scotch marigold, is a plant