Althaea officinalis times of scarcity consequent upon the failure of the crops, this plant, which grows there in great abundance, is collected heavily as a foodstuff. The leaves, flowers and the root of "A. officinalis" (marshmallow) have been used in traditional herbal medicine. This use is reflected in the name of the genus, which comes from the Greek (""), meaning "to heal." Marshmallow was traditionally used as relief for irritation of mucous membranes, including use as a gargle for mouth and throat ulcers and gastric ulcers. The flowers and young leaves can be eaten, and are often added to salads or are
Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold or Scotch marigold, is a plant in the genus "Calendula" of the family Asteraceae. It is probably native to southern Europe, though its long history of cultivation makes its precise origin unknown, and it may possibly be of garden origin. It is also widely naturalised further north in Europe (as far as southern England) and elsewhere in warm temperate regions of the world. The Latin specific epithet "officinalis" refers to the plant’s medical and herbal uses. "Calendula officinalis" is a short-lived aromatic herbaceous perennial, growing to tall, with sparsely branched