Calendula is an annual plant belonging to the Astro family.
Often, a flower is called a "marigold."
Height of the plant from 40 to 70 centimeters.
The shades of the flowers range from soft yellow to reddish-orange.
- Chemical composition
- Rules for harvesting
- Useful properties of the plant
- Folk recipes
- Contraindications to application
Calendula is a medicinal and ornamental plant.
The medications include flowers and flower baskets.
In the wild it can be found in the Middle East, in the countries of Southern Europe and the Near East.
The plant blooms for a long time, from May to October.
Calendula loves light, but is not demanding on heat and moisture. To grow it you do not need to create special conditions. The flower is considered a good honey.
Chemical Composition
The plant includes a complex of biologically active substances. The therapeutic properties of calendula are due to its composition:
- flavonoids - phenolic compounds , involved in reproductive processes.
They have an effect of antispasmodic, cholagogue, antitoxic, antitumoral nature, - carotenoids - plant pigments that give an orange tinge to the calendula, these substances contribute to the formation of teeth and bones,
- essential oils,
- coumarins are substances exhibiting antifungal and antitumor effect,
- ascorbic acid,
- mineral substances - zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and others.
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Rules for harvesting
During the flowering period, it is possible to harvest the plant several times per season, since the flowers bloom unevenly.
The ideal harvest time is the first or second day after the marigold has blossomed.
After cutting the baskets, new stems with flowers begin to grow, resulting in a blooming period. If the inflorescence does not break, then the yield of marigold is sharply reduced.
Baskets can be cut together with a piece of peduncle( about 3 centimeters).
Calendula is dried in special dryers, at a temperature of no higher than 45 degrees.
Calendula can be dried at home, but it only needs to be done in dark places.
The shelf life of dried flowers is 2 years.
Useful properties of the plant
Calendula is used as a wound-healing, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory agent. It can be used internally and externally. On the basis of plants make ointments, oils, tinctures, decoctions.
1. Calendula relieves of furuncles, acne, promotes healing of wounds.
"Nails" are used in the treatment of bruises, gangrene and other skin lesions.
The plant helps to lighten the spots and freckles.
2. "Nails" contribute to the fight against shortness of breath and edema, eliminate headaches, and remove irritation.
When ingested, calendula soothes nerves, restores heart rhythms, returns a strong sleep.
Beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
3. "Nails" are used in gynecology. Syringing with a solution based on calendula heals erosion of the cervix.the plant helps women during the menopause.
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4. Calendula is used as an antispasmodic.
It relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach, intestines, and liver.
Strengthens the process of formation and excretion of bile from the body( about cholagogue grasses written here).
5. Decoctions and infusions of marigold help during inflammation of the bladder, have a strong diuretic effect.
6. In medical practice, tincture of calendula is used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system.
The plant helps in the treatment of gastric erosion, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer( diet for a week).
7. Calendula is actively used in dentistry.
Irrigation of the mouth with a solution that includes the tincture of "marigolds" reduces the bleeding of the gums, helps with gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, thrush in young children.
8. Calendula calming reduces inflammation of the rectum, facilitates the condition with proctitis and paraproctitis.
Folk recipes
1. The broth of "marigolds" is prepared in the following way:
-
take two large spoons of dried inflorescences, fill them with a glass of water and protil in a water bath for 15 minutes, - leave the broth to "rest" for 45 minutes,
- strain the mixture, bring the total volume to 200 milliliters by adding cold boiled water,
- the ready-made broth is stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 2 days.
This remedy helps with liver and gallbladder diseases( about the diet during treatment read here), menstrual pain, lowers blood pressure.
This product can be taken orally( 2 large spoons 3 times a day), externally( rub the affected areas or rinse the mouth), add to the enema and soak the decoction swabs( for the treatment of gynecological diseases ).
2. Calendula ointment has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties.
It tightens wounds, cracks, is effective at dermatitis.
Men can use it to relieve skin irritation after shaving.
Women are advised to use ointment for hand care.
This product can be used even by children.
Preparation of the ointment:
- Take 100 grams of dried flowers and powder them,
- mix the plant with 200 grams of baked lard(
- ), put the mixture on a water bath,
- brew it until the ointment becomes uniform,
- , cool the resulting mixture,
- pour into a glass jar.
- Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
3. Alcohol tincture based on calendula has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
This remedy can gargle, irrigate purulent wounds.
To prepare the tincture, you need to take 250 grams of dry marigold, pour 100 milliliters of water and insist for 2 weeks, in a dark place.
4. Calendula oil is an excellent disinfectant, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory.
It can be taken internally with gastritis, ulcers, colitis, neurasthenia, menopause.
In the treatment of skin diseases, oil is applied externally.
Preparation is carried out as follows:
-
, take the fresh flowers, place them in a glass container, fill the container by three quarters, - pour the calendula with vegetable oil, filling the glass container to the edge,
- put the oil in a dark place, shake it regularly,
- after 10 daysstrain the mixture. The finished product is stored in the refrigerator.
Contraindications to the use of
Despite a wide range of useful properties, calendula can be harmful to health. The use of the plant is prohibited in the following cases:
- people with low blood pressure( hypotension),
- with increased sensitivity to the plant,
- people suffering from bronchial asthma or urticaria,
- preparations based on calendula are contraindicated in diseases of the cardiovascular system,
- is strictly forbidden to use "marigolds" during pregnancy .
Since ancient times, calendula has been a favorite medicinal plant among the healers. Today, preparations based on "marigolds" are widely used not only in folk, but also in modern traditional medicine.
Calendula helps fight many diseases.
To learn about the therapeutic properties and contra-indications of marigold, watch the video.
