Flowers of the Sun - this is what marigold grass used to be called. The medicinal properties and contraindications of a medicinal plant have been known since ancient times. The first mention of it can be found in the "herbalists" dated to the XII century. In the Latin classification of medicinal plants, calendula is called Calendula officinilas.
The official registers of medicinal raw materials in many countries contain calendula flowers. The medicinal properties and contraindications of this plant have been studied for a long time: even Peter the Great gave an order according to which the very first calendula plantation was laid in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.
Collection and harvesting of raw materials
In pharmaceuticals, only the marginal flower petals are used mainly, however, whole flower baskets can be used in folk medicine. Raw materials begin to be harvested after the flowers have fully blossomed. The collected petals are dried in a natural way - under special canopies that protect against the effects of ultraviolet rays that destroy biologically active compounds. Raw materials can also be dried artificially at a temperature of no more than 80 o C.
After four months, the calendula gradually loses its healing properties and contraindications. Reviews about the medicinal plant suggest that the maximum shelf life is one year.
Chemical composition
In pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine, calendula is highly valued because of the 15 types of carotenoids contained in flowers. Most of them are concentrated in the tongues of the petals, so they try to use them in official medicine. Also, the composition of calendula includes flavonoids, the maximum concentration of which is found in terry marigolds.
In folk medicine, almost the entire plant is used, including the roots. The latter contain glycosides, in the aerial part - phytosterols.
In addition to the substances listed above, calendula also contains other organic compounds with high biological activity.
Pharmacological properties
As shown by numerous scientific experiments, calendula-based preparations have hypnotic and sedative effects, which vary depending on the dosage chosen. The plant also inhibits most bacteria, viruses and fungi. The structure of marigolds includes coumarins, carotenoids and flavonoids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve painful sensations that activate tissue regeneration. Many pharmaceutical products use calendula. Ointment, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which have been experimentally identified, is widely used to treat trophic ulcers and dermatitis. On the basis of marigold flavonoids, the drug "Kaleflon" was developed, which is used to treat toxic hepatitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.
Calendula-based drugs are widely used in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the symptoms of which are swelling and shortness of breath.
Professor Hvorov created and tested tinctures based on calendula. The therapeutic properties and contraindications for women were recorded during the studies: the drugs helped to cope with disorders of the autonomic nervous system, eliminated migraines, sleep disturbances, nervousness, heart palpitations and other symptoms characteristic of menopausal and postmenopausal conditions. But at the same time, they could cause a sharp decrease in blood pressure. Patients taking tincture of nails three times a day talked about a significant improvement in well-being. In this case, the main contraindication to the reception of calendula remained pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In complex therapy, marigolds were also used to treat a variety of diseases associated with changes in the tissues of internal organs.
Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications. Treatment of ulcers, diseases of the liver and spleen
In diseases of the liver and spleen, intestines, peptic ulcer, the treatment was carried out several times more successfully using drugs based on marigolds. It is not recommended to use medications based on it for patients with low blood pressure and individual intolerance to the components. The results of the studies showed that calendula helps to eliminate changes in tissue structures, which contributes to the rapid recovery of patients.
Calendula in Gynecology
Calendula is used in various fields of medicine. The therapeutic properties and contraindications in gynecology have been studied for decades. Drugs based on it can both save for various diseases, and harm. The tincture solution is used for douching with cervical erosion and Trichomonas colpitis. Contraindications to the use of calendula in such a sensitive field of medicine remain pregnancy (since plant-based drugs can provoke a miscarriage), hypotension, and individual intolerance to individual components.
Calendula in folk medicine
Indications for the use of drugs based on marigolds in traditional medicine are the same as in the official one. The only divergence of opinion in the effectiveness of the treatment of skin cancer. Oncologists, despite the fact that official medicine does not confirm the efficacy of marigolds in the treatment of cancer, nevertheless they say that the loliolide which is part of them has an antitumor effect. There is also an opinion that water-alcohol solutions of calendula inhibit the development of certain types of cancer cells.
Calendula oil is widely used to treat various diseases, and its use is highly effective, which is proved by numerous tests.
Unlike St. John's wort oil, calendula oil is not able to protect the body from polyarthritis, however, it can reduce joint tumors and reduce the rheumatoid factor.
Calendula in Homeopathy
Homeopaths have not spared a plant like calendula. Calendula can be taken either externally or orally. In the first case, it is prescribed for the treatment of leg ulcers and open lacerations.
Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications. Prescription Drugs
Calendula tincture is sold in any pharmacy. Often it is used to treat inflammatory processes of the throat, periodontal disease and stomatitis: a teaspoon of the drug is diluted in a glass of warm water and used to rinse the mouth.
Also, tincture is widely used in gynecology for douching in order to eliminate cervical erosion, with delays in the menstrual cycle and Trichomonas colpitis. In case of female diseases, calendula infusion is prepared: two tablespoons of flowers are poured with 200 grams of boiling water, insisted for half an hour, filtered and taken as directed.
Calendula is also used to treat acute respiratory infections. The therapeutic properties and contraindications for children have been studied for a long time. In inflammatory processes and respiratory diseases, preparations based on it can be given to the child, but with caution, in order to avoid deterioration. To do this, prepare a decoction, which gargle.
It is also used for various injuries and bruises. It is undesirable for children under 12 years of age to give a calendula to rinse their throats: they can swallow tincture, which will lead to an upset gastrointestinal tract or burns of the mucous membrane if the drug was alcohol-based.
An infusion made from calendula flowers is used in the treatment of diseases of the spleen and liver, hepatitis, hypertension, nervousness and atherosclerosis. To prepare such a medicine, 4 tablespoons of dried inflorescences are poured 400 g. boiling water, insist for 15 minutes and filter. Take a decoction 4 times a day inward in half a glass.
With peptic ulcer, calendula infusion is drunk throughout the day in small sips. For the treatment of thrombophlebitis and atrial fibrillation, the infusion is drunk four times a day in 100 ml. Calendula contributes to the normalization of sleep: for this, take a decoction of flowers three times a day for a tablespoon.
But, in any case, remember that self-medication can harm your health! Before using the drug, you should consult your doctor.
Calendula oil and ointment
Calendula oil, as mentioned above, is used to treat various diseases and pathologies. The preparation is prepared by extraction with neutral oils, mainly olive. 10 grams of marginal marigold petals are poured with 100 milliliters of oil and infused in the sun for a month. Prerequisite: the container in which the medicine is located must be made of brown glass.
Ointment is used for the same diseases as oil. It is prepared by mixing lanolin or interior fat with calendula juice. Also for its preparation use tincture of marigolds or powder from dried flowers.
Oil extract is used as a treatment for chronic rhinitis. The back wall of the pharynx is also irrigated with chronic pharyngitis. An extract is prepared from 70% alcohol and dried marigold flowers. The liquid is infused for 48 hours, after which it is filtered, mixed with olive oil and aged for 7 hours in a water bath. The finished medicine is stored in the refrigerator.
For the treatment of diseases of a viral nature and liver diseases, herbal preparations are prepared, one of the components of which is calendula. Together with marigolds they use knotweed grass, chamomile, chicory, caraway seeds and St. John's wort.
Calendula in cosmetology
In cosmetology, calendula is also used. The healing properties and contraindications, reviews of patients who used drugs based on it - all this is being studied by scientists. Based on the data obtained, the effectiveness of the use of calendula is confirmed, a decrease in the oily skin and the elimination of inflammation, redness are recorded. Marigolds are often used as a means to create tonics and ointments that remove blackheads and freckles. Do not use alcohol tincture of calendula undiluted: it can dry the skin of the face, which will only worsen the situation and cause irritation.
A decoction of calendula flowers is used to wash your face. Ice cubes are also made from it, which are then carried out along the massage lines of the skin. The only contraindication to the use of calendula ice is close vessels.
To cleanse the face of dead skin particles and eliminate wrinkles, make a washcloth of calendula. The regular use of such a tool allows not only to eliminate existing wrinkles, but also to prevent the appearance of new ones. Calendula evens out the tone of the face.
How to make a calendula washcloth
A glass of dry hercules is mixed with two teaspoons of calendula oil. The resulting mixture is placed in a bag of flax, which is carefully tied. With such a washcloth, you can do water procedures.
Calendula for removing age spots and freckles
Calendula also helps in removing freckles and age spots. Medicinal properties and contraindications, photos, reviews about the plant - all this can be found in different sources. The information obtained indicates both a cure for the skin condition and a deterioration in its condition due to allergic reactions and individual intolerance. You can enhance the positive effect if you mix fresh juice of calendula flowers with currant juice. There are practically no contraindications to the external use of calendula: the most important thing is not to treat the face too often so as not to dry the skin and cause irritation.
Calendula in the treatment of acne
In the treatment of acne, calendula is also commonly used. The therapeutic properties and contraindications, reviews about such a tool are collected by cosmetologists who create new drugs based on the data obtained. To eliminate rashes of a purulent nature on the face will help an ointment from the marigolds. Prepare it from baby cream and small dried flowers. The resulting mixture is applied to problem areas twice a day.
For a similar purpose, tincture of calendula is used. The medicinal properties and contraindications for taking such a drug have been known for a long time: it helps to eliminate inflammation, but overdries the skin, so you must be extremely careful when using it. Alcohol tincture of the face is wiped twice a day, after diluting it with water, so as not to harm the epidermis and not to dry it.
Contraindications
The use of drugs from calendula inside does not cause any harm to health, however, it is worth remembering that the structure of marigolds includes biologically active substances that can have different effects. For example, it is forbidden to use drugs based on this plant during pregnancy: they can provoke a miscarriage.
Calendula-based drugs are characterized by a hypotensive effect, so they should be taken with caution to those who suffer from low blood pressure.
It is impossible to take calendula at the same time with drugs that have a similar or completely opposite effect. For example, a combination of marigolds and sedatives can lead to increased activity of barbiturates. At the same time, the use of calendula-based drugs completely eliminates the effect of antidepressants.
Before you start using calendula-based drugs, it is advisable to find out all the information from a qualified doctor.
Calendula in cosmetology
For a long time, calendula, medicinal properties and contraindications were studied in cosmetology. Reviews about the use of drugs based on marigolds, especially tinctures, suggest that people most often use them to treat acne - in just a week wiping the face with a liquid diluted with water, all redness and old marks from pimples completely disappear.
According to reviews, despite all the benefits of calendula-based drugs, it is contraindicated for those who suffer from hypotension, VSD, and bradycardia. Such drugs are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women: marigolds can cause an allergic reaction or, in the worst case, as mentioned above, cause a miscarriage.
Calendula has not only a pronounced medicinal effect, but also a pleasant taste and smell: being an edible plant, it is often added to food as a spice. Despite the fact that the aroma of calendula flowers is pleasant to humans, it is repulsive to insects. Due to this property of marigolds, they can be used to protect the crop from pests.