Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an annual plant with yellow flowers. Even in ancient Rome noticed its amazing property: at sunrise, the buds open their petals, at sunset they close. In Russia, the name "calendula" is not widespread. Due to the external similarity of the seeds with the claws of a cat, the plant began to be called marigolds.
Calendula is known all over the world; many legends, traditions, and rites are associated with it. So, in India, she became Krishna's favorite flower. In China - a symbol of longevity. Among Slavic tribes, calendula symbolizes love, fidelity, fortress of marital relations. Useful properties and contraindications, recipes for the cure of illnesses - all this we will consider in the article.
Useful properties of calendula
Calendula has been considered a medicinal plant for centuries. Traditional and official medicine is used in all its parts. The following medicinal properties of calendula are used:
- Reduces pain.
- Acts as an expectorant, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic agent.
- Disinfects.
- Heals wounds.
- Soothes, normalizes sleep, relieves irritability.
- Increases immunity.
- It fights cancer cells.
Calendula is a pantry of nutrients and vitamins. These are minerals: copper, magnesium, iron, iodine, manganese, zinc, fluorine, phosphorus. It contains:
- Essential oils that work as anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, sedative.
- Carotenoids - help in the synthesis of vitamin A.
- Coumarins - act as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic.
- Sterols - lower cholesterol.
- Triterpenoids act as a regenerative, wound healing, hemostatic agent.
The plant is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. From it make teas, decoctions, tinctures, oils, ointments.
Using Calendula for Pancreatitis
Before using calendula for pancreatitis, the medicinal properties and contraindications of this plant should be discussed with your doctor. Marigolds are used to normalize the process of bile secretion. In addition, calendula is used to treat such gastrointestinal disorders: hepatitis, gastritis, ulcer, colitis, cholecystitis. Preparations from marigolds are necessary to prevent the formation of gallstones. With pancreatitis, many people recommend using calendula, since it:
- It has choleretic properties.
- Improves the digestive tract.
- Relieves inflammation.
- Reduces cramping.
- It has a bactericidal, analgesic, calming effect.
Nevertheless, it is worth abandoning preparations based on calendula in case of attacks, in the acute course of the disease. Also, experts do not recommend the use of any alcohol-containing drugs in pancreatitis.
Use of Calendula for Eye Disease
This useful plant helps relieve inflammation in:
- Conjunctivitis.
- Barley.
- Inflammatory eye diseases.
Recipe: Pour 10 g of dried inflorescences with boiled water (200 ml), insist for half an hour, then strain. Make compresses.
The use of calendula in cardiology and neurology
Experts advise using calendula with:
- shortness of breath
- puffiness;
- arrhythmias;
- headaches;
- hypertension
- heart and vascular diseases;
- sleep disturbances;
- irritability.
The plant is useful for normalizing pressure. Before you start taking it is better to consult a doctor.
With primary hypertension or a short-term increase in pressure, it is recommended to use the following infusion.
Recipe: 2 tablespoons of calendula inflorescences (useful properties and contraindications should be discussed with a specialist) pour water brought to a boil (200 ml), keep the composition in a water bath for 10 minutes. Then strain. It is recommended to drink the drink warm half an hour before a meal. The prepared amount is divided into three doses.
In chronic hypertension, it is better to use tincture of marigolds on alcohol, which should be consumed 3 times a day for 25 drops.
The use of calendula in dentistry
Useful properties and contraindications of calendula inflorescences and its other parts have been studied in detail in the field of dentistry. The use of mouthwashes will be effective. The plant is recommended for:
- bleeding gums;
- stomatitis;
- periodontal disease;
- thrush in young children.
If the gums are inflamed, the infusion helps: take 1 tablespoon of calendula and chamomile, pour boiling water (1 cup), insist for half an hour, strain, rinse the mouth with the resulting fluid.
With stomatitis, an infusion of calendula helps: chop 10 g of flowers, pour 1 cup of boiling water, warm in a water bath (10 minutes is enough), insist, drain. Rinse your mouth in the morning and evening. The course of treatment is designed for one week. You can use a pharmacy alcohol tincture: pour 1 teaspoon of the drug into 1 glass of water.
The use of calendula in the treatment of colds
The use of marigolds for colds was started by ancient doctors. The plant can be used for the following diseases:
- ARVI;
- bronchitis;
- tracheitis;
- pneumonia;
- pharyngitis;
- sinusitis.
A patient with colds will benefit from calendula teas. They can be used as:
- sweatshops;
- restorative;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic agents.
Classic tea recipe: 1 teaspoon of flowers pour boiled water (200 ml), insist.
Recipe for calendula and green tea: in a teapot for brewing, pour 1 teaspoon of mint, calendula. Add boiling water, leave for at least 10 minutes.
Other herbs are recommended as part of wellness tea recipes. A positive effect will strengthen honey.
Calendula has long been used in the treatment of tonsillitis, especially at the first signs. You can use a water extract, alcohol tincture. Be sure to remember that these are highly concentrated forms that need to be diluted: 1 tablespoon of the drug per 200 ml of water.
When gargling, pathogenic bacteria are eliminated from the body. It is necessary to remember the rules of rinsing:
- The rinse composition should have a temperature of 36-40 ° C.
- The procedure should last at least 30 seconds.
- It is recommended to gargle during the day 7-10 times.
- Children should carry out the procedure only in the presence of adults.
- It can not be used for an allergic reaction to the components of the composition.
External use of calendula medicines
Traditional and traditional medicine confirms the regenerative and antiseptic properties of marigolds. These qualities are effectively used to treat a number of skin lesions:
- furunculosis;
- wounds cut, stabbed;
- bruises;
- gangrene
- burns;
- ulcers;
- dermatitis.
In Brazil, marigolds as adjuvants are used in the fight against cancer.
Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications for women
Marigolds are on the list of many recipes that traditional medicine recommends to restore women's health. Disinfectant, anti-inflammatory qualities of calendula are used. The medicinal properties and contraindications in gynecology have been studied for many years, and today it is safe to say that doctors recommend the plant for menstrual irregularities, erosion, uterine bleeding, and myoma.
With ectopia, myoma, douching is used. Composition recipe: one tablespoon of the petals must be filled with 200 ml of boiling water, insisted until the liquid reaches 37 ° C. You can start the procedure.
To treat cervical erosion, it is recommended to use a ready-made alcohol preparation. You can cook it yourself according to the recipe: pour 20 g of flowers with vodka, leave for three days. For douching, you need to dilute 1 teaspoon of the drug with a glass of boiled water.
Traditional medicine uses an effective infusion: pour 2 teaspoons of marigold inflorescences with boiling water (250 ml), leave for an hour and a half, strain (preferably twice), use for douching. The course of treatment must be started the day after the end of menstruation. Experts say that a monthly course is enough to restore the mucous membranes.
To treat uterine fibroids, an infusion is used: 1 g of calendula, chamomile, buckthorn bark, 2 g of St. John's wort, hawthorn, 3 g of immortelle, motherwort. A decoction can be made in a thermos. For this herb pour boiling water (half a liter), leave to infuse overnight. Use twice a day half an hour before meals, half a glass. The course of treatment is advised to spend three months.
According to reviews of calendula, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we are considering, it is effective in treating thrush. In this case, use the douching method. It can be decoctions of several medicinal plants, for example, calendula, chamomile, oak bark. Traditional medicine recommends an effective decoction: take 1 liter of boiling water, pour 3 tablespoons of calendula, insist for three hours.
According to the reviews of many women, calendula (the beneficial properties and contraindications of the plant are described in detail in the article) gives a positive result during menopause. To do this, it is recommended to use the following composition: boiling water (400 ml) pour 2 teaspoons of calendula, strain after 2 hours, drink 4 times a day in half a glass. It is recommended to drink the drink with headaches, cramps, dizziness, poor sleep, irritability.
It is strictly forbidden to take calendula inside pregnant and lactating women.
Calendula in Pharmacology
Pharmacological enterprises produce tincture of alcohol from marigolds. Calendula ointment is produced, which is recommended as a regenerating medicine for eczema, burns, wounds.
In the form of tablets is made "Kaleflon" - a marigold extract that has been purified. The drug is prescribed as an anti-inflammatory, regenerative, antispasmodic. This medicine effectively helps with gastrointestinal diseases.
Cosmetic use of calendula
The beneficial properties and contraindications of calendula for women have been studied not only in the field of traditional medicine, but also in cosmetology. Marigolds are an effective plant for preserving and improving the appearance of the fair sex. As early as the 16th century, women on an empty stomach took jam made from the petals of marigolds to prevent skin aging.
- Calendula for hair. Rinsing with an infusion of marigolds helps reduce skin irritation and get rid of dandruff. Regular rinsing of oily hair improves their condition, gives shine. The following recipe has proven itself: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of plant inflorescences must be poured with steep boiling water (1 liter), then insist for half an hour, strain. Use to rinse the hair after washing. For oily hair, it is recommended to add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the finished infusion.
- For the skin of the hands. Calendula is used to improve the condition of the hands. If cracks, peeling have formed on the skin, it is recommended to make baths with a decoction of flowers (1 tbsp. Per liter of water). You need to use the prepared composition within a day, otherwise its bactericidal properties will disappear, and the procedure will be useless. It is also recommended to use a product consisting of plant juice and melted domestic fat of domestic animals. This cream perfectly helps the skin of the hands in the winter.
- For facial skin. Cosmetology has long used calendula in the fight against acne, inflammation, pigmentation, freckles. It is part of anti-aging products. Calendula preparations reduce sebum secretion, tighten pores, cleanse and heal the epidermis. Using masks with nails, you can reduce the pigmentation of the skin, make freckles invisible. To do this, you can use calendula as part of tinctures, masks and other means. A good effect is given by rubbing a cube of ice made from the infusion of flowers. The recipe is as follows: pour 1 tablespoon of raw materials with boiling water (250 ml), leave for 2 hours, then freeze in ice molds.
To cleanse the skin, it is recommended to use a mask, which includes clay and calendula. Clay dries acne, and nails contribute to their healing. Mask Recipe: 3 tablespoons of blue cosmetic clay diluted with hot infusion of marigolds. It should be a mixture similar to sour cream. Apply the composition to the skin of the face, keep no more than 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Lotion is suitable for rubbing the skin: take 1 tbsp. spoon of chamomile and calendula flowers, pour boiling water (1 cup), leave for half an hour, strain.
Useful nails in the composition of drugs with a rejuvenating effect. Mask recipe: you need to take 1 teaspoon of aloe juice, honey, 2 tablespoons (tablespoons) of marigold infusion. Mix everything, apply to the skin, wash after 15 minutes. As a result of application, the complexion improves, small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Industrial cosmetology uses nails in the production of shampoos, balms, masks, lotions and other products.
Contraindications
It has not only medicinal properties of calendula herb. Contraindications also need to be carefully studied before using the plant in order to improve well-being. Marigolds should not be used if there are such diseases:
- Hypotension.
- Bradycardia
- Allergic reaction.
- Cardiovascular failure.
- Pregnancy. Taking a plant can cause a miscarriage.
A doctor’s consultation is necessary if a person is prone to allergic reactions. Calendula preparations for patients with asthma are prohibited.
Use of calendula in other areas
Marigolds are used in various spheres of human life. The food industry uses squeezed flowers to flavor and color formulations in the manufacture of margarines, cheeses, butter and other food products.