In nature, there are a huge number of medicinal plants and herbs. Among them, calendula flowers stand out for their healing properties. The article will talk about the features of the use of the plant and its medicinal qualities.
Useful properties of calendula
For medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant can be used, but inflorescences are most often used. Among the beneficial properties of calendula flowers are:
- cholesterol-like alcohols (can lower cholesterol levels);
- triterpinoids, glucoside, coumarins have anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties;
- flavonoids - substances that can relieve spasms in the intestines and stomach, remove pathogenic microflora, help produce bile and restore mucous;
- Calendula essential oils have a negative effect on infections that cause viral diseases.
In addition, calendula flowers contain substances that have a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels, increase immunity and relieve inflammation.
Use of calendula
Medicinal marigolds are known to many people for their special qualities. The medicinal properties of calendula flowers include:
- Therapy of the respiratory and oral cavity (tonsillitis, influenza, SARS). Tinctures and decoctions are made from flowers, with which they gargle. As a result, under the influence of bactericidal components, inflammation decreases and pathogenic bacteria die.
- Skin diseases. External ointments are widely used for healing wounds, burns and other injuries. Get rid of warts with celandine and calendula juice. A week after daily use, they completely disappear.
- Treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels (hypertension, arrhythmia, etc.).
- Diseases of the digestive tract. Infusion of calendula allows you to cope with digestive problems, improves the outflow of bile. The plants present in the composition, antiseptics and antispasmodics have a positive effect on stomach diseases (ulcers, gastritis). A mixture of orange juice and marigold decoction copes with constipation. Should be consumed several times a day.
- Relieves diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis). The decoction reduces pain during urination and relieves inflammation. Rose hips are added to improve the effect.
- Helps to treat diseases of the female genital area (cervical erosion, heavy bleeding, menopause). For the healing properties of calendula flowers during therapy, in this case, phytocandles are used and douching is done with a warm decoction. The disease cannot be completely cured in this way, but you can get rid of discomfort.
This is not the whole list of uses for calendula flowers.
Alcohol tincture
Fill the container with calendula flowers, pour 70% alcohol and insist for 14 days. Then strain.
For the treatment of various diseases, alcohol tincture can be used, prepared not only at home, but also bought at a pharmacy. The main directions of its use:
- Flushing helps 20 drops of tincture per spoon of water. The course of therapy is 30 days. In the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the tincture allows you to normalize blood pressure and calm the nerves.
- For headaches, take 30 drops in a glass of water 3 times a day after meals. Treatment should be carried out within 14 days.
- Marigold tincture is effective for throat diseases (tonsillitis, gum disease, stomatitis). Add 10 drops to 500 ml of warm water. Rinse several times a day.
- Alcohol tincture can be used as a poultice for leg ulcers, eczema and frostbite. Moisten a clean cloth and apply to the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Repeat several times a day.
- In gynecology, tincture of calendula flowers is used, the healing properties of which allow you to get rid of inflammatory processes: erosion, vulvitis, colpitis.
- For painful periods, it should be taken 5-7 days before they begin. To do this, dissolve 15-20 drops in a spoonful of water, and consume three times a day half an hour before meals.
Due to the positive properties of marigolds, the tincture has an effectivehelp and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
Acne treatment
Alcohol tincture of calendula flowers can cure some skin diseases. It is used as follows.
- With oily skin, wipe the face with the following solution: 1 teaspoon of the product per 200 ml of water. The procedure should be carried out at least 2 times a day.
- You can get rid of youthful acne by wiping your face with a diluted tincture, and then applying yeast masks.
- Calendula tincture, diluted with water, is used to get rid of purulent acne that sprinkles the body. In 100 ml of water, dilute 1 teaspoon of the product. Moisten a thin cloth and apply to the affected area.
Bactericidal properties of marigolds allow you to get rid of pain, inflammation and other discomfort.
Calendula infusion
Marigolds have miraculous properties, thanks to which the plant copes with inflammation in the body.
The cooking method is as follows. Pour two tablespoons of calendula flowers with hot water (300 ml). Boil in a water bath. Strain and bring to the original volume - 300 ml. Store the infusion in the refrigerator is allowed no more than 48 hours. Take orally before meals for 3 tbsp. spoons.
Useful properties of calendula flowers in tincture can cure diseases of the digestive tract, inflammation of internal organs, stomach pain, high blood pressure.
Calendula ointment
There is a wide variety of marigold remedies,which can cure many diseases. Extremely popular, for example, is calendula ointment. You can cook it yourself.
To do this, you need to grind 0.5 cups of dried flowers of the plant to a powder state, and mix with melted lard (1 cup). Melt the resulting mass in a water bath. The ointment is ready. Sometimes Vaseline is used instead of lard. The finished product should be stored in a cool place.
Calendula ointment has a wide range of uses. It has the following useful properties:
- cures any skin disease;
- with varicose veins makes the skin elastic;
- accelerates the process of skin regeneration;
- improves blood circulation;
- soothes the skin and reduces inflammation in case of allergies.
Ointment is very often used by women: it has a positive effect on the skin. Especially after the negative effects of water, frost or sun.
For men, calendula flower ointment helps relieve skin irritation after shaving. In addition, she is excellent at dealing with diaper rash in a newborn.
Calendula oil
The amazing qualities of marigolds appear when various remedies are prepared from the plant. However, here it must be remembered that calendula flowers have both beneficial properties and contraindications. However, in most cases, remedies made from the plant still heal.
Marigold oil is prepared nextway:
- The container is filled 3/4 with the flowers of the plant.
- Add olive or sunflower oil to the brim.
- For 10 days the mixture is infused in a dark place.
- Mix the ointment and strain. The finished product must be stored in the refrigerator.
The resulting oil provides effective bactericidal assistance in inflammatory processes. Bandages and lotions are applied to dry eczema, burns and frostbite.
Calendula oil can protect the skin of adults and children from the negative effects of the environment. Breastfeeding mothers treat cracked nipples with it.
Patients who suffer from diseases of the digestive tract, for treatment, you need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of oil 30 minutes before meals, at least 2 times a day. Also, when using oil, cardiac activity is activated, and swelling decreases. In general, the benefits of calendula oil are quite extensive.
Procurement of medicinal raw materials
To preserve the beneficial properties of calendula flowers and avoid contraindications, you need to properly collect the plant. The ideal time to collect inflorescences is 1 or 2 days after the bud opens. Only flower baskets are harvested, that is, raw materials should be cleaned of stems.
During the summer period, you can harvest the flowers of the plant several times, because they bloom unevenly.
Dry the flowers in a well-ventilated area, gently stirring several times. Store grass inpaper or canvas bags in a dry and cool place. Shelf life is 2 years, then the raw material loses its useful properties.
Medicines containing calendula
Traditional medicine has a wide range of medicines containing marigolds. They are part of tinctures, tablets, ointments and creams. In pharmacies, you can buy a dry collection, which is used for infusions and decoctions.
List of common drugs:
- Calendula tincture. Used for wound healing. With angina, using tincture, you can get rid of pain and inflammation.
- "Caleflon". Specialists prescribe the drug for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Ointment "Doctor Theis". Has a healing effect on any part of the skin.
Due to its beneficial properties, medicines with calendula can cope with many diseases.
Calendula in cooking
The aroma and taste of this plant attract culinary specialists to it. Marigolds are often added to doughs, pâtés, salads, soups, and meats. Calendula is able to give the dough and cream a golden color.
It is added to fresh vegetable salads. Calendula is often put in apple and cranberry juice. Honey and sugar are added to improve the taste. The result is useful hooks.
In ancient times, dried marigolds were added to stewed sparrows and rabbits.
Contraindications
Medicinal herbs, despite their positive properties, have some negative qualities. There are contraindications for the use of calendula flowersthe following:
- Children under 6 years old. If you use a medicine prepared on the basis of a plant at this age, then there is a high chance of overloading the body with the natural components that make up its composition, which will definitely not be beneficial.
- Hypotonia. Substances present in the composition of calendula can lower blood pressure. Therefore, the constant intake of grass will only be harmful.
- Ingestion of decoctions with calendula can lower the heart rate, which poses a real threat to the patient's life.
- Lactation period. The substances that make up the plant easily penetrate into breast milk, and with them into the body of a newborn. It could harm him.
- Pregnancy. The active components of calendula, penetrating the placenta, may adversely affect the development of the fetus.
- Exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. The plant has an irritating effect on the stomach, which can increase pain.
- Allergy. In some cases, taking calendula-based preparations provokes unpleasant sensations (itching, rashes, redness of the skin).
When using the plant for the treatment of various diseases, the exact dosage must be observed.
To benefit from all the healing properties of calendula flowers, contraindications must be taken into account. Do not underestimate the plant, referring only to its natural qualities. Before taking calendula-based medicines, it is best to get a consultationqualified doctor.
