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Calendula

Properties and applications of calendula officinalis

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Botanical characteristics of pot marigold

Calendula is a medicinal plant. Calendula blossoms, beautiful orange-yellow flowers, and besides the fact that it is used for medicinal purposes, it is widely distributed in ornamental horticulture. In domestic pharmacology of this plant is very appreciated.

Flowers yellow or orange in color are collected in inflorescence-baskets. Calendula fruit is achene, slightly curved without Pappus. The fruit on the outside uneven surface with the presence of spines. Flowering plants begins in June and ends in September. The fruits ripen in October. The plant loves light, but demanding to moisture and soil. It can be seen in southern Europe, the middle East and southwest Asia.

This plant is very long blooming, from June until late autumn, almost to the Oct. Fruits calendula in July, propagated by seed, does not require special conditions for growing and listed as a good honey plant.

Calendula is considered a cultural plant and grow it medicinal, and decorative purposes, very rarely, she runs wild. For treatment use only the inflorescence, that is baskets, which are collected in the flowering period, when the basket are in full bloom. Leaves and stems not used.

For medicinal purposes harvested just opened blossoms of the plant. Baskets need to be cut off at the base of the peduncle and dry about 4 hours in an air dryer within which the temperature is 45 degrees Celsius. The dried raw material can be stored not more than two years. Most often the plant is found in Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus.


The beneficial properties of calendula


The flowers of this medicinal plant is a lot of carotenoids (because of this flower has an orange color). Flower calendula contains carotene, rubixanthin, lycopene, chromatin, violaxanthin, flavahan, flavoxanthin and other substances.

Color can be judged on the amount of carotenoids contained in the flower. The brighter the flower, the more it carotene. The calendula flowers containthe hydrocarbons of the paraffin series (hentriacontane and sitosterol), saponins, bitter, mucus, resin, volatile, proteins, flavonoids, glycoside cylindroid, traces of alkaloids, triterpenic (arnidiol and partial), organic acids (malic, pintadilla, salicylic), ascorbic acid and essential oil, which gives these flowers a wonderful fragrance and fitocenose.

The green parts of the flower contain the bitterness, tannins, triterpene saponins. As shown by recent studies, preparations of calendula are widely used in pharmacology due to its content in the flowers of plants bioactive compounds, e.g. carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamins.

Studies have shown the overall impact that this plant has low toxicity and has an inhibitory effect on locomotor activity and reflex excitability of animals. In the end, it was a noticeable sedative effect of the herbal form plants, which expressed the long period of sleep and antagonism to CNS stimulants.

Calendula medicinally used as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing remedy. Use it for both internal and external use. The preparations of this plant have astringent, antispasmodic, cholagogic and calming effect, improve heart function, lower blood pressure. Quite often calendula is used to treat diseases of the internal organs, nervous system, as sedatives, as anticoagulant, immunomodulating drug. Use it also as a diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, analgesic, desensitizing and restorative remedy. Calendula has also found use as a means of increasing male potency.

Calendula flowers used as antispasmodic. She is able to relax the smooth muscle of the structure of such organs as the stomach, intestines and liver that leads to increased bile production and secretion and increased secretory activity of the stomach.

Its anti-inflammatory properties, calendula has shown in experimental models of inflammation in septic and aseptic character. In addition, preparations of calendula are able to improve the regeneration processes. Despite the fact that the antibacterial qualities of calendula small against streptococci and staphylococci, inflammation, bacterial flora, under the action of preparations of this plant occur much easier because of the stronger growth of granulation tissue, epithelialization improve and strengthen local protection mechanisms.


Recipes based on calendula

An infusion of marigold.Take 1 tablespoon of marigold and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour to infuse. Ready infusion strain and take 1 tablespoon three times a day. The tool used for stomach ulcers, gastritis, and liver disease. Fits the same infusion rinse the throat with angina and inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Warts will help to get rid of the fresh blossoms of plants that need to be crushed. The finished mass is applied to the wart over a band-aid and go to sleep with him. This process is carried out until the day, until the wart will not fall off.

The broth with the threat of miscarriage. Take half tablespoon of calendula flower clusters and much of the same herb St. John's wort. Pour this mixture 200 ml of boiling water and insist 1 hour. Strain the finished broth, it is taken for 500 ml per day, dividing that amount of liquid into 2 doses. This medicine is used for 1 month before giving birth.

Calendula tincture on alcohol. You must take 100 ml of 70% alcohol and mix with 10 grams of marigold flowers, then leave to infuse for a few hours. This tincture is used externally by diluting 1 teaspoon of tincture in 200 ml of boiling water. Diluted tincture washed the cuts, purulent wounds, burns.

Calendula tincture in the water. Take 1 tablespoon flowers plants and fill them with 100 ml of boiling water, pour into a thermos. Express the composition in a thermos for 1-2 hours. Strain the finished tincture, it take 1 tablespoon three times a day for gastritis. Also, this infusion is used as a means for inhalations, washes and lotions.

How to make an infusion in oil? Video recipe:


The use of calendula

Sore throat: you need to take one tablespoon dried calendula flowers, pour a glass of boiling water, to insist 1 hour, tightly wrapped, then strain. Gargle this infusion is recommended 2-3 times a day. Also suitable for rinsing and alcohol tincture of calendula. For this 70%-th alcohol tincture stirred into a glass of water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of tincture in a glass of water.

You can still prepare this gargle: mix inflorescences calendula, plantain leaves, wormwood herb, take one tablespoon of the collection pour a glass of water, boil on weak fire or on a water bath for 10-15 minutes, leave to infuse, then strain. Warm broth should gargle every 2 hours. This decoction can be consumed inside 1 dining roomspoon 3-4 times a day.

An Allergy is a reaction of the body due to its high sensitivity to the influence of any substances (allergens). In order to get rid of allergies, you can take an infusion of marigold flowers. For its preparation, 10 grams of buds, you need to pour 1/2 Cup of boiling water, let stand for 1-2 hours and drink 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day.

Cardiac arrhythmia: prepare an infusion of marigold flowers. Two teaspoons of the buds, pour two cups of boiling water, infuse one hour, strain. Drink means half a Cup three times a day. Effective this collection for abnormal heart rhythm, heart palpitations.

Arthritis: cooking collection, which would require inflorescences calendula 5 g, fruits, juniper ordinary – 5 grams, buckthorn bark brittle – 5 g, black elderberry flowers – 10 grams, nettle leaves – 10 grams, horsetail herb 20 g, purple willow bark – 20 g, birch leaves warty – 20 Should take three tablespoons of ready collection pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, to insist 10 minutes, cook for 5-10 minutes, strain and drink 1 Cup every two hours.

Asthma: To prepare the collection take blossoms of calendula, peppermint leaves, grass violet tricolor, wild rosemary marsh grass, the roots of elecampane, leaves mother-and-stepmother, licorice root, chamomile blossoms, anise fruit – all herbs equally. Two tablespoons of ready collection pour 200 ml of water, heated in a boiling bath for 15 min, cool 45 minutes, strain, bring boiled water to the original volume and use 1/3 – 1/4 Cup 3-4 times a day.

Aphthae: a decoction of calendula flowers. Pour one Cup boiling water one tablespoon of inflorescences calendula and heated in a water bath or boil Cook 10 min. infusion: 20 grams of inflorescences pour a glass of boiling water. Ready infusion can be diluted with water in ratio of 1:2 or 1:3. To use the tool recommended for rinsing.

Ophthalmia: One Cup boiling water pour one tablespoon of inflorescences calendula, to insist in heat (or wrapped) for 30-40 minutes, then carefully filtered. Use for eye wash, lotions, compresses on eyes.

Hepatitis: prepare an infusion of calendula. Pour two cups of boiling water two teaspoons of calendula flower clusters, insist 1 hour, filter. Take the infusion should be half a Cup 4 times a day. The tool has a choleretic properties.

Prepare a tea from a mixture of herbs: calendula flowers – 2 parts herb St. John's wort – 2 parts, grass knotweed – 1 part chicory root – 1 part chamomile flowers – 1 part, flowers Helichrysum sand – 2 parts barkolhovidnoy buckthorn – part 1. Take four tablespoons of the finished collection, pour 0.5 liters of cold water leave overnight in the morning boil for 5 minutes, insist 20 min. to Drink tea, you need 1/2 Cup three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Jade: cooking collection, which will require inflorescences calendula 40 g, herb St. John's wort – 40 g inflorescences immortelle – 40 grams of chicory flowers – 30 g, buckthorn bark – 30 g, grass knotweed – 20 g, chamomile blossoms – 10 g. Take 20 grams of the finished collection and poured two glasses of boiled water, insist 10 hours, boil for 5-7 min, cooled, filtered. Used throughout the day. A decoction is used as astringent and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Gastritis: for making the collection take the inflorescences of calendula officinalis – 1 part rose hips (crushed) – 3 parts, grass cudweed herb swamp – part 1, flowers of chamomile – 1 part, petals of white roses – part 1, the shoots of horsetail – 1 part herb repeshko ordinary – 2 parts herb wormwood – 2 parts dill seeds – 3 parts, grass Hypericum perforatum – 4 pieces, plantain leaves – 4 parts, flowering tops of yarrow – 7 parts. Spoon collection pour 0,65 liters of boiling water, set to simmer for 30 minutes, then filtered. To use the tool rekomenduetsa half a Cup 4 times a day for 15-20 minutes before eating. The infusion has a slightly bitter taste.

Hypertension: it is recommended that the infusion of inflorescences of calendula. In order to normalize blood pressure, it is necessary tincture (2:100 in the 40-degree alcohol) drink 20-40 drops 3 times a day for a long time. As a result of receiving funds increases efficiency, not suffer from headaches, normalized sleep.

Dizziness: use the decoction of inflorescences of calendula. 10 grams of inflorescences pour 200 ml of boiling water and consume 1-3 tablespoons 3 times a day.

Ringworm: do baths. Cheesecloth, folded in 3-4 times, soaked in an infusion of calendula and apply it on the affected area of the skin.

Jaundice: prepare the infusion of inflorescences. Two cups of boiling water, brew two teaspoons of marigold flowers, insist 1 hour, filter. Use the infusion need half a Cup 4 times a day.

Very good to use calendula in tincture form. Better to start from 30 drops and increase to a teaspoon 2-4 times a day.

Prepare the collection. Take overhead ground calendula-1 part rose hips (crushed) – 3 parts, dandelion root – 3 parts,corn columns with stigmas – 3 parts, the shoots of horsetail – 3 parts, inflorescences immortelle – 4 pieces, rose petals and white 2 parts, the fruits of the forest strawberries -2 pieces, chamomile blossoms 2 parts, the fruits of common juniper (crushed) – 1 part herb cudweed forest–part 1, birch leaves white – 1 piece, fennel seeds – 1 part. One tablespoon of prepared collection pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave to simmer 30 min., filtered. Make the tool should be 150 ml three times a day for 10-15 minutes before eating. The infusion has a bitter taste.

Scrofula: a glass of boiling water pour one teaspoon of marigold flowers leave to infuse for one hour, then strain and drink 1/2 Cup 3-4 times a day.

Colitis: take 2 parts calendula flowers and 2 parts BlackBerry leaves blue-gray. 4 teaspoons of ready-made collection, you need to brew in a Cup of boiling water. Use the broth should be 1/2 Cup 3 times a day before meals.

Malaria: to prepare a therapeutic infusion will need 2 parts of marigold flowers, 3 parts herb wormwood, 5 parts of flowers of sunflower and 10 parts grass centaury. You need to take one tablespoon collection brew in a Cup of boiling water and leave to infuse, then strain. The resulting drug drink 1/2 Cup 4 times a day before meals.

Thrush (candidiasis): a glass of boiling water you need to brew a tablespoon of dried marigold flowers leave to infuse for one hour and strain. Ready infusion should rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day. The infusion can be replaced with diluted tincture (1 teaspoon of alcohol tinctures of calendula to one glass of boiled water).

Tumor – an excessive growth of tissue that consists of qualitatively changed and transformed cells. Tumors are divided into benign (usually they do not grow into nearby tissue, do not give metastasis) and malignant (cancer, sarcoma, etc.).

Since ancient times, calendula was considered a good remedy for getting rid of tumors and malignant tumors. However, one calendula to cure the disease, unfortunately, is impossible. It is recommended to reduce intoxication. Some patients with certain forms of malignant tumors improvement. Namely patients with gastric cancer dyspeptic symptoms disappear, reduce belching, nausea and vomiting.

Prepare an infusion of marigold flowers. Pour two cups of boiling water 2 teaspoons of marigold flowers, insist 15 minutes, divide into 4 parts and drink the same meals during the day.

Periodontal disease: a glass of boiling water pour the 10 grams of buds, insist 2 hours, filter, rinse the mouth.

A rush of blood to the head: Preparing the collection, which take 2 parts calendula 2 parts of flowers of a mallow, 3 parts seeds of anise, 3 parts herb viola tricolor, 3 parts, black elderberry flowers, 3 parts, root harrow the field, 3 parts of buckthorn bark brittle, 3 pieces of licorice root. Brew in a thermos two tablespoons of ready-made collecting 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for night, drain. Used 2 cups of infusion a day.

Rickets: pour one tablespoon of inflorescences calendula Cup boiling water, insist in a warm place 1 hour, drain. Used 1/2 Cup means 3-4 times a day.

Rheumatism: prepare a collection of 10 g inflorescences calendula, 10 grams of licorice root, 5 g rhizomes with roots Valerian, 5 grams fennel fruit, 10 grams of grass pancerii and 10 g of grass succession tripartite. One tablespoon collection brew one Cup boiling water in a thermos for 1 hour. Take tincture is necessary for rheumatic pains, angina, neuroses.

Stomatitis: for treatment to the pharmacy tincture of calendula (preparation): one teaspoon of tincture should be mixed with a glass or 0.5 glass of boiled water. Could apply the infusion, to do this, 20 g of inflorescences pour a glass of boiling water, after which the infusion is diluted with water in ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 and used for rinsing with inflammation of the gums or oral mucosa.

Morning sickness: there are two recipes for getting rid of early abortion.

1. Mix 2 parts marigold flowers 1 part lemon balm, pour 500 ml of boiling water over one tablespoon of the mixture infuse for 20 minutes and take 75 ml 3 times a day for 7-8 weeks (pre-consult your doctor).

2. Mix 4 parts of inflorescences calendula, 3 parts of crushed rosehips, 4 part herb Leonurus 3 parts of Valerian root, 2 parts peppermint, 2 parts rhizome and 2 parts St. John's wort. One teaspoon prepared collection pour 500 ml of hot water, boil for 1 minute, leave to stand for 20 minutes, strain. Take 50-100 ml 3 times a day for 30 minutes or 1 hour before meals for two months, then discontinue for 10 days and the treatment can be repeated.

Enlargement of the spleen: you will need 1 part calendula blossoms 1 part herb yarrow inflorescences. 20 grams of ready collection pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist in a warm place for 40 minutes, filter and take 1/3 Cup 2 times a day.

Acne (acne): insist 50 grams of marigold flowers in 0,5 l of vodka within 8-10 days. Next, 150-200 g of boiled water diluted with one teaspoon of tincture, used for lotions.

Bruises: place of contusions, abrasions, bruising or tumors smeared with ointment oralcohol tincture of calendula flower clusters.

Cholecystitis: cooking herbal collection, which take grass calendula – 1 part rose hips – 3 parts, roots of dandelion, 3 parts, corn columns with stigmas – 3 parts, the shoots of horsetail – 3 parts, the inflorescence of H. arenarium – 4 pieces, rose petals and white 2 parts, the fruits of the wild strawberry – 2 parts, flowers of chamomile – 2 parts, leaves of white birch – 1 part, the fruits of common juniper – 1 part herb cudweed forest – 1 part fruit fennel – 1 part. Pour one tablespoon chopped mixture 0.5 liters of boiling water, then the composition should simmer for 30 minutes, strain and take 150 ml 3 times a day 10-15 minutes before meals.

Enteritis: take the infusion of inflorescences of calendula. In a glass of water is taken one teaspoon of buds. Make the tool you need 0.5 cups in between meals. To improve the effect well to mix calendula with chamomile and yarrow.

Ulcers disease stomach and duodenal ulcers: use an infusion of the inflorescences of calendula officinalis, which is poured 20 grams of buds in one Cup of boiling water. Drug take 0,5 Cup 3 times a day between meals.

A decoction of marigold:10 grams of inflorescences pour 200 ml of boiling water and consume 1-3 tablespoons 3 times a day.

Prepare the collection of herbs: 1 part calendula blossoms, rose hips – 3 parts, grass cudweed herb swamp – part 1, flowers of chamomile – 1 part, petals of white roses – part 1, the shoots of horsetail – 1 part herb repeshko ordinary – 2 parts herb wormwood – 2 parts dill seeds – 3 parts, grass Hypericum perforatum – 4 pieces, plantain leaves – 4 parts, flowering tops of yarrow – 7 parts. Take one tablespoon of the collection and brew 0.5 liters of boiling water, the composition should simmer for 30 minutes, drain. Take half a Cup of infusion 4 times a day for 15-20 minutes before eating.

Barley: prepare an infusion of marigold flowers, for what 10-15 of dry inflorescences pour a glass of cold boiled water, insist in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, drain. Use the tool as lotions and compresses.

Calendula tincture

Tincture of calendula helps to get rid of headaches, improves sleep and increases efficiency. In hypertensive the infusion is taken a course of 3 weeks, possible longer. Alsotincture of calendula is recommended for gastro-intestinal diseases, ulcer, rickets, cancer, insomnia, heart arrhythmia, with shortness of breath, as cholagogue, for improving overall health.

Preparation of tincture of calendula: 100 ml 70% alcohol, take 10 grams of marigold, insist 2 weeks. The tool should be filtered. Use the medicine is 20-30 drops 3 times a day.

With this customization, you can quickly get rid of inflammation and purulent inflammations, secretions after injury and ulcerative processes, accelerate tissue regeneration and heal wounds, including those with sarcoma.

To use externally make a lotion or lubricate sore spots, ulcers, burns, acne, scrapes, cuts. Effectively this remedy for the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity, throat (gargle), be sure the infusion is to be diluted with water.

For treatment of hordeolum, blepharitis, conjunctivitis make lotions and irrigation, the infusion is diluted with water at a ratio of 1:10.

Good results are obtained tincture in the treatment of gynecological diseases, ulcers, cervical erosion and leucorrhoea. For treating medium is diluted with water in proportion 1:10. Used as compresses and douching.


Calendula ointment

To prepare the ointment necessary to take 50 grams of flowers of marigold and grind them into powder, then mix calendula flowers with 200 grams of melted lard. Put everything in a water bath until, until the mixture becomes homogeneous, and constantly stir. The finished ointment stored in the refrigerator.

Calendula ointment is used for wounds that are bad and have not healed. This ointment is having improving action on blood circulation in the skin. Making the skin more elastic, ointment protects it from mechanical and chemical irritation. The tool helps with burns, fractures, ripped skin and bruises.

Ointment used for allergic rashes as it soothes itching and tension. Medicine will help make the skin smooth, get rid of face wrinkles and lips will protect from frost and heat.

The kids suffering from diaper rash, better than any helps calendula ointment. Reaction to the new diapers, the newborn rash and the dermatitis from diaper - all this can be cured with the help of this ointment.


Contraindications to the use of calendula

In order to avoid angioedema, caution with drugs of calendula need to be people with allergic diseases, bronchial asthma, urticaria.

You cannot take the drug orally to people with low blood pressure with bradycardia and hypotension.