Not everyone knows about the healing properties of this unpretentious and unpretentious distant relative of chrysanthemums and asters, although for a long time she has helped healers and doctors to rid people of many ailments. In most gardens, calendula grows as an ornamental plant, although it has a number of medicinal properties. Its bright yellow and orange flowers delight the eye all summer long and until frost in autumn. If there is this unpretentious plant on your site, then it would be useful to familiarize yourself with information about its benefits and contraindications.
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All elements of the plant are useful, but flowers and seeds are most often used
The genus calendula is widespread throughout all temperate territories in Europe, Asia and Australia. The plant got the popular name "marigold" for the original curved shape of the seeds, which sometimes almost close into a ring. The most valuable calendula is medicinal. It is an annual plant with dense, ribbed stems and light green leaves.
The seeds of different plant species differ in appearance
Even in ancient times, the antiseptic properties of calendula were used to treat wounds and sore throats. Many medical treatises from the times of Ancient Rome were devoted to the plant. Avicenna also studied it. Later, scientific medicine recognized the healing value of the flower, and now it is included in many medicines, cosmetics and hygiene products.
The flowers of the plant have the maximum healing properties, or, more precisely, the reed flowers of the inflorescence of the basket, which are often mistaken for petals. The richer their orange color, the more useful they are as a remedy. Some traditional medicine recipes include the leaves and stems of the plant. Calendula root is strong and branched. To extract useful substances from it, alcoholic tinctures and decoctions are prepared, which, as a rule, are used externally.
We talked about the plant in more detail in the article https://flowers.bigbadmole.com/en/lekarstvennye-rasteniya/opisanie-kalenduly-kartinki-i-foto-cvetov-nogotkov.html Here you can also find photos of varieties and tips for growing.
The healing properties of calendula
The flowers of the plant have found the maximum application, due to the high content of carotenoids, calender, carotene, resins, organic acids, essential oil, glycosides, tannins, phytoncides in them. The inflorescences with a part of the peduncle are harvested at the time of the opening of the buds, when half of the reed flowers have fully developed. The raw materials are dried and then the calendula is stored for no more than two years.
Overall, this is a powerful tool:
- disinfectant and antiseptic;
- relieves inflammation;
- antispasmodic;
- having a diuretic and choleretic effect;
- pain reliever;
- cleansing blood and skin;
- relieves swelling.
Nails for women
Calendula - one of the basic components of the "women's" fees
In gynecology, decoctions, candles and calendula oil are more often used. The drugs are recommended for violations of the vaginal microflora, myoma, erosion of the cervix, inflammation, ovarian cysts, fibroids, colpitis, painful periods or their violation, during menopause, menopause syndrome, thrush, mastopathy, endometriosis.
Since calendula-based drugs are very effective and powerful, self-medication should be completely ruled out. Only a qualified physician can prescribe this therapy. During pregnancy, many healers recommend completely excluding this plant from the use, so as not to provoke a miscarriage.
When breastfeeding, it is allowed to use drugs based on calendula (without alcohol!) In such cases: in the treatment of various respiratory diseases in a nursing mother: sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, cough and runny nose, colds, pharyngitis and sinusitis. A decoction of flowers is also popular as a laxative.
Calendula for the male body
For a strong half of humanity, calendula preparations are proposed to be used to increase potency, as well as for alopecia (baldness).
Treatment of children with plant-based drugs
Gargle with calendula broth if your baby has a cold or flu
In pediatrics, marigolds are used to treat the same diseases as in adults, but they are carried out even more carefully and accurately, always in consultation with the attending physician.
Contraindications
Taking drugs containing calendula is completely excluded when:
- low blood pressure;
- cardiovascular insufficiency;
- exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
- bronchial asthma;
- gallstone disease;
- pregnancy.
- Outwardly, you can not use funds with calendula, if there is an individual intolerance.
Health recipes and reviews about them
Official and traditional medicine uses calendula-based drugs to treat a variety of diseases: from scratches and cracks in the skin to malignant tumors. How to properly prepare and use them is described in the recommendations below.
Alcohol tincture
Calendula tincture is used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Dried calendula flowers are used to prepare the drug. They fill a vessel that can be tightly closed, but leave about half a centimeter of free space. The raw materials are poured with vodka or diluted alcohol to the very top and sealed. Insist two weeks in the cool and without access to sunlight. Then it is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
Undiluted tincture is used only externally for the treatment of various skin lesions - bruises, scratches, abrasions, edema, wounds, acne, acne, boils, herpes on the lips, demodicosis, inflammation, chickenpox. It is used to treat areas of the disease. You can rinse your hair with pure tincture to strengthen it, get rid of dandruff, and give a healthy shine.
Internally and for cosmetic procedures, the tincture is used only in a diluted form:
- for rinsing with stomatitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, inflamed gums, gingivitis, a teaspoon of the product is diluted in 100 ml of warm water;
- to reduce and stabilize blood pressure in 50 ml of water add 30 drops of tincture;
- to stimulate the digestive system, take once a day 30 drops of tincture in 100 ml of water;
- to cure diseases of the genitourinary system, douching or irrigation with a solution of a teaspoon of tincture in a glass of water is carried out;
- during menopause, it is recommended to take 20 drops of tincture in a tablespoon of water for a month, such a course stabilizes the activity of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels, lowers blood pressure.
I often have to treat my throat, and gargling with folk remedies is always effective in this case. Tincture of Calendula has been familiar to me for many years, as I have used it many times, both for throat treatment and as an antiseptic that replaces a facial toner.
On a holiday on February 23, a large red pimple popped out on my face. By the way, I have long noticed that for some reason inflammations on the skin are very fond of appearing on holidays and important events. I wanted to remove it, but I did it not quite successfully, as a result, it began to stand out even more on my face. Then I took up the tincture of calendula. She burned it locally three times a day. The tincture was not diluted before use. On the morning of February 24, purulent contents appeared on the pimple, which I carefully removed and continued to treat the inflamed area with tincture. On the morning of February 25, a pimple on the face looked like this: Redness and inflammation subsided, a dry crust formed, and it became clear to me that soon there would be no trace of this pimple! For LOCAL use, I really like calendula tincture and always helps to get rid of pimples on the face quickly!
Before and after photos: the effect of calendula tincture treatment is clear
Tips for making and using the tincture: video
DIY calendula ointment
In pharmacies, you can buy calendula ointment, made industrially, but if the flower grows in your area, it is easy to make it yourself.
Calendula ointment is popular in the treatment of burns and other skin injuries
Option 1
An ointment made on the basis of pork fat is of higher quality than one prepared using vegetable or mineral oils, but it has a shorter shelf life. Ingredients:
- dry calendula flowers - 20 g;
- pork fat - 100 g.
The flowers of the marigold are ground in a coffee grinder just before the start of the process of making the ointment. The fat is melted in a water bath, calendula flower powder is added to the liquid, stirred with a wooden spoon and left to warm up in a water bath for an hour.
Store the finished ointment only in a glass container. Plastic is excluded as fat can react with it. The heated mixture of fat and calendula is filtered through cheesecloth into a sterilized dry jar and left to cool at room temperature, without covering with a lid, so that condensation does not collect on it.
Keep the ointment in the refrigerator. Collected for procedures with a wooden spoon or spatula. This ointment is excellent for cuts, bruises, burns, dry skin.
You can prepare the product yourself, but for the lazy, it is already sold in the pharmacy at a low price.
Option 2
You can prepare a very effective ointment for varicose veins when applied in the form of applications or compresses.
Ingredients:
- beeswax - 4 g;
- calendula oil - 60 g.
After mixing the ingredients, they are placed in a water bath and stirred until the wax is completely dissolved. You can add 8 g of cocoa butter to the mixture. Store the ointment in a sterile glass jar at room temperature.
The drug perfectly relieves skin inflammations and acne, heals wounds and cuts, narrows blood capillaries and skin pores, reduces sebum secretion, and helps with sunburn.
Anyone who does not have a tendency to allergies or bronchial asthma, and does not suffer from individual intolerance to the components of the product, can use calendula ointment prepared according to any of the recipes.
I first learned about the ointment a long time ago. My grandmother used it as a wonderful remedy for bruises and cracks. Then, in adolescence, I, like most, during the transitional age, had problems with the skin on my face: inflamed pimples and acne. My grandmother advised me to use this ointment.I will not say that she forever relieved me of acne, but nevertheless, the inflammation on my face has decreased. It dried acne well and noticeably narrowed the pores. When the child appeared, problems with diaper rash, prickly heat and allergic reactions on the skin began to appear. You know, she helped us!
For 15 years of use, I have never noticed any drawbacks. We smear with this ointment any cracks, scratches on the skin, combs in children after mosquito bites. This ointment is capable of doing even greater miracles! If the skin on the heels on the legs is very hard, rough and peeling, then it is worth smearing with calendula, putting on socks and walking around during the day, as there is noticeable relief. After a week of this application, even the most rigid and unkempt heels will become like a baby's. True, you have to rub it with a pumice stone, but the skin will already be soft and peel off well. Even deep cracks and scratches, the ointment shrinks in a fairly short time.
Candles with calendula
Suppositories with calendula are widely used in gynecology and proctology.
Healing candles, which include calendula, are used in the treatment of diseases:
- gynecological: cervical erosion, adnexitis, vulvovaginitis and vaginitis;
- proctological: proctitis, sigmoiditis, hemorrhoids, colitis, anal fissures;
- urological: urethritis, prostatitis, cystitis.
Typically, the duration of the treatment cycle is 7-10 days. The extension of this period should be agreed with the doctor.
Store candles at a temperature not higher than 18 ° C and humidity up to 60%. They are considered applicable up to one and a half years from the date of manufacture.
Candles do not cause irritation, do not have cumulative properties. A contraindication to their use is an exclusively individual rejection of the components that make up their composition.
After giving birth, I faced the problem of hemorrhoids, it's good that the doctor prescribed these suppositories for me. I had never heard of them before, as it turned out, they are inexpensive and very effective. Their composition is natural, made from calendula tincture and solid fat. They eliminated pain and disease symptoms.
Golden tea
Calendula tea is not suitable for daily consumption
Calendula flower tea has a peculiar taste and aroma. They drink it exclusively for medicinal purposes and in the absence of contraindications. It should be consumed only on the advice of a doctor. Sometimes, to enhance the therapeutic effect, marigolds are mixed with other medicinal herbs and fruits.
Ingredients:
- dried calendula flowers - 1 tablespoon;
- boiling water - 500 ml.
Having poured calendula into a teapot, pour boiling water over it, cover with a lid and insist for about a quarter of an hour. After straining, take half a glass three times a day.
With tachycardia, when the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle per minute exceeds 90 beats, such tea is drunk 4 times a day, 90 ml.
Marigold tea with mint
For diseases of the gallbladder and liver, stomach ulcer, nausea, tea from calendula and mint is recommended.
Ingredients:
- dry flowers of marigolds - 1 tablespoon;
- dry mint herb - 2 teaspoons;
- water - 0.5 l.
To make tea, the herbs are pre-crushed, then poured into a heated teapot, poured with freshly boiled water, wrapped and left for fifteen minutes. The strained tea can be sweetened with sugar before drinking.
Decoction for the treatment of diseases of the heart and gastrointestinal tract
A decoction of calendula can be used as an additional agent in the complex therapy of cardiovascular diseases.
This remedy includes:
- crushed calendula flowers - 1 tablespoon;
- boiling water - 500 ml.
The herb is poured into an enamel or refractory dish, poured with boiling water and heated for a quarter of an hour over low heat, then insisted under a lid for half an hour, filtered.
Drink a decoction three times a day 30 minutes before meals as prescribed by a doctor in the treatment of CVS diseases (arrhythmias, hypertension, varicose veins, extrasystoles) or gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, constipation, heartburn, colitis, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, cholecystitis, pancreatitis).
Calendula oil for burns, bruises and dermatological diseases
Cadendula oil can be used to make homemade cosmetics
Dermatitis, burns, eczema, bruises, psoriasis, rosacea are recommended to be treated with calendula oil. It is not difficult to make it at home. To do this, take a sterilized dry glass vessel, which is filled with calendula flowers by a third and poured with olive or refined sunflower oil. The grass is insisted in the coolness for ten days, then filtered. Store the oil in the refrigerator and apply to the affected areas as needed.
Herbal preparations
Cosmetic collection No. 31 containing calendula flowers has a tonic effect, smoothes wrinkles, refreshes and improves complexion
For an even greater therapeutic effect of calendula treatment, it is mixed with other herbs and herbal ingredients such as chamomile, mint, nettle, chicory, yarrow, motherwort, tansy, ginger, green tea and others. There are a lot of such fees, which have different effects on the human body.
An example would be choleretic collection No. 3. It consists of chamomile and yarrow herbs, peppermint leaves, calendula flowers and tansy. The package contains filter bags similar to tea leaves. Pour it with a glass of boiling water and let it brew, get an excellent choleretic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, which also has an antispasmodic effect, that is, relieves spasm of the biliary tract.
Another example is “Monastery collection №17. Cardiovascular". It contains fruits and flowers of hawthorn, wild rose, peppermint, strawberry, calendula, chamomile, elderberry flowers, adonis, rose, agrimony, hops, hazel and blackberry. It is recommended for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Brew 1 tablespoon of a mixture of herbs with a glass of boiling water, insist and drink like tea. It is not recommended only for those who are allergic to one of the ingredients.
For healing from allergies
To get rid of allergies will help calendula infusion, which is prepared from 10 g of marigold flowers and half a liter of boiling water. He is allowed to brew for at least two hours, take a tablespoon three times a day.
Application in oncology
An alcoholic tincture of calendula is recommended for the appearance of oncological neoplasms of the female genital organs, throat and mouth cancer. A single dose is from 30 drops of tincture to a teaspoon. As a rule, it is taken before meals 2-3 times during the day. The duration of treatment is a month. After this, a week break is taken before the repeated course.
For cases of non-operated forms of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to take a powder of 0.25 g of calendula flowers and 0.1 g of nicotinic acid three times a day, washed down with water. Regular intake of the drug reduces the signs of intoxication and dyspepsia. This facilitates the general condition of the patient, improves sleep and appetite.
Use in ophthalmology
Calendula decoction can be used to flush with redness and eye fatigue
Calendula has found its use in the treatment of eye diseases.
- So, for chronic conjunctivitis, which often occurs in older people, it is recommended for treatment for two months to instill a tincture of plant flowers in 100 ml of freshly boiled water into the eyes twice a day for two months. The amount of raw materials used, and therefore the concentration of the solution, increases every 15 days: first, 1 teaspoon of the herb is infused, then two, three and four. The infusion time is 15 minutes. After that, the infusion is filtered and applied. In almost all cases, there is a significant improvement or complete cure.
- Also, with conjunctivitis, it is recommended to make lotions from a solution of steamed calendula leaves at night.
- With pronounced blephritis (inflammation of the eyelids), it is recommended to wipe their edges with calendula tincture in vodka or alcohol.
- To get rid of barley will help lotions or rinsing the eyes with an infusion of the following collection: flowers of calendula and bird cherry, leaves and shoots of bogulnik displace in equal parts. Brew a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes.
I offer a very good recipe for eye diseases. It will help heal eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, lacrimation, myopia, hyperopia, etc. The recipe is simple and versatile, tested on many. That's the recipe itself. It is necessary to take a handful of calamus and a handful of calendula and pour 0.5 vodka, leave for 12 days in a dark place, shake, you can not filter. Drink 1 tsp. 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals. For the course, you need to drink 4 bottles during the year. You can insist all at once: the longer it costs, the stronger the tincture, the better. And do not filter. 1 bottle is enough for 2 months. The break between courses of treatment is 1 month. You can insist in a liter jar, and then pour.
How is it used in gynecology
In the bulletin "Healthy Lifestyle" over the years, you can find publications about the successful treatment of uterine fibroids according to folk recipes, which include calendula. In particular, the following treatment options are given:
Collection
- motherwort and immortelle - 3 parts;
- St. John's wort and hawthorn - 2 parts;
- buckthorn bark, calendula, chamomile - 1 part
Brew in a thermos 2 tablespoons of the collection per 450 ml of boiling water, leave overnight, take 100 g twice a day for three months.
Infusion
Brew a tablespoon of calendula flowers with a glass of boiling water, let it brew overnight, drink in the morning, take within a month.
There are many positive reviews on the network about the use of calendula ointment for various skin troubles: scratches, cuts, cracks, corns, acne, abscesses. For the same purpose, some users prepare an ointment from a mixture of marigold flowers and rose hips: after filling a jar with flowers, they are poured with olive oil and exposed for 2-3 days in the sun, and then removed in a dark place for two weeks, filtered and poured into clean jars.
Negative reviews, as a rule, come from those who, in principle, are against herbal medicine and prefer pharmaceuticals. It is pointless to argue here, everyone has the right to their own opinion on such things, and it is difficult to convince someone.
I want to share the secret of getting rid of thrush. The first time this nasty thing happened to me at the age of 20 and was successfully cured with nystatin and calendula. This time, 9 years later, she appeared after taking antibiotics, and I remembered how to treat her)) I decided to treat her in a complex, took a pill of fluconazole, the miracle did not happen, the symptoms dulled, but did not go to the end. And I added, like last time, douching 2 times a day for a week (I hope everyone knows what douching is). Douching with calendula for thrush is a very effective method of treatment. I brewed 2 sachets for half a liter of water, insisted and waited until it cools so as not to burn myself. The thrush is gone. Weed can do a lot, especially if you take a full course, and do not quit when symptoms disappear on the second or third day. Our mothers and grandmothers were treated with marigolds. It's better than taking pills, and the effect is very long-lasting.
The use of calendula in cosmetic and hygiene products
Popular and official cosmetology has long recognized the value of calendula flowers for combating acne of various etymologies, inflammation, age spots, freckles, and premature aging. For oily skin, marigolds will help reduce sebum production, close enlarged pores and clear clogged pores. The herb is used in the form of various tinctures, masks, cosmetic ice, and so on.Some recipes for this use of calendula are given below.
Cosmetic ice with calendula
Ice for beauty treatments will give the skin freshness
In case of skin problems, it is useful to replace morning and evening washing with wiping your face with a cube of cosmetic ice, and then gently blot it with a paper towel. To prepare it, insist a tablespoon of flowers in a glass of boiling water for half an hour. The liquid is then poured into ice cube trays.
Homemade marigold lotion
By making a more concentrated infusion of calendula from two tablespoons of plant materials and a glass of boiling water, you get an excellent lotion for facial care. Due to the absence of preservatives in it, it cannot be stored for a long time. For regular use, brew a fresh portion of the herb every other day.
Anti-acne (acne) cosmetic masks
To solve various problems with the skin of the face, masks with calendula are often used, adding ingredients that enhance the healing effect of the herb, additionally nourishing and softening the skin.
With a rejuvenating effect
Ingredients:
- dried calendula flowers - 1 tablespoon;
- chopped oatmeal - 1 tablespoon.
After mixing the components of the mask, they are steamed with a small amount of boiling water and allowed to cool. Apply on face while still warm for 15-20 minutes. Such a procedure is carried out no more than twice a week.
For dry skin
- stir a strong decoction of calendula with a teaspoon of aloe juice;
- make a mixture of three tablespoons of strong broth and a tablespoon of honey (in the absence of an allergic reaction to honey and its components).
It is more convenient to apply these masks using a gauze form for the face soaked in the mixture. Legend 15 minutes.
To clear clogged pores
Clay dries minor inflammations, and calendula decoction heals them
Three tablespoons of blue cosmetic clay are diluted with a hot infusion of calendula until a creamy mass is obtained. Apply on the face for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with cool water.
Healing compress for all skin types
For skin problems, a compress made from the following ingredients is useful:
- calendula flowers - 1 tablespoon;
- chamomile flowers - 1 tablespoon;
- birch buds - 1 tablespoon;
- water - 1 glass.
Mix dry components, pour water and heat until boiling. Allow to cool to a pleasant temperature. Cosmetic cotton pads or cotton cloth are moistened in the broth, applied to problem areas of the skin for 15 minutes.
Calendula is widely used to improve the condition of hair and its growth in the form of rinses, shampoos, masks. Some of them you can do yourself.
Hair rinse
Rinsing hair with herbs is an excellent tonic
In a liter of water, boil 1 tablespoon of calendula flowers. The broth is cooled, filtered and rinsed with it after washing.
Calendula hair masks
You can also use this wonderful plant to restore hair growth, their beauty and strength.
For oily hair
Ingredients:
- chicken egg white - 1 piece;
- alcohol tincture of calendula - 1 teaspoon;
- honey - 1 tablespoon.
All ingredients are mixed and applied to the hair roots for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
To stimulate growth
For hair growth, you can use not only calendula, but also decoctions of nettle, hops, yarrow, chamomile
Ingredients:
- tincture of calendula - 1 tablespoon;
- burdock oil - 2 tablespoons;
- olive oil - 1 tablespoon.
After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the mask is applied to the scalp and hair roots for half an hour. The head is wrapped in plastic wrap or put on a hat, wrapped in a towel.
To get rid of dandruff
Ingredients:
- tincture of calendula - 3 tablespoons;
- aloe juice - 1 tablespoon;
- chicken egg yolk - 1 piece;
- water - 0.5 cups.
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The mask is applied to washed hair while still damp and left for 45 minutes.
Video about using calendula at home
No wonder it is said that it is better to see once than hear a hundred times. In the videos below, people who have tested the action of calendula on their own experience share this useful information.
On the use of calendula tincture in home cosmetics
About the benefits of calendula for facial skin
Balm for sensitive skin
From the above material, supporters of herbal medicine could be convinced of the usefulness and variety of ways to use calendula in the treatment of various diseases and for cosmetic purposes. But this plant is also used in cooking, thus healing the body and replenishing its reserves of nutrients.
