Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications, reviews, recipes

Flowers of the Sun - this is how the herb of calendula was called before. The medicinal properties and contraindications of the medicinal plant are known from ancient times. The first mention of it can be found in the "herbalists", dated XII century. In the Latin classification of medicinal plants, calendula is called Calendula officinilas.

Official registries of medicinal raw materials in many countries contain flowers of calendula. The healing properties and contraindications of this plant have been studied for a long time: even Peter the Great gave the order that the very first plantation of calendula was laid in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.

Collection and procurement of raw materials

In pharmaceutics, only marginal petals of flowers are used, however, in folk medicine, whole flower baskets can be used. To prepare raw materials begin after the flowers completely dissolve. The collected petals are dried naturally, under special canopies that protect against the action of ultraviolet rays, which destroy biologically active compounds. Raw materials can also be dried artificially at a temperature of no more than 80 ° C.

After four months, the calendula is gradually losing its medicinal properties and contraindications. Reviews of the medicinal plant indicate that the maximum period of storage is one year.

Chemical composition

In pharmaceutics and traditional medicine, calendula is highly valued because of the 15 kinds of carotenoids contained in flowers. Most of them are concentrated in the lobules of the petals, so they are trying to use them in the official medicine. Also, the composition of calendula includes flavonoids, the maximum concentration of which is contained in the nails of terry varieties.

In folk medicine, practically the whole plant is used, including roots. The latter contains glycosides, in the aerial part - phytosterols.

In addition to the substances listed above, calendula contains other organic compounds that have high biological activity.

Pharmacological properties

As shown by numerous scientific experiments, preparations based on calendula have a hypnotic and sedative effect, which varies depending on the chosen dosage. The plant also suppresses most bacteria, viruses and fungi. The marigold consists of coumarins, carotenoids and flavonoids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve painful sensations that activate tissue regeneration. Many preparations of the pharmaceutical industry use calendula. Ointment, therapeutic properties and contraindications of which are identified by experimental means, is widely used for the treatment of trophic ulcers and dermatitis. Based on flavonoid nails, the preparation "Kaleflon" was developed, used to treat toxic hepatitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Preparations based on calendula are widely used in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the symptoms of which are swelling and shortness of breath.

Professor Khvorov created and tested tinctures based on calendula. Therapeutic properties and contraindications for women were recorded during the research: drugs helped to cope with disorders of the autonomic nervous system, eliminated migraines, sleep disorders, nervousness, heart palpitations and other symptoms characteristic of menopausal and post-menopausal conditions. But they could cause a sharp drop in blood pressure. Patients who took tincture of marigolds three times a day, spoke of a significant improvement in well-being. At the same time, the main contraindication to taking calendula was pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In the complex therapy for the treatment of various diseases associated with changes in the tissues of internal organs, marigolds were also used.

Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications. Treatment of ulcers, liver and spleen diseases

With diseases of the liver and spleen, intestines, peptic ulcer, the treatment was performed several times more successfully with the use of preparations based on marigolds. Use of medicines based on it is not recommended 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

In different fields of medicine calendula is used. Therapeutic properties and contraindications in gynecology have been studied for decades. Drugs on its basis can both save under different diseases, and harm. A solution of tincture is used for douching with erosion of the cervix and trichomonas colpitis. Contraindications to the use of calendula in such a delicate area of medicine remains pregnancy (since drugs on the basis of plants can provoke miscarriage), hypotension, individual intolerance of individual components.

Calendula in folk medicine

Indications for the use of drugs based on marigolds in folk medicine are the same as in the official. The only difference in opinion is the effectiveness of treatment for skin cancer. Oncologists, despite the fact that official medicine does not confirm the effectiveness of marigolds in the treatment of cancer, yet they say that the loliolide included in their composition has antitumor effect. There is also an opinion according to which water-alcohol solutions of calendula inhibit the development of certain types of cancer cells.

Calendula oil is widely used for the treatment of various diseases, and its use is highly effective, which is proved by numerous tests.

Unlike the oil of St. John's wort, calendula oil is not able to protect the body from polyarthritis, but it can reduce joint tumors and reduce the rheumatoid factor.

Calendula in Homeopathy

Homeopaths did not ignore such a plant as calendula. The drug Calendula can be taken either externally or inward. In the first case, it is prescribed for the treatment of ulcers of the lower leg and open lacerations.

Calendula: medicinal properties and contraindications. Prescription Drugs

Tincture of calendula is sold in any pharmacy. Often it is used to treat inflammation of the throat, paradontosis 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 syringing in order to eliminate erosion of the cervix, with delays in the menstrual cycle and trichomonas colpitis. With female diseases, the infusion of calendula is prepared: 200 grams of boiling water are poured into two tablespoons of flowers, insisted for half an hour, filtered and taken as directed.

Calendula is also used to treat acute respiratory diseases. Therapeutic properties and contraindications for children have been studied for a long time. In inflammatory processes and respiratory diseases, drugs based on it can be given to a child, but with caution, to avoid deterioration. To do this, prepare a decoction, which rinse the throat.

It is also used for various injuries and bruises. Babies under 12 years of age to give calendula for gargling are undesirable: they can swallow the tincture, which will lead to a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract or burn mucous if the drug was on an alcohol basis.

Infusion, prepared from the colors of marigold, is used in the treatment of diseases of the spleen and liver, hepatitis, hypertension, nervosa and atherosclerosis. To prepare this medicine, 4 tablespoons of dry inflorescences are poured 400 gr. Boiling water, insist for 15 minutes and filter. Take the broth 4 times a day inward for half a glass.

With a peptic ulcer, the infusion of calendula is drunk throughout the day with small sips. To treat thrombophlebitis and atrial fibrillation, the infusion is drunk four times a day for 100 ml. Promotes calendula 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

Oil from calendula, as already mentioned above, is used to treat various diseases and pathologies. The preparation is prepared by extraction with neutral oils, mainly olive oil. 10 grams of marginal petals of the marigolds are poured with 100 milliliters of oil and insisted on the sun for a month. Mandatory condition: the container in which the medicine is located should be made of brown glass.

Ointment is used for the same diseases as oil. It is prepared by the method of mixing lanolin or interior fat with the juice of marigold flowers. Also for its preparation use tincture of marigolds or powder from the dried flowers.

Oily extract is used as a remedy for the treatment of chronic rhinitis. The posterior wall of the pharynx is also irrigated in chronic pharyngitis. An extract of 70% alcohol and dried marigold flowers is prepared. 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.

To treat diseases of viral nature and liver diseases, herbal preparations are prepared, one of the components of which is calendula. Together with the nails used grass sporishi, chamomile, chicory, caraway and St. John's wort.

Calendula in Cosmetology

Cosmetology also uses calendula. Therapeutic properties and contraindications, reviews of patients who used drugs on its basis - all this is researched by scientists. Based on the data obtained, the effectiveness of calendula use is confirmed, a reduction in the fat content of the skin and elimination of inflammation and redness are recorded. Nails are often used as a means to create tonics and ointments that remove acne and freckles. It is not necessary to apply an alcohol tincture of calendula in undiluted form: it can dry the skin of the face, which will only worsen the situation and cause irritation.

A decoction of flowers of calendula is used for washing the face. It also makes ice cubes, which are then carried out along the massage lines of the skin. The only contraindication to the use of ice from marigold is closely located vessels.

To cleanse the face of dead skin particles and eliminate wrinkles, make a bast from calendula. Regular use of such a tool allows not only to eliminate existing wrinkles, but also to prevent the appearance of new ones. Calendula smooths the tone of the face.

How to make a bast of marigold

A glass of dry oatmeal mixed with two teaspoons of calendula oil. The resulting mixture is placed in a bag of linen, which is carefully tied. With such a washcloth, you can do water procedures.

Calendula for removing pigment spots and freckles

The elimination of freckles and pigmented spots is also helped by calendula. Therapeutic 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 over-dry the skin and cause irritation.

Calendula in the treatment of acne

In the treatment of acne, calendula is also used universally. Therapeutic properties and contra-indications, reviews about such a facility are collected by specialists-cosmetologists who, based on the data obtained, create new drugs. Eliminate rashes of purulent nature on the face will help ointment from marigolds. Prepare it from a baby cream and small dried flowers. On the problem areas, the mixture is applied twice a day.

With the same purpose, tincture of calendula is used. Therapeutic properties and contraindications to the reception of such a drug have been known for a long time: it helps to eliminate inflammation, but overdries the skin, so when using it, you must be extremely careful. Alcohol tincture face rubbed twice a day, previously diluted with water, so as not to harm the epidermis and do not overdry it.

Contraindications to use

The use of preparations from calendula inside does not cause any harm to health, but it is worth remembering that the marigold includes biologically active substances that can have different effects. For example, use drugs based on this plant during pregnancy is prohibited: they can trigger a miscarriage.

For medicines based on calendula is characterized by an antihypertensive effect, so they should be taken with caution to those who suffer from low blood pressure.

Take calendula at the same time with drugs that have a similar or completely opposite effect, it is impossible. For example, the combination of marigolds and sedatives can lead to an increase in the activity of barbiturates. In this case, the use of preparations based on calendula completely neutralizes the effect of antidepressants.

Before you start using preparations based on calendula, 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 often use them for the treatment of acne - in just a week of rubbing the skin of a person with diluted water, all the redness and old traces of pimples disappear completely.

According to reviews, despite all the benefits of preparations based on calendula, it is contraindicated for those who suffer from hypotension, eczema, bradycardia. Such medicines are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women: nails can cause an allergic reaction or, at worst, as mentioned above, to provoke miscarriage.

Calendula has not only a pronounced medicinal effect, but also a pleasant taste and smell: as 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, for insects it is repulsive. Due to this property of marigolds they can be used to protect the crop from pests.