Calendula - medicinal properties and contraindications

Long since people with various diseases turned to recipes of traditional medicine. They are quite effective, tested over the years - in view of the fact that whole generations have treated their ailments with such recipes.

In folk recipes there are always various medicinal herbs. If they are properly collected and dried, they really have a pronounced healing effect due to the content of essential oils, vitamins and other useful elements. In this publication, we consider a medicinal plant such as Calendula — what are its useful properties, what recipes exist with the use of this flower, diseases that can be cured by Calendula, and other interesting and topical issues.

Calendula: description

It is noteworthy that the flowers of this plant are used not only in folk but also in traditional medicine. Tinctures, ointments are combined with other drugs in order to achieve maximum healing effect.

Calendula in height can reach 50 or more centimeters. It blooms in June-September, and the fruits begin to ripen in October. It can survive anywhere in the world, despite being a cultivated plant. It is grown both for decorative purposes - due to the fact that calendula has an attractive appearance, and for use in healing purposes.

Ointments, tinctures, decoctions are made from inflorescences. The best option is the flowers that have just opened, they contain a peak amount of nutrients. After the seeds begin to ripen, calendula slowly loses its healing properties, so it is important to collect the flowers on time.

If the baskets are torn off from time to time, then in their place new flowers will ripen and grow. The flower blooms until the end of September - and during the entire period of flowering, you can collect and harvest marigolds that have healing properties.

Great importance is the correct drying of flowers. As a rule, they are dried in the open air - raw materials are laid out on newspapers in a thin layer. Flowers are stored for about two years, if they were properly dried, the healing properties are not lost.

Calendula healing properties

Calendula is used in many branches of medicine, but the most important property of marigold is bactericidal. The plant copes with various microbes, disinfects and removes the inflammatory process caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

Also, calendula has the following properties:

• choleretic;
• painkiller - effectively eliminates spasm;
• heals;
• provides tissue repair;
• has a tonic effect;
• calms the nerves;
• boosts immunity;
• lowers blood pressure.

As you can see, marigolds do have a wide spectrum of action. Based on the above properties, we consider in which areas it is possible to use a medicinal plant.

1. Antiviral and bactericidal properties. Calendula flowers infused with alcohol tend to suppress type A virus, and have antiherpetic properties on water.Water infusion can gargle with sore throat, and alcohol - helps with inflammation of the gums. For otitis, adults can bury their ears with alcohol tincture; children are advised to apply calendula oil in this case. Calendula is very effective in various skin diseases - it is best to use flowers infused with alcohol. This tincture has a disinfecting and drying effect, due to which you can quickly get rid of boils, pustules and other rashes.
2. Anti-inflammatory property. Marigold is used in diseases of the female genital sphere - thrush and other secretions. Calendula is also prescribed for diseases of the urinary system - cystitis, urethritis, etc. It is orally effective to take calendula infusion for urological problems due to the fact that nails contribute to the removal of excess fluid from the body, as well as harmful salts.
3. Choleretic properties. If a person has had cholecystitis or hepatitis, calendula extract can be used as a prophylactic agent. Do not prescribe such treatment if a person has cholelithiasis.It is important to take an infusion of calendula for gastrointestinal diseases - gastritis, an ulcer. With regular use, infusion of calendula relieve meteorism, eliminate painful sensations, and also adjust the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Heals wounds. Oil or tincture can be used for scratches, wounds, burns. It also allows to reduce the manifestations of psoriasis and seborrhea - it is desirable to use in complex therapy. Active calendula is also used in cosmetology - to strengthen hair, remove pimples and pustules, to eliminate dandruff.
5. Restorative action. It allows you to increase the body's defenses, eliminate toxins, improve the overall condition. It is noteworthy that some healers use calendula decoction for patients who have been diagnosed with inoperable cancer - the decoction will improve their well-being, and with regular use, they have a detoxification effect. It is especially important to use decoctions and tinctures for patients who have malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.
6. Sedative effect on the body. A decoction of calendula flowers can pete, if a person has problems with sleep, neurosis, excessive emotional excitability.Calendula marigolds are also recommended for women during menopause, especially with mood swings.
7. Enhance immunity. This effect is achieved due to the content of zinc, selenium and copper. You can drink tea with the addition of calendula - it will be useful in the autumn-spring period, when people everywhere suffer from colds.
8. Regulation of blood pressure. Assign to the elderly and young people who suffer from hypertension. Also, calendula flowers can restore a normal heart rhythm, eliminate tachycardia. Also effectively fights headaches, restores normal sleep.

Important: Calendula is not used if a person has low blood pressure, as well as bradycardia.

Calendula use

Calendula is used in many areas - one can even say that this plant is universal. Apply it in such areas:

• as a medicine;
• as seasoning;
• against garden pests;
• as a natural dye;
• in cosmetology - in order to improve the quality of the skin and hair;
• in cooking - with the addition of marigolds they prepare all kinds of drinks, salads, etc.

What provides the healing effect?

In alternative medicine, calendula is quite popular because it has a positive effect on the body. The composition of the marigold contains a medicinal substance called calendars. Also in the calendula baskets have the following useful ingredients:

• organic acids;
• coumarin;
• essential oils;
• trace elements;
• steroids;
• carotene;
• triterpenoids.

Thanks to such substances, calendula has healing properties. You can make teas, decoctions, tinctures and tinctures from its flowers. Thanks to regular use of calendula, you can cure such diseases:

• allergic reactions;
• ulcer;
• gastritis;
• angina;
• adnexitis;
• asthma;
• heart rhythm disorders;
• rheumatism;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• malaria;
• rhinitis;
• diseases of the skin;
• enteritis, etc.

Traditional healers recommend decoctions and tinctures on calendula for many ailments. This is due to the fact that marigolds contribute to:

• improving the work of the cardiovascular system;
• rapid healing of wounds and burns;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• acceleration of regeneration processes;
• eliminate bleeding.

Recipes of traditional medicine using calendula

1. Ointment. It is recommended for use if a person has burns, wounds, diaper rash. To prepare the ointment is simple: you will need crushed, dried calendula flowers, they must be mixed with pork fat, which is pre-melted. The tool must be placed on the stove. The ointment is prepared in a water bath until it acquires a uniform consistency. It is important to mix the mixture periodically. The resulting ointment can be stored in the refrigerator.
2. Tincture. It is used to accelerate the healing of wounds, and with the use of tincture can be cured diseases of the gynecological plan, eye diseases. It is necessary to take calendula, finely chop it, pour in alcohol in the proportion of 15 to 200. Place the jar with the mixture in a cool, dark place for two weeks. Sometimes the mixture needs to be shaken, and before use it will need to be drained. Can be used externally and orally.
3. Butter. You will need a bank of dark glass, as well as calendula flowers - they must be fresh. Flowers are poured with any vegetable oil, after which the jar will need to be tightly covered. Infuse the mixture for 2 weeks, it will need to be drained after the expiration date. The tool is ready to use - it will help from diaper rashes, cuts, burns, if it is applied externally. Inside the oil is recommended to apply in case you need to cure diseases of the kidneys, liver, gastritis and ulcers, as well as enterocolitis.

Contraindications Calendula

Of course, thanks to the flowers of calendula, you can get rid of many ailments. But it is important to take into account the fact that not everyone can take and apply tinctures where this medicinal plant is present. It is not advisable to use calendula if:

• the woman is in position;
• the baby is very small;
• with individual intolerance to flowers;
• with low blood pressure;
• in humans, heart failure.

Calendula: interesting facts

1. Flowers plants can be eaten. They have a tart, bitter taste and in many countries are used as a seasoning. Also, inflorescences are added to salads, soups and dough.
2. Can be used as a protection against pests. Insects do not tolerate the smell of this plant, so it will be important to plant a calendula not far from the crop in order to preserve it.
3. In China and India, Calendula enjoys special respect - it is even used in some rituals.
4. Calendula flowers have a bright, rich and juicy color. Researchers have proven that their long contemplation can significantly improve mood.

Important Tips to Know

As has been said repeatedly, calendula is indeed a miraculous plant in view of the fact that it can heal many diseases. But in any case, it is worth remembering that there are contraindications to the use, not all people can thoughtlessly use decoctions and tinctures with calendula. Consider when you need to be more careful:

1. During pregnancy and lactation. If you are expecting a baby, or your baby is breastfeeding, you must consult a doctor before you apply calendula. The plant is not as simple as it seems at first glance, and with careless use it can be harmful to health.
2. Allergy sufferers. If you are a person who is prone to allergic reactions, then you also need to carefully approach the treatment with calendula. The flower itself is not an allergen, but in some cases, if a person is predisposed to manifestations of allergy, it can provoke an undesirable reaction.
3. Low blood pressure and anemia. Excessive use of decoctions, tinctures orally can significantly reduce the pressure. If a person has it naturally low, with artificial lowering, undesirable effects may occur: weakness, apathy, dizziness, drowsiness. Sometimes there is tachycardia.
4. Before use, you must make sure that the person does not have an individual intolerance to the plant. If you plan to use the tincture externally - you will need to apply a small amount of it on the skin. If you are going to drink broth - you need to start with very small dosages.
5. It should be carefully mixed Calendula with other herbs and drugs. Although most experts say that calendula flowers are well combined with pharmacological agents, nevertheless, you should first consult with a doctor, and after you begin therapy.
6. The same goes for kids.You can treat calendula sores, heat rash, abrasions, and other skin problems with calendula. But this should be done very carefully, after making sure that the child does not have an individual intolerance to the medicinal plant. You will also need to consult with the doctor - perhaps he will decide that it is more appropriate to use another medicinal plant.
7. Drugs that contain calendula are to be taken as prescribed by the doctor - clearly at the indicated dosage, and clearly at the appointed time.

Many believe that homeopathy is not so serious. Herbs, of course, have a healing effect, but in the same way they can hurt, if the treatment is careless.

Calendula children: Is it dangerous?

1. Promotes the speedy healing of diaper rash that may appear when wearing diapers.
2. Perfectly heals wounds in the navel - this will be true for children who have just recently been born.
3. Caring for the skin, helps eliminate pathogens, moisturizes.
4. Eliminates inflammation and redness on the skin.

As you can see, calendula is a wonderful tool that can be used to treat many diseases. However, you need to remember about contraindications in order not to harm your body.

Video: calendula healing properties