Calendula: useful properties and contraindications, from which it helps

The benefits and harms of calendula are an urgent question for everyone who often uses traditional medicine recipes. It is necessary to properly understand the properties of the plant and understand in what situations and how it is used.

Description and photo of calendula

The annual calendula plant from the Astrov family can be found almost all over the world, especially in the temperate climate of the middle zone. Calendula grows in well-lit places with good moisture, has a straight and branched stem on top. The plant usually reaches a height of half a meter, but it can grow a little higher.

The easiest way to recognize calendula is by its flowers - bright yellow or reddish-orange, shaped like chamomile flowers. Usually flowers are collected in small baskets-inflorescences. The plant blooms throughout the summer - from June to September, and the achenes ripen in October.

The chemical composition of calendula flowers (marigold)

The flowers of the plant, which are also known as marigolds, are of great medicinal value. This is explained by the composition, which includes:

• resins and bitterness;
• saponins and flavonoids;
• phytoncides and essential oil;
• vitamin C;
• carotenoids;
• polysaccharides;
• salicylic acid;
• tannins;
• polyphenols and alkaloids;
• fixed oils;
• derivatives of oleanolic acid - triterpene glycosides;
• triterpenoids.

Why is calendula useful?

Due to its rich composition, the plant has a positive effect on many systems and internal organs of the body. The benefits of calendula for the body are that the plant:

• is a good diuretic and choleretic agent;
• helps with colds - calendula is often used for coughing, as a means of thinning phlegm;
• relieves inflammation and helps well with stomatitis, sore throat, periodontal disease and pharyngitis;
• has a beneficial effect on the stomach and intestines - calendula is very useful for gastritis and ulcers;
• stops bleeding and heals skin damage;
• increases immune resistance and improves body tone;
• helps in the fight against dermatitis and skin ailments;
• has a lightening effect on the skin when applied externally and removes age spots and freckles;
• strengthens the vascular system and heart.

With regular use, the plant can even serve as the prevention of cancer - the substances contained in the composition contribute to healthy cell renewal. Calendula is useful for vision - decoctions and infusions protect the eyes from the development of myopia and astigmatism, quickly eliminate inflammation, and reduce harm from constant work at the computer.

Calendula for women

The benefits of calendula for women's health are expressed in the fact that plant-based products stop uterine bleeding, fight inflammation in candidiasis. The beneficial properties of calendula in gynecology are manifested in the regulation of hormonal levels, the plant has a good effect on the nervous system, it is very useful to use it during menopause.

Calendula for men

For the stronger sex, the plant is valuable in that it strengthens blood vessels and protects against early heart attacks and strokes. Calendula is highly valued for potency, its beneficial properties are often used by men who are starting to go bald. The medicinal plant strengthens the hair and is responsible for its accelerated growth.

Is it possible to calendula during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The benefits of calendula for a woman's body during the period of bearing a child is manifested in the fact that the plant helps to get rid of toxicosis and vomiting, relieves inflammation in the oral cavity. Marigold flowers strengthen the immunity of the expectant mother and saturate the body with vitamins.

However, the health benefits of marigolds for pregnant women are manifested only when applied externally. Broths and infusions with increased strength cannot be used - they can harm the fetus.

It is better not to use the plant during lactation. Its components in the composition of breast milk can turn into harm for the baby, besides, they will affect the taste of milk, and it is possible that problems with feeding will arise.

Is it possible for children to marigold

As an external remedy, the plant for children is highly recommended from the first days, since it softens the baby's skin, helps prevent diaper rash and irritation.

But the internal use of the plant for children is contraindicated up to 12 years old, this can be harmful. With angina and inflammation of the oral cavity, it is permissible to give a grown child calendula for the throat in the form of rinsing, but at the same time you need to carefully monitor that the baby does not swallow the product.

Traditional medicine recipes with calendula

The health benefits and harms of calendula are most evident in traditional medicine. There are many effective plant-based recipes that help with a variety of ailments.

Calendula decoction

The benefits of a decoction of calendula inside are manifested in the treatment of gastritis and ulcers, with colds and for preventive purposes. It is very simple to prepare the broth. It is necessary:

• take 2 large spoons of dried flowers;
• pour 2 glasses of clean water;
• for half an hour, boil over low heat, and then let the product cool and strain it.

You can gargle with calendula several times a day, wipe wounds and burns with a decoction in order to disinfect. With internal use, a useful broth is drunk three times a day, only half a glass per dose.

Infusion of calendula flowers

It is even easier to prepare a medicinal plant-based infusion. To get it, you need to pour a glass of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of flowers, close the lid and wait until the product cools down completely naturally. After that, the infusion is filtered and taken twice or three times a day, 1 large spoon.

The benefits of infusion of calendula are noticeable for symptoms of a cold. The remedy relieves inflammation with angina and has an expectorant effect when coughing. Also, the medicinal properties of calendula flowers are used as a natural sedative. The plant effectively relieves stress and helps regulate sleep.

Alcohol tincture of calendula

A plant-based alcoholic tincture can bring considerable benefits. It is often used to lower blood pressure and to treat colds, calendula tincture for acne and when treating cuts effectively helps.

Prepare the product as follows:

• flowers are tightly stuffed into a small glass vessel;
• raw materials are poured with vodka or alcohol to the top so that the flowers are properly saturated;
• the vessel is closed with a stopper and removed to a dark place for 2 weeks, remembering to periodically shake the vessel.

When the agent is infused, the tincture is filtered and used as needed for medical purposes. The benefits of calendula tincture are highly appreciated by hypertensive patients, they are recommended to take 20 drops of the drug in a glass of water three times a day. Calendula tincture for gargling is preliminarily diluted in warm water - 1 teaspoon per 500 ml of liquid, so as not to burn the mucous membranes and harm the throat.

Calendula ointment

A useful drug is an ointment based on marigold flowers. You can not only buy it, but also cook it yourself at home.

1. To obtain an external preparation, half a glass of flowers is poured with a glass of melted interior lard or 4 large spoons of petroleum jelly.
2. The mixture is then heated with steam for a quarter of an hour.
3. Then they cool and filter the thick composition.

Homemade ointment helps well against infant diaper rash and dermatitis, its beneficial properties are noticeably manifested in varicose veins. Calendula treatment is recommended three times a day.

Calendula oil

Another useful home remedy is marigold oil.

1. To obtain it, dry flowers are poured into a 3/4 glass jar and poured with high-quality olive oil.
2. The jar is closed with a lid and removed for 10 days in a dark, cool place.
3. After the flowers are infused in oil, the agent is filtered and applied externally at least three times a day.

Marigold oil is good for treating all kinds of skin damage - burns, abrasions and cuts, bruises, swelling and bruises. In the form of oil, calendula is used for the heels, it helps to heal cracks.

Calendula tea

An effective remedy with anti-cold and anti-inflammatory properties is a tea based on a medicinal plant. They do it quickly: 1 large spoonful of flowers is poured with a couple of glasses of boiling water, brewed for 10 minutes, filtered and drunk like ordinary tea.

The benefits and harms of calendula tea depend on the dosage. It is recommended to drink it no more than twice a day, and no longer than a week in a row.

Pharmacy preparations based on calendula

The beneficial properties of the plant have been recognized not only in folk, but also in official medicine. In pharmacies, you can find a lot of products for internal and external use, which include marigolds. But the most popular are several preparations containing plant flowers.

• Cream and ointment called "Calendula"... The pharmacological agent is intended for the treatment of wounds, scratches, skin irritations and burns. Calendula is effective for hemorrhoids, ointment and cream are used in the treatment of frostbite.
• "Calendula-P" - this drug is produced in the form of tablets, it is recommended for admission for inflammation due to its antiseptic properties.
• "Kaleflon" - tablets made from plant flowers help in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers, ailments of the liver and biliary tract.

It is necessary to take pharmacy products strictly according to the instructions. However, they are dispensed without a prescription, which means that they are practically unable to harm the body.

The use of calendula in home cosmetology

The beneficial properties of marigolds are used to maintain the beauty of skin and hair. The flowers are used to make homemade masks, rinses and lotions for washing.

Calendula for face

The benefits of calendula for the face are cleansing and moisturizing. In addition, the plant tightens the skin and removes wrinkles. The following mask is popular:

• 2 teaspoons of dry medicinal raw materials are mixed with a similar amount of honey;
• pour a glass of clean water and stir thoroughly;
• insist for half an hour and apply to prepared skin.

When applied weekly, the mask visibly softens the face and restores firmness to the skin. Calendula also helps with acne on the face.

Calendula for hair and scalp

For hair care, marigolds are used very widely, rinses and masks are prepared from flowers, calendula is added to ordinary shampoos. The plant nourishes the hair roots and gives the curls shine, makes them softer and more manageable, eliminates fragility and helps fight dandruff and dry skin.

Most often, the following recipes are used at home:

• if the scalp is too dry, the hair is treated with a useful oil from the flowers of the plant, it is rubbed into the hair roots twice a week for 40 minutes before washing the head;
• in the presence of dandruff, it is useful to treat the hair and scalp with a mixture of medicinal plant oil, burdock oil and egg yolk, the product will effectively moisturize the epidermis and help get rid of flaking;
• for weakened hair, use a rinse prepared from a decoction of a medicinal plant with the addition of onion juice, with regular use, the hair becomes strong and shiny.

Calendula for eyelashes, eyelids and eyebrows

The benefits of calendula for hair is that marigolds are able to add volume to eyelashes and eyebrow hairs, tone the sensitive skin of the eyelids. For example, you can use this tool:

• Mix 10 g of dried flowers with 1 teaspoon of castor oil;
• dilute the product with 100 ml of water;
• stir and distribute over eyebrows and eyelashes for a quarter of an hour, you can use an old but clean mascara brush.

Within a couple of weeks, the effect will become noticeable - eyelashes and eyebrows will stop falling out, they will become thicker and shinier.

It is useful to process the eyelids with a frozen broth, the product is poured into special molds and put into the freezer, and then used as needed. The properties of the medicinal plant tone the skin, relieve swelling and dark circles under the eyes.

Calendula for nails

The beneficial properties of the plant strengthen the nail plates and effectively soften the skin around them.

1. In order to prevent the nails from crumbling and exfoliating, it is enough to make baths for the fingers from the decoction every 3 days.
2. Also, nails can be treated with an ointment made from flowers and petroleum jelly - it is distributed over the nails, and then they wrap their hands with cling film for half an hour or put on latex gloves.

Calendula in cooking

A useful plant is used not only for treatment, it is added to a variety of dishes and drinks for the general strengthening of the body.

1. The plant can be found in salads and side dishes, as a spice in soups.
2. The flower is added instead of greens to fish and meat dishes, the plant gives the food an original taste.
3. The flowers are used in the manufacture of spicy sauces - the plant gives them an interesting aroma and an unusual taste.

Harm of calendula and contraindications

The benefits of the plant are so great that it almost does not bring harm. It is impossible to use remedies from medicinal flowers only:

• with hypotension;
• with serious heart ailments;
• under the age of 12;
• during pregnancy - only means for external use are allowed.

Also, an individual allergy to the plant will serve as a contraindication - in this case, its properties will be harmful.

Collection, procurement and storage of calendula

In decoctions, infusions and teas based on calendula, the flowering part of the plant is mainly used. The collection of marigolds is carried out during the period of active flowering - from June to September, in clear weather in the morning.Fully blossoming flowers are best suited for harvesting raw materials, and it is desirable that they be large and without visible damage.

The plant is dried in a natural way by spreading the raw materials on a flat surface in a shaded place with good access of fresh air. After the flowers are completely dry, they are removed in paper or cloth bags and stored in the dark and cool. Dry flowers retain useful properties for up to 2 years.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of calendula depend on the correct use of medicines. If you use marigolds in small quantities and in the absence of contraindications, they will bring undoubted health benefits.

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