Calendula - General Description
The genus Calendula (popular name - marigolds) of the Astrov family includes one- or perennial grasses with a branched or stem root and a straight stem, reaching a height of up to 80 cm. Calendula blooms in June - October, right up to frost, with yellow or orange flowers reaching 10 cm in diameter. It is widely used as an ornamental plant, it can often be found in garden plots and flower beds. In addition, calendula is a popular medicinal plant and a good honey plant.
Calendula - types and places of growth
Calendula has up to 20 species, and in culture it can be found in almost any corner of the globe, with the exception of permafrost and deserts. The areas of the greatest distribution of this plant are the Mediterranean, Western Europe and Western Asia.
Calendula - healing properties
Calendula has long been used in folk medicine. It is able to normalize cardiac activity and reduce edema, have a sedative effect in the autonomic disorders accompanying menopause. Calendula preparations treat diseases of the liver and spleen, as well as gastritis, colitis, diathesis and rickets. In addition, calendula flowers have a powerful bactericidal effect, therefore it is successfully used to treat wounds, diseases of the oral cavity, pharynx, eyes.
Calendula in collections with other medicinal herbs has a very good effect on various diseases. So, tea from calendula flowers and yarrow herbs is used to treat spleen tumors; gastritis, ulcer, enterocolitis are treated using a collection of calendula, yarrow and chamomile, which normalizes the metabolic function of the liver and eliminates stagnation of bile in the gall bladder.
Calendula - dosage forms
As medical raw materials, calendula inflorescences are used, sometimes the entire upper part of the plant. Its collection takes place during flowering, in sunny weather, with fully open flowers. Then the collected raw materials are dried in the shade in open air or in a room with good ventilation. If necessary, you can dry it in a warm (about 40 degrees) oven on a baking sheet, which must first be covered with paper.
Calendula flowers contain many beneficial acids (ascorbic, malic, salicylic) and other compounds, including carotenoids, which are especially rich in varieties with bright colors. Various decoctions, infusions and tinctures are prepared from them.
Calendula - Recipes
For the treatment of liver, spleen, stomach cramps, peptic ulcer, gastritis, rickets and various skin diseases, an infusion of calendula flowers is used, for the preparation of which 2 tsp. 400 ml of boiling water are poured into the raw materials, then, having insisted for 15 minutes, filtered and drunk four times a day, 100 ml per day.
To strengthen the body, they use a drink, for the preparation of which 3 l of water is mixed with 50 g. dried calendula flowers, 400 ml of viburnum juice, a glass of honey. All boil for half an hour, then 12 hours insist with the lid closed, filtered, add the juice of viburnum, honey and bottled.
For the treatment of burns, cuts, ulcers, abscesses, injuries to bones and joints, apply an ointment from the flowers of calendula, for the preparation of which 400 gr. melted pork lard is mixed with two handfuls of calendula flowers, cooled, aged for one day, then heated and filtered.
For the treatment of tonsillitis, a solution of calendula tincture is prepared (in a glass of water 1 tsp. Tincture), which gargle as often as possible. The same solution is used to rinse the mouth with gingivitis, periodontal disease, inflammation of the gum pockets.
Found very widespread use and fresh juice of calendula flowers, which is taken three times a day before meals, breeding from 20 to 40 drops of juice from 1 tbsp. l honey in 200 gr. milk. A solution prepared from one part of calendula juice with two parts of water is used for enemas, which treat proctitis and anal fissures. In gynecology, such a solution is douching for the treatment of erosion, leucorrhoea, colpitis.
Calendula - contraindications
Contraindications to taking calendula drugs are low blood pressure (hypotension) and individual intolerance. People with hypersensitivity when taking calendula drugs may suffer from allergy symptoms.
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