Calendula: properties, uses and contraindications

La calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as "golden flower" or "orange flower," is a plant with numerous beneficial properties, used for centuries in traditional medicine and cosmetics. Oil, infusion, mother tincture: calendula, besides being a beautiful flower that brings joy and looks good everywhere, is also an extraordinary natural remedy that can be easily used in a variety of ways.

Origins and name

Calendula is a plant native to Egypt. In Italy, it grows wild, especially in the south. It has large yellow/orange flowers that farmers watch to see if it will rain. The flowers, in fact, do not open in the morning if rain is forecast. Its name perhaps derives from the Latin "calendar“, that is, the first day of the month, the moment when this flower blooms.

Property

Calendula can be used in different ways, both for external use, through gel, creme, tinctures that inside, with herbal teas e infusionsLet's take a detailed look at all the health benefits of this plant with its many virtues:

• Anti-inflammatory: Internally, it soothes irritation of the mucous membranes of internal systems, such as the throat; externally, it is excellent for treating erythema, burns, and wound healing. For the treatment of skin infections, sunburn, and wounds, calendula is used in the form of creams and ointments. When using the latter, it is best to apply the product directly to the affected area, even several times a day. For the throat, calendula infusion is recommended. Steep 2 grams of calendula in a cup of boiling water for about a quarter of an hour. Drink it after straining and once it has cooled to lukewarm. Calendula is also used to prepare mouthwashes and ointments to treat sore throats. hemorrhoids, because, as we have already said, it is rich in flavonoids.
• Care and cleaning of the oropharyngeal tract: drinking calendula infusions is useful in treating diseases of the oropharyngeal tract: gingivitis, toothache, sore throatCalendula is a good treatment for herpes. Gargling with 20 drops of Phytolacca mother tincture mixed with 20 drops of calendula in warm water is also helpful. Rinse your throat with this mixture for a few seconds. Then, you can cough up the liquid.
• Skin care and cleansing: Calendula is an excellent remedy for cleansing and caring for sensitive skin, both in case of redness and for the treatment of acne or boils. Calendula is widely used in dermatology in creams for treating pimples and skin blemishes. It is also an excellent treatment for warts. In particular, the plant's stem and flowers are used to prepare juices that heal warts and many other skin conditions. Calendula ointment soothes redness caused by diaper use in babies. A cotton ball soaked in calendula decoction reduces excessive sweating. Calendula is also recommended for insect bites. Calendula tea is used to combat blackheads and tone the face; simply wipe it over with a cotton ball soaked in the tea. It also treats chilblains on the hands and feet.
• Menstrual cramps: Using calendula regulates the menstrual cycle and soothes menstrual pain. Calendula also helps regulate the cycle. To maximize the plant's effectiveness, it should be consumed as an infusion ten days before the period. The infusion is prepared by steeping two tablespoons of fresh petals in 200 ml of boiling water for about 10 minutes. This preparation regulates the cycle and soothes many of the pains associated with it. cramps  and the pains.

Uses and benefits

By macerating the calendula flowers you get a oleolite which has a powerful eudermic action, that is, capable of improve skin, irritated, or chapped skin. Calendula oil soothes the skin of little ones, prevents breast cracks in breastfeeding women, and heals existing ones. To prepare it, macerate 100 grams of calendula flowers (the flower heads) in 500 ml of sweet almond oil. This way, the fat-soluble active ingredients in the flowers are transferred to the oil. The flowers should be placed in a dark glass jar with an airtight lid. The calendula oil almonds The sweetener should cover all the flowers, and the maceration should last about a month in a cool, dark place. The mixture should be stirred every two days to prevent mold from forming. After a month, the macerate should be filtered through cheesecloth and stored in a dark glass bottle in a cool, closed place.

Calendula oil

Calendula oil should be used when it is necessary to restore the skin to its normal physiological condition. Irritations, sunburn, warts, itching, dermatitis and allergic reactionsCalendula oil treats a wide range of skin problems. It's easy to use: simply pour a few drops onto the affected area, massage gently, and then let the skin absorb it completely. This process should be repeated at least three times a day, every day, until the problem is resolved.

Calendula infusion

Simple and quick to prepare at home, calendula infusion is a drink with a delicate flavour and a real cure-all in case of cystitis e colitis. Thanks to its disinfectant properties, it is also able to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat and improve the symptoms of conjunctivitis from inside.

Necessary

• 6/7 grams of dried marigold flowers
• 1 cup boiling water

Preparation

• Take a teapot and place the dried flowers inside, pouring them through a strainer.
• Only at this point can you pour the water you boiled earlier over the flowers and close the lid.
• Leave to infuse for about a quarter of an hour and then, after removing the strainer, sweeten your drink.

Calendula mother tincture

La tincture It is a hydroalcoholic liquid prepared using fresh flowers of the plant, harvested in April/June and September/November. Only the fresh plant is used because when it dries out it loses all its intrinsic properties. It is used in case of inflammatory problems ofdigestive system including ulcer e gastritis and, for external use, for healing any skin wounds. The solution is composed of alcohol and distilled water. The mother tincture is highly recommended in menstrual cycle regulation, even in the postpartum period. It can also be effective in fighting streptococci, candida albicans, and other stubborn infections. When suffering from severe redness, relief can be obtained with calendula compresses, made with gauze soaked in the tincture and placed on the affected area. The tincture can also heal small, shallow wounds. Calendula tincture can also be used to disinfect the stump of a newborn's umbilical cord.

How to make calendula mother tincture

Let's see together how to prepare it at home:

Necessary

• 100 ml of 50/70% alcohol
• 80 g of fresh marigold flowers

Preparation

• Finely chop the flowers and transfer them to an airtight container together with the alcohol.
• Let the tincture rest for 21 days, shaking frequently.
• Then filter and store in dark bottles in a cool place, away from light.

Marigold flowers

I marigold flowers They can also be used in cooking. In particular, when the leaves are young and the petals are fresh, they can be used to garnish any dish or in a salad. The petals of the marigold They can be added to pasta, broth, soups, and risottos: they give a distinctive flavor to dishes and replace saffron. Dried petals, on the other hand, can be used to prepare infusions e decoctions. And finally the buds also go into pickles, where they produce an effect similar to that of the caperIf you want to use marigold in desserts, you can make excellent candied fruit with the dried petals.

How to grow marigold

Calendula is easy to grow: it tolerates both heat and cold. Its flowers are beautiful: from golden yellow to lemon yellow, through pink and orange. The other extraordinary characteristic of calendula flowers is that they bloom all summer, once every thirty days, at the beginning of each month of the season. Here you find all the instructions for growing it calendula even in a simple vase.

Controindicazioni

If you're using calendula for the first time, test it on a small area of ​​your body to see if you experience any allergic reactions. Calendula may cause allergic reactions. problems in those who suffer from ragweed allergy or to other plants of the Asteraceae\Compositae familyPeople with allergies experience the following symptoms when using calendula: itching, dermatitis, hives, swelling, and breathing difficulties (in severe cases). Its use is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing or to anyone who suffers from particular chronic pathologiesIn such cases, consulting your doctor becomes essential.

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