General Information
Description:
Calendula is a medicinal plant. Сalendula blossoms are beautiful orange-yellow flowers, and in addition to the fact that it is used for medicinal purposes, it is widely distributed in decorative floriculture. In domestic pharmacology this plant is very much appreciated.
Flowers of plants of yellow or orange color are collected in inflorescences-baskets. Calendula fruit is a seed pod. The fruit outside is of irregular surface with presence of spines. The flowering of the plant begins in June and ends in September. Fruits ripen in October.
This plant blooms for a long time, beginning in June and until the very late autumn, almost until October. Calendula, multiplies by seeds, does not require special conditions for cultivation and at the same time is considered a good nectar-bearing plant.
Calendula is considered a cultural plant, it is grown with medicinal and decorative purposes. For treatment only inflorescences are used, which are collected during flowering period, when it has fully blossomed. Leaflets and peduncles do not use.
Calendula Indications:
Angina: it is necessary to take one tablespoon of dried calendula flowers, pour a glass of boiling water, extract for 1 hour, tightly wrapped, then drain. It is recommended to gargle 2-3 times a day. Also for rinse, an alcohol tincture of Calendula is also suitable. To do this, 70% alcoholic tincture is mixed in a glass of water from calculation of 1 to 1.
Allergy: Allergy is a reaction of the body caused by its high sensitivity to action of any substances (allergens). In order to get rid of allergies, you can take infusion of Calendula flowers. To prepare it, 10 grams of inflorescences should be filled with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 1-2 hours and use 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day.
Arrhythmia: infusion from Calendula flowers should be extracted. Two teaspoons of inflorescences should be poured in with two glasses of boiling water, leave for one hour, strain. Use the drug in dosage of half a cup three times a day.
Arthritis: infusion is made from inflorescence of Calendula – 5 g, melmot-berries – 5 g, alder buckthorn – 5 g, the blackberry flowers – 10 g, nettle leaves – 10 grams, bottlebrush – 20 g, purple willow bark – 20 g, warty birch – 20 g. You need to take three tablespoons of ready-made infusion, pour 0,5 l boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, cook for 5-10 minutes, strain and consume 1 glass every two hours.
Asthma: take Calendula inflorescences, peppermint leaves, Viola tricolor, crystal tea ledum, elfwort roots, leaves of coltsfoot, inflorescences of chamomile, anise fruit – all herbs are of equal dosages. Two tablespoons of prepared infusion should be poured into 200 ml of water, heated in a boiling bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, drain, bring boiled water to the original volume and use 1/3 – 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day.
Blennorrhea: One cup of boiling water pour one tablespoon of Calendula inflorescences, leave in heat (or wrapped) for 30-40 minutes, then carefully filter. It is used for washing eyes, for lotions, compresses on eyes.
Hepatitis: two teaspoons of calendula inflorescences is mixed with two cups of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and them properly filter. Infusion should be taken in dosage of half a cup 4 times a day. It has choleretic properties.
Nephritis: infusion requires inflorescence of Calendula – 40 g, St. John’s wort – 40 g, sandy everlasting – 40 g, flowers of chicory – 30 g, bark of buckthorn – 30 g, knotgrass – 20 g, chamomile – 10 g. We take 20 g of ready-made substances and pour two cups of boiled water, leave for 10 hours, boil 5-7 minutes, cool and filter. It should be used throughout the day. The broth is used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent.
Moreover, Calendula is applied at the following disorders treatment:
- gastritis;
- dizziness;
- dermatoses;
- jaundice;
- scrofula;
- colitis;
- malaria;
- vaginal yeast;
- periodontosis;
- rachitis;
- rheumatism;
- stomatitis;
- toxicosis;
- acne;
- cholecystitis;
- enteritis.
Contraindications and Side Effects:
- It is not recommended to use calendula for women during pregnancy. Especially, it concerns calendula juice. Its use can cause miscarriage. In addition, calendula juice can provoke an increase in toxicosis, severe vomiting.
- Do not use Calendula if you are hypotonic, since Calendula is a plant that reduces blood pressure. Therefore, even in light form of hypotension, Calendula is contraindicated.
- Pay attention to the fact that Calendula is incompatibile with certain medications. So, using barbiturates and soothing drugs, it is better to arrest Calendula application. Otherwise, there may be a painful feelings in abdomen, feeling of bitterness in mouth.
- Calendula is also not recommended if you use herbs with a soothing effect (valerian, pepper, mint, celery, etc.). The combination of Calendula with these herbs enhances the calming effect of herbs.
- Cardiovascular disease (for example, bradycardia) is another reason to stop using Calendula.
- There are contraindications in case if diseases of gastrointestinal tract are present; especially if these diseases are in an aggravation stage. First of all, it refers to such diseases as gastritis and stomach ulcer.
- Children under 12 years are also not recommended to use Calendula in broths, in infusions, or in extracts.
- Calendula is considered a weak allergen. And yet it should not be used by those who are allergic to plants of Compositae family: chamomile, chrysanthemum, etc. Itch, dermatitis may appear. To avoid this, before using Calendula, a test is needed to check the reaction on skin.
- The use of preparations from Calendula can cause angioedema, if you have bronchial asthma or urticaria.
Posted by RxMed