Calendula officinalis is more commonly known as marigold. Dark yellow or bright orange marigold flowers appear at the break of summer and enliven the front gardens with inflorescences collected in baskets. They got their name because of the shape of the seeds, resembling sharpened claws.
This herbaceous annual plant can grow up to 70 cm.
Marigolds came to us from Southern and Central Europe, where they are found both as a wild and cultivated plant. There are no wild marigolds on the territory of our country, however, gardeners love the plant, it often decorates palisades, flower beds, kitchen gardens, and parks. For medical purposes, calendula is grown on specialized plantations.
Healing are fully blossomed inflorescences of baskets that are collected without picking flower stalks. The raw materials are first dried in non-cold rooms with good ventilation, and then brought to condition using special dryers.
This medicinal plant has long been used by alternative medicine, is recognized as official medicine, and is included in the register of medicinal raw materials recorded by the State Pharmacopoeia.
The plant is rich in essential oils, the substances contained in it increase the metabolism of the liver, stimulate digestion, and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Rinsing tincture of calendula is indicated for tonsillitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, other diseases of the oral cavity, tonsillitis.
Most often, rinse water is prepared calendula tincture , the use of which in combination with vitamins very quickly stops the course of disease.
It is proved that inhalation with marigolds, especially heat-moist, reduce the viscosity of sputum, accelerate its separation. Aerosols that can be obtained at home with the help of modern steam, ultrasonic or pneumatic inhalers help with infectious, colds, occupational diseases of the lungs, bronchi, and upper respiratory tract.
For the treatment of middle ear inflammation, relieving bronchospasm in asthma, laryngitis, calendula tincture is also useful. Its use increases the respiratory reserve of the lungs, improves the work of nerve endings, and enhances gas exchange.
How to brew a calendula for such solutions?
Take one spoon (teaspoon) of dry grass and pour in a glass of non-hot boiled water. After a few hours, the tincture will be ready. The resulting infusion is filtered, and then used to prepare lotions or rinses.
Official medicine recognizes that the special properties of this wonderful plant allow it to be used to treat gynecological diseases. For these purposes, also prepared water tincture of calendula. Its use allows you to get rid of erosion, cracks, colpitis, and some other diseases. However, do not self-medicate, because, like any herbal preparation, marigolds can cause allergic reactions. There are cases when self-administered inhalations adversely affected the rhythm of breathing and caused spontaneous pneumothorax.
In cosmetology, calendula tincture is also widely used. Its use to treat acne, soften scars, and eliminate seborrhea has passed the test of time. For example, acne can be burned with cotton swabs dipped in a mixture of tincture of calendula, salicylic alcohol, sulfur and levomycetin. However, such extreme treatment can not be used for any skin, so a consultation with a cosmetologist or dermatologist is necessary.
Sometimes, instead of water tincture, an alcohol solution is used, prepared at home or bought in a ready-made form. It is better to consult a doctor about how to use an alcohol solution, because too high a concentration of alcohol can cause burns.