Marigold, Or Calendula Officinalis

Compositae - Asteraceae (Compositae). Common names: oil color, golden color, solstice, flower of the dead. Parts used: flowers and inflorescences. Pharmacy name: marigold flowers - Caleridulae flos (formerly: Flores Calendulae sine Calycibns).

Botanical description. An annual plant reaching 70 cm in height. The erect, tomentose-pubescent stem is branched and bears alternate, also finely pubescent leaves. The bright yellow inflorescences-baskets are quite large, their diameter sometimes exceeds 4 cm. It blooms from June to October. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and a medicinal plant in cultivated plantings. From there it sometimes runs wild.

Collection and preparation. The inflorescences should be collected in a fully open state in very dry weather and dried quickly in a ventilated place, but without artificial heating. Either only reed flowers or the entire inflorescence are used (more often in folk medicine).

Active ingredients: essential oil, calendula sapogenin, saponins, glycosides, carotenoids, xanthophylls, bitterness, mucus, flavonoids, enzymes and organic acids.

Healing action and application. The use of this plant internally is greatly reduced. In tea mixtures it is most often considered just an additive to give a beautiful color, although marigold flowers still have their own - mild antispasmodic - effect, and the effect on the secretion of bile is also beyond any doubt.

Basically, marigolds and many herbal preparations (ointments) prepared from them are used to treat wounds. In this sense, marigold is very close to arnica. Poorly healing wounds, leg ulcers, inflammation of the nail bed, dislocations and sprains benefit from compresses with a decoction (tea) of marigold flowers. A wet bandage with this decoction also works surprisingly well on fresh wounds. For carbuncles and abscesses, hot calendula compresses are recommended. The German National Health Service recognizes the effect of marigold on inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as bruises, lacerations and burns.

o Marigold tea: pour 1-2 teaspoons of flowers into 1/4 liter of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes and then strain. For diseases of the gallbladder, drink tea very warm, 1 cup 2-3 times a day; It can also be used for compresses and bandages.

Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic remedy Calendula is used internally in dilutions D1-D6, and externally (1 teaspoon of the original tincture in half a glass of warm water) for bruises and lacerations, for leg ulcers and to stimulate granulation (healing) of wounds.

Use in folk medicine. In folk medicine, this medicinal plant is highly valued and widely used. Its scope covers everything that has been said about calendula so far. Moreover, marigolds are also considered a remedy against warts and skin cancer. With the help of fresh juice, you can supposedly treat cancerous tumors on the skin, and you should definitely apply a compress of marigold decoction at night. It is reliably known that abscesses and tumors heal faster when using compresses with a decoction of marigolds or ointments made from them. But it is doubtful whether they help with cancerous tumors. In folk medicine, ointment (the so-called marigold oil) is highly revered and is used for many ailments. It is used to smear the body for abdominal pain, rub joints and muscles in case of painful conditions, and treat all wounds quickly and painlessly; Bedsores are also successfully treated with this marigold oil.

1. Marigold oil: Goat oil is mixed with crushed marigold flowers in a 1:1 ratio and slightly heated to a liquid state. The active ingredients are transferred into oil, and the ground flowers are then removed.

In folk medicine, marigolds are used both as a blood purifying tea and for painful menstruation. The week before menstruation, you should drink 1 cup of tea daily. This normalizes their irregularity and relieves pain. Tea made from a mixture of marigolds and nettles