Appreciated for its calming and healing properties, calendula (or calendula) is an effective remedy for minor skin problems. The benefits of marigold do not stop there: it also helps to relieve gastric or hepatic disorders, ENT inflammation or even premenstrual pain.
IDENTITY RECORD
Name: Marigold, calendula, garden marigold
Scientific name : calendula officinalis
Botanical family: Asteraceae
Parts used: flowers and flower heads
Indications: skin problems, digestive system, varicose veins, venous return, diuretic
Preparation: infusion, tincture, macerate, poultice
Calendula helps, by its antibacterial and healing properties, to treat small wounds, eczema, acne, boils, ulcers, and fungal infections. Also, with its softening and moisturizing properties, it helps treat mild skin problems, sunburn, dry and delicate skin.
Learn more about the properties of calendula
Also called garden marigold, marigold, calendula officinalis is a plant of the Asteraceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin. It is nicknamed “the bride of the sun”, for its particularity in opening and closing according to the movements of the sun.
The benefits of marigold have been widely known since antiquity. The plant has culinary, cosmetic, medicinal and tinctorial (fabric dye and food coloring) properties. Calendula became very popular from the Middle Ages and was reputed to soothe all kinds of ailments (insect bites, snake bites, jaundice, conjunctivitis, ringworm, painful periods, fever). Nowadays it is more appreciated in dermatologyfor its softening and healing properties.
The parts of calendula used in herbal medicine are its flowers (fresh or dried). Its many health benefits come from its active subtances : flavonoids, carotenoids (lycopenes, carotenes), triterpendioles (faradiol esters), saponosides, salicylic acid, mucilage, essential oil.
Other benefits of marigold
The benefits of marigold (calendula) are varied:
- It helps to regularize menstrual cycles.
- Through its draining and purifying actions, it helps to clean the liver and prevent liver problems.
- Calendula relieves digestive disorders especially gastric inflammation.
- He is effective against feversore throat and mouth.
- He strengthens the immune system.
- Excellent painkiller and anti-inflammatory, it helps relieve minor burnsinsect bites, hives and bruises.
How to use it ?
Calendula comes in various forms and preparations : ointments, creams, gels, balms, mother tinctures, oils, eye drops, vaginal ovules, infusions. For any use, it is important to always comply with the product instructions or seek advice from a doctor to find out the rules of application.
- In the form of calendula oil : it can be applied in massage, on dry and irritated skin, 2 or 3 times a day.
- In infusion: take one or two teaspoons of dried flowers which are added to 200 ml of boiling water. In case of digestive disorders or fungal infections you can drink a cup 3 times a day. This infusion can also be used locally, in compresses, gargles, or mouthwashes.
- In tincture form: its uses can be similar to those of the infusion. For internal use, take 30 drops diluted in water, 3 times a day.
Contraindication and precaution for use
The taking calendula internal use is prohibited for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under 6 years of age. Also, we strongly advise against prolonged use internally (infusion, mother tincture) of more than 2 weeks, without the advice of a doctor or a specialist in herbal medicine.
Concerning the precautions, prolonged application of preparations containing alcohol (mother tincture) is avoided, as they can cause irritation or even allergic reactions, particularly in people who are sensitive to plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. There are no known interactions with herbal medicines, supplements or medications.