He is known as calendula to the two varieties of this plant, the pot marigold and the Calendula arvensistwo herbs belonging to the Asteraceae family, whose properties they share but differ in a very subtle way by the shape and size of their flower.
Wing Calendula officinalis, It is known as marigold gold button, merchandise Where great, already the variety arvensis What wild wonder or wild marigold.
The two plants, whose flowers are a color halfway between yellow and orange, close at night and open during the day, and are known among other things for their healing and restorative properties.
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Calendula properties
Among the properties of calendula, it should be noted that it is a plant with healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic principles. This is due to the active ingredients it contains, such as calandine, which is responsible for its bitterness. It has a high content of carotenoidsantioxidants that help our body produce Vitamin Avery important for the health of our skin and the well-being of the tissues.
They also contain flavonoids, the yellow pigments that protect the body. They work as natural antioxidants, while neutralizing the effect of ultraviolet rays, environmental pollution and toxins present in many foods, the result of extensive agriculture.
Another of the active ingredients, although in smaller quantities, found among the properties of calendula is silicic acid, whose function is to act as an analgesic and an analgesic that works both for internal and external use. .
Benefits of calendula: what is it for?
The active ingredients of this plant provide benefits to treat many discomforts and ailments, including:
Menstrual regulator. One of the benefits of calendula that should be noted is that it normalizes the amount and frequency of menstruation. It eliminates uterine pain called dysmenorrhea, and it is also a natural sedative and antispasmodic.
For it to take effect, you have to start taking it. a week before beginning of the menstrual period, and in the form of an infusion. It goes very well to obtain more effective results by mixing it with infusion or sage tea.
Health for the liver. The benefits that the calendula flower brings to the liver are due to the fact that it is a choleretic plant, that is, it activates the production of bile and contributes to the decongestion of the liver.
Stomach problems. Some problems of irritability of the stomach walls such as ulcers and gastritis, inflammation of the mouth of the stomach, can be treated with this plant, whose anti-inflammatory and healing properties help to improve the symptoms and in the medium term to a general state. improvement.
Other conditions such as gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach with diarrhea and vomiting, can also be treated. In all these cases it should be emphasized that it is preferable to drink the plant in infusion.
Calendula for the skin. One of the most common uses of this plant is probably due to its healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties for the skin. The uses that can be given to this plant are multiple both directly, as an infusion for external rinsing, as oil, essential oil, creams of all kinds or even soaps.
the skin conditions that are usually treated with calendula are irritations, such as those of the baby’s bottom whose creams based on the flower of this plant are very effective, wounds, ulcers, burns, boils and acne, atopic dermatitis or eczema, etc. It is also a plant with antirheumatic properties.
Another of its components from calendula flower is salicylic acid, which helps to remove calluses, calluses, roughness and warts from the skin.
Formats in which calendula is found
Although calendula oil is probably the most widely used form of this flower, it is also easily found in creams, soaps and herbal teas.
Oil and cream can be found in commercial format, industrial or semi-industrial production, since it is also possible to manufacture them ourselves.
If you want to learn more about the uses and properties of calendula essential oil, check out our article on this oil.
homemade calendula cream
In this video you will see how calendula cream or ointment is prepared in an artisanal and homemade way:
Calendula tea and how to prepare it
For internal use, the only way to ingest calendula is by infusion. There are many uses of this infusion, such as, for the ruler or menstrual period, as we said before, the way to make it effective is to get ready and start consuming from a week before of the same and once a day. The proportions are one tablespoon for each glass of water. It is very effective mixed with mugwort or sage.
For the stomach problems, like gastritis and ulcers, the proportion is the same, one tablespoon for each glass of water, but we will take some twice a day after the main meals.
Calendula infusion step by step. Boil 250 ml of water (the equivalent of a medium cup) in a saucepan. Once boiling, remove from heat or turn off, add a tablespoon of dried flowers, cover and let sit for about 10, or a maximum of 15 minutes. It is important to leave it covered so that the oils from the plant do not evaporate.
Then we filter and serve. It can be served with honey, agave syrup or simply calendula infusion alone, as it has a very pleasant flavor.
homemade calendula oil
To prepare homemade calendula oil we will macerate for 9 days and without direct light 2 level tablespoons of plant flower petals with ¼ liter of almond oil.
First you need to put the leaves in the glass container (it can be a jar, a glass or a bottle) and then add the oil. It is very important not to cover during this process with a metal or plastic lid, but better with cork, wood or with a cloth and rubber band.
Planting at home and caring for calendula
If your idea is to plant and cultivate the calendula flower in your house, garden or orchard and thus be able to enjoy the benefits of calendula for medicinal use, know that this plant is annual and is grown in spring and summer, although Calendula is best planted during the last week of winter.
One important thing about caring for calendula is that it should be in full sun, but it’s okay if the area where the plant is is a bit shaded or doesn’t have constant sun. Of course, it tolerates a lot of sunlight, and the longer it is exposed to the star, the better it will look.
You can plant it directly in a pot, in the ground or in a seedbed to transplant it when the stem starts to come out and has a measurement of about four or five centimeters. It is, more or less, a week or 10 days after planting it in the seedbed.
A good idea is to plant it around the orchard or garden, if it is directly on the ground, or if it is in pots, place it near other plants, as calendula repels many insects.
It can reach about 60 or 70 centimeters, and it is recommended in the garden or orchard that there is a distance of about 40 centimeters between each plant.
An important thing for caring for marigold is that although it is a very sun-loving plant, it can tolerate cold weather, but it needs good drainage in the soil.
Too much water in the soil can kill the plant. We recommend a mixture of earth and sand. This will depend on the degree of clay in the soil. This will avoid the concentration of water and facilitate the oxygenation of the roots.
Calendula contraindications
There are a few calendula contraindications to consider, although it is a fairly safe herb. One of these contraindications is its contact with the skin, especially with the fresh plant, since some people with sensitive skin They can suffer contact dermatitis. The same can happen to people allergic to astracea.
Although it is not on the list of abortifacient herbs, it is a herb that pregnant women should avoid, as it boosts hormones.
Did you know the properties of calendula? Do you have any experience of using it? As we always say, leave it in the comments, may we and our readers benefit from contributions that expand our knowledge of medicinal plants.
IMPORTANT: This information is intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of your physician or healthcare professional and is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects.
This information may not be tailored to your specific health situation. Never delay or neglect seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read in ecothings. You should always consult a healthcare professional before starting, stopping or changing any type of treatment.