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Name: Calendula officinalis L.
Family: Composite
What is Calendula?
The stems of the calendula can reach a height of about 70 cm and have different ramifications, at the end of which develop yellow-orange flowers gathered in flower heads; it is these last ones that constitute the drug of cosmetic and phytotherapeutic interest obtained from the plant.
Active principles
Calendula flowers contain:
- Essential oil: made up of over 45 substances;
- Flavonoids: isoramnetin glycosides and quercetin, rutoside;
- Triterpenoids: glycosides of oleanolic acid and triterpene alcohols;
- Sterols: sitoterol, campesterol, stigmasterol;
- Carotenoids;
- Pyrogallic tannins.
Properties and Uses
Calendula is great for:
- skin care and cleaning;
- accelerate the healing of wounds: the vulnerary properties seem to be due to an influence on the increase in fibrin production, which is manifested by the rapid closure of wounds, with good formation of granulation tissue and with the improvement of cellular hydration balance of skin. This action of calendula is to be attributed to carotenoids, similar from a chemical point of view to vitamin A;
- choleretic and lipid-lowering action: the calendula infusion shows a marked choleretic action, and increases the secretion of bile acids and the amount of bile produced without significantly altering the bilirubin and cholesterol content. Calendula saponosides lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
- the action on the cardiovascular system and on the central nervous system: the alcoholic and aqueous extracts determine a slight reduction of the arterial pressure and a reduction of the cardiac activity (bradycardia action); furthermore, influences on sleep induction have also been documented;
- as an adjunct in gynecological care;
- strengthen the veins;
- antiulcer properties: the cytoprotective effect on the gastric mucosa is attributable to the content in carotenes, while the saponosides - in particular calenduloside B - have an antiulcer action.
For external use, the calendula is suitable for the creation of creams, tinctures or compresses against acne, boils, burns and ulcers.
Deep localized inflammations and purulent wounds also suffer from the advantages of external calendula-based applications.
Recent studies have shown that it is mainly skin infections caused by staphylococci that react well to the application of preparations based on this plant.
The antibiotic activity, due to flavonoids and saponins, is directed towards various microorganisms, in particular against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus betahaemolyticus.
In the gynecological field, calendula favors the regularization of the menstrual cycle, particularly in women who are anemic and subject to nervous crisis; it also alleviates menstrual pain.
Side effects
To date there are no known side effects or contraindications associated with use. Theoretically, the calendula could still cause cross allergic reactions (Cross Reactivity) with other plants of the Asteraceae / Compositae family (eg chamomile).
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Calendula cream
Good calendula-based creams can be found in pharmacies or herbalist's shops, but you can also prepare one yourself in a very simple way. It is necessary to take 20g of fresh marigold flowers, put them in a jar (even those from preserves are fine) and cover them with olive oil. Put the container in the sun and let it rest for at least 12 hours, so that the oil can absorb the essential oils and other active ingredients present in the flowers.
Melt 5g of cocoa butter and 5g of beeswax in a saucepan, add all the ingredients and leave to cool. The marigold cream prepared in this way is ideal as a moisturizer for hands and face, but it can easily be used for the treatment of acne, boils and bedsores.
Calendula infusion
The infusion of calendula is obtained by placing 2 teaspoons of marigold flowers, dried in the shade, in ¼ liter of boiling water.
Cover the cup and filter after 10 minutes of infusion.
Berne 3 cups a day is very useful to regularize the menstrual flow and treat the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and stomach in case of chronic inflammation.
The infusion also acts on gums and inflamed throat, while a gauze soaked in it gives relief if applied on burns (even those caused by the sun), eczema, rashes or wounds.
Calendula tincture
The tincture of calendula makes greater use of the active ingredients of this plant, and is prepared by soaking, for 10 days, 20g of calendula flowers in 100ml of 60% alcohol.
After this time, the tincture is filtered by squeezing the flowers well before throwing them.
The dye can be used to buffer the pimples, or - diluting it in a ratio of 1:10 (a drop of tincture for 10 drops of water) - to wet gauzes to be applied on rashes, burns or wounds.
Calendula ointment
It is found on the market and consists of 4g of mother calendula and vaseline dye up to 100g.
Calendula ointment is an excellent sedative, which quickly leads to healing cuts, lacerations, cracks in the hands and legs, and small septic wounds.
To conclude, it must be emphasized that calendula is not an antiseptic in the strict sense, however, in its presence, germs are not able to take root.
