Naturopathy

Marigold or Calendula officinalis

definition

The marigold is used in remedies against skin diseases.

The Medicinal plant marigold belongs to the daisy family. Its Latin name Calendula refers to our “calendar”, that is, it blooms all summer until the first frosts.
The marigold is usually annual, rarely biennial.The medicinal plant is about 30 to 50 cm high and has branched, hairy, light green stems. The hairy leaves are elongated and the yellow to orange flowers appear in June. In many gardens the marigold grows as Ornamental or medicinal plant. The yellow-orange flower could be found in almost every cottage garden. The dried flowers and leaves of the marigold are used medicinally. The collection time is from June to October.
Growing the marigold is easy. By sowing outdoors, strong plants will grow after a few weeks. When the flowers are harvested, new buds can form again. In addition, new plants keep sowing themselves.
Also read our topic: blemished skin

Synonyms in a broader sense

The marigold has the Latin name Calendula officinalis.
It belongs to the Astericeae family like that chamomile, the dandelion, the Milk thistle or the Purple coneflower (Echenaceae purpurea).
The marigold is popularly called gold flower, marigold rose, garden marigold, marigold or wart herb.

Plant description

Annual plant, up to 50 cm high, hairy stems and leaves. Large, bright yellow flower heads.
Heyday: June to October.
Occurrence: Grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, as a medicinal plant in crops.

history

The Marigold was known in the Middle Ages and in all ancient cultures as a coloring agent, medicinal herb, spice and magic plant.
The German name comes from the curved shape of their seeds. Hildegard of Bingen was already working with the medicinal plant and named them Ringula and Ringella. To this day, the marigold is one of the most famous and important medicinal plants.
It has a long tradition in the monastery gardens of the Middle Ages. With the flowering of the ringlet flower, women in the Middle Ages colored themselves hair. The plant, native to southern Europe, is cultivated and grown all over Europe.

Plant parts used medicinally

They are used for medical and medicinal purposes dried flowers and Petals the marigold.
In sunny weather, the flower heads are harvested and dried for a few days. Teas, ointments and tinctures are made from the dried flowers.

ingredients

Pharmacological ingredients of marigold are:

Tripterpene saponins and tripterpene alcohols
Flavonoids
Hydroxycoumarins
Cartinoids
water soluble polysaccharides and
essential oils.

Therapy, application and effects

The flowers of the Medicinal plant marigold are used as excellent wound healing agents.
The marigold ointment shows good healing results with:

poorly healing wounds
Burns
Lacerated wounds
Ulcers
sunburn
Eczema and
blemished skin.

The marigold is also used in the Naturopathy in venous diseases as well as skin and Conjunctivitis and also for stomach and intestinal inflammation, constipation and worms.

The marigold is also used to relieve menstrual cramps and to regulate the Menstrual period.
The external use of marigold my skin and mucous membrane inflammation as well as for wound healing are scientifically proven.
The terpene alcohols and flavonoids kill various viruses, fungi and bacteria and have an internal anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and decongestant effect.
Gargling with marigold tea helps with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. Marigold tea also strengthens the immune system and the digestive system and ensures good nerves and inner peace. Also at Sports injuries and Inflammation of the nail bed the marigold ointment is very helpful. Envelopes with tea or diluted tincture are used for poorly healing wounds and can also relieve pain.

The yellow flower color of the marigold is largely retained in the dried state and so it is often part of tea blends as a so-called "jewelry drug".

Administration and dosage

Ready-to-use preparations such as:

Anoint
diluted tinctures and
Decoctions.

As a home remedy, the marigold can be used as follows:

Marigold tea: one tablespoon of dried marigold flowers in 1 liter of boiling water and then let steep for 5 minutes.
Gargle solution: Let one teaspoon of flowers and 150 ml of hot water steep for 10 minutes.
Envelopes: One tablespoon of flowers and 500 ml of cold water, boil everything briefly and strain.
Wound cleansing: Two teaspoons of petals without a calyx, 150 ml of boiling water, let steep for 10 minutes, then let cool.

Side effect and interaction

At a allergy allergic reactions to daisy plants are possible!
Please ask your doctor before any treatment with the medicinal plant marigold!

Marigold and pregnancy

There is no information available on use during pregnancy.

Combination with other medicinal plants

As already mentioned, the marigold is often a component of tea blends as a "jewelry drug", so it contributes to the attractive appearance of the blend.

The marigold is also often used in tea blends to stimulate the metabolism. A common mixture would be: 30.0 g dandelion root / 10.0 g peppermint / 10.0 g nettle / 20.0 g milk thistle / 10.0 g marigold / 20.0 g yarrow.
A teaspoon of this tea mixture is poured over a cup of boiling water, covered for 10 minutes, then strained. Drink two cups a day for a long time.

Use in homeopathy

Calendula is both internal and external Cracks and bruises, at Lower leg ulcers used to stimulate wound healing.
Internally as tablets D2 to D6.
Externally 1 to 2 teaspoons of the mother tincture in ¼ l of lukewarm water as an envelope.

Summary

The medicinal plant marigold has been growing as a medicinal and ornamental plant in our gardens since the 12th century. It is easy to cultivate and can even be grown in the flower pot on the windowsill.
The flowers and leaves of the marigold are used for healing purposes. The flowers have an anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect

Tripterpenes
Flavonoids and
Saponins.

Teas, oils, tinctures and ointments are made from the flowers or just the petals. The medicinal plant marigold can be used internally and externally.
In many cosmetics, marigold extracts have become indispensable because of their healing properties.