Medicinal marigolds – medicinal marigolds

Asteraceae or Compositae family; medicinal marigolds

 

The bright yellow and orange flowers of marigolds burn in the second half of summer in front gardens and in courtyards. A beautiful and useful plant!

Marigold is a herbaceous annual with an upright, branched stem, 40-70 cm tall. The leaves of the plant are alternate, the lower ones are oblong-ovate, the upper ones are lanceolate. Flowers are from straw-yellow to red-orange, collected in apical inflorescences – baskets. The outermost flowers are tabular, form fruits, the middle ones are tubular, barren, bloom in July-August. The fruit is an acorn that ripens in August.

The homeland of the nagidok is Central and Southern Europe. Wild marigolds are not found in Russia and Ukraine, but the plant is widespread, it is grown for medical purposes on special plantations, planted in gardens and homesteads.

For the preparation of medicines, flower baskets of marigolds without flower stalks are collected, during the period of almost complete opening of the flowers. Dry in a warm, ventilated room or under shelter outdoors in the shade. Dry in dryers at a temperature of 40-45 °C. The shelf life of raw materials is 1 year.

Flowers contain about 3% carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, essential oil, resinous,

bitter and tannins, organic acids, enzymes, vitamin E, alkaloids and other compounds.

Marigold flowers have long been used in folk medicine, they are allowed to be used in scientific medicine as well, they are included in the State Pharmacopoeia of Russia. The plant exhibits bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, cardiotonic and sedative effects, its products lower blood pressure, intensify metabolic processes in the liver, and improve its secretory function.

Infusions and tinctures of calendula flowers are most widely used externally. For the treatment of skin cracks and herpes, a 10% infusion of flower baskets on olive oil is prescribed. A solution of alcohol tincture of calendula (1 teaspoon of tincture per glass of boiled water) is used to treat oily seborrhea, eczema, pustular diseases and frostbite, rinse the mouth and throat with stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, tonsillitis and tonsillitis. This agent is prescribed for douching in the treatment of cervical erosion and trichomonad colpitis. The same solution is used for baths and microclyses for anal fissures and proctitis. A solution of double concentration (1 teaspoon of tincture per half glass of boiled water) is used for compresses and lotions for eye diseases (blepharitis, conjunctivitis).

Nadigok drugs are effective in cardiovascular diseases accompanied by tachycardia, shortness of breath, and edema. At the same time, the infusion or tincture of the plant is taken internally. These dosage forms help with nausea in pregnant women (the product is taken before meals for 2-3 weeks).

3 calendula flowers produce products for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as acute gastritis.

In folk medicine, the infusion and tincture of the flower baskets of marigold are used for bronchitis, rickets, jaundice, diseases of the bladder and spleen, nervous excitement and dizziness.

Marigolds are widely used in homeopathy.

Tincture of flowers. It is prepared in 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. Take 15-20 drops 3-4 times a day.

Infusion of flowers. 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 400 ml of boiling water, infuse for 2 hours, filter, cool. Take 1/2 cup 4 times a day before meals.

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