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| Health Benefits of Pot Marigold |
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Pot Marigold
Pot marigold is native to southern and central Europe. Its name (Calendula officinalis) comes from the Latin word "Kalendae", which was the first day in the Roman calendar. They were named like that because of the fact that they bloom all year round. This herb is also known as the "flower of the rains", due to the fact that if the flower does not open in the morning it is a clear sign that it will rain with storm out that day.
For the people who lived in Antiquity, marigold flowers when given to a person, they symbolized everlasting love. Even then it was renowned for its effective treatment against stomach-aches, intestinal problems, and liver failures but also for speeding up wound healing.
Description
Marigold is a herb with a high stem supporting many ramifications, and with yellow flowers. It blossoms from May till September. The flowers - which must be fully developed - are picked without their stems. The harvesting lasts for 3-4 days after the dew has evaporated. They are placed in thin layers and are left to dry in shaded places.
Proprieties
The active compounds found in marigold have the quality of stimulating blood circulation and speeding up the healing periods. Marigold flowers contain a bitter compound, volatile oil. They have healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and soothing effects. They are a considerable source of flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, proteins and resins, among others. The contained bio-flavonoids reduce the fragility of the capillary blood vessels.
Treatments
Marigold infusion and tincture are used to treat hyperacid gastritis, duodenal ulcer, infected icterus, cancerous ulcerations, inflammations and liver failures.
Marigold tincture is effective at stabilizing the menstrual cycle and marigold tea, if drunk a week before the appearance of the menstrual cycle, it can alleviate the pains, especially in cases of anemic persons.
Leucorrhea, acne, burns, chilblains, infected wounds, skin cancer, breast cancer, tegumentary disorders, mycosis and ulcerous breast wounds are all treated with marigold lotions or with bath water containing marigold.
In cases of ulcerous pains or renal pains, it's recommended to hold on the belly a "pillow" containing marigold flowers. It is also used effectively in complexion disorders, by placing the "pillow" of marigold flowers directly on the face.
At the same time, in treating dry sensible skin, it is recommended that the marigold oil be used which speeds up the healing, has energizing and soothing effects and can also strengthen the vascular fragility of blood circulation. The oil is also recommended in skin inflammations and also in treating bruises and eczemas.
Against skin cancer as well as birth marks or dark spots marigold juice is recommended.
In cases of dizziness and headaches marigold decoct is recommended. It can be used in cases of bladder disorders, rachitis, cough, stomach aches.
Mixtures
The infusion is obtained from 2 spoonfuls of dry flowers over which 300ml of boiling water is poured. The pot is covered and left for 15-20 minutes after which it passes through a sieve. The tea is drunk warm three times a day, half an hour before primary meals. A more concentrated infusion is made from four spoonfuls of marigold flowers added in 200ml of boiling water from which four spoons are taken each day.
The infusion made from 10g of flowers added to 100g water can be used in vaginal baths to help destroy the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.
The marigold tincture is obtained by macerating 20g of flowers, freshly picked and put in 100ml of alcohol heated to 70 degrees for 8 days. The vessel is then left around a heating source or sunlight. To adjust the menstrual cycle it is necessary to dissolve 30 drops of tincture in a small quantity of water and then consume 3 spoons of the mixture a day.
A spoonful of tincture, obtained from macerating four spoons of marigold flowers in 100ml alcohol of 90 degrees for a period of 10 days, is mixed in 100ml distilled water. From this a mixture is obtained that can be used to treat pale or greasy complexions.
Marigold lotion is used for treating burns and chilblains and is prepared from 20g fresh marigold flowers which are cooked in 100g of lard. The lard must be preheated. It is then stirred for 10 minutes and the pan is left aside until the next day when it gets heated again and its content is passed through a fine sieve and into a jar. Excellent results are also obtained from mixing marigold lotion with comfrey roots, and the resulting ointment is used in treating wounds, chilblains, burns and varicose ulcer.
Bath water made from marigold flowers is prepared as follows: 30g of fresh marigold flowers are left to sit in cold water for 24 hours. After that they are boiled for 10 minutes and the water in which they were boiled is used in the bathtub. The baths should not last more than 15 minutes and should be taken twice a day for 12 days.
The "pillow" made from marigold flowers contains freshly picked flowers which were left in the shade for 24 hours to dry, after which they were placed in a little knapsack. It is then applied on sores on the face.
Marigold juice is obtained from the leaves, stems and flowers of the herb which are washed and then compressed and ready to add to other mixtures.
Marigold decoct, which is used for treating dizziness and headaches, is made from 10g of marigold flowers placed in 200ml of boiling water. It is consumed by taking 1 to 3 spoons of it three times a day. It is an excellent diuretic treatment.
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