CALENDULA OFFICINALIS
INDEX
DESCRIPTION
When my eyes meet the bright color of these orange flowers I feel cheered and I know that the beautiful season is about to arrive! Don't you also find that Calendula flowers are truly photogenic?
The name Calendula originates from the Latin calendae arum which means "the first day of the month" in the Roman calendar and would refer to the fact that the plant, during the summer, has the characteristic of flowering every month for almost the whole year.
The active ingredients contained in calendula are: triterpene saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides and it is rich in carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls). These active ingredients give the plant particular properties which we will see below.
INTERNAL USE
Marigold flowers can be used to prepare herbal teas traditionally used for their antispasmodic action on the gastrointestinal tract but, in popular tradition, other uses are also indicated such as emmenagogue (stimulating menstrual flow), in colds and as a choleretic. In a 2018 EMA document ( Assessment report on Calendula officinalis L., flos ) which summarizes the uses and effectiveness of calendula-based treatments, the indication of the use of the infusion and tincture in the treatment of minor inflammations of the oral and throat mucosa.
EXTERNAL USE
However, external use is the one that finds the most space for application in common practice, also documented by clinical studies for the treatment of skin inflammations of various kinds. Possible indications are as follows:
- sunburn
- erythema
- dry eczema
- insect bites
- varicose ulcers
- improves healing in small wounds
Calendula can be found in creams prepared with lipolic, glyceric and dry extracts. Another form for the topical application of calendula is the oleolite, prepared by leaving the flowers to macerate in olive or sunflower oil. This method allows the active ingredients of calendula to be extracted into the oily vehicle which will then be used directly on the affected areas of the skin.
Calendula oleolite is therefore a remedy to always keep on hand, especially in summer when sunburn, insect bites and skin irritations are the order of the day! In fact, thanks to the presence of carotenoids, calendula is able to soothe and resolve this type of skin inflammation.
Having said that, have a good start to the summer and watch out for the sun!
Products with Calendula:
-
Loose marigold flowers
-
Hydroalcoholic calendula extract
-
Calendula and Aloe gel cream, Flora
-
Armosweet cream with Calendula, Arnica and Chamomile
-
Calendula oil, Nonna Nettle