Pamper Your Health With Pot Marigold Medicinal Powers

Marigold or Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an annual plant that blooms successfully in virtually any soil but can generally be found in Europe, Western Asia, and North America. Calendula is also known as garden marigold, holligold, gold bloom, pot marigold, etc., Marigold plant grows to 12 to 30 inches and produces edible yellow-orange marigold flowers from spring through fall.

Marigold Plant & Flowers Are Powerful Natural Medicines

The dried marigold flowers, petals, leaves and roots are all used for medicinal purposes. Calendula (in its extract form) is made from a species of marigold flower called Pot Marigold. This extract is highly beneficial as an Alternative Therapy.

Marigold is rich in various medicinal properties and acts as all of the following: Anti-fungal, anti-infective, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-spasmodic, astringent, detoxifier, diaphoretic, estrogenic and immunostimulant.

Marigold is mainly used for treating conjunctivitis. It can heal external lacerations, abrasions and skin blemishes, rashes, wounds, chapped lips, diaper rash, gum and tooth infections, hemorrhoids, sore throats and tonsillitis.

Marigold cures eye inflammations and redness due to eye infections. Since it has anti-spasmodic property it is beneficial to treat menstrual cramps. Due to its anti septic potential it assists the smooth refreshed flow of blood to the affected area in the body and thus heals the wounds and ulcers.

The dried flowers or petals are boiled in water and the decoction is consumed with little honey, which improves the digestion. The infusion made out of the petals relieves symptoms of menopause. The liquid decoction is strained to gargle twice a day to clear all the bacterial infections.

Marigold has antifungal property that is useful to treat athletes’ feet, ringworm and candida. The flowers can be squeezed and applied to wounds also to experience faster healing.
Antiseptic property of marigold is also useful to treat the bad mouth and sore throat.

Calendula is added to a cream or lotion and applied directly to affected areas to treat varicose veins. Creams made with Calendula can reduce the inflammation associated with varicose veins and can regenerate weak, damaged veins and spider veins. Calendula is also useful to treat haemorrhoids.

An ointment made out of marigold has been proven to reduce the skin irritation due to radiation therapy when treating cancer. It has also been shown to reduce the direct pain experienced due to the radiation process.

Calendula Officinalis is also recommended for use in treating chronic ulcers, capillary engorgement, and congestion. Marigold flowers are edible, and may be added to salads or cooked foods. They can also be dried for use in teas.

Calendula may be purchased or prepared as creams, teas, tinctures, infusions, compresses, and washes. Calendula contains high amounts of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants that protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. As a result of it is a preferred ingredient in natural anti-aging skin care products and moisturisers formulated for dry, sensitive and damaged skin.

Marigold is generally a very safe herb however some people might experience allergic reactions. If you experience any such reactions then it is better to cease the usage and consult a medical expert. Be sure the wounds are cleaned before applying calendula.

Note: This post refers only to Pot Marigold or Calendula Officinalis, not to be mistaken with the non-herb marigolds, dwarf French Marigolds and African Marigolds.