What is Calendula?
Calendula is one of many marigold plants. You might know it more as ‘pot marigold’ than calendula.
It is a plant that has been in existence since time immemorial for both medicinal and culinary uses. However, it has been discovered to possess compounds that can help the skin and the hair in recent times.
Thus, it has cosmetic uses as well. Its bright yellow and orange hue is where its medicinal properties reside. It has been used as a source of home remedy for several health conditions, ranging from oral issues to digestive tracts infection.
Pot marigold or otherwise calendula is packed with properties known as flavonoids which are amazing antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer compounds.
According to research, tea and oil can be made out of this plant. You can make tea out of it by boiling dried calendula flowers or leaves, while on the other hand, you can make oil out of it by crushing the leaves and flowers.
Calendula tea has a naturally bitter taste but supplies the body with numerous health benefits. This tea can be administered both internally for internal health issues like immune system boost, oral and dental health issues, digestive tract infection, among others, and externally for skin and hair conditions.
Calendula is one of those plants that your garden should not lack. Owning a garden filled with calendula plants automatically means you own a natural first aid box. A box that has the remedies to hosts of health concerns. In other words, if you thought the calendula plant was weed, you need to change that thought today and begin to see it in a positive light.
This article contains all the information concerning the benefits of calendula to your health. Even though more research is required to unravel the other potential health benefits of calendula, for now, the ones that will be listed in this article have scientific backings.
Health Benefits of Calendula
Speeds up the Healing of Wounds
Calendula tea can be applied on the skin to treat skin conditions. Did you just hear yourself say tea? Yes! The tea can be both drunk and applied to the skin. Applying it to the skin can improve your skin health condition by up to 70%.
Research has shown that people who had severe skin conditions, including leg ulcers, have reported improvements after a few weeks of applying calendula tea to the affected area of their skins. About 72% of diabetics who had injuries experienced complete healing of their wounds after applying calendula tea to their skin.
In addition, other skin conditions like rashes, eczema, acne, and many others have been discovered to have disappeared after the use of calendula tea on the skin. Calendula is a natural wound healer, and it does this efficiently and effectively. You can make tea out of this plant by drying out the leaves or flowers and boiling them for a few minutes, then sieve out the leaves and use the tea for your skin.
Great Source of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are blends that combat free radicals that cause oxidative stress from the body. Oxidative stress leads to the damage and death of cells, thus, making them unhealthy for the body. With antioxidants, there will be no such thing as oxidative stress, cell damage, cell death, or even free radicals.
Meanwhile, calendula is a rich source of antioxidants like polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and triterpenes. In addition, calendula has strong anti-inflammatory properties that eliminate inflammatory markers. Although inflammation is a natural body response to illnesses or stress. However, severe inflammation is caused by severe underlying health conditions like cancer, heart diseases, liver diseases, obesity, diabetes, and many more.
Treats Vaginal Yeast infection
Vaginal yeast infection is actually one of the most common vaginal infections in women. Calendula has been discovered to contain properties that are effective at reducing this infection. When compared with yeast infection medications, calendula was discovered to treat the condition even faster, with no single side effects, compared to yeast infection medications.
If you bear a vaginal yeast infection and you do not want to treat it with drugs, you should consider using calendula ointment. However, you will have to speak with a medical expert first to avoid complications.
Boosts the Immune System
Calendula is packed with antimicrobial properties that help in the elimination of leftover bacteria from the body. It boosts the immune system by improving its function and helping it combat foreign bodies that might cause infection.
It also helps the immune system eliminate bacteria, thereby slowing down or containing the spread of the bacteria. Calendula can be used to treat conditions like stubborn cough and colds that have refused to leave. It also strengthens the immune system to combat bacteria that may lead to these conditions.
Protects the Oral Health
Calendula is now one of the ingredients in many kinds of toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other oral health medications. This is owing to the attribute that it has antibacterial properties that can help in the elimination of bacteria that can cause your dental health to deteriorate.
Using calendula oil or tea for your oral health can keep you away from dental conditions like cavities and gingivitis. Using calendula tea for your oral health will include holding the tea in your mouth for a while, and if possible, gargling it, especially if you have a sore throat. Repeat this procedure twice or three times daily.
Aids Digestion
Indigestion can be compelled by a number of factors, ranging from mild to severe. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, calendula is used to treat digestive tract infections and other digestive issues, ranging from diarrhea to stomach ulcers.
If you have any digestive tract infection or you have experienced constant indigestion, drink calendula tea at least twice a day for 3 days. If the symptoms persist, you can then go ahead to consult a medical practitioner.
In addition, calendula tea has also been discovered to improve stomach cramps that result from menstruation and menopause. All you need do is make tea out of its flowers or leaves and drink in order to ease these cramps.
Protection from the Sun
Calendula is an amazing sunscreen. It is natural and also quick run-to protection from the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Calendula oil, when applied to the skin, can give your skin enough sunscreen that will protect your skin from the intense effects of the sun all day long. This effect of calendula on the skin has made it one of the most sought-after ingredients in the cosmetic industry.
Improves Cognitive Function
A number of factors can cause a decline in anybody’s cognitive function, ranging from health conditions to trauma. However, the antioxidant properties that are packed within calendula can help improve the function of the brain by putting an end to processes that may lead to brain cell damage.
Brain cells damage can be a result of toxins inhaled from the environment and even health conditions like blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, other memory decline health conditions like dementia have been improved by the use of the calendula plant. Research has shown that drinking calendula tea and inhaling the oil can help improve the cognitive function of people with brain issues and memory conditions.
Inhibits the Growth of Tumors
Tumors can be both cancerous and non-cancerous. Experts have confirmed that the antioxidant properties in calendula can have anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects on health. For example, one of the most common antioxidants in the calendula plant is flavonoids, and this compound has the tendency to fight off tumors, especially cancerous ones.
It can combat cancers like blood cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer. It also helps in the prevention of these cancers by eliminating internal factors that might predispose you to develop cancer later in the future. Some of these factors include proteins that can lead to cell death. In addition, it can be used alongside cancer medications for people who already have cancer.
Treats Ear infection
Research has demonstrated that putting a few drops of calendula oil into the ear can treat various ear infections. Repeating this procedure twice per day for up to three days can help eliminate ear infections, especially in children and teenagers. However, if you do this once and notice any weird symptoms, report to your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The Calendula plant is not a weed and should not be discarded. It is a natural remedy for various health conditions ranging from skin conditions to digestive tracts infection. Make oil or tea from this plant and enjoy its health benefits.
