Calendula officinalis(Calendula officinalis) is an annual ornamental plant grown from sowing seeds. It is valued for its charming flowers that are not only pretty but also edible. They are a valuable herbal raw material, andthe presence of calendula in the gardenhelps to fight plant pests. Learn about the fullhealing properties of calendula , see whatuses of calendulain the garden, plant protection, herbal medicine and cosmetics, and see how easy it isgrowing marigoldin your own garden!
Marigold - Calendula officinalis
Marigold - he alth properties
Blooming from the end of May to the beginning of October, the Marigoldhas raised, branched stems 20-50 cm high and lanceolate leaves that emit an aromatic scent. On the tips of the stems, inflorescences are formed in the form of baskets, 2-5 cm in diameter, yellow or orange in color. It ismarigold flowerso (or more precisely - dried flower baskets) that are a valuable herbal raw material, commonly used in diseases and inflammations of the skin. Butcalendula also hasanti-inflammatory, antifungal, antispasmodic and choleretic properties. Thehealing properties of calendula are due to thecontent of a number of substances, such as: essential oil, flavonoids, carotenoids, saponosides, mucilage and resin compounds, and mustard seeds.
Marigold - application
Medicinal use of calendula
In herbal medicine, alcoholic or oilextracts from calendula flowersare most often used, which are used in the treatment of wounds, skin damage, ulcers, bruises and inflammations.Marigold drop preparationsis a natural way to relieve eye strain and conjunctivitis.Calendula can also be used internallyin gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer disease and gallbladder diseases.
We canprepare a calendula rinse for inflammation of the mouth, throat and skinFor this purpose, pour one tablespoon of dried marigold petals with a glass of boiling water and steep, covered, for about 10 minutes, then drain. It is drunk twice a day for 1/2 cup.
Use of calendula in cosmetics Calendula is a popular ingredient inface masks, milks, creams, shampoos and oils for dry, flaky and infection-prone skin.It helps in healing wounds after frostbite and burns.Calendula creamscan be prepared at home, but it is quite complicated and it is better to buy ready-made cosmetics.
The herbal raw material is dried marigold flowers
Use of marigolds in the kitchen
For food purposes, not only flowers, but also marigold leaves can be useful. And soyoung marigold leaves can be usedas an ingredient in salads and salads, anddried flower petals are addedto soups and sauces. Calendula flower petals, like saffron and turmeric, can be used to color food.
Application of marigolds in the garden
In the garden, marigold is first of alla graceful and undemanding ornamental plant, blooming from spring to autumn. It is an excellent benefit for bees throughout their activity. It is worth plantingmarigold in the company oftomatoes, as these plants have a beneficial effect on each other and take advantage of the fact thatmarigold flowers attract insectsfrom the hoverflies.The larvae of these insects eat plant aphids. Sogrowing marigolds in the gardencan be our natural way to fight aphids.
The use of marigolds in… meteorology!
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit with this meteorology … But it's worth knowing thatmarigold growing in the garden can help us predict the weatherfor a given day. If before At 9 am, the petals of the marigolds are parted and arranged parallel to the ground, a sign that it will not rain on this day.
Marigold - cultivation
We start cultivating marigolds by sowing seedsin late March or early April directly into the ground. The plant can be grown both in garden beds and in pots on balconies and terraces, as long as the position is sunny. Calendula is soil tolerant and does not require additional fertilization. Just remember about weeding and watering when it's dry.
Ifthe leaves of the marigold are developing excessively and flowering is very poor , it is a sign that the soil is too fertile and moist. Then we limit watering and in no case fertilize.
The problem with growing marigoldsmay be a fungal disease - powdery mildew. It manifests itself with a white, powdery coating on the upper side of the leaves. It looks a bit as if the plant is sprinkled with flour. Plants will grow slower, bloom poorly, and even die completely if they are heavily infected. In order toprevent this marigold disease in a natural way , which is especially important if we want to use marigold flowers as a herbal material, we should use Biosept Active, based on a grapefruit extract, preventive spraying from the spring. When the symptoms of the disease appear, we remove the infected plants or their fragments (e.g. single leaves) and perform additional spraying.
