Today I will reveal the secrets of the wonderful Calendula , a common plant in all the gardens and meadows of Italy, used for centuries by folk medicine to prevent and treat a multitude of skin problems, such as itching, burning, hives, eczema, sunburn. , sunburn and irritations of various kinds .
It is a plant that I have been growing for a long time and that I particularly care about, both for its beauty and for its therapeutic properties.
The drug, that is the part of the plant richest in active ingredients, are the showy yellow-orange flowers. The flowers are harvested in spring, during the central hours of the day, when the sun is high.
After harvesting , calendula infused oil extract can be used fresh or dried for the preparation of a therapeutic oil , or for making creams or herbal teas .
Once having these products at home was normal, as it was a bit like having a first aid kit always at hand! Unfortunately, today herbal medicinal oils have gone out of fashion, replaced by creams that are very often full of chemical surfactants and petroleum derivatives (such as paraffin, parabens, or silicones) which can be very irritating for the most sensitive skin.
On the contrary , Calendula infused oil extract has the advantage of being a natural, safe and effective product, suitable for the whole family, including small children and can also be used for the treatment of private parts and very sensitive areas of the body .
In my small way I think we should go back to the past and rediscover these precious gifts of nature!
Properties and benefits of Calendula
Calendula flowers contain numerous active ingredients such as: salicylic and caffeic acids, phenolic acids, beta-carotene, flavonoids, terpenes, lactones, phytosterols, campestrol, saponosides, resin, mucilage, vitamin C and mineral salts.
The combination of these substances gives the Calendula anti-inflammatory, soothing, vulnerary and healing properties .
Through the preparation and application of infused oil extract , or calendula-based creams / ointments, we can exploit these properties in case of accidents, or irritation due to skin diseases, such as:
- Dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis;
- Eczema, hives, itching, burning and skin irritation;
- Furunculosis;
- Mastitis and breast fissures;
- Animal bites and insect stings;
- Diaper rashes;
- Intimate itching;
- Sunburns, burns and rashes;
- Ulcers, sores and wounds of all kinds.
In all these cases, applying Calendula oil will be of great help in relieving itching, reducing pain and promoting wound healing and the formation of healthy tissue .
Furthermore, calendula also has mild emmenagogical effects, that is, it favors the flow of blood in the pelvic area and in the ulterus, thus favoring menstrual flow . For this, a massage with calendula oil in the lower abdomen can be useful in case of amenorrhea .
Finally, Calendula oil, or alternatively an ointment based on this plant, can also be used for the treatment of external hemorrhoids , at least to reduce inflammation.
How to use marigold oil to treat skin irritations
The use of Calendula oil is often effective from the first application. Just pour a few drops into the affected area and massage gently for a few minutes. The oil immediately has a moisturizing effect, and after a few moments of application you will notice that the itching and redness already begin to subside, many times until it disappears completely.
Of course this is not always the case, in the most serious cases it is possible that the discomfort remains but it almost always decreases in intensity of the irritation.
The calendula oil must always be applied pure , directly on the skin area affected by the lesions and this operation should be carried out several times a day.
Eventually you can enhance the effect of the calendula oil by adding 1-2 drops of essential oils . For example, these essential oils prove to be very useful:
- Lavender essential oil : it is by far the most versatile and delicate essence. It can be used to soothe wounds, insect or jellyfish stings, burns from the stove and sunburn. It is also useful in case of relieving urticaria and itching due to pathological states, such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. Also excellent for cleansing the face, in case of acne and oily skin. It is a very delicate essential oil, which you can use safely even on small children;
- Tea tree oil : has a stronger antibacterial action than lavender essential oil, so it can be more indicated in case of skin infections following wounds, or animal bites, as well as for the treatment of acne and mycosis of the skin and nails. Its use is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Peppermint essential oil : this essential oil has an excellent analgesic power and is very effective, in combination with calendula oil, for the treatment of insect bites and in particular mosquitoes. Among other things, it also has an excellent repellent effect against these annoying little creatures. However, caution should be used with this essential oil. It is contraindicated for children and pregnant or lactating women. Furthermore, you should not overdo it with use, because it can lead to hypothermia (cold sensation).
Calendula oil for the face and against acne
In addition to treating irritation and itching , Calendula oil is very useful for facial skin care .
In the first place it is an excellent moisturizing oil , ideal for those suffering from dry and cracked skin . Furthermore, thanks to its antiseptic properties, it eliminates pathogens and works well in the treatment of acne , especially when combined with Tea tree oil .
Its eudermic action improves skin health and is also proposed as a natural remedy against wrinkles. Calendula oil activates the synthesis of collagen, which increases the volume and decreases wrinkles, delaying their appearance and nourishing the cells that make up the skin.
Calendula oil: gold for the skin of babies and for nursing mothers
Calendula infused oil extract thanks to its anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing, is particularly suitable for delicate, dry or reddened and is perfect to protect and soothe the delicate skin of babies , both immediately after the diaper change, after the bath .
It can be applied on the little ass, but also on the baby’s private parts and is particularly effective for preventing and treating diaper rashes.
It is also useful as a treatment to relieve the itching and redness of atopic dermatitis, a condition increasingly common in young children.
But that is not all! The oleolito marigold is also very useful for nursing mothers, since its application helps to prevent the fissures breast and supports the healing and the healing of cracked nipples and mastitis, possibly already appeared.
Contraindications of Calendula oil
It is one of the safest and best tolerant oleolites, can also be used for the treatment of intimate irritations and itches and can be applied safely even on children’s skin.
Be careful if you are allergic to plants of the same family, namely Asteraceae , such as chamomile, or daisies. In this case it is better to refrain from using oil, creams, ointments, herbal teas, extracts or other products based on calendula.
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NB : All information published on this site is informative and should not be considered as advice, or medical prescriptions, or other.