Marigold Peptide Floraglo
Marigolds: Top 11 Uses for the Skin, Eyes and More
You’ve likely seen brightly orange-colored marigolds in flower or vegetable gardens many times before, but did you know that certain species of marigold flowers actually have many impressive health benefits as well?
A particular species of marigold flower, Calendula officinalis (commonly just called calendula or “pot marigold”), is used to make healing herbal ointments, teas, tinctures and topical treatments that have been in existence for almost 1,000 years.
While marigolds of the tagets genus are usually planted in gardens to repel bugs, add color and give off a pleasant smell, marigolds of the Calendula genus are utilized for their many anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antifungal compounds. (webmd.com) In fact, according to a report published in Pharmacognosy Review, more than 200 different commercial and medical formulations now contain concentrated calendula marigold extract. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
Benefits and uses for Calendula officinalis marigolds include treating conditions, such as rashes, allergies, eczema and dermatitis; pain, swelling and redness caused from muscle cramps, muscular injuries or sprains; eye inflammation and itchiness caused by conjunctivitis; and fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, candida, ear infections and ringworm.
What Are Marigolds?
Calendula officinalis is in the plant family known as Asteraceae or Compositae. Calendula marigolds are yellow-orange in color and form small florets of petals that are harvested and dried for their numerous medicinal properties.
While there are various species of marigold flowers grown around the world, calendula is considered to be the most medicinal. It’s native to Egypt and parts of the Mediterranean but is now grown in every continent, usually blooming during the warmer months of the year (from about May through October in the Northern Hemisphere).
Botanical research shows that calendula marigolds contain many active constituents, including various antioxidants and volatile oils. These are responsible for the flowers’ bright color and strong smell; ability to repel certain fungi, pests and insects; and also its capability of improving blood flow and controlling inflammation. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
Uses
Due to their antioxidant properties, uses for marigolds include:
1. Homemade Skin Treatment Ointment can be used to soothe sunburns, warts, bites, acne and ulcerations, in addition to healing wounds, dry skin and blisters.
2. Digestive-Soothing Tea Tea can be made with marigold flowers to lower symptoms caused by inflammatory bowel diseases/colitis. Marigold tea is also beneficial for treating gastritis, acid reflux and ulcers, as well as reducing stomach or menstrual cramps.
3. Immune-Boosting Formula Marigold (calendula) drops or extract are sometimes used to manage symptoms of coughs, sore throats or fevers.
4. Eye, Genital or Skin Infection Treatment Salves made with marigold have long been used to treat fungal infections of the genitals, feet, eyes, mouth, skin, and also to lower hemorrhoids, anal tears and candida.
Some of the active ingredients found in marigolds (calendula) that give it these capabilities include: (Source: ResearchGate)
Plant sterols known as calendulin
Calendic acid
Polysaccharides
Linoleic acid
Flavonoids
Triterpenes saponins, such as triterpenoid
Tocopherols
Oleanolic acid glycosides
Benefits
1. Lowers Inflammation and Free Radical Damage Research shows that calendula’s dozens of active chemicals make it a natural cytotoxic, hepatoprotective and spasmogenic herb that’s been demonstrated in both animal and human experiments. Extracts taken from the flower have been shown to lower C-reactive protein and cytokine levels and protect cells from being damaged by free radicals — one of the primary causes of aging and cell deterioration.
Calendula not only controls oxidative damage from free radicals that can affect delicate tissues, such as those of the eyes, but also defend against infections of the skin, GI tract and genitals caused by viruses or bacteria. (Source: National Library o Medicine) In addition, research also shows that calendula marigold helps fight growth of bacteria in wounds and might even be able to reduce symptoms associated with chemotherapy and cancer treatments. (Source: ResearchGate)
2. Reduces Eye Inflammation and Conjunctivitis Findings from animal studies show that calendula extract is capable of treating conjunctivitis and other chronic ocular inflammatory conditions. These extracts have demonstrated antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immuno-stimulating properties that not only reduce eye infections, but protect vision by guarding delicate tissues of the eyes from the effects of UV light, deterioration/aging and oxidative damage. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
3. Has Natural Antiseptic Properties One well-researched use of marigold/calendula extract is applying it in drop form to the inside of the ear canal to help treat bacterial ear infections and decrease pain. It’s been found that calendula drops can lower inner-ear swelling and inflammation within just a couple short days of use, even without the use of antibiotics in some cases.
Due to its antifungal properties, calendula can also be used to treat vaginitis/vaginal infections and jock itch. Applying an ointment or cream containing marigold/calendula, probiotic “good bacteria” like Lactobacillus sporogenes and lactic acid to the affected area of the groin/genitals for four weeks can help decrease symptoms, including pain, itchiness, burning when urinating and dryness. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
4. Heals Skin Wounds, Burns and Rashes
Historically, and still today, one of the most popular uses of calendula has been applying it to irritated skin (or to the eyelids and elsewhere) to reduce itchiness, redness, sensitivity, dryness and swelling.
It’s been found that calendula has the ability to promote the growth of healthy new tissue, increase blood flow to the affected area, boost collagen production, which firms and strengthens skin, hydrate dry skin, and speed up the process of skin repair following surgery or damage.
Marigold’s ability to help treat wounds is believed to be due to stimulation of epithelial cell production, mostly as a result of the presence of glycoproteins and nucleoproteins.
It’s also linked to increased cell turnover and improved collagen metabolism stimulation. In folklore medicine, marigold products were applied to various ulceration (both internal and external) and wounds to prevent infections, and even today calendula is used post-surgery to promote faster incision healing.
For those with dry, flaking or rash-prone skin, calendula can be combined with natural lubricating products like coconut oil or shea butter to improve skin hydration and firmness. In addition, marigold is used topically in order to:
- reduce diaper rash and protect sensitive skin
- decrease the appearance of discoloration due to scarring
- reduce unsightly varicose veins
- treat swollen bug bites
- treat burns
- reduce dermatitis and eczema
- reduce bruises
- heal infected cuts
- soothe skin after shaving
- treat ingrown hairs
- reduce dandruff on the scalp
- decrease other signs of poor blood flow and inflammation affecting the skin
5. Helps Reduce Hemorrhoid Pain
Because marigold treatments can promote tissue healing and reduce swelling, many find that applying it topically to the anal or genital area helps reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids or anal tears (also called anal fissures). One animal study that investigated the effects of marigold treatment on bleeding wounds found that using the product for an eight-day window resulted in almost 90 percent closure of the tissue wounds, compared to only 51 percent of those who had not used the treatment. Source: National Library of Medicine)
6. Eases Cramps and Spasms
Calendula’s antispasmodic actions are beneficial for relieving muscle spasms, “charley horse” pains, stomach cramps and PMS/menstrual cramps. Marigold is able to decrease cramping by improving blood flow to the painful area and lowering inflammatory responses. (Source: National Library of Medicine) The florets can be consumed in tea form to help ease digestion internally and improve liver health or applied over the abdomen in ointment/extract form in order to seep into tense muscles through the skin.
7. Naturally Repels Bugs
Due to their pungent odor, antioxidant content and volatile oils, marigolds can be used to naturally repel mosquitoes, pests and other insects. This is one reason marigold flowers are commonly planted in vegetable gardens and also used in extract form in candles, room or bug sprays, and many skin lotions in order to prevent mosquito bites.
Using marigold products on your skin helps repel bites, but you can also plant the flowers directly in your yard or garden to protect soil. The flowers’ aroma works underground to keep away nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests that can eat your crops, sometimes for up to three years after being planted, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. (Almanac)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication will be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or translated in any language in any form by means without permission of Herbert Y. Magtoto. The “AFC Biomedica USAl” is for informational purposes only. Information contained herein is NOT intended to be taken as medical advice. Sharing this information to your health practitioner is beneficial and practical. Stataements herein have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Admin. The flower is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. (Source: Dr. Axe, Co-founder of Ancient Nutrition, date of article June 19, 2017. Layout by HYMagtoto.