MEET CALENDULA
Lately, there has been an ever increasing number of calendula based crèmes and balms hitting the cosmetic products market. They are mainly intended for dry and sensitive skin care, but also as an aid in treatment of burns (e.g. sunburns).
The medicinal properties of calendula or marigold have, since recently, been more recognized within the scope of traditional than that of modern medicine, though it seems that this is slowly stating to change now.
Let us explore the uses of this plant with yellow and orange flowers.
Calendula tea, pure or within a tea mixture, eliminates cramps, improves the digestive tract, helps soothe cough, asthma, fight insomnia, helps eliminating toxins that are a consequence of various infections and feverish conditions, while because of its mild estrogenic effects, it also has beneficial influence on regularity of menstrual cycle and reduction of menstrual pain. Due to the presence of pro-vitamin A, it is also used as a cold compress on the eyes, as a help for pink eye (conjunctivitis) and eye irritation. It generally has a beneficial effect on the eyes and improves eyesight.
Calendula crème (balm) soothes sensitive and dry skin, and due to its anti-inflammatory properties it is very useful for skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, but also helps in treating wounds, swollen areas, frostbites, fungal infections and Candida.
Fresh calendula petals can be added to salads because its composition is very similar to dandelion, and is very rich in vitamins and minerals, while the dried petals have somewhat stronger taste and can be used as spice. In a multitude of different recipes for salads with calendula petals, I single out for you this tasty, light and interesting salad: 1 head lettuce, 1 fresh cucumber, 2 hardboiled eggs, 2 larger tomatoes, a bunch of spring onions, a few leaves of fresh mint or basil, a few fresh petals of calendula, olive oil, salt and pepper or, optionally, salad dressing. All ingredients should be washed and cut (eggs and cucumber should be pealed beforehand). Mix everything together, season to taste and the salad is ready. 🙂 .
And just to add, calendula plant grows very well and looks nice in the garden. Thanks to a distinctive aromatic scent of its flowers, repels insects and plant pests, so it can as well be of help for your backyard.
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