The tinctures, infusions and ointments prepared from marigold flowers are used internally locally for inflammatory changes of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat.
External use of marigolds
Externally, preparations of marigold flowers can be applied for:
- Poorly healing wounds
- Burns
- Dry skin
- Itching (eczema)
- Thrush (infectious disease of the skin and mucous membrane caused by fungi of the genus Candida) and
- Certain ulcers
Internal use for digestion
The effectiveness of the drug as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic agent for the internal treatment of inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis), gallbladder (cholecystitis), bile ducts (cholangitis) or for spasms of the digestive tract is cited in many sources, but is not scientifically proven.
Folklore use of marigold
The flowers of marigolds were used in ancient times to treat tumors, as a diaphoretic and as a means of increasing the “monthly flow”. Today, preparations made from marigolds are used as a
- Diuretic (diuretic).
- Diaphoretic agent (diaphoretic)
- Agent against worms (anthelmintic)
- Menstrual stimulant (emmenagogue) and
- As a means for the treatment of liver disease
used. However, no scientific justification exists for these applications.
Homeopathic use of calendula
Homeopathic use corresponds broadly to the official indications. Accordingly, calendula flowers are used in homeopathy for the treatment of poorly healing wounds, skin suppuration, bruises, lacerations and defects, burns and frostbite of the skin.
Ingredients of calendula
The main active components in marigold flowers are up to 0.9% flavonoids (in ray florets the percentage is significantly higher at 0.88% compared to tubular florets at 0.25%) and various saponins. Essential oil, mainly from sesquiterpenes, is present in tubular flowers at a level of about 0.64%, and in ray florets at 0.02%.
Other constituents include triterpenes, coumarins, carotenoids, polysaccharides, bitter compounds, and phenolic acids.
Calendula: Indication.
Medicinal indications for calendula are:
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa, inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa.
- Wounds
- Burns
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Thrush
- Ulcers
- Inflammation of the gastric mucosa, gastritis
- Gall bladder inflammation
- Cholecystitis
- Bile duct inflammation
- Cholangitis
- Cramps
