Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 The petals of the calendula plant (Calendula officinalis) have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Often referred to as pot marigold or garden marigold, calendula is native to Mediterranean countries but is now grown as an ornamental plant throughout the world. It is important to note, however, that not all household plants called marigold are members of the calendula family. Folk medicine healers in Europe used infusions, extracts, and ointments prepared with calendula petals to induce menstruation, produce sweat during fevers, and cure jaundice. Calendula preparations were also used in the United States during the 19th century to treat stomach ulcers, liver complaints, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and wounds. Researchers soon discovered that compounds in calendula petals help reduce inflammation and control bleeding. Today, the dried petals of the calendula plant are used in tinctures, ointments, and washes to speed the healing of burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Plant Description Calendula is an annual plant that thrives in virtually any soil but can typically be found in Europe, Western Asia, and the United States. Its branching stems grow to a height of 30 to 60 cm. Calendula has a flowerhead situated on a well-defined green floral receptacle. The inner portion of the flowerhead consists of orange-yellow, tubular florets (often called petals). Parts Used The dried petals of the calendula plant are used for medicinal purposes. Medicinal Uses and Indications Burns, Cuts and BruisesCalendula tinctures, ointments, and washes are commonly used to speed the healing of burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Professional homeopaths often recommend ointments containing homeopathic doses of calendula to heal first-degree burns and sunburns. In fact, some homeopaths consider this remedy the treatment of choice for children. Homeopathic calendula ointments may also be used in the healing stages of second- and third-degree burns to stimulate regrowth of skin and to diminish scar formation. Ear InfectionHomeopathic doses of calendula also appear to reduce pain caused by ear infections in children. In a study conducted in Israel, 103 children with ear infections were given herbal ear drops or drops containing pain-relieving medications. The herbal ear drops contained a variety of herbal extracts including calendula, St. 's wort, mullein flower, and garlic. The researchers found that the combination of herbs in the ear drops were as effective as the medication ear drops in reducing the children's ear pain. HIVPreliminary laboratory studies also suggest that extracts of dried calendula petals inhibit the activity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in test tubes. Calendula has not been studied in people with HIV, however, so it is not clear whether this herb is safe or effective for people with this condition. Available Forms Fresh or dried calendula petals are available in tinctures, liquid extracts, infusions, ointments, and creams. Calendula products should always be protected from light and moisture, and should not be used after three years of storage. How to Take It Pediatric Use only topical and homeopathic preparations for children. Calendula can be used externally in the form of creams and ointments in dosages of 2 to 5 g calendula per 100 g cream or ointment. For homeopathic dosages follow instructions on product labeling or consult a licensed homeopath. Adult Recommended adult doses are as follows: Infusion: 1 tsp dried florets in 8 oz water; steep 30 to 40 minutes; drink two to three cups per day Fluid extract (1:1 in 40% alcohol): 0.5 to 1.0 mL three times per day Tincture (1:5 in 90% alcohol): 2 to 4 mL three times per day Ointment: 2 to 5 g crude drug in 100 g ointment Precautions The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and that can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine. Frequent skin contact may result in an allergic reaction to the herb. Calendula is also known to affect the menstrual cycle and should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Possible Interactions There are no known scientific reports of interactions between calendula and conventional medications. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 " Can anyone tell me how you can tell if Calendula is working for a deep cut? My husband sliced his finger open last week on Thursday, across the top of his index finger. I gave him 30C (because that was all I had) Calendula when he got home a few hours after. He took about a half dozen doses of it. The cut has sealed, but he still has a lot of pain. Should he still be taking it? Any assistance is greatly appreciated " I've only used calendula as an ointment and it seals within a week or earlier depending on how deep the cut. -- Tina Berry - MTKriegshund German ShepherdsWorking Lines ~ Naturally Rearedwww.kriegshundgsds.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 From my understanding of calendula, it will heal a cut but it will also heal it from the outside in, so if there’s any infection in there, that will get sealed in as well. My husband took part of his finger off with a saw and we cleaned it well and also put calendula oil on it. I haven’t used the remedy for it. Is it infected pain or pain of having sliced his finger and having lots of nerves in the fingers? Nita, mom to: 18, Jon 16, 14, 12, 9, Christian (7/16/03 to 8/22/04), 5, Isaac 3 and , due 3/2011 http://momof6.dotphoto.com for possibly current pictures and http://nitasspot.blogspot.com Learn from the mistakes of others. Trust me... you can't live long enough to make them all yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Have you considered hypericum? It is good for nerve-rich areas that get injured? Trish From: Tina Berry Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 7:42 PM Vaccinations Subject: Re: Calendula "Can anyone tell me how you can tell if Calendula is working for a deep cut? My husband sliced his finger open last week on Thursday, across the top of his index finger. I gave him 30C (because that was all I had) Calendula when he got home a few hours after. He took about a half dozen doses of it. The cut has sealed, but he still has a lot of pain. Should he still be taking it? Any assistance is greatly appreciated :)" I've only used calendula as an ointment and it seals within a week or earlier depending on how deep the cut. -- Tina Berry - MTKriegshund German ShepherdsWorking Lines ~ Naturally Rearedwww.kriegshundgsds.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Thank you once again, to everyone, for all the information! We tried Hypericum and there's been no change to the level of pain. I guess I need to try another remedy. Thanks, Alina > > >One other question - how many doses of a remedy should be taken for something like a cut? Is it just so many doses after the initial injury or should it be continued until it's completely healed, even if it's days? > > > The Rule of Thumb I follow is that if the remedy is helping, you STOP > taking the remedy. Only re-dose if the cure stalls or slows down. If > after 2-3 doses of the remedy there's NO improvement, then you have the > WRONG remedy. > > If refer to this site often for quick help for acute issues: > http://www.simillimum.com/education/first-aid-room/index.php > > And remember: make sure your doses are WATER doses (not dry pellets). > > Bobbett > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Have you looked at Little's site? http://www.simillimum.com/education/first-aid-room/contents/wounds_and_cuts.php Trish -------------------------------------------------- From: <harleysc@...> Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 2:57 PM <Vaccinations > Subject: Re: Calendula > > > Thank you once again, to everyone, for all the information! We tried > Hypericum and there's been no change to the level of pain. I guess I need > to try another remedy. > > Thanks, > Alina > > > >> >> >One other question - how many doses of a remedy should be taken for >> >something like a cut? Is it just so many doses after the initial injury >> >or should it be continued until it's completely healed, even if it's >> >days? >> > >> The Rule of Thumb I follow is that if the remedy is helping, you STOP >> taking the remedy. Only re-dose if the cure stalls or slows down. If >> after 2-3 doses of the remedy there's NO improvement, then you have the >> WRONG remedy. >> >> If refer to this site often for quick help for acute issues: >> http://www.simillimum.com/education/first-aid-room/index.php >> >> And remember: make sure your doses are WATER doses (not dry pellets). >> >> Bobbett >> > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Thanks for the link I believe someone else had provided it as well. Staphisagria was what finally helped. Thank you again to everyone for all the help!! Alina > > Have you looked at Little's site? > > http://www.simillimum.com/education/first-aid-room/contents/wounds_and_cuts.php > > Trish > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 harleysc@... wrote: >Thanks for the link I believe someone else had provided it as well. Staphisagria was what finally helped. Thank you again to everyone for all the help!! > Excellent choice! :-) That's one of the top three I think of when it's a finger cut. Bobbett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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