Calendula in the garden and flower bed. Calendula in the garden

Summer will come soon, everything around will become young, fresh and colorful. Flowers will bloom - chamomile, calendula, sage, dandelions, marigold. The topic of this article is calendula, how this flower is useful, where, how and to whom it can be used.

Benefits of calendula

Calendula is one of the most unpretentious plants. It can be found in the most unsuitable soils or unkempt areas for growth. Calendula is a little sun. The bright color lifts your spirits, and the plant itself has truly miraculous powers.

This plant contains many important elements. Such as:

vitamins A, C, E;
resins;
organic acids;
carotene;
essential oils.

It is worth noting that only inflorescences and capsules are suitable for medicinal or cosmetic purposes. The stem is not rich in useful elements.

Positive effects of this plant on the human body:

thins and removes mucus;
good natural diuretic and choleretic;
treats inflammatory processes;
fights heart disease;
relieves sore throat and pharyngitis;
cancer prevention;
treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
reduces heavy discharge during menstruation;
useful for thrush;
treats dermatological diseases;
lightens freckles and age spots;
nourishes skin and hair;
treats hemorrhoids;
heals scratches and burns;
calms;
increases immunity.

Please note that this flower has a positive effect on health both in its natural fresh form and in oil form.

Calendula oil is widely used both externally and internally:

Excellent for healing wounds, bruises, burns, insect bites and cracked nipples during breastfeeding.
Calendula essential oil fights dermatological diseases: rashes, pimples, boils.
It is used for protection from sunlight.
For the treatment of varicose veins and rosacea.
Well moisturizes the dermis and facilitates the massage process.
Fights migraines.
Calendula oil is good for lowering blood pressure and treating gastrointestinal diseases.

Harm of calendula

As such, there is no obvious harm from this flower. But, like any other product, it is beneficial only when used wisely, without overdosing.

Possible harm from calendula:

allergies, if there is individual intolerance;
since the plant lowers blood pressure, it can cause harm in case of hypotension;
the same applies to the period of bearing a baby;
before use in medicinal purposes, consult your doctor.

Calendula contraindications

This plant has quite a strong effect on the human body. Therefore, it has a number of contraindications. Specifically:

period of bearing a child;
children under 12 years of age;
lactation period;
hypotension;
abuse of the product;
skin prone to dryness.

Uses of calendula

This plant is used in the form:

decoctions;
tinctures;
oils;
ointments.

How to use calendula:

To combat migraines, you need to rub it into the temporal lobes of the head.
It is good to treat and prevent various inflammations in the stomach and intestines by drinking a decoction from this plant.
Calendula tincture and decoction are good for treating wounds, scratches, rashes, and inflammations. It has antiseptic properties and dries well.
Rubbing the skin of the face daily with a decoction of the flower will help with acne, solve the problem of oily shine and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Alcohol tincture has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.
Rinsing with a strong decoction of the flower helps with diseases of the oral cavity (ulcers, stomatitis), kills pathogenic microflora.
You can also cure a sore throat and tonsillitis by rinsing with a decoction or alcohol tincture.
Thrush in newborns can be defeated if you treat the baby's mouth with a cotton swab dipped in calendula decoction.
Daily use of flower decoction cleanses the blood and removes toxins from the body.
Problems in the female part can be successfully solved with the help of douching.
Use ointment or oil to heal damaged skin. Lubricate the affected area 2-3 times a day.

Calendula tincture

This form of release is used quite widely. But it has its contraindications:

children under 12 years of age, as the infusion is alcoholic;
pregnancy and lactation;
hypotension;
stomach diseases, such as ulcers;
tendency to allergies;
drug abuse.

This form of release is used very widely and in almost all areas traditional medicine. Remember that using alcohol tincture in its pure form can cause burns to the skin or mucous membranes. Be sure to dilute with water.

Calendula during pregnancy

Do not use alcohol tincture internally under any circumstances. There are no contraindications for external use.

Remember that any therapeutic action you take must be agreed upon with the gynecologist who is caring for your pregnancy. For external use, you can use any form of release.

Tea with this flower will help against toxicosis. Brew a mixture of lemon balm, mint, blackcurrant leaves, calendula, blueberries and raspberries.

A pregnant woman's legs are in a state of regular increased stress. For the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, it is recommended to use ointments based on this product.

Good to use not alcohol tincture for treating stitches or healing cracked nipples of a nursing mother.

Treatment with calendula

Almost anything can be treated with this useful plant. We bring to your attention some traditional medicine recipes:

Acne can be eliminated if you wipe your face every day with calendula tincture mixed with water in a ratio of 1 to 40.
Pimples should be spot-smeared with diluted tincture using a cotton swab.
For a mild burn, it is recommended to moisten a bandage with the tincture and apply to the affected area.
A mixture of a glass of water and 1 spoon of calendula will help with sore throat. Gargle 3 times a day.
30 drops of tincture will help bring blood pressure back to normal.
Douching with a decoction or tincture of calendula will help with inflammation and diseases of the female part.
Diseases of the liver, biliary system and gastrointestinal tract are eliminated with the help of tincture. Start with 20 drops 3 times a day. Gradually increase the dose to 1 tbsp.
Pour a tablespoon of dried calendula flowers into a glass of boiling water. Let it brew. Dilute with water 1:2 and rinse your mouth. It will help against stomatitis and other inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
A decoction of calendula taken before meals will help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is good to lubricate any wounds, abrasions, chapped hands with oil, ointment, or at least a decoction of this plant.

Calendula for hair

The use of this plant for cosmetic purposes is truly an important discovery. This flower is capable of:

treat dandruff and minor head wounds;
nourishes hair well, gives it shine and softness;
reduction of itching, dryness;
ideal for dry hair as a powerful nourishing agent;
nutrition of bulbs and solution to the problem.

Please note that you can use the flower in absolutely any way:

rinse with decoction;
add to finished cosmetics;
prepare homemade care products.

Simple but effective recipes for hair with calendula:

The problem of quickly oily hair can be solved if you wipe your hair with a mixture of calendula and olive oil every time before washing your hair.
The oil of this plant can solve the problem of itching, tightness and dandruff. Place dried flowers in glass jar, pour in oil and let it brew for 10-14 days. After this, strain and regularly rub the oil into your scalp.
Mix castor oil and gruel from this flower, and then apply to the scalp. Dandruff will become noticeably less after the first 2-3 procedures.
A mixture of burdock oil, egg yolk and calendula oil nourishes well.
To add shine and softness to your hair, mix calendula oil with lavender essential oil.
Rinsing your hair after washing with a decoction will help strengthen the hair follicles and reduce hair loss.

Calendula for face

The best masks for with calendula:

Using a coffee grinder, grind the dried flowers, add a spoon oatmeal. Pour boiling water over, stir. Apply to face and neck for 20 minutes. Applying this recipe every other day will help reduce skin changes.
Dry skin can be pampered with a mask of calendula, yolk and. The flowers must be brewed with boiling water.
This brightening mask is easy to prepare. Mix fresh calendula juice (flowers and stem) with a spoonful of orange, blackcurrant or lemon juice. Pour in olive oil. Stir.

Flowers for pests, repellent flowers, scarer flowers... First of all, we, of course, plant flowers for the soul, so that all summer long we can enjoy the colors, inhale pleasant aromas and enjoy the beauty and harmony that is in every petal.

But a summer resident is a practical person; he wants to get the maximum benefit from every plant in the garden. What can “gentle creatures” give, besides aesthetic pleasure? Is there a practical need for them?

As you know, the most significant function of flowers is to attract pollinating insects to the site, but some of them can also scare away unwanted guests - pests and pathogens.

The number of helper plants in our daily pest control is truly enormous. Among them there are many truly beautiful flowers that are not embarrassing to plant in a flowerbed. Here is the list:

Marigolds (tagetes);
Decorative tansy;
Geranium;
Delphinium;
Petunia;
Dalmatian chamomile, pyrethrum;
Nasturtium;
Calendula;
Lavender.

A lovely and enjoyable list, right? Let's see which garden pests are not happy with these bright flowers.

Marigolds (tagetes) against pests

The plant is very popular among gardeners - it blooms for a long time and does not require special care.

Meanwhile, marigold flowers secrete phytoncides that repel nematodes and other small soil worms from potatoes and tomatoes.

Marigolds planted around the perimeter of strawberry beds will reliably protect the berries from weevils.

Place a flower bed with marigolds next to the plantings of onions and cabbage - your vegetables will no longer suffer from invasions of onion flies, cutworms and cabbage whites.

Marigold infusion is used against aphids leguminous plants And fruit and berry trees and bushes. To prepare the infusion, the stems and flowers are crushed and filled with half a bucket. Then fill the bucket to the top warm water(40-60°C) and leave for two days. After which 40 grams are added to the strained infusion liquid soap and spray the affected plants. In addition, marigold infusion can be used to disinfect gladioli bulbs.

In the fall, cut off the stems and faded flowers of marigolds and bury them in the beds for the winter. This way you will improve the soil in your area and prevent the development of pathogenic fungi, for example, those that cause fusarium.

Tansy against pests

This perennial It is considered a weed and is usually removed from gardens. But there are also decorative varieties tansy, which can become not only a flowerbed decoration, but also a protector from harmful insects. Because the essential oils of this plant contain thujone, camphor and alkoids - toxic to some types of pests.

The pungent smell of tansy is not to the liking of the Colorado potato beetle, copperhead, cabbage white, onion fly, weevils and mites.

You can use powder from dry tansy inflorescences to combat the moth on gooseberries and currants.

To protect apple trees from the codling moth, tansy is planted in tree trunk circles trees.

Calendula (marigold) against pests

The marigold flower with yellow or orange petals, known to everyone since childhood, has been helping gardeners in the difficult fight against pests for centuries.

Calendula is often planted interspersed with potatoes to protect crops from the Colorado potato beetle.

If calendula is sown between beds with cabbage, peppers, and tomatoes, it will protect the crop from mites and nematodes.

Calendula growing next to strawberries will save the latter from aphids, taking the “fire upon itself.” If you see that the calendula stems are literally covered with aphids, do not panic - the aphids will remain on the marigolds, and the strawberry bushes will not be harmed.

Calendula phytoncides suppress asparagus rattle, hawkmoth caterpillars and many types of aphids.

The proximity of calendula to asters prevents the development of blacklegs in the latter.

This plant, like marigolds, prevents the spread of fungal diseases, heals the soil and is an excellent green manure. Embed the stems and leaves of calendula into the soil, place it in compost, and use it in furrows for planting potatoes.

Pyrethrum (Dalmatian, Caucasian, Persian chamomile) against pests

This plant is a true gift from nature to the gardener, as it is a natural insecticide. Pyrethrins and cinerins contained in pyrethrum flowers penetrate through skin insects and paralyze them. Moreover, these substances are absolutely harmless for pets and humans.

Caucasian chamomile kills ants, flies, cockroaches, fleas, lice, aphids, mosquitoes, mosquitoes, spiders and ixodid ticks. It can be used as a repellent, “smoking” the premises.

Plant pyrethrum next to cabbage and you will forget about caterpillars and aphids.

Growing next to apple trees and others fruit trees Pyrethrum will reliably protect your garden from codling moths, aphids and other pests.

If you plant pyrethrum chamomile next to phlox, the latter will not be affected by the nematode.

Another good news is that mice and rats are not happy with this amazing chamomile. You can breed it in the favorite habitats of rodents, thereby scaring them away.

An effective powder is made from dried pyrethrum flowers against flea beetles, larvae, copperheads and caterpillars, which are used to pollinate young plants in the spring.

Pyrethrum infusion can be sprayed on pets to prevent fleas and ticks.

Nasturtium against pests

Bright, lovely nasturtium is also ready to help the pest fighter.

A few nasturtiums in a cabbage bed will repel whiteweed. A flowerbed with nasturtiums placed near the entrance to the greenhouse will not give whiteflies a chance to damage your tomatoes.

Nasturtium is a desirable neighbor for peonies, as it prevents the development of fungal diseases of these flowers.

Plant nasturtiums under cherries and apricots. It will not only serve as a protector against pests, but will also become an excellent green fertilizer if you dig it in the fall right in the tree trunks.

Nasturtium stems and leaves are an ideal filler because it rids the soil of the fungus that causes potato late blight.

Geranium against pests

Geranium - a regular on our window sills and balconies - as it turns out, is quite capable of protecting our home and garden from unnecessary insects.

This flower disinfects the room, so how indoor plant she is simply irreplaceable.

Many pests of fruit and berry crops cannot tolerate the pungent smell of geranium, so it is worth planting geranium (or placing pots with it) between the bushes in berry gardens. This way you can protect your berry bushes from aphids.

Geranium repels flies well, so several pots of this wonderful flower will not be superfluous on the terrace in front of the house.

Petunia against pests

Flower growers love multi-colored petunia, but some insects prefer to stay away from it

Petunias resist almost all pests and diseases of legumes.

Plus, this gorgeous flower will help save your radishes, turnips, daikon and Chinese cabbage from the hordes of cruciferous flea beetle.

And the proximity to petunia protects asters from fusarium.

Lavender against pests

The aroma of lavender is gentle and pleasant, but not everyone is able to enjoy it.

Benefits and cultivation of marigold flowers

This plant is often called marigold. And all because calendula seeds resemble animal claws.

Different peoples have found their own uses for calendula. Brave alchemists even tried to obtain gold by mixing other substances with the juice of flowers. Of course, they didn't succeed. The ancient Greek doctors turned out to be smarter. They realized that marigold flowers had antiseptic properties and therefore used them to treat wounds and insect bites. Calendula decoction was used for gargling (it is still used today).

Calendula gained fame after Queen Margaret of Navarre named this plant her favorite flower and ordered it to be grown in her garden. Nowadays, in the Luxembourg Gardens there is a sculpture of the queen holding a calendula flower in her hands.

The healing properties of calendula were discovered in the 12th century.

There is a legend about the appearance of calendula. One day a hunter went into the forest and got lost. At the same time, he injured himself on a branch and the wound did not heal and began to fester. The exhausted poor fellow fell to his knees and began to pray to God for help. When I opened my eyes, I discovered a plant that I had never seen before. He picked the flowers, applied them to the wound and lost consciousness. Waking up from light rain, he no longer felt severe pain in the wound and realized that the plant helped him. After that he took unknown flower and sowed its seeds near the house.

Calendula is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Grows in the Mediterranean, Western Asia and Western Europe. Calendula grows wild in the Mediterranean countries, South America and the Middle East. In all countries it is considered a medicinal plant.

The stem has a height of 90 cm. The root is branched and taprooted. The leaves are alternate. Inflorescences are solitary, baskets reaching up to 8 cm in diameter; marginal flowers - yellow or orange, reed, pistillate; internal - reddish, tubular, staminate. Fruits are achenes different sizes and shapes. The weight of 1000 seeds ranges from 7 to 15 g.

Perennial herb, glandularly pubescent, with orange or yellow flowers.

Baskets are apical, multi-flowered; the involucre consists of two rows of elongated leaflets. The outer flowers are fertile, pistillate, with a linear stigma; internal - tubular, sterile, bisexual, with a capitate stigma.

The achenes are arranged in 3 rows, they are curved almost to ring-shaped, heteromorphic: the outer ones differ in surface structure and shape from the inner and middle ones.

The plant is harvested by cutting off the inflorescences with garden shears. They are collected as the plant blooms. The raw materials are immediately laid out in dryers or under a canopy with good ventilation. Plants should not be dried at temperatures above 50 °C. When drying, it is necessary to regularly mix the raw material, avoiding overdrying and preserving its natural color. The raw material takes about 7 days from the date of laying out. Stop drying only when the baskets fall apart with light pressure.

Dry calendula is stored in a metal container for about 13 months.

Before sowing calendula, it is recommended to keep the soil fallow, that is, plow it for the winter and leave it until spring. In the spring, it is necessary to cultivate the soil in order to mix its top weathered layer with the layer that has accumulated moisture and useful minerals over the winter.

Calendula is sown in early spring. Before sowing, the seeds are carefully calibrated. They sow with CO - 4.2 type seeders. The distance between the rows should be 65 - 70 cm, the depth is about 4 cm. The sowing density should be at least 10 kg per 1 hectare of land.

Many people grow this herb on their property. The soil under this plant is dug up in the fall and growing weeds are regularly pulled out. In the south of Ukraine, calendula grows under fruit trees. To repel the Colorado potato beetle, it is planted on potato, tomato, and eggplant plantations, often even in greenhouses.

The plant prefers sunny open spaces where there is a lot of light. When digging, it is advisable to add humus and phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers. For good harvest It is necessary to constantly water the plant with water and regularly collect inflorescences.

In early spring, the soil is dug up, leveled and grooves are made, the depth of which is up to 4 cm. If the soil is dry, the grooves need to be watered, and only then sow the seeds, sprinkling dry soil on top to prevent the top layer of soil from turning into hard cobblestone, which will interfere emergence of seedlings.

Freshly squeezed calendula juice is used in cosmetology as a means to remove freckles, and is also used in the production of hand cream.

It is also used as food coloring.

Now you can find these beautiful flowers in many yards. They are even grown in city flower beds.

What are the benefits of calendula for the garden?

Calendula in the garden - very useful plant. Firstly, she attracts useful for the garden insects True, aphids also love it, but this can also be used for useful purposes. For example, plant marigold flowers near a garden plant that may be infested by aphids. In this case, calendula will act as a bait for these pests. Then the bush covered with aphids can be sent to compost.

Secondly, growing calendula in garden beds helps repel nematodes.

Thirdly, calendula sown in the garden, with its smell, does not allow pests to find their favorite food. Thanks to marigolds cultivated plants are under protection.

Just don’t allow this flower to fill the garden. For example, it inhibits the growth of watermelons, corn and melons.

How to grow calendula

Growing calendula is easy. So for a vegetable garden, including a decorative one, it is best to choose the simplest one, i.e. officinalis calendula. It is this plant that has the best protective properties, which were mentioned above, and also germinates most easily and is not whimsical in comparison with later varieties.

Marigold flowers are cold-resistant plants and can withstand frosts down to -5 ° C. They are also light-loving. To make calendula bloom early, sow it in the garden before winter. The seedlings should be thinned out. And don't let the weeds choke it out.

If the weather is dry, you need to water the calendula. It would be good to fertilize it at the beginning of flowering organic fertilizers, for example, compost.

For longer flowering, you can throw a few more seeds into the garden bed in May and June. You can also extend the flowering period if you pinch off calendula flowers and do not let the seeds set. Dry these flowers in dryers or in a well-ventilated area, and then in winter you will drink healthy tea with herbs and “sunny” flowers.

Closer to autumn, be sure to leave a few flowers for the seeds to ripen. Calendula seeds will scatter on their own and will grow in the same garden bed or flowerbed next year. You can collect the seeds to sow in another bed or flower bed.

How are flowers used?

Calendula flowers have a very wide range of uses. It is used for cooking cosmetics, decoctions, teas. Teas and decoctions are used in folk medicine.

If you have a lot of dried calendula flowers, you can put them in vases or glasses and place them around the house. This will disinfect the air, and the pleasant “sunshine” of the flowers will give you a good mood on a cool day.

In addition, calendula is also used in cooking. Moreover, both fresh and dried flowers are used. When fresh, it is used to decorate dishes, as well as for preparing salads. It is just unnecessary to add it in larger quantities, as it may result in an unpleasant taste. Calendula leaves are also used for salads, but also in small quantities.

Dried calendula petals are often used as a substitute for saffron. Before using as a yellow dye, marigold petal powder should be mixed with butter, sour cream or milk and then added to the dish. This saffron substitute can be used in the preparation of sauces, rice, pancakes and baked goods.

You can use calendula to dye fabric yellow.

Calendula can also serve as a simple barometer. Her baskets cannot open normally if the pressure drops.

I hope you will now allow calendula to grow in your garden and flower beds, because it has so many beneficial properties. Growing calendula from seeds is an easy task and should not pose any difficulties. Let marigold flowers delight you and heal your garden!

Despite the fact that the use of calendula is relevant in many areas of human life, the flower is especially in demand as a medicinal raw material. Everyone can take advantage of the unique healing qualities of the plant. The main thing is to take into account medicinal properties and contraindications of calendula.

Medicinal properties of calendula flowers and leaves

Unlike many others medicinal plants, calendula has a bright “appearance” - the juicy yellow and orange petals of its inflorescences not only attract attention, but also lift your spirits.

The flowers of the plant actually have this ability, thanks to the content of carotene, from which vitamin A is synthesized in the body. To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is not enough just to admire the beauty of the flower; you need to internally take products prepared from its inflorescences.

And you Orange color has the ability to stimulate nervous system and is used in color therapy to eliminate depression and nervous fatigue.

But the amazing healing properties of calendula do not end there. Almost all above-ground parts of marigolds are rich in valuable elements, the effects of which help in the fight against various diseases.

Calendula flowers have the most pronounced healing power.

Flower baskets contain a huge amount of the following substances:

Carotenoids are organic natural pigments that neutralize the effects of free radicals. Provitamins A, the precursors of vitamin A, are considered especially valuable representatives of the class.
Flavonoids are plant organic compounds that have antispasmodic, healing, choleretic and diuretic effects.
Triterpenoids are acid-containing organic compounds that provide anti-inflammatory effects, improve the conductivity of nerve impulses and reduce cholesterol.
Sterols are organic substances, derivatives of steroids that neutralize the effect of cholesterol and reduce its level in the blood.
Essential oils that suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Salicylic acid is a compound with pronounced antiseptic, analgesic, antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coumarins are substances whose pharmacological activity is expressed in antispasmodic, antitumor and anticoagulant effects.

In addition, marigold inflorescences are rich in microelements such as:

potassium and magnesium, which support the functioning of the heart muscle;
iron and calcium, necessary for normal hematopoiesis;
zinc, which strengthens the immune system;
copper to relieve inflammatory processes;
molybdenum, which prevents demineralization of tooth enamel;
as well as selenium, which prevents the formation of atypical cells.

The stems and leaves of calendula contain phytoncides, thanks to which the plant can be used as an antibacterial agent, and tannins. And marigold seeds are used to obtain fatty oils.

Calendula: beneficial properties for women

And it turns out to be especially relevant when eliminating gynecological problems.

Based on calendula, medicines are prepared for the treatment of tumors and ovarian cysts, fibroids and erosions of the cervix, as well as lumps and tumor processes in the breast.

In addition, the use of medicines from marigolds helps reduce the tone of the uterus, normalize the course and frequency of menstruation and improve the well-being of women during menopause.

The bactericidal, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and analgesic properties of calendula have been used in the treatment of a huge number of diseases.

Treatment with calendula is indicated for the development of most pathological processes that threaten human health:

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatobiliary system - gastritis, ulcers, colitis, duodenitis, hepatitis, jaundice, constipation, cholecystitis, enteritis, hemorrhoids;
skin lesions - boils, dermatomycosis, acne, warts, wounds, bruises, gangrene and necrosis;
nervous and cardiovascular systems - nervous excitability, dizziness, hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia, heart failure;
diseases of the ENT organs caused by the activity of staphylococci and streptococci - sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
dental diseases - periodontitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, bleeding gums;
infections and inflammations of the kidneys and genitourinary organs - nephritis, cystitis, thrush, trichomoniasis;
respiratory tract lesions - asthma, bronchitis.

Traditional recipes for marigolds

In traditional medicine recipes, all above-ground parts of marigolds are used in the form of decoctions, tinctures, ointments, oils, juice, tea and infusions. Compresses, rinses and douches are made using calendula products, and healing drinks and bath solutions.

Collection rules

Under natural conditions, calendula blooms throughout the warm season, so the inflorescences are collected many times during the season. Moreover, after each collection of baskets, the flowering of the plant becomes more intense, and the number of flowers increases.

Collect baskets of inflorescences along with the peduncle. The buds have the greatest pharmacological value in the first two days after blooming. The collected plant material is dried in ventilated areas, protected from direct sunlight.

Infusion or decoction

To prepare the infusion, pour boiling water over calendula - take one or two glasses of water for one tablespoon of plant material. Then wrap it or place it in a thermos until it cools completely. As it steeps, the valuable substances of calendula will be transferred into the water, giving it healing powers.

After filtering, such infusions are used internally for:

diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
gastritis;
menstrual pain;
high blood pressure;
as well as insomnia and anxiety.

For diseases of the cardiovascular system, you can add the same amount of brewed lemon balm, valerian, hawthorn or rose hips to the finished infusion. Good raise healing effect a few tablespoons of cranberry juice.

For flu, add a few crushed cloves of garlic to the calendula decoction. And when coughing, it is recommended to drink half a glass of warm broth several times a day.

An infusion prepared from two glasses of water is considered less rich and is suitable for gargling and mouth, performing enemas and soaking tampons when eliminating gynecological problems.

An ointment based on calendula extract is a powerful bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent that can quickly heal wounds, eliminate rashes, skin irritations and destroy pathogenic microorganisms that provoke skin damage.

Recipe No. 1. To prepare marigold ointment, 100 grams of dried inflorescences are crushed and mixed with 200 g of melted pork fat. The resulting mixture is heated in a water bath until smooth. Then cool and place in glassware. Store refrigerated.

Recipe No. 2. Three tablespoons of dried calendula inflorescences are poured with boiling water and kept warm for about two hours. Then the infusion is filtered and mixed with one tablespoon of Vaseline.

To eliminate warts, the ointment must be prepared from freshly harvested raw materials with the addition of a small amount of celandine juice.

Calendula oil

Fill a half-liter jar with fresh calendula flowers, not reaching two centimeters to the top edge. Then the content is supplemented vegetable oil- olive or sunflower. The oil is considered ready after 10 days, provided it is stored in a cool place. During the infusion period, it is recommended to shake it periodically.

External use of marigold oil is appropriate for

burns and frostbite;
ulcerative skin lesions with varicose veins;
dry eczema;
the appearance of diaper rash in babies;
wounds, cuts, contusions and bruises;
cracked nipples in nursing mothers;
bedsores.

Internal intake of calendula oil is indicated for diseases of the digestive system, including erosive formations and ulcers, as well as menopause and increased nervous excitability.

Juice, tea

The juice squeezed from fresh calendula flowers is universal remedy to restore health with a runny nose, bee or wasp stings, inflammation of the rectum, angina pectoris and hypertension, gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach and intestines.

To prepare the juice, freshly picked marigold inflorescences are crushed using a meat grinder or blender and squeezed through a press or cheesecloth. For long-term storage, the juice is sterilized in a water bath for about an hour.

For internal use, use one or two tablespoons of juice mixed with honey or milk, twice a day.
For external use, marigold juice is diluted with boiled water: the ratio for rinsing is 1:2, the ratio for douching and enemas is 1:3.
To prepare tea, marigolds are combined with the same amount linden color and mint or chamomile. For one tablespoon of the mixture - a glass of boiling water. Brewing time: 20 minutes in a warm place.

This tea is effective for any indication for the use of calendula, and also as a general tonic.

Alcohol tincture

To prepare a tincture of marigolds, you will need alcohol and plant materials (preferably freshly harvested). Thanks to the action of alcohol, only the tincture preserves almost all the valuable qualities of fresh calendula.

When preparing the tincture, follow the following algorithm:

Calendula inflorescences are poured with alcohol.
The correct ratio is one part of plant material and five parts of alcohol with a strength of 70%. Alternative option- a tablespoon of crushed marigold flowers per glass of vodka.
The mixture is placed in a cold place and kept for two days.
The tincture is filtered and stored in the cold and dark, since light and heat destroy the biologically active elements of calendula.

Based on the diluted drug, compresses and rinses are made for skin lesions and fungal infections, pathologies of the throat and oral cavity, hair loss and dandruff.

Solving cosmetic problems is another aspect of using the miraculous power of calendula. Rich chemical composition The plant allows you to rejuvenate your facial skin and improve the health of your hair.

In addition to the fact that calendula products effectively eliminate facial skin defects such as rashes and irritation, the use of plant extract has a tonic, regenerating and whitening effect.

Therefore, calendula is indicated for all types of facial skin as a basis for the following products:

tonic and tone enhancing;
rejuvenating;
eliminating freckles, age spots, scars and scars;
improving the color of the epidermis;
relieving inflammation;
triggering cell regeneration;
reducing the depth and number of wrinkles;
reducing fat levels;
healing small scratches and wounds.

And to restore hair health, eliminate fragility, prevent hair loss or accelerate growth, it is enough to periodically rinse it with a decoction of marigolds.

Pharmaceutical preparations of calendula

Calendula officinalis is a plant officially recognized by medicine as the basis for the production of pharmacological agents. The healing potential of marigolds has been embodied in many preparations.

Tincture of calendula - medicine for external and internal use. It is a yellow transparent liquid used to prepare a solution for rinsing, lotions, therapeutic enemas, instillation into the nose or ear, as well as internal administration for gastrointestinal diseases.
KN tablets are a means of influencing tumor processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
"Caleflon" - tablets for the treatment of ulcerative formations in the stomach and intestines, chronic forms gastritis and liver diseases.
"Rotokan" is a liquid combination product for the restoration of affected mucous membranes. Indicated for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity.
Dr. Theiss Calendula ointment based on inflorescence extract, animal fat and corn cob oil. It is used externally to eliminate infectious and mechanical skin lesions.

Typically, pharmaceutical preparations of calendula are available without a prescription. But this does not mean that marigold treatment has no contraindications.

Contraindications for use

To ensure that the use of calendula-based products does not cause the development of undesirable reactions, it is necessary to take into account the specific effects of individual components of the plant.

Despite low level toxicity of marigolds, restrictions on the use of products based on them relate, first of all, to internal use.

the presence of individual intolerance and a tendency to allergies to plants of the Asteraceae family (chamomile, chrysanthemums);
therapy of heart diseases using glycosides that enhance the activity of the heart muscle;
low blood pressure or tendency to hypotension;
cholelithiasis - the action of the plant extract can cause the movement of stones and blockage of the ducts;
pregnancy - taking a plant extract can lead to termination of pregnancy (with the exception of eliminating toxicosis in the early stages).

In addition, internal use of calendula is contraindicated for children under 12 years of age.

Considering the small number of contraindications, calendula officinalis can be considered one of the most effective and available plants. Moreover, growing marigolds does not require effort, and purchasing preparations based on them does not require a lot of money.

And most importantly, understanding medicinal properties Calendula is the key to health and a fulfilling life.

Varieties, cultivation options, timing of sowing or planting seedlings are chosen depending on the existing conditions and opportunities.

You can grow decorative varieties of marigolds in the garden, in flower beds, and in balcony boxes. Flowers for therapeutic use are planted in the lawn, in the vegetable garden after the early vegetable harvest, and as a cover crop.

In the shade, marigold inflorescences become smaller and lose their characteristic color. The stem stretches and lies down, the leaves “take away” nutrients from the flowers and become fragile. Full lighting is most necessary for varieties with double and simple inflorescences.

Planting in open ground

The plant has no special requirements for soil conditions. However, varietal qualities are fully manifested only on nutrient soils.

The presence of a sunny place, fertile, well-moistened substrates are the conditions for successful cultivation double forms, tall cut varieties of calendula. When planted in the shade, the inflorescences become smaller and the stem becomes longer. Areas with loamy, well-drained soil are best.

How and when to plant?

The seedling method involves sowing seeds at the end of March in boxes or pots on the windowsill. Then it will be possible to admire the bright calendula baskets at the beginning of summer.

The seeds of the “marigolds” are quite large; they are laid out one at a time in grooves 1.5 to 3 cm deep.
Shoots appear within 1–2 weeks.
In 4–6 weeks, seedlings grow and are ready for planting in open ground.

Seedlings of tall “marigolds” are transplanted from boxes into open ground in May. Calendula can be sown directly into the soil and in a heated greenhouse. Germination occurs at a temperature of about 15°C.

“Marigolds” can be sown in open ground in the fall, then the plants will bloom early, be strong and healthier. It is also possible to sow in spring from April to June. When warm days arrive and the earth warms up, many green shoots appear. Flowering begins after 8–11 weeks.

How to sow calendula:

The soil is dug up in the fall.
Add ½ bucket of humus, 20–30 g each double superphosphate and potassium chloride per 1 sq. m of area (you can replace two mineral fertilizers with one ready-made nutrient complex).
In spring or summer, immediately before sowing, loosen the soil and add 20–30 g of ammonium nitrate or urea per 1 square meter. Read more:
Sow in rows in furrows up to 4 cm deep, water well, and lightly compact the soil.
After 2–3 weeks, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving a distance of 15 to 25 cm between them.
During the last thinning, the most developed plant is left in one nest, and its top is pinched for better tillering.

In Europe, cut calendula is grown mainly by seedlings. The seedless method is used to obtain medicinal raw materials - flower baskets. This method of cultivation is also possible: sowing seeds of cut varieties in July, then new inflorescences bloom until frost.

Everyone knows what calendula looks like. Even those who don't know what it's called. Even those who are accustomed to calling these flowers marigolds. And it’s not surprising - this one is simple and at the same time so sunny flower accompanies us since childhood! It could be seen in the flower beds around kindergarten, it can still be seen on the lawns along the sidewalks on the way to work.

Calendula is a welcome guest and personal plot. And if you still don’t have an answer to the question of how to plant and care for calendula in open ground, then this article is for you!

What is calendula as a plant?

Calendula (aka marigold) belongs to the genus herbaceous plants and belongs to the Astrov family. The inflorescences have the form of double and semi-double baskets of yellow or orange color.

Annual. The seeds are curved, arranged in several rows, and are heteromorphic. Marigolds are native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, and are now common in areas with cool climates. Popular due to its medicinal and decorative properties.

A little history

The healing and decorative qualities of calendula have been noticed by people for a long time. Mentions of it are found in the works of doctors Ancient World and the Middle Ages, the great poets of the past sang it in their poems, and the crowned heads of France preferred calendula to all other plants for palace flower beds. It was also used in cooking - on the tables of poor people it successfully replaced the insanely expensive saffron.

Planting calendula seeds in the ground - when and how?

In the case of growing calendula from seeds, when to plant? This question is very important, since the time of their flowering will depend on the time of planting our marigolds. There are two types of landing based on time:

Autumn;
Spring.

Autumn planting takes place in October. Its undeniable advantage is the earlier flowering of marigolds, as well as their increased resistance to the vagaries of weather and diseases.

Spring planting takes place in April. Marigold seeds are sown in small piles at a distance of about 20 centimeters from each other with a depth of no more than 3 centimeters. Sprouts begin to appear after 1-3 weeks and, as soon as this happens, the plantings must be thinned out. It is very important to do this, otherwise the flowering will not be abundant. The sprouts pulled out during thinning can be planted somewhere else, as this flower takes root easily. Flowering will begin approximately 1-1.5 months after sowing.

With any planting method, the soil should be dug up, fertilized with humus and dug up again, and then leveled.

How to choose a place to plant calendula?

For everyone who is interested in the “heroine” of our article, it is important to know not only when to plant marigolds when growing from seeds, but also where to sow. Marigolds love sunny, moderately moist places, but also grow well in partial shade. At the same time, they are poorly affected by heat and drought, which means that in the absence of rain, the plant needs watering about 3 times a week.

There are two places where marigolds are usually planted:

Flowerbeds;
vegetable row spacing.

In the first case, flowerbeds and borders act as flower beds, and the most spectacular combination for our marigolds is provided by the purple and blue tones of other flowers - ageratum, alyssum, delphinium. But just a green background of the lawn will be enough to make the bright suns of the marigold inflorescences look great! For these purposes, it is better to use their medium-sized varieties.

In the second case, planting is done not for the sake of beauty, but for the sake of benefit. Marigolds can rid the garden of pests such as scale insects and mites. Potato plantings can be grateful to them for getting rid of Colorado potato beetles. Marigolds, as a green manure plant, have a beneficial effect on the phytoproperties of the soil, so they should never be cut off in the fall. The only plants that our marigolds should not be planted next to are radishes and basil. For planting between rows, preference should be given to low-growing varieties, not providing much shade.

How to care for calendula?

Calendula is also loved by many because it does not require any special care. All she needs:

Timely watering;
Mulching the soil;
Feeding with weed infusion.

Same as others ornamental plants, marigolds need to be removed in a timely manner withered leaves and flowers.

Calendula will bloom long and luxuriantly if you pick off the opened flowers immediately after all the petals of the basket have taken a horizontal position!

How does calendula reproduce?

Reproduction occurs through seeds, which are formed in the seed pod in the center of the inflorescence. By the way, sometimes there is no need to sow marigolds in the same place as last year - due to the fact that marigold seeds are frost-resistant, they are able to reproduce perfectly on their own.

Collecting calendula seeds - when and how?

Growing flowers such as marigolds is not complete without collecting seeds and is carried out in August - September. By this time, the flower itself has already faded and in its place only compactly located brown seedlings remain. They should be carefully separated from the base and placed in a place where they can dry. Marigold seeds should be stored in paper, ensuring minimal humidity and air access.

Pests of calendula. How to fight?

The following pests can be dangerous for marigolds:

Slugs;
Scoops;
Powdery mildew.

To protect plants, they should be treated with a special fungicide, which can be purchased in the store. It is important to do this before the marigolds begin to bloom.

Beneficial properties of calendula

Calendula has many health benefits.

It can be applied in two ways:

Inside;
externally.

A tincture of marigolds is used internally, which can cure stomatitis, sore throat, and tonsillitis.

It is used externally in the form of ointments and oils. The ointment helps with burns, cuts, and bruises. The oil may be effective in treating bedsores and dry eczema.

To conclude this article about calendula, we can say that this is perhaps a plant without any drawbacks! The sunshine of its inflorescences pleases the eye, helps to grow crops and get rid of illnesses. And all this with a minimum of care and maintenance! We hope that this article will answer all your questions about marigolds, and you will definitely set aside a significant place for them in your garden!