Calendula is a flowering plant also known as pot marigold. It can be drunk as a tea or contained in various herbs, while the extract is made from the flowers and leaves, and the tea is made by steeping the flowers in boiling water.
According to research, infections and fungi, as well as several skin conditions, have been treated with calendula.
Calendula can be used to treat diaper rash, wounds, vaginal yeast infections, and other skin conditions. In addition, calendula has been used to reduce inflammation and discomfort, and has also been used to treat cancer, especially to reduce the side effects of treatments such as radiation. Calendula tea is a commonly used remedy in traditional medicine, despite having a slightly bitter taste due to its purported therapeutic benefits.
Here are 5 amazing health benefits of calendula tea and extract:
rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are healthy substances that can counteract the negative effects of oxidative stress on your body. Triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids are powerful antioxidants in calendula extract. It also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Although inflammation is a natural body response, chronic inflammation is associated with a variety of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
Promotes wound and skin ulcer healing
Calendula extract, found in oils, ointments, and tinctures, can be used topically to treat wounds and ulcers, and you can also apply the tea to your skin from a cloth bag or spray bottle. However, based on test-tube and animal studies, it’s unclear whether drinking tea has the same benefits. Calendula extract can modulate the expression of specific proteins that aid in wound healing.
fights certain cancer cells
Antioxidants in calendula may have antitumor properties. According to studies conducted in test tubes, the flavonoid and triterpenoid antioxidants of calendula can inhibit the growth of leukemia, melanoma and pancreatic cancer cells. The extract simultaneously activates proteins that destroy cancer cells and blocks other suppressive cells. dead protein.
Support oral health
Calendula can treat gingivitis and other oral diseases. One of the most common dental diseases is gingivitis, which is characterized by persistent gum irritation. In a 6-month trial of 240 people with gingivitis, those who received the calendula mouthwash had a 46 percent reduction in inflammation levels, compared with a 35 percent reduction in the control group.
Improve skin health
Creams and ointments often contain calendula extract in cosmetic formulations. Based on tests conducted in test tubes and humans, calendula extract can improve skin moisture, enhance its firmness and elasticity, and prevent wrinkles. It may have antifungal and antibacterial properties The antifungal and antibacterial effects of calendula extract are well documented.
In particular, one test-tube study showed that calendula oil was effective against 23 species of Candida, a common fungus that can cause oral, vaginal, and skin infections.
Calendula extract also inhibits the parasite that causes leishmaniasis, which can cause skin ulcers or damage internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow.
Side Effects and Precautions:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that calendula is safe to use in contact with skin, and while it may be beneficial in some people, it can also cause allergic reactions in others. So, before using any calendula-based product, use a small amount of calendula to assess how your skin reacts to it.
First published on: Jun 26, 2022, 11:05 IST