Marigold: an ally for your skin

Marigold or calendula...

A pretty plant native to Mediterranean countries, marigold brightens our gardens with its beautiful flowering and brings us its benefits in the family pharmacy. Its flower follows the course of the sun and opens or closes at the same time.
To be able to flower for much of the year, it protects itself from disintegration and ageing by scenting itself with a fragrant and sticky resin. This particularity therefore gives it a special medicinal use for the skin. When our skin suffers, you should have the "marigold" reflex, whether in case of wounds, skin diseases or irritations.
Marigold soothes, heals, prevents infection and improves the blood supply to the skin. Internally, it will be a good "ally" in cases of acne, impetigo or fungal infection.
It will then be combined with other plants: wild pansy, fumitory, burdock, nettle… The ointment and marigold oil allow the extraction of carotene, the pigment giving the beautiful colour to the flowers and precious for the beauty and health of our skin. Marigold also has properties for various conditions:

• Oral conditions (canker sores) or digestive (ulcers)
• Liver disorders
• Painful or irregular menstruation.

Some people use it for the autumn cleansing cure. It will be used in many forms: herbal teas or tincture of the whole fresh plant, decoction for external use in washing or compress, ointment, poultice, marigold juice for age spots, warts, abnormal skin pigmentation, and finally, macerated oil notably to promote tanning. But marigold also has a food use: its petals are delicious to accompany dishes, salads and soups or as a condiment. Flower buds or young fruits are prepared in vinegar like capers. Marigold generously transmits its properties allowing us to keep beautiful skin. But budding botanists should beware, the medicinal active principles of marigold almost all disappear when dried. In the absence of fresh plants, it is therefore advisable to use the tincture.