Kaluzhnitsa: flower description, types and properties, use and preparation of raw materials
Description of marigold, its types and properties, as well as its application, are of interest to many. This beautiful primrose is a perennial that has bright sunny flowers. This culture marks the awakening of nature after winter. The plant contains many valuable components that favorably affect the he alth of people. This allows the flower to be used in folk medicine.
Flower description
Kaluga is a herbaceous perennial, which is a typical representative of the Buttercup family. The plant has excellent decorative properties.
The culture is characterized by straight, fleshy shoots and dark green rounded leaves. At the initial stage of flowering, the foliage is light, but over time it darkens. When exposed to water, the culture turns reddish or purple. Leaves take on an emerald color when exposed to air.
The plant is small in size - 3-40 centimeters. However, in water, culture shoots can stretch up to 3 meters and sink to the very bottom. The marigold has many thin roots that form bundles. Visually, they look like shoelaces.
Glossy marigold foliage has a crenate or serrated edge up to 20 centimeters across. In May-April, flower stalks appear in the axils of the leaves, on which up to 7 yellow or orange flowers are formed. They have 5 petals. The fruits are presented in the form of multi-leaflets. 1 flower contains 2-12 pods with 10 black seeds.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIt is important to consider that marigold is considered a poisonous plant. At the same time, dangerous components are present in all parts of the culture. The plant is almost never found alone. Under natural conditions, the culture forms real thickets.Application
The marigold has pronounced healing properties. This culture has a diuretic effect, copes with pain, stops inflammation, and has an anticonvulsant effect. In folk medicine, the culture is used in the form of alcohol and water infusions. It is used for pathologies of the gallbladder and liver. In combination with coltsfoot and plantain, marigold flowers are used to make a cough decoction.
Since ancient times, grass has been used to combat whooping cough, bronchitis, dropsy.It also helps to cope with scrofula and rheumatism. The plant relieves pain during menstruation, eliminates diseases of the urinary tract, has a calming effect and copes with neuroses.
Marsh marigold has pronounced antiseptic properties. It can be used for inflammatory processes, wounds and burns. The leaves of the plant, scalded with boiling water and wrapped in gauze, can be applied to the affected areas of the skin. A decoction is used to treat wounds.
Due to its high vitamin C content, marigold can be used to combat scurvy. The medicinal properties of the plant have a positive effect on the development of the nail plates and cope with fungi. Fresh leaf juice successfully eliminates warts and deep wounds. Also, marigold has a small antitumor effect on the human body. At the same time, the culture contains toxic substances, therefore it is required to use it in the minimum dosage.
Classification
The following types of marigold are distinguished:
- Swamp - is considered the most common crop, which is very popular with gardeners. This species has 2 garden forms with yellow or white double flowers.
- Fistula - this species is a Sakhalin-North Japanese endem. It belongs to the most powerful and attractive types of marigold. The grass has hollow branched shoots. During flowering, the height of the plant is 20 centimeters. During the ripening period, the bushes grow up to 1.2 meters. The culture has dense leathery leaves of a rounded shape. It is characterized by loose inflorescences with large yellow flowers that reach 70 millimeters in diameter. Mass flowering of culture occurs at the end of May.
- Multipetal - the homeland of this culture is the alpine and subalpine regions of the Caucasus Mountains and Asia.Bushes reach a height of 15-30 centimeters. They are characterized by golden yellow flowers that grow up to 80 millimeters in diameter. Flowering culture falls on May-June.
Distribution area
Marigold is found in wet meadows, ditches and wetlands. It forms large thickets and grows near rivers and lakes. This culture is found in the European part of Russia, in Siberia, in Japan. Also marigold grows in Iceland and in the cold part of Scandinavia.
Preparation of raw materials
The ground part of the marsh marigold must be collected during the flowering period - from mid-April to May. Then it needs to be dried in a well-ventilated area. In this case, the temperature should not exceed +50 degrees. The rhizomes of the culture need to be dug up in spring or late autumn. Dried raw materials should be stored for 2 years.
The chemical composition of the flower
The composition of the culture is not fully understood. However, it has been found that the following components are present in the plant:
- carotene;
- xanthophyll;
- flavone compounds;
- ascorbic acid;
- quercetin;
- saponins;
- linoleic acid;
- bitterness;
- saponins;
- tannins;
- alkaloids.
The foliage and stems of the crop are poisonous. However, after heat treatment and pickling, toxic substances are neutralized.
Medical Properties
In official medicine, marigold is not used. At the same time, traditional healers often use culture to combat various pathologies. Saponins, which are part of the plant, help to thin sputum and treat cough.
The diuretic, analgesic, sedative properties of the culture allow it to be used externally. The plant helps with dermatitis and can be used to heal wounds.
Baths with marigold decoction help to cope with arthritis and arthrosis. In a low concentration, a decoction can be used as a general tonic. After heat treatment, the plant can be added to vitamin salads.
It is important to consider that all bush fragments are toxic. Therefore, it is forbidden to use them without consulting a specialist. The marigold contains protoanemonin. The plant is part of a number of homeopathic remedies. Its juice is used to treat warts and nail infections.
Kaluga is a useful culture that is often used in folk medicine. It is important to bear in mind that the plant contains a number of toxic components. Therefore, it is important to use it correctly, strictly following the dosage.
