Calendula Tea
Healing Properties and Benefits
More commonly known as marigold, the calendula has a bright orange or yellow flower, and grows abundantly in Mediterranean countries. They have been used for centuries in Roman Catholic events as a way to honor the Virgin Mary, but are also used as common flavoring in cooking, and add a bright gold color to rice dishes or stews. In the United States as well as throughout much of Europe, calendula tea is also known for its ability to heal minor skin infections, cuts, and bruises, as well as a host of other benefits.
The component of the calendula flower that gives it its bright orange color is beta-carotene, also found in carrots. Because of this, it has many of the same basic health benefits and is high in vitamin A. The flowers of the calendula plant also contain essential oils and sugars that are known to stimulate the immune system, making calendula tea ideal to drink when you think you are on the verge of a cold, or to speed healing. To prepare this tea, you can simply steep dried calendula flowers in boiling water for approximately five minutes. Some prepackaged tea bags with a mixture of calendula and other herbs are also sold on the market for a less intense flavor.
In addition to a general improvement of the immune system, calendula tea is thought to have a number of other health benefits. For example, as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent, it has been shown in clinical trials to be quite helpful. It is used for ear infections, eye infections like conjunctivitis, and to relieve the effects of sore throats. It's also quite helpful for anyone suffering from digestive disorders, because it helps limit the symptoms you would associate with stomach cancer, peptic ulcers, or diseases like gastritis. Protecting the stomach and intestinal linings, it helps aid with relief and other concurrent treatments.
When used in a skin care sense, it has been shown to increase the production of collagen in the body, leading to a more youthful appearance. Some also keep a store of calendula tea in the refrigerator, so that it can be used directly on the skin to help clear up acne, hemorrhoids, or other areas where the skin is inflamed. However, these are just a few of the health benefits that may be associated with calendula, as the actual list of benefits is quite lengthy. Many people prefer to drink it just for the refreshing taste and bold color.