Calendula

Calendula is a natural remedy for the homeopathic group of pharmaceutical preparations. It is widely used in dermatology, proctology, gynecology, gastroenterology, practice of ENT doctors and many other areas of medicine.

Medicinal properties of calendula began to be used in the 12th century. The plant is known as the "marigold" and has an inflorescence of shades from light yellow to orange.

The international name of the drug is Calendula officinalis. According to the ATS coding, depending on the form of the preparation, calendula in the form of ointment belongs to a group of dermatological agents for activation of regenerative processes and acceleration of wound surface healing.

If the calendula is in flowers or in the form of a tincture, then it refers to the means that can influence the respiratory system. In this form, the drug is used in the pathology of the throat, because it "works" as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drug.

Calendula is widely used in most areas of medicine in view of the availability of effective medicinal properties of the drug. Thanks to regenerative action accelerated healing of wound surfaces is observed, with the help of antiseptic - the sanation of the infected focus is carried out, and the anti-inflammatory effect reduces the severity of the inflammatory reaction.

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Indications Calendula

In view of the fact that the drug has several forms of release, the indications for the use of Calendula are different. So, if we consider the drug as a tincture, then it is worth highlighting the following diseases, in which calendula is most effective.

Tincture should be used as an antiseptic in case of violation of the integrity of the skin, including infected wounds and with the presence of purulent masses. In addition, calendula is used for skin burns, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis and angina.

In gastroenterology, the drug is used in the form of a choleretic drug in the presence of dyskinesia of the bile ducts, their inflammation, and cholecystitis as an auxiliary drug.

 Indications for use also include hemorrhoids and inflammatory processes in the organs of the female reproductive system. In this case, it is advisable to use a suppository with calendula.

Ointment is widely used for the local treatment of wounds, skin infections, insect bites, burns and warts. The drug acts as an antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory drug and an activator for the regeneration of skin lesions. 

Release form

The range of application is so great that it has become necessary to produce a drug in several forms of release. Each type of drug is used for a specific purpose and is convenient in applying to the lesion.

The release form in the form of an ointment contains 100 mg of active substance in one gram in terms of the calendula tincture (1:10). Excipients are soft white paraffin wax, purified water and emulsifier T-2. Ointment is characterized by a yellowish color and a uniform consistency.

As for tincture, the drug is contained in a vial with a concentration of 1:10 (extractant - 70% ethanol). The volume of the bottle can be different - 40 ml, 50 ml or 100 ml.

Tincture is characterized by a transparent structure of slightly brown color with a specific odor. In the course of storage, it is possible to form a precipitate, which is considered absolutely safe.

The form of the release in the form of candles, the mass of which is 1.4 grams, contains, in terms of the calendula tincture, 0.057 g. Suppositories are stored in a contoured package of 5 pieces each.

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Pharmacodynamics

Calendula has a huge number of beneficial properties, thanks to which it is used in almost all areas of medicine. It has an antiseptic effect, which has a harmful effect on infectious agents in the lesion.

In addition, pharmacodynamics is due to the anti-inflammatory property, which reduces puffiness, hyperemia and pain syndrome. Researches have shown activity in relation to regenerative processes, which cause acceleration of healing processes of burn surfaces, cuts, irritations and small ulcer defects.

Pharmacodynamics of Calendula is based on the acceleration of cell growth and restorative reactions in the pathological focus. The drug can be used to wash the wound surface to purify the purulent masses and infection, which will reduce the inflammatory process.

In addition, due to stimulation of reproduction and growth of skin cells, new cells appear that cover the wound surface.

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Pharmacokinetics

Thanks to the natural composition of the drug, the drug at the cellular level accelerates the regeneration processes, stimulating reproduction and their growth.

Pharmacokinetics are caused by biologically active substances that are found in the flowers of calendula. They have a powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and moderate choleretic effect.

With the help of a large number of carotenoids, organic acids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, ascorbic acid and triterpene glycosides, calendula removes a pronounced inflammatory process, reduces vascular permeability at the site of injury, which reduces the volume of the liquid part of the blood that leaves the bloodstream.

The pharmacokinetics of Calendula is not completely known, but in some cases, an immunostimulating effect was observed. It manifests itself in increasing local and general immunity. Thanks to this property, the body starts to struggle not only with the existing pathology, but also protects the person from infection.

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Dosing and administration

Ointment is usually used in the form of 2.5% of the drug for application to the damaged area of skin up to 3 times a day. The multiplicity, the method of application and the dose of the drug depends on the severity of the pathological process and the presence of concomitant pathology. It is enough to apply the drug in a thin layer for a week or two.

Ointment should be used regularly to stimulate the regeneration process to accelerate the healing process, as well as to reduce the activity of the inflammatory reaction.

Tincture should be diluted with boiled water before use to reduce concentration. The solution is suitable for compresses on the skin and gargling.

So, for the treatment of angina, dilute 5 ml of tincture in a glass of water and rinse several times a day. The same proportion can be used for applications in the presence of violations of the integrity of the skin, including with an infected wound and with purulent masses.

The method of application and dose of calendula in the form of suppositories is determined by the degree of damage. Usually it is enough to apply 1 suppository once a day for 1-2 weeks. In addition, after the administration of the suppository, it is recommended to be in a horizontal position for half an hour for better absorption of the drug into the mucosa.

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Use Calendula during pregnancy

In order to allow the use of the drug during pregnancy, a large number of studies, including in vivo, are necessary. However, such tests can not always be carried out, because at the same time 2 human lives are at stake, and no one will put them at risk.

It is especially unsafe to take medicines in the first trimester, when the initial formation of fetal organs is noted, on which his further health depends.

The use of Calendula during pregnancy is not recommended because the tincture has in its composition ethanol, which is inadmissible for penetration to the fetus. In addition, during the lactation period, you should also not use the calendula tincture to prevent ethanol from entering the breast milk.

As for the ointment, the use during pregnancy is less threatening to the fetus than the tincture, but this does not give permission to use it without fear. All appointments must be agreed with the physician in order to avoid the appearance of adverse consequences.

Contraindications

First of all it is necessary to note the fact that babies, whose age does not exceed 12 years, can not take the calendula preparation in view of the insufficient number of conducted studies. The appointment to this age group should be carried out only after comparing the benefits and risks to the health of the child. This is done exclusively by the doctor after a thorough examination.

Contraindications to the use of Calendula include the characteristics of the human body, as in everyone the reaction to the drug taken can manifest itself in different ways. This is especially true of people who are predisposed to the manifestation of allergic reactions. Also, do not forget about the individual intolerance, laid down genetically.

Contraindications to the use of the drug, especially in the form of tincture, are represented by prolonged use of the drug. In view of the fact that the composition contains ethanol, the drug is recommended to take a short course.

Care should be used ointment with extensive damage to the skin to avoid exacerbation of the pathological process. In addition, tincture is not desirable for long-term use in diseases of the kidneys and liver, which are in the stage of decompensation.

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Side effects Calendula

Many medicines, including calendula, can cause the appearance of allergic reactions of varying complexity. Among their most frequent clinical symptoms is the hyperemia of the skin at the site where the ointment was applied, its puffiness, a slight itch and a tingling sensation are possible.

Side effects of the drug in the form of tincture are also allergic manifestations, but in addition to skin symptoms, general clinical symptoms may still join. One of the serious conditions is angioedema and anaphylactic shock.

If you have any suspicious symptoms, you must cancel the medication, call for an ambulance and monitor the person's respiratory activity. As a result of the laryngeal edema, it is possible to "block" the airways with the development of dyspnea until asphyxia.

After using the tincture to rinse or rinse the wound surface, there may also be a pain syndrome in the abdomen, a feeling of bitterness in the oral cavity and heartburn.

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Overdose

If dosage and duration of drug use are observed, in rare cases an overdose may develop. It can be manifested by an increase in the severity of adverse reactions.

In general, the medicinal preparation of calendula in various forms of release is well tolerated, however, in case of any unpleasant sensations after the first or several techniques, it is necessary to cancel the further use of the medication.

Overdose can be characterized by the appearance of pain in the abdominal region, burning, flushing and swelling of the skin or mucous membrane where the calendula was applied.

There is no specific antidote for medicinal products, therefore it is necessary to act on the increase of symptoms. One of the main conditions is to remove the remnants of the drug from the surface by washing. In the future, the need to apply calendula should be reviewed, and if still use is mandatory, then you need to start with minimal dosages.

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Interactions with other drugs

Considering the interaction with other drugs, it is necessary to take into account its main therapeutic properties, as well as those medication that must be taken in parallel to calendula.

Joint intake of drugs is allowed after careful selection and comparison of the benefits and risks to the body. Thus, calendula is able to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of such herbal remedies as, for example, chamomile or oak bark.

With regard to pharmaceuticals, the production of which is not based on natural components, they can also exert a greater impact under the condition of the same medicinal direction with the calendula.

The interaction of Calendula with other topical preparations should be controlled and not allowed to be simultaneously applied to the affected area of the skin. Be sure to observe a certain interval between applications (not less than 4-6 hours).

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Storage conditions

For each type of medicine, special storage conditions must be observed. Thanks to them, the medicinal product retains its therapeutic properties throughout the life of the product and does not adversely affect the human body.

Storage conditions Calendula in the form of an ointment provides for its storage in a room where the optimum temperature regime, humidity and illumination is maintained. So, it is not recommended to increase the temperature more than 25 degrees. In addition, direct sunlight should not fall on the drug.

Storage conditions Calendula in the form of suppositories assume their location in a place where the temperature will not rise more than 12 degrees, but should not fall below 5 degrees.

And, finally, tincture has the same storage conditions as ointment. The only difference is the presence of sediment in the vial with a tincture, which is considered acceptable.

A prerequisite is the lack of access to medicines for babies. They can take the drug inside (tasting) or apply to the surface of the skin.

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Shelf life

For a certain period, the duration of which is established by the manufacturer of the drug, the drug must retain its therapeutic properties. This period represents the expiry date.

However, medicinal products have a certain effect only if the storage rules are observed. So, for calendula (ointments and suppositories) the shelf life is 2 years. The tincture can last twice as long (4 years).

It must be remembered that in the open state the drug does not retain its therapeutic effects throughout the expiration date.

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