Calendula

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

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

The international name of the drug is Calendula officinalis. According to the ATC coding, depending on the form of the drug, calendula in the form of an ointment belongs to the group of dermatological agents for activating regenerative processes and accelerating the healing of the wound surface.

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

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

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Indications marigolds

Due to 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 in the form of a tincture, it is worth highlighting the following diseases for which calendula is most effective.

The tincture should be used as an antiseptic when the integrity of the skin is compromised, including infected wounds and those with purulent masses. In addition, calendula is used for skin burns, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

In gastroenterology, the drug is used as a choleretic drug in the presence of biliary dyskinesia, inflammation, and also cholecystitis as an auxiliary drug.

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

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

Release form

The range of application is so wide that it became necessary to produce the medicine in several forms of release. Each type of the drug is used for a specific purpose and is convenient to apply to the lesion.

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

As for the tincture, the medicine is contained in a bottle with a concentration of 1:10 (extractant - 70% ethanol). The volume of the bottle may vary - 40 ml, 50 ml or 100 ml.

The tincture is characterized by a transparent structure of slightly brown color with a specific smell. During storage, sediment may form, which is considered absolutely safe.

The product is available in the form of suppositories weighing 1.4 g and contains 0.057 g of calendula tincture. The suppositories are stored in a blister pack of 5 pieces each.

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Pharmacodynamics

Calendula has a huge number of useful properties, due to which it is used in almost all areas of medicine. It has an antiseptic effect, which has a detrimental effect on infectious agents in the affected area.

In addition, pharmacodynamics is due to the anti-inflammatory property, with the help of which swelling, hyperemia and pain syndrome are reduced. Research has proven activity in relation to regenerative processes, causing acceleration of healing processes of burn surfaces, cuts, irritations and small ulcerative defects.

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

In addition, due to the stimulation of reproduction and growth of skin cells, the appearance of new cells is observed, which cover the wound surface.

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Pharmacokinetics

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

Pharmacokinetics is determined by biologically active substances found in calendula flowers. They have a powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and moderate choleretic effect.

With the help of a large amount of carotenoids, organic acids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, ascorbic acid and triterpene glycosides, calendula relieves severe inflammation, reduces the permeability of blood vessels at the site of damage, which reduces the volume of the liquid part of the blood that leaves the bloodstream.

The pharmacokinetics of Calendula are not yet fully known, but in some cases an immunostimulating effect has been observed. It manifests itself in an increase in local and general immunity. Due to this property, the body begins to fight not only the existing pathology, but also protects a person from infection.

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Dosing and administration

The ointment is usually used as a 2.5% preparation for application to the damaged area of the skin up to 3 times a day. The frequency, method of application and dose of the drug depend 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.

The ointment should be used regularly to stimulate the regenerative process to speed up the healing process, as well as to reduce the activity of the inflammatory reaction.

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

Thus, to treat a sore throat, it is enough to 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 damage to the integrity of the skin, including an infected wound and with purulent masses.

The method of application and dosage of calendula in the form of suppositories is determined by the degree of damage. Usually it is enough to use 1 suppository once a day for 1-2 weeks. In addition, after the introduction of the suppository, it is recommended to stay in a horizontal position for half an hour for better absorption of the drug into the mucous membrane.

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Use marigolds during pregnancy

In order to allow the use of a drug during pregnancy, it is necessary to conduct a large number of studies, including in vivo. However, such tests are not always possible to conduct, since two human lives are at risk at the same time, and no one will put them at risk.

It is especially unsafe to take medications in the first trimester, when the initial formation of the fetus's organs occurs, on which its future health depends.

The use of Calendula during pregnancy is not recommended due to the fact that the tincture contains ethanol, which is unacceptable for penetration to the fetus. In addition, during lactation, you should also not use calendula tincture to avoid ethanol getting into breast milk.

As for the ointment, its use during pregnancy is less dangerous to the fetus than the tincture, but this does not give permission to use it without fear. All prescriptions must be discussed with a doctor to avoid adverse effects.

Contraindications

First of all, it is necessary to note the fact that children under 12 years of age cannot take calendula preparation due to insufficient research. Prescription for this age group should be carried out only after comparing the benefits and risks to the child's health. This is done exclusively by a doctor after a thorough examination.

Contraindications to the use of Calendula include the characteristics of the human body, since each person's reaction to the drug taken may manifest itself differently. This is especially true for people predisposed to allergic reactions. Also, do not forget about individual intolerance, genetically determined.

Contraindications to the use of the drug, especially in the form of tincture, are represented by long-term use of the drug. Due to the fact that the composition contains ethanol, the drug is recommended to be taken in a short course.

The ointment should be used with caution in case of extensive skin lesions to avoid aggravation of the pathological process. In addition, it is not advisable to use the tincture for a long time in case of kidney and liver diseases that are in the decompensation stage.

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Side effects marigolds

Many medications, including calendula, can cause allergic reactions of varying complexity. Among their most common clinical symptoms are hyperemia of the skin in the area where the ointment was applied, its swelling, slight itching and a tingling sensation are possible.

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

If any suspicious symptoms appear, it is necessary to stop taking the medicine, call an ambulance and monitor the person's respiratory activity. Due to swelling of the larynx, it is possible to "block" the airways with the development of dyspnea up to asphyxia.

After using the tincture for rinsing or washing the wound surface, it is also possible that pain in the abdomen, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth and heartburn may occur.

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Overdose

If the dosage and duration of use of the drug are observed, an overdose may develop in rare cases. It may manifest itself in an increase in the severity of side effects.

In general, the medicinal preparation calendula in various forms of release is quite well tolerated, however, if any unpleasant sensations appear after the first or several doses, further use of the medication should be discontinued.

Overdose may be characterized by the appearance of pain in the abdominal area, burning, hyperemia and swelling of the area of the skin or mucous membranes where calendula was applied.

There is no specific antidote for the drug, so you need to act as symptoms increase. One of the main conditions is to remove the remains of the drug from the surface by washing. In the future, you should reconsider the need to use calendula, and if it is still necessary to use it, then you need to start with minimal dosages.

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Interactions with other drugs

When considering interactions with other drugs, it is necessary to take into account its main therapeutic properties, as well as those medications that must be taken in parallel with calendula.

The combined use of drugs is permitted after careful selection and comparison of the benefits and risks to the body. Thus, calendula can enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of such herbal remedies as, for example, chamomile or oak bark.

As for pharmaceuticals, the production of which is not based on natural ingredients, they can also have a greater effect, provided that they have the same medicinal purpose as calendula.

The interaction of Calendula with other topical preparations must be controlled and their simultaneous application to the affected area of the skin must not be allowed. It is necessary to observe a certain interval between applications (at least 4-6 hours).

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Storage conditions

Each type of medicine must comply with special storage conditions. Thanks to them, the medicine retains its therapeutic properties throughout its shelf life and does not have an adverse effect on the human body.

Storage conditions for Calendula in the form of ointment provide for its storage in a room where the optimal temperature, humidity and lighting conditions are maintained. Thus, it is not recommended to increase the temperature above 25 degrees. In addition, direct sunlight should not fall on the medicine.

Storage conditions for Calendula in the form of candles suggest that they should be placed in a place where the temperature will not rise above 12 degrees, but should not fall below 5 degrees.

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

A mandatory condition is that children should not have access to medications. They can take the drug orally (by tasting it) or apply it to the surface of the skin.

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Shelf life

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

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

It is important to remember that when opened, the medicine does not retain its therapeutic effects throughout its entire shelf life.

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