Bright inflorescences of medicinal nails - a plant often found in city and country flower beds - serve as raw materials for obtaining a product that is unique in its properties. Calendula oil has a beneficial effect on the skin and hair, and is used to treat many diseases. The wide range of application of the product is due to its rich composition.
Chemical composition and properties of calendula oil
Calendula oil refers to the base (fat), not essential. The product is obtained in two ways - maceration and extraction. The second method, which involves the use of carbon dioxide, is relatively new. The simplest and most commonly used method of obtaining the product is maceration. This is a method of infusing inflorescences in high quality vegetable oil. It retains the maximum amount of nutrients, including:
- fatty acids - linoleic (67%), oleic (20%), palmitic (6%);
- carotenoids;
- ethereal volatile compounds;
- triterpenoid;
- sterols;
- phenolic acids;
- vitamins: A, E.
This composition allows the use of medicinal nail oil in the form of a healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and emollient. It copes well with the increased activity of the sebaceous glands. The product has a liquid consistency, its initially greenish color changes to orange over time. Calendula oil is inexpensive, and you can find it at any pharmacy or in specialized online stores.
Choose an oil that has the Latin name Calendula officinalis on the packaging. In the absence of such an inscription, there is a risk of buying a low-quality Tagetes African nail product that contains toxic elements and can cause irritation. The method of obtaining is also important. It is best to purchase macerate - it is more expensive, but it can be used without fear. It is worth being more careful and not saving on health.
By the way: in ancient times, cooks used dried calendula as a seasoning. In modern cooking, candied flowers are used to decorate confectionery products, and in the food industry they are used to color products.
Calendula oil for hair and eyelashes
In hair care, calendula oil is used to improve growth, appearance and to get rid of dandruff. It is used as a base for masks and in mixtures for head massage. When applied to eyelashes, it acts as a firming agent, accelerating their growth. To solve various problems with hair and scalp, pay attention to the following compositions.
For itching and dandruff
As a base, take oils - calendula flowers (3 tablespoons) and jojoba (1 tablespoon). Mix and heat a little in a water bath. To enrich the mixture, add 2 tsp. aloe gel and 4 drops each of rosemary, lavender and sage essential oils. Rub the composition into the scalp and leave to act for half an hour or an hour. Wash off with your usual shampoo.
From the section of the tips
Such a cosmetic composition can be prepared for future use and stored in a dark glass container in the refrigerator. Its components are calendula oil (6 tbsp), almond oil (2 tbsp) and cocoa (1 tbsp). Heat the mixture in a water bath for 3-5 minutes. Apply the treatment composition 2-3 times a week 30 minutes before washing your hair, paying particular attention to the tips.
From hair loss
Mask Ingredients:
- calendula oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
- liquid vitamin E (tocopherol) - 1 tsp;
- essential oils of lavender and Scotch pine - 5 drops each.
Apply the mixture to the root zone, then warm the head with cling film and a towel. The exposure time is 40–90 minutes.
Against oily hair and scalp
Since calendula regulates the production of sebum, its oil can be effectively used in masks against oily hair. Mix these ingredients:
- grape seed oil - 1 tbsp. l.;
- warm kefir - 70 ml;
- calendula oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
- strong decoction of oak bark - 3 tbsp. l.;
- tea tree essential oil - 4 drops.
Start application from the scalp, and distribute the remainder along the length of the hair. Keep the mask for about an hour, then rinse with shampoo and rinse your hair with chamomile infusion or water with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon per 2 liters).
For strengthening eyelashes
Medicinal nail oil can be used on its own or as part of a mixture. The components of the healing composition are one capsule of fish oil and 5 drops of rosehip and calendula oils. The mixture is applied before bedtime with a clean brush or cotton swab. For eyelashes, a composition of 1 tsp is also useful. castor and 5 drops of calendula oil, which is used every other day for 2-3 weeks. Such care will be especially useful in the period after the removal of eyelash extensions.
Calendula oil for face
The unique composition allows the use of calendula oil to improve the condition of the skin in oily and dry types, as well as to treat inflammation. The product can be used in pure form or combined with other oils - grape seed, St. John's wort, jojoba.
Warm compress for problem skin
For a compress, prepare a tissue napkin with cuts for the eyes, nose and lips and warmed oil from calendula flowers. Wet the cloth in hot water, then evenly distribute 20-30 drops of oil on it. Keep the compress on your face until the napkin cools down. To keep the heat longer, you can cover the mask with a towel. A course of 10 procedures, carried out 3 times a week, will relieve inflammation, black spots, give the skin softness and smoothness.
Acne mask
A mask for which you need to mix will help get rid of acne and inflammation:
- 1 tsp calendula and grape seed oils;
- pharmacy or homemade aloe juice - 2 tsp;
- 3 drops of tea tree oil.
Apply the mask with a brush or fingers on the skin of the face, previously cleansed of impurities and steamed over a steam bath. The exposure time is 25 minutes. It is enough to use the mixture twice a week.
Note: for oily, problematic and combination skin, use base oils with low comedogenicity - grape, hemp, safflower, rosehip, almond.
Natural remedies for wind and cold
The properties of the components of calendula oil make it possible to use it to protect the epidermis from the cold in winter and to neutralize the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation in the summer months. Before going outside, the product should be applied to the face with soft, driving movements, and after 15 minutes, remove the remaining oil with a soft cloth.
You can protect the delicate skin of your lips from wind and frost with a natural homemade balm, which everyone can do:
- 2 tsp place cocoa or shea butter in a glass or enameled bowl.
- Add 1 tsp. cosmetic wax and put the mixture in a water bath.
- Having melted all the components, remove the composition from the stove and enrich with 2 tsp. calendula oil, 5 drops of rose, jasmine or ylang-ylang esters.
- Pour the liquid balm into a jar with a lid and leave to set.
The tool effectively softens the skin of the lips, and can also be a wonderful gift for mom, sister, girlfriend or colleague.
Calendula oil: medicinal uses
Medicinal nail oil is used not only for cosmetic hair and skin care, but also for medicinal purposes. Possessing a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect, it is used in the complex treatment of dermatological and some internal diseases.
The remedy is indicated for douching and soaking tampons for gynecological problems such as cervicitis, erosion, thrush and colpitis. Tampons are placed shortly before bedtime and left on all night. They relieve inflammation of the mucosa, help destroy pathogenic microflora and eliminate discomfort.
Calendula oil can also help with nasal congestion. During a cold, instill it at least three times a day, 1 drop in each nostril. No wonder calendula is included in Fleming's ointment - a popular and affordable remedy for many diseases, including sinusitis, rhinitis.
Useful advice: to alleviate the condition with otitis media, 2 drops of a warm remedy should be dripped into each ear before going to bed and close the hole with a cotton swab.
Here's how else to use calendula oil in traditional medicine:
- For rinsing with periodontal disease, gingivitis and other inflammations of the oral cavity. The product is diluted in water - 1 tbsp. l. oil per glass. To eliminate the manifestations of thrush in the mouth, swabs soaked in oil are applied to problem areas.
- With various injuries of the epidermis - cuts, wounds, burns. The product has a healing, softening effect and prevents scarring. Moisten a cotton swab or gauze with oil and treat the damaged area of \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe skin.
- Microclysters with oil are effective for eliminating pain from hemorrhoids. With the external form of the disease, oil lotions are used.
- To eliminate itching and burning after insect bites.
Contraindications to use
You should not use calendula oil with individual intolerance, low blood pressure and heart failure, as well as children under 12 years of age. With caution and only after consulting a doctor, you can use the oil during the period of bearing a child. It is not recommended to practice the internal reception of the remedy in combination with valerian and motherwort.
Reviews on the use of calendula oil
I have problematic skin and am allergic to many skin care cosmetics, so I decided to use natural. A godsend for me was calendula oil. Since my skin is oily, the care is as follows: I apply 15 drops of calendula oil and 5 drops of lavender oil on my face before washing, massage a little, leave for 20 minutes and go to wash off (usually with soap). It turned out that these procedures are enough to put my face in order: the pores were cleansed and narrowed; rashes are gone; small wrinkles are smoothed out; skin became soft and hydrated. The oil is suitable for babies and also helps to improve the condition of dry and chapped skin. In general, the oil is multifunctional.
After another walk under the scorching sun, the skin on the hands (it is the hands that are most vulnerable when walking with a child in a stroller) turned red and became painful. I remembered that I was recommended calendula oil for sunburn. After application, the skin stopped burning and redness slightly decreased, in the evening I repeated the procedure and in the morning there was not a trace of a sunburn! I “rummaged” on the Internet and it turned out that this oil is very useful. I began to use it for back massage, for people with problem skin (often there are inflammations on the back, which are a contraindication for massage) - but it’s also useful and pleasant. After several sessions, the effect is already noticeable. I also massage my face with this oil, because of the good properties of calendula, I can recommend it to people with oily and problem skin (narrows pores). The smell is barely noticeable, it does not give color to the skin - although the oil is yellowish. I know the beneficial properties of calendula tincture, but it dries the skin very much due to the alcohol content - calendula oil is a great substitute. I advise and recommend.
Calendula oil, or medicinal nails, contains many useful substances. It has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, cleansing effect, normalizes the sebaceous glands. Regular and proper use of calendula oil will not only help improve the condition of hair and skin, but will also become an effective tool in the complex treatment of various diseases.
