Very successful fake . Cute, similar to the orange camomile marigold is unusual already in that it has two absolutely official names - actually calendula, and marigolds are medicinal. Where the second funny nickname came from is unknown. Some bright petals reminded someone of a carmine-red varnish on the nails of a secular beauty, or the seeds of a plant looked like hooks of cat's claws. But so it lives under two names.
The medicinal properties of marigold or marigold medicinal miracle are known for a long time. But it became famous thanks to ... scammers, who sell spices. The fact is that its reed marginal petals resemble in shape the stigmas of one of the crocus species - the precious saffron. And since saffron was sold (and this is not a metaphor) in weight of gold, enterprising businessmen began to substitute saffron with calendula or marigolds medicinal. It was possible to uncover fraud by throwing a few "strings" of spice into the water. The water-soluble dye of saffron easily gave the contents of the jug an orange color. Water, which fell petals of marigold or marigold medicinal, did not change color. By the way, lovers and connoisseurs of rare spices useful to know that in our time, "saffron" in fact often turns out to be a calendula. But fatty and dairy sauces, pilaf and roast are almost identical to them - calendula (the coloring substance of marigolds) is perfectly soluble in fats. Despite the "plebeian" origin, the taste of the dish pseudo-saffron influenced most favorably. And, what is especially interesting, for the well-being of those to whom this dish was served. There is even an opinion that part of the healing properties of saffron is attributed to him erroneously. But in fact they belong to calendula or nails medicinal - a miracle. Such a successful "fake"!
For health and beauty . The most serious studies of calendula or marigold medicinal have been subjected as a medicine against inflammation. The broths of her flowers were treated and treated with stomatitis and tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis, tonsillitis and periodontitis. For the treatment of skin lesions, a long-standing oil is used for a long time. To make it, goat's butter or unsalted pork fat is mixed with calendula flowers and heated. Then the flowers are removed. Today, pharmacies sell healing ointments and creams based on calendula. And her alcoholic infusions as an antiseptic for a variety of "wads" are used throughout the country.
No one will hurt . But consider calendula - this orange miracle is only an external remedy is wrong! Colored nails creams and sauces so positively influenced the gourmets of the past because the calendula has a pronounced choleretic effect. Therefore, tea from its flowers is successfully used in diseases of the gallbladder. And "red-haired daisy" has an anti-spasm, calming effect. Therefore, it can be used to relieve any pain associated with spasms of hollow organs - and intestinal colic in babies, and suffering from overeating in adults. The action of the marigold as an antispasmodic explains why folk medicine insistently recommended calendula in painful menstruation.
It paints the oil with a gentle color ... Curious fact: before the big bazaar days our ancestors tinted calendula oil. It turned out and attractive, and useful. In some places the marigolds are still called oil color. But even more beautiful is the "golden color". It is very such a nickname to the face of a calendula!