Calendula ointment

Many people have been accustomed to seeing this beautiful plant in their flower beds since childhood, it adds brightness, sunshine and a bouquet. But this is only the outer side of this unique plant. Quite a long time ago, our ancestors discovered numerous beneficial properties of this plant in the light of the treatment of numerous diseases. And even now, this plant continues to surprise, revealing new facets of its positive qualities. Due to the uniqueness of its pharmacological characteristics, this medicinal plant is recognized not only by alternative, but also by traditional medicine. Mainly, marigold flowers (the popular name of the plant) are used in the work. They are used to prepare decoctions, tinctures, ointments, sprays, tablets, lotions. In this article, we will talk in more detail about what diseases can be treated with calendula ointment, and learn the features of its use.

Modern traditional medicine has recently been increasingly introducing drugs made from natural raw materials into the treatment process. Calendula ointment also justifies its use - it is a highly effective anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, wound-healing agent. The only thing to remember is that drugs based on this plant are still a medicine and should not be joked with. In order not to harm your body, they should also be taken only as prescribed by an experienced specialist and under his supervision. Be more attentive to your health, and nature will repay you in kind!

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Indications Calendula ointment

1. Chronic venous insufficiency.
2. Thrombophlebitis.
3. Removal of swelling.
4. Relieves discomfort caused by itching and burning of the skin.
5. Healing of wounds after burns, both chemical and thermal.
6. Treatment of damage to the integrity of the skin - healing of wounds, bedsores, abrasions, erosions, ulcers, trophic ulcers, eczema.
7. Hemorrhoids, sores on the skin folds of the anus.
8. Herpes.
9. Erosive lesion of the external genitalia in women.
10. Stopping seizures.
11. Relief of pain symptoms.
12. Used for insect bites.
13. Promotes faster resorption of hematomas.

Release form

The drug is available packaged in tubes or jars of 40.0, 25.0 and 15.0 g.

The composition of this medicine is quite simple: emulsion base (emulsifier T-2, petroleum jelly) - 90% and herbal tincture - 10%.

The medicine is a homogenized gel-like mass of a pale brownish-greenish hue.

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Pharmacodynamics

Calendula ointment is classified by doctors as a pharmacotherapeutic group of antiseptic and disinfectant drugs. The medical code assigned to this drug is ATC D08AX.

The basis of the medicinal product is marigold flowers, which have anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, bactericidal, and antimicrobial properties.

The pharmacodynamics of calendula ointment are determined by the characteristics of the substances included in its composition:

1. Triterpenoids (glycosides AF, monols, diols, triols and a number of others) have an anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Flavonoids (isoramnetin, astragalin, hyperoside, quercetin, isoquercetin, glycosides and rutin) promote relaxation of smooth muscles, thereby relieving their spasms. They show anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. They control the colloidal state of the intercellular substance. As studies have recorded, these substances are able to stop the development of tumor neoplasms. Flavonoids improve the conductivity of nerve impulses, inhibit the formation of free radicals. They take direct part in the synthesis of cellular collagen.
3. Essential oils (alpha-cadinol, T-cadinol, fatty acids), another component of the drug, effectively suppress the development of invading microorganisms, leading to their death.
4. Water-soluble polysaccharides (arabinogalactans, rhamnoarabinogalactans and a number of others) reduce capillary-vascular permeability and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
5. Coumarins are an effective remedy that effectively stops the inflammation process.

And these are just the main ones.

The composition of the medicine includes a large number of various microelements: magnesium, molybdenum, calcium, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, iron and a number of others. This composition makes the drug effective in an antiviral attack. It provides stimulation of the human immune system, strengthening of the heart muscle and improvement in the work of the entire cardiovascular system, prevention of the emergence and development of atypical cells, caries, and other pathological symptoms.

As observations have shown, calendula ointment shows good therapeutic results in the fight against both gram-positive pathogenic microorganisms Sarcina lutea, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative microorganisms Pseudomona saeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli. Highly effective against fungi. These can be Neurosporacrassa, Candida monosa, Candida albicans.

Calendula ointment stimulates granulation of the epithelial tissue of the wound defect, which promotes rapid healing of wounds and other skin disorders.

Once the ointment is applied, it has an irritating effect on sensitive nerve endings.

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Pharmacokinetics

To date, the pharmacokinetics of calendula ointment are unknown.

All that doctors know is that when applied externally (the only way to use calendula ointment), systemic absorption is less than two percent.

Just an hour or two after applying the preparation, the ointment penetrates into the deeper layers of epidermal tissue, where its “work” begins.

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Dosing and administration

The method of using calendula ointment directly depends on the diagnosed pathology and the severity of its clinical picture.

This form of release is prescribed only as an external remedy for stopping the problem. When applied to the "affected area" the patient begins to feel warmth.

The medicine should be applied to a clean, degreased and dried surface.

In case of mechanical damage to the skin (wounds, abrasions, erosions or ulcers), the ointment is applied in a thin layer with light massaging movements. If the wound is festering, then before using the medicine in question, the wound channel should first be cleaned of pus, and only then treated with calendula ointment.

In case of burns, the preparation is applied in a thin layer to the wound itself and surrounding tissues. It is advisable to apply a sterile gauze bandage folded in several layers over the preparation, fixing it on top with a plaster. This application is changed twice or three times during the day (as needed). The amount of the medicine applied directly depends on the area of the lesion.

In case of treatment of anal fissures, a small tourniquet (tampon) is made from gauze, onto which calendula ointment is applied. A cleansing enema is performed beforehand (or after spontaneous defecation). The tourniquet, soaked in the medicine, is carefully inserted into the anus. This procedure is repeated once or twice a day.

In case of thrombophlebitis or varicose veins, the drug is applied in a layer of two to three millimeters on the skin in the projection of the diseased vein. In this situation, it is not recommended to rub the medicine. Parchment paper is applied on top, and a sterile gauze bandage is placed on it, which is fixed. The procedure is carried out two to three times during the day. The duration of the treatment course is on average two to three months.

If varicose or trophic ulcers are diagnosed, the drug in question is used in the form of therapeutic compresses. Before applying it, the skin surfaces near the injury must be gently but thoroughly washed with soapy water. Rinse and blot the skin so that it becomes dry. Before applying calendula ointment, it is recommended to treat the affected area with zinc ointment. Only after this, apply a layer of herbal medicine of 2 - 3 mm. Parchment paper is placed on top, and a sterile gauze bandage is placed on it, which is fixed. The procedure is carried out one to three times during the day. The duration of the treatment course is on average two to three weeks.

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Use Calendula ointment during pregnancy

Calendula ointment is used only for external treatment. Therefore, doctors see no reason to limit the use of calendula ointment as an external "medicine" during pregnancy.

However, caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication in the treatment protocol. Calendula ointments should only be prescribed by an experienced specialist who will monitor the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

A similar situation occurs when the child is born and the young mother begins to breastfeed. It is advisable to either interrupt the breastfeeding process or wait until lactation ends and then begin full-scale treatment.

Due to the fact that to date there is not enough statistical data on the effect of the drug in question on the child's body, calendula ointment is not recommended for use in the treatment of various diseases in children under six years of age.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of calendula ointment are minimal and are expressed in several points:

1. Increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug.
2. History of allergic reactions.
3. Calendula ointment should be used with extreme caution in the treatment protocol for children under six years of age.

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Side effects Calendula ointment

Calendula ointment is generally well tolerated by patients. The only side effect that may occur after using the drug is an allergic reaction of the skin, sometimes expressed as urticaria, redness of the skin, rash, swelling, itching and burning.

Overdose

Calendula ointment is a drug for external use, so an overdose of the drug is unlikely. This fact is based on a fairly low percentage of systemic absorption.

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Interactions with other drugs

Calendula ointment is used only for external treatment, therefore the result of its interaction with other drugs does not lead to changes in the pharmacodynamics of other drugs included in the treatment protocol.

You just need to remember and follow a number of requirements and recommendations.

It is not recommended to apply two different medicinal ointments to one affected area of skin at the same time. Such treatment of the affected area with one and the second preparation should be spread out over time. You should consult a specialist who will help you draw up a more effective schedule of procedures. Usually, the permissible interval between applying calendula ointment and another preparation should be four to six hours.

It has been proven that the drug in question does not affect the reaction speed when driving a vehicle or operating complex technical mechanisms.

Nicotine is known to reduce the effectiveness of calendula ointment.

After the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. When performing the procedure, make sure that the ointment does not get on the mucous membrane of the eyes, mouth or nose. If for some reason this happens, you must immediately rinse the contaminated area under plenty of running water.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for calendula ointment come down to several requirements:

1. Storage of external medicinal product produced on the basis of herbal raw materials should take place in a place protected from direct sunlight.
2. The storage temperature in the room should be maintained without exceeding +25 degrees.
3. The room must be dry.
4. The drug in question should be kept in places that are inaccessible to teenagers and small children.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of calendula ointment is one year from the date of production (or 12 months).

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