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A native to the Mediterranean area, calendula (Calendula officinalis), is also called Marybud, pot calendula, Gold-Bloom, pot marigold, Garden Marigold, Holligold, Marigold, and Zergul. The plant has a yellow or orange flower.

Calendula’s name comes from the word calendar because it blooms every new moon. “Marigold” refers to the Virgin Mary. The flower is often used in Catholic events that honor her. When you think of marigold, don’t think of the annual flowers from your garden. That is probably either French marigold or African marigold and is a totally different species.

For those who like the technical facts, calendula contains these medicinal ingredients: calendulin, narcissin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, lupeol, isoquercitrin, amyrin, rutin, volatile oils and sterols. Polysaccharides with properties that stimulate immunity are also found in the flowers.

Calendula has both internal and external benefits. Internally, calendula is especially beneficial in treating gastrointestinal disorders. It protects the lining of the intestines and stomach by weakening the causes of inflammation and swelling, and by limiting the effects of the bacteria associated with gastritis, stomach cancer, and peptic ulcers. Calendula has been effective to sooth stomach ulcers and inflammation. It also fights fever, boils, abscesses, and recurrent vomiting.

Because of the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, found in calendula’s orange petals, it is also effective externally. These two qualities make calendula a popular treatment for many bodily infections. Calendula tea used as an eye wash does wonders for those suffering from chronic conjunctivitis (pink eye). It is also effective in treating ear infections. The ointment will both soothe an inflammation and will reduce the inflammation by attacking the bacteria causing the area to swell. It is also effective in treating other inflammations such as acne, burns, insect bites, hemorrhoids, eczema, vaginal itching caused by menopausal tissue changes, diaper rash, scalds, and sunburn.

Calendula causes infections to heal better, more pain-free, and faster. It lessens the appearance of wrinkles and will hydrate skin when used in cosmetic creams. Sore throats are eased by gargling with calendula water or tea.

In addition, calendula is used to treat capillary engorgement, chronic ulcers, varicose veins, and congestion. Calendula flowers are edible, and may be added to salads cereals, rice, and soups to add flavor and color. The petals can also be dried for use in teas as mentioned above.

Calendula may be purchased or prepared as creams, teas, tinctures, infusions, compresses, and washes. To make calendula tea, simply pour about a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and let sit for 15 minutes. Calendula tea may be taken 3 times per day. Calendula tincture, which can be taken with water or tea, can be taken 3 times a day (in doses of 1-2 ml). To make calendula tincture, soak a cup of flowers in .5 quarts of rectified alcohol for 5 to 6 weeks. A tincture dose is 5 to 15 drops. To create a calendula salve for external application, boil 1 oz of dried flowers or leaves with 1 oz lard.

Calendula is a very safe herb but a few cautions are in order. Be especially sure wounds are clean before applying calendula. If you have ragweed allergy, be cautious as some have also experienced allergic reactions to calendula. The alcohol in the calendula tincture will burn the raw tissue of wounds. It would be better to use a different form of the herb.

Many of the studies have revealed that obesity has become a major challenge especially to the western countries where in it is estimated that roughly there are around 60 million overweight people in US alone & this number is expected to climb sharply in the coming years. The only solution to this problem seems to be adopting to low carb diets that not only are tastier but helps us to control obesity in a phased manner.

Medical community have reveals us that carbohydrates are solely responsible for providing energy for majority of cells in our body & cells in our brain as well. It is therefore evident that carbohydrates are utmost necessary for our body but needs to be avoided from consuming them in large proportions so that they are able to make a damage to our healthy living. Most of the processed junk stuffs like the colas, pizzas, burgers ,etc have large proportions of carbohydrates , rapid weight gains & obesity are inevitable after consuming them. The solution to this grave problem lies in us to adopt to low carb diets that will help us to trim our weight in a gradual manner.

Basically there are two types of carbohydrates exists namely the simple carbohydrates & complex carbohydrates. Some of the simple carbohydrates are honey, sugar, flour & candy. The negative effect of consuming such stuff is that they drastically reduce our body’s energy levels after they are consumed. On the other hand, it is better to avoid complex carbohydrates since they are absorbed in our body slowly after they are taken in. They consists of starch & fiber rich items like rice, potatoes, corn, wheat & grains to name a few.

On the other hand, it is true that simple carbohydrate foods does not offer any nutritional values but can also result in several health issues. But the low carb diets have high protein & mineral contents & are pretty tasty & nutritious to consume. The real fact is that simple carbs Foods like the refined sugar, bread & rice usage can also cause cavities in the long run.

Most of the doctors advise us to go for low carb diets as the permanent solution to our weight loss diet plans. Some of the diet processes that are widely followed like the Dr. Atkins diet, south beach diet, high protein diet, zone diet, etc to name a few and these programs have their own protocols with respect to the foods that we are allowed to consumed on a daily basis.

Meat & eggs, pork, lamb, salmon & hard boiled eggs are some of the Foods that are prescribed under the low carb diet plans or recipes & these are considered safe for consumption to achieve our final objective. These are some of the suggested low carb diets that most of the health gurus wants us to adopt.

Most of the health gurus insist of low fat vegetarian diets which have high protein content with them. They include eggplants, spinach, broccoli, tomato etc to name a few. It is also preferred to have vegetable salads in our diet and you can garnish them with either crumbled bacon, boiled eggs or mushrooms which may form the main menu for our vegetarian carb diet plans to have healthier outlook in the long run.

The bottom line is to reduce our weight in a healthier way so that obesity is arrested to maximum extent possible. This will not only help us to keep good health but also avoids major health hazards like high blood pressure, cholesterol in the best possible way in our middle ages.