Calendula is used primarily for treating wounds, for example for mild inflammations of the mouth and throat. The saponins, triterpenes and flavonoids in the flowers have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is also known that calendula promotes the formation of granulation tissue during wound healing and that its extracts have an immunostimulatory effect. Calendula ointments are therefore used to treat poorly healing wounds, nail bed inflammations, leg ulcers, sprains and dislocations. A moist bandage with a calendula decoction can help with acute wounds, and a warm calendula compress is recommended for abscesses and carbuncles. Calendula is also used as a home remedy for warts. For gastric ulcers, the medicinal plant is said to help as a tea blend together with nettles, speedwell and celandine. However, internal use is rare today; marigold is usually only found in tea blends as a colouring agent.