Marigold or Gendha as it is called in India, is a flowering plant and has many medicinal properties. Marigold has been used both, externally and internally for various purposes since ancient times. Externally, it is used to cure skin problems, and internally, it is used to treat urinary problems, kidney stones, and erectile dysfunction. Genda is a bright orange or yellow aromatic flower. The flowers are also used for culinary purposes and as a colouring agent.
Latin Name – Tagetes erecta Linn.
Family – Asteraceae
Common Name – African Marigold, Mexican Marigold, Aztec Marigold
Medicinal Uses of Marigold
Both the leaf and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. The plant contains limonene, linalyl acetate, tagetone, and n-nonyl aldehyde. The flowers contain lutein, tagetin, and hydroxyflavones. Both the leaves and the flowers are antibacterial. The flowers have anti-microbial properties. Marigold leaves extracts are antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant. They also have a very good coagulation property. One study showed that treatment with Tagetes erecta root extracts protected the liver from induced hepatoxicity.
Marigold health benefits for skin
Marigold has been traditionally used in the area of wound healing. It provides relief when rubbed on burns, and irritated skin. It is said to promote the growth of new skin tissue, as well as new blood vessels that feed the skin. A tincture prepared with marigold is a very effective remedy for healing bruises, cuts, and wounds.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the Marigold flower make it a very effective herb for treating acne-prone skin. Applying marigold essential oil or infused oil on the skin helps to reduce the damage caused by UV radiation.
How to make Marigold infused oil and Marigold Salve/Ointment
The marigold infused oil can be used by itself to apply on wounds and any type of skin ailments. The salve is an amazing way to use the goodness of marigold for the skin. You can apply it to wounds, burns, and cuts for quick healing.
Also watch How to make calendula infused oil
DIY marigold beauty remedies
Marigold Skin brightening oil
Ingredients
- Any oil of your choice (Almond or sunflower) 50 ml
- 1 large marigold flower
- A glass jar
Method
Put the marigold petals in the glass jar and pour the oil into the jar. the petals should be completely submerged by the oil. Shake the jar every day and keep it in mild sunlight or in a cupboard for 1 month. Filter the oil after one month and use this oil every night. It brings a glow to the skin and makes it brighter.
Marigold face mask for removing tan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon mariold flower paste
- A pinch of turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp milk cream
Method
Mix all the ingredients well and apply them to your face and neck. Keep it on for 15 minutes. Wash your face after 15 minutes and pat dry.
How to make marigold tea to soothe the digestive system?
To make marigold tea, boil 200 ml of water. Pour this over 2 tsp of dried marigold flowers. Let it steep for fifteen to twenty minutes. Drink this infusion when it is warm about three times a day. This tea soothes the digestive system. It benefits people who have colitis, IBS, gastritis, acid reflux, ulcers, and reduces menstrual cramps.
Marigold health benefits for the eyes
The marigold flower is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which belong to the carotenoid family and have very good antioxidant and analgesic properties. Studies indicate that lutein and zeaxanthin help to reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Marigold Leaf Benefits
The leaves are reported to be effective against piles, kidney troubles, muscular pain, ulcers, and wounds. The pounded leaves are used as an external application to boils and carbuncles.
Marigold leaves are reported to have antioxidant, antimycotic, analgesic activity, and 18 active compounds, many of which are terpenoids.
Marigold Home Remedies
- For toothache, make a decocotion of the marigold plant leaves. Strain the mixture and use it as a mouthwash twice a day.
- Make a paste of the marigold flower and boil it in a cup of water until it becomes half the volume. Strain this mixture after it cools and apply it on acne at night.
- For insect bites, make a paste of the marigold flowers and apply it on the area of insect bite to give respite from the pain.
- Marigold seed powder helps for all respiratory problems. You can take 3-4 grams of the seed powder, add same amount of candy sugar and have it twice a day. Also cold infusionof the marigold plant helps to treat bronchitis, asthma and cough.
- Marigold leaves is very effective in urinary calculi. Take 20g of leaves in 2 cups of water and boil till it becomes half a cup. Drink this twice daily to see a difference.
- Marigold leaves are also a home remedy for urinary tract infections, especially for scanty urination and burning sensation. Mix 3-6 g of the marigold leaf powder in equal amount of candy sugar and have it twice daily.
- The seeds also help those with erectile dysfunction. Take around 3 g of the marigold seed powder and mix it with with equal amount of candy sugar. Have this with a glass of milk twice everyday.
- For cracked heels, make a juice from the leaves of the marigold plant. Apply this to your heel to get relief from pain and curing it.
- The paste of the whole plant helps to bring down swelling due to sprains when applied on the affected part of the body.
- For bleeding piles, grind around 10 g of marigold leaves with some black pepper and water. Filter and drink it. You can also fry the flowers (around 7-10 grams) in ghee and consume this 2-3 times a day to treat bleeding piles. Also, the paste of the marigold leaves and flowers can be applied over external pile mass to reduce it.
- The paste of the leaf can also be used to treat muscle pain and rheumatism, by applying the paste over the affected area.
How to consume marigold
“The flower is useful in fevers, epileptic fits (Ayurveda), astringent, carminative, stomachic, scabies, and liver complaints and is also employed in diseases of the eyes. They are said to purify the blood and flower juice is given as a remedy for bleeding piles and is also used in rheumatism, colds, and bronchitis.” (A BRIEF STUDY ON MARIGOLD (TAGETES SPECIES): A REVIEW)
Marigold can be consumed in the form of an infusion, which is helpful for treating infections of the throat and stomach.
A tincture can also be made out of leaves and flowers. The leaves and flowers can be infused with alcohol and this tincture can be consumed as a remedy.
Marigold ointment is very good for skin care. They are suitable for topical applications and help to soothe inflamed skin and wounds and cuts.