What is Marigold?
Marigold is also known as pot marigold. The plant opens and closes depending on how the sun moves. It has been referred to as “the sun’s fiancé” because of its ability to open and close based on how the sun moves.
Marigold contains saponins, mucilage, flavonoids, triterpenes and salicylic acid. These properties contain moisturizing, analgesic, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Marigold varies in color. The popular color range from yellow to deep orange. The other colors are orange petals with yellow margins, red with yellow splotches and yellow with red stripes.
According to a study, three common annual marigold species can be found in US gardens: the French marigold (Tagetes patula), which can reach heights of 6 inches to 12 inches, the signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia), which can reach heights 8 inches to 18 inches, and the Aztec marigold (Tagetes erecta), which can reach heights of 12 inches to 4 feet tall. In the US gardens, and marigolds are mostly cultivated annually.
Garden marigolds are majorly annual. They begin to grow, produce flowers, and then die within the same growing season. Their maximum lifespan is typically less than a year.
Marigolds often require average water, though they could demand a little bit extra in the summer. Six to eight weeks before the final frost, you may either sow marigold seeds indoors yourself or purchase the low-cost seedlings at a nursery.
The essential growing environment for marigolds in the garden is full sun in a warm location. The plants become lanky and do not bloom when grown in shadow or partial shade. Although the plants can endure some drought and grow well in poor soil, they thrive in loamy, well-drained soil with regular watering. You mustn’t plant marigolds in damp soil to avoid fungus and root rot.
Health Benefits of Marigolds
Natural antiseptic and Anti-inflammatory
Marigolds serve as natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Marigold contains triterpenoids, which are essentially known to be an anti-inflammatory component.
History reveals that marigold was used during the first world war and the American Civil War as an antiseptic for the treatment of wounds.
The study also reveals that marigold extract is effective for the treatment of ear infections and to reduce pain. You can apply the extract in drops to your ear canal. It helps to reduce inflammation and reduce ear swelling also.
Skin healing
Marigold is an effective solution to skin problems. It helps to enhance skin appearance. Applying marigolds to irritated skin helps to lessen redness, dryness, sensitivity and itching.
Studies also reveal that marigold is helpful in the formation of healthy new tissues. It also helps to improve the production of collagen, which strengthens skin, keeps it hydrated, and also hastens the process of skin restoration after surgery or damage.
Marigold contains properties such as nucleoproteins and glycoproteins which are effective in the treatment of wounds. Traditional medicine applies marigolds to wounds to prevent infection. Marigold also helps your incision heal fast after surgery.
Perhaps, you have dry skin, marigold is effective to keep your skin hydrated. Marigolds can be mixed with shea butter or coconut oil. This will help keep your dry skin hydrated and also help to strengthen its firmness.
Marigold is useful for the skin
- Protects sensitive skin
- Treats sunburns
- Treats inflammation affecting the skin
- Helps to even skin
- Reduce the appearance of discoloration
- Heals bruises
- Treats eczema and dermatitis
Treats inflammation and free radical damage
Research shows that marigold is an effective hepatoprotective, cytotoxic and spasmogenic herb. Extracts from marigold help to reduce cytokine levels and C-reactive protein and cytokine levels which protect cells from radical damage which can cause the cells from declining and ageing.
According to research, marigold helps to prevent the formation of bacteria in wounds and also lessen the symptoms of chemotherapy and cancer treatments.
Marigold is effective in controlling oxidative damage from free radicals. It also protects the body from various infections that can be caused by either bacteria or viruses.
Repels bugs
Marigolds can be used as a natural insect repellent because of their strong scent, antioxidant content, and volatile oils. This is one reason marigold flowers are frequently grown in vegetable gardens and utilized in the form of candles, bug sprays, and numerous skin creams to ward off mosquito bites.
You can prevent soil erosion by planting marigold flowers directly in your yard or garden. Marigold products can also be used topically to help repel insects. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the aroma of the flowers works underground to ward off nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests that can devour your crops, sometimes for up to three years after being planted.
Reduces hemorrhoid pain
Marigold contains properties which help tissue heal fast and also reduce swelling. Research shows that applying extracts from the marigold flower to your genital area or anal can reduce symptoms associated with haemorrhoids.
Research was carried out on animals to look into the effects of marigolds on wounds. The research discovered that using marigolds resulted in 90 per cent closure.
Reduces eye inflammation and conjunctivitis
Marigolds possess antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and immuno-stimulating qualities that help to lessen eye infections and also safeguard eyesight by shielding fragile eye tissues from UV light, deterioration/ageing, and oxidative damage.
Extract from marigolds is effective in treating conjunctivitis and other chronic inflammatory eye diseases in animal trials.
Cures sore throat, mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers
Marigold contains antimicrobial and antiseptic properties which are effective for treating mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, gingivitis, and sore throats. Gargling with Marigold tea will relieve pain and soothe the throat’s mucous membranes.
A study was carried out on 240 patients to look into the effect of marigolds on patients. The patients received marigold mouthwash for 6-months. After 6-months, the patients saw a 46% decrease in inflammation levels. To cure stomach or mouth ulcers, drinking marigold extracts with clean water is effective.
The marigold extract helps to stimulate the lymphatic system and also reduces swelling and eliminates toxins which are most likely to cause ulcers.
Helps body detoxification
Marigold aids in the detoxification process by eliminating all poisonous substances that have accumulated in the body. Marigold helps to reduce lymph node inflammation, which in cleansing helps in cleansing the lymphatic system and also helps to improve your digestive system.
Help with wound healing
A study was done on women with Cesarean-section scars. The study revealed that the women treated with marigold ointment healed faster and their incisions were not swollen. The properties contained in marigolds make healing from wounds faster.
Cures Bacterial Vaginosis and Vaginal Infection
Marigold is effective in curing bacterial vaginosis and variant yeast infections. A study was carried out on women diagnosed with bacterial yeast. The women were cured of bacterial vaginosis after one week with no side effects. Marigold is also beneficial for curing vaginal infections. All you have to do is boil marigold flower petals, add them to warm water and then bathe with them. This is effective in treating vaginal infections and bladder infections.
Boost immune system
The immune system is an essential organ of the body which helps to fight against infection. Marigold helps to enhance your immune system which would enable it to function well. The tea prepared from marigold extracts is beneficial to your immune system.
Cancer prevention
Marigold is effective in preventing cancer and also fighting against it. The antioxidant effect contained in marigolds helps to combat cancer. The antioxidant in marigolds contains lutein. Research was done on lutein to see its effects on breast cancer tumors.
The research shows that lutein prevented the development of new cancer cells and also reduced the number of breast cancers.
Eases cramps and spasms
Marigold flowers are beneficial for regulating the female reproductive system. Marigold is effective for easing menstrual pain. It contains properties which are essentially beneficial for relieving muscle spasms and menstrual pain for women.
It reduces cramps by increasing blood flow to painful areas. It also helps to lower inflammatory responses. The florets can be applied to the abdomen as an ointment or extract to absorb into tense muscles through the skin, or they can be drunk as a tea to aid in digestion and enhance liver function.
Conclusion
Marigold contains antioxidants and antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties which are essential in keeping the body healthy. To stay healthy and prevent skin problems, ulcers, and cancer, it is expedient to include marigolds in your diet.
