Marigold

(Calendula officinalis)

Marigold is generally found in gardens and among other plants. It is usually grown for decoration in gardens due its beautiful and nice looking flowers. The plant is 40 to 60 centimeter in height, it branches propagate from the stems which is covered by tiny hair.  The leaves are long and oval in shape which are also covered with tiny hair. Its flowers are yellow and orange in color. Marigold grows in rich and moist soil and it is a self seeding plant. Once it starts grown in an area, it rapidly propagates due to its self seeding nature.

In many civilizations, marigold has been treated as a sacred plant. It has been believed to be a symbol of health and endurance. As a culinary herb, it is used in salads as well and used to make wines. Its fresh un-opened and opened flowers are used as medicine. 

Marigold flowers contain carotenes, flavonoids, resin, saponin, sterols, glycosides and volatile oils.

It is used externally for treatment of infections, wounds, varicose veins and bed sores. Marigold has been used through history to treat fistula, dried and broken skin of the toes and hands. These skin conditions are usually treated locally by using marigold cream. To prepare marigold cream, boil liquid marigold extract in butter or petroleum jelly. The same extract can be boiled in a base oil to prepare marigold oil which can be used for the same purpose.

It is said that marigold is good for skin cancer and that of some glands. To treat such cancers, marigold is used both internally and externally. It is also possible to wash or disinfect skin wounds with liquid extract of this plant. Marigold tincture is used for many health conditions and its preparation is simple. Fill a white jar with marigold leaves, pur 500ml of 95%  pure Alcohol. Place a tight lid on the jar and put it in sun for one week. Filter contents of the jar and preserve it. This tincture is very strong and concentrated. Dilute it before using it to disinfect and wash wounds by adding a table spoon of this tincture in a cup of clean water.

It is taken internally as a male tonic and used by ladies to open  delayed periods. This plant is also known to reduce or eliminate menstrual cramps. For best results this herb should be taken about one week before the periods. This herb is said to prevent propagation of cancerous cells in the body and prevents it from recurring when removed surgically.