Though you might admire marigold in a flowerbed or decorative pot, you might not realize its great healing potential. Other plants that are referred to as marigold have some of the same medicinal benefits. An example is Calendula officinalis, found in the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Southwestern Asia, India, Central America, and parts of the US and Canada. This marigold is an erect annual herb up to 3 feet tall, with pinnate leaves and aromatic flowers that grow in solitary, gold-colored heads. Tagetes erecta L. is also known as Aztec marigold, and despite its being native to the Americas, African marigold.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, India, South Africa, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Quebec
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Carminative, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, emmenagogue, sedative, stomachic, febrifuge, and treats indigestion, colic, constipation, cough, dysentery, insect bites or stings, sores and ulcers of the skin, burns, wounds, headache, sore eyes, malaise, flu
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
To treat fever, colic, stomach cramps, and gas, steep 3 flower heads in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes. For colic and children suffering from malaise, diarrhea, fever, colds, and flu, boil an entire plant in 2 gallons water for
10 minutes. Use as a bath. This is also used as a rinse or bath for skin conditions, burns, and wounds. For insect bites or stings, rub the head of a marigold on the affected area. For sore eyes, place 3 marigold heads in
1 gallon distilled water for at least 1 hour. Use as an eyewash.
