Medicinal properties and contraindications of marigolds, health benefits and harms
Unpretentious marigolds have medicinal properties and contraindications. Not everyone knows about this, although every summer they see these flowers in the flower beds and paths of parks, city squares, grow them in their gardens. The plant is decorative, easily tolerates transplantation, goes well with flowers, shrubs. Summer residents grow it in garden beds to repel pests.
Botanical description
The countries of South America are the birthplace of marigolds. Mexicans traditionally use marigold flowers as a seasoning for meat; they are an ingredient in many traditional medicine recipes. An ornamental plant is cultivated in European countries. In Russia, it can be found in any city, village.
The genus of marigolds (Tagetes) unites a large group of annual herbaceous plants. It includes about 50 species. The flower is called differently:
- black shaves;
- axamite;
- marigolds rejected;
- haverdis;
- flowers for thousands of years;
- tagetes;
- Imeretian saffron;
- makhmuri.
Compact bushes (20-120 cm) consist of branched, erect stems, densely covered with leaves. The shape of the leaf plates is sharp-serrated, linear-lanceolate, the color can be either light green or dark green. The type of root system is pivotal.
Type of inflorescence basket (complex, simple) capitate type, medium size, sits on a thickened stalk. In the center, the type of flowers is tubular, along the edges are reed. The color is brown-orange, all shades of yellow, red and brown, motley. The wrapper is formed by one row of accrete leaves. Simple or semi-double baskets 10-13 cm in diameter.
The shape of the fruit is black achene (flattened). Marigold seeds remain viable for 3-4 years. The buds bloom in June. Flowering lasts until frost. The plant emits a strong scent when it touches any part of it. The leaves and flowers contain glands that secrete essential oils.
All cultivated varieties of marigolds are divided by the height of the bush into 4 groups:
- dwarf;
- undersized;
- medium-sized;
- tall.
Chemical composition
Healing properties are determined by biologically active substances that make up the essential oil of marigolds. It is present in all the elements of the plant:
- leaf - 28%;
- inflorescence - 45%;
- bud - 30%.
List of ingredients that make up the main part of essential oil:
- ocimen;
- limonene;
- sabinen;
- linalool;
- d-terpinene;
- citral;
- myrcene;
- n-cymene.
There are carotenoids in the flowers, a set of macro- and microelements.
Useful properties of marigolds for the body
The active components that make up the inflorescences contribute to the production of the hormone of happiness. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Reduce the harmful effects of emotional and physical stress. Relieve insomnia.
Marigolds have antiviral properties. Infusions and decoctions of baskets, in addition to the main therapy, are recommended to drink for colds and diseases of a viral and bacterial nature. The medicinal properties of tagetes are used to prevent many diseases. Medicines based on tagetes flowers:
- normalize blood pressure;
- prevent stroke, heart attack;
- reduce the risk of blood clots;
- heal wounds;
- improve vision;
- restore the pancreas;
- help normalize sugar;
- relieve arthritis symptoms;
- improve metabolism;
- have an anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic effect.
For a man
Have long noticed the benefits of marigolds for men's health. Their decoctions and infusions improve the condition of blood vessels. This has a positive effect on the intensity of blood circulation, which has a good effect on potency.
Regular use of Tagetes flower infusions serves as a good prevention of urogenital diseases in men. Increases testosterone levels. It has a good effect on the functioning of the prostate gland.
For woman
Infusions and decoctions of a medicinal plant can help a woman with various problems. For menstrual cramps, you need to drink tea. It has an antispasmodic effect, replaces pain relievers. In women, the infusion of tagetes normalizes the hormonal background.
During lactation, women are advised to drink a decoction of marigolds. It has a positive effect on milk production. Means based on tagetes are prescribed for vaginal infections, for the healing of postpartum sutures.
Dried flowers are recommended for making homemade cosmetics. To preserve the youthfulness of the skin, based on the infusion, you can prepare:
- lotion;
- balm;
- lotions.
During pregnancy
A high concentration of essential oils can cause allergies and affect fetal development. Women during pregnancy are not advised to use drugs and infusions based on Tagetes flowers.
Folk remedies and recipes
The first to try the medicinal properties of the plant were the Mexicans. The flower grows in their natural environment. The inflorescences were used as a pain reliever for joint pain. Women used it during breastfeeding to improve lactation. In alternative medicine there are recipes for external and internal use of infusions, decoctions, marigold teas.
Marigold oil
The concentration of essential oils in the flower petals is high. They explain the medicinal properties of the plant. They are used for skin problems. Medicinal oil is prepared from the flowers. It is applied to the skin affected by burns and to bedsores. It accelerates the healing of wounds, relieves of rough crust on the elbows.
The oil is prepared in 2 ways. Cold method - 2 weeks, with heat treatment - in just a day:
- Option No. 1. Baskets are crushed by hand, put into a container (0.5 l), refined olive or sunflower oil is poured. Put away in a dark cabinet for 2 weeks. Shake the jar 1 or 2 times every day. After 14 days, the mass is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
- Option number 2. Take 1 part of flowers, 10 parts of olive oil, mix and leave for 8 hours. Heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, allow to cool, filter.
Infusion of flowers
Take fresh flowers. Before cooking, they are crushed. Put 1 tbsp. l. in 300 ml of boiling water, let it brew, filtered. From parasites drink 2 tbsp. l. infusion of marigolds 3 times a day.Drink between meals. Course length is 2 weeks.
Marigold decoction
The use of a decoction is indicated for joint inflammation. Prepare it in the following way:
- dry flowers are crushed;
- 1 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured into a saucepan;
- pour water 250 ml;
- heat to a boil, remove from heat, insist, filter.
Marigolds to improve vision
Fresh inflorescences of chernobrivtsi are used for medicinal purposes within 30 days. They restore vision, return sharpness. To feel the therapeutic effect, an adult will need to eat 3 flowers per day, a child - 1 piece.
For the prevention of the pancreas
Choose a medium sized basket. Tear off the petals, grind them, pour boiling water (200 ml). After 30 minutes, filter. For problems with the pancreas, drink 50 ml 4 times a day. The tincture can be used for 14 days.
With internal and external bleeding
Take dry, crushed medicinal plants, meadowsweet (1 tsp) and marigold flowers (2 tbsp). Pour boiling water (2 tbsp.). Close tightly, leave for 20 minutes. Drink with bleeding 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
For the treatment of arthritis
Take 1 tbsp. l. dry, crushed inflorescences. Pour 1 tbsp. boiling water. Insist, strain, squeeze the mass. For arthritis, drink 1-2.5 liters of marigold infusion per day, replacing it with plain water and drinks... Continue the treatment for 1.5-3 months. The course is carried out 2 times a year.
With a cold
A runny nose can be treated with inhalation. To prepare the solution, take 5 baskets of tagetes, pour them into a 0.5 liter thermos. Pour boiling water to the top, close. Use for inhalation after 5 minutes.
With diabetes mellitus
You will need a 1 liter jar, 500 ml vodka, 50 flowers. The container is filled, corked, placed in a cabinet for 7 days. Shake every day. The finished tincture is filtered. Take 1 tsp before meals. The effect is observed at the initial stage of the disease.
External use of marigolds
Infusion of baskets of tagetes helps with prickly heat, it is used to relieve irritation, with purulent skin lesions. Fresh juice of the stems is smeared with a bee (wasp) sting. Marigold oil helps to make the skin of the lips soft, tender.
The use of flowers in everyday life
The specific smell of marigolds, its chemical composition is used to fight insects. In the apartment, sachets of dried flowers are hung in moth-proof cabinets. Summer residents are planting a flower in the garden. It repels pests:
- onion and carrot flies;
- cabbage butterfly;
- scoop.
The entire aerial part of marigolds is used in the preparation of liquid herbal fertilizer. The crushed stems are introduced into the soil during digging in the fall.
Application in cosmetology
Tagetes essential oil is included in many cosmetic products: oil perfumes, toilet water, soap. At home, flowers are used to prepare skin care products that are remarkable for their medicinal properties.
Lip balm
To prepare this remedy at home, you will need 40 ml of olive oil, 2 tbsp of apricot oil. l., fresh marigold inflorescences (chopped) - 2 tbsp. l. Insist balm for 2 weeks. Apply with gentle movements to the lips.
Means for softening roughness on the skin
In order to preserve the youthfulness of the skin and eliminate dermatological problems, the oil of tagetes flowers is used. Two recipes are given above. After a bath (shower), it is applied to the hardened areas of the skin in the knees, elbows, and heels. Marigold oil removes fungus from the feet.
Face lotion
The result of using the marigold lotion is a good tone, healthy skin. Use it for daily makeup removal, gentle cleansing. Ingredients:
- lemon (juice) - 1 tsp;
- vodka - 1 tsp;
- inflorescences - 5 pcs.;
- boiling water - 200 ml.
Make an infusion, cool. All ingredients are combined. Insist 12 hours.
Useful properties of marigolds in cooking
The brightly colored petals of marigolds contain lutein, a pigment (carotenoid) of yellow color. Natural dye is used in the manufacture of mayonnaise, margarine, pasta, oil, juices. In home cooking, flower petals are used as a seasoning.
Fresh flowers of marigolds (petals) are included in salads, meat and fish dishes. Thanks to tagetes drinks, pastries acquire a beautiful golden hue. Flavored petal tea contains antioxidants. It strengthens the immune system, prolongs youth.
To whom is the plant contraindicated and can there be an allergy?
With the undoubted health benefits of drugs and folk remedies based on marigolds, there are contraindications. They can be harmful:
- allergy sufferers;
- pregnant women;
- children under 2 years old.
The use should be discarded when allergy symptoms appear: headache, dizziness, nausea.
In case of colds and other health problems, you need to have dry marigold flowers at home. You can harvest them in June, July, August, September. Cut off the inflorescences of marigolds and a piece (5 cm) of the stem. Dry in the shade. Store in a jar with a lid.
