Marigolds: medicinal properties and contraindications, he alth 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 ornamental, 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 Europe. In Russia, it can be found in any city, village.

The genus of marigolds (Tagetes) combines a large group of annual herbaceous plants. It includes about 50 species. They call the flower differently:

chernobrivtsy;
axami;
marigold rejected;
haverdis;
flowers of a thousand years;
tagetes;
Imeretian saffron;
makhmuri.

Compact shrubs (20-120 cm) consist of branched, erect stems, densely covered with leaves. The shape of the leaf plates is pointed-serrate, linear-lanceolate, the color can be either light green or dark green. Type of root system rod.

Inflorescence type basket (complex, simple) capitate type, medium size, sits on a thickened stem. In the center, the type of flowers is tubular, reed along the edges.The color is brown-orange, all shades of yellow, red and brown, variegated. The wrapper is formed by one row of fused leaves. Simple or semi-double baskets 10-13 cm in diameter.

Fruit shape black achene (flattened). Marigold seeds remain viable for 3-4 years. Buds open in June. Blooms until frost. The plant gives off a strong fragrance when touched on any part of it. Leaves and flowers contain glands that secrete essential oils.

All cultural varieties of marigolds are divided into 4 groups according to the height of the bush:

dwarf;
short;
medium height;
tall.

Chemical composition

Healing properties determine the biologically active substances that make up the essential oil of marigolds. It is found in all elements of the plant:

leaf - 28%;
inflorescence - 45%;
bud - 30%.

List of components that make up the main part of the essential oil:

ocimene;
limonene;
sabinene;
linalool;
d-terpinene;
citral;
myrcene;
n-cymol.

There are carotenoids in the flowers, a set of macro- and microelements.

Useful properties of marigolds for the body

The active ingredients 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 overload. Relieve insomnia.

Marigolds have an antiviral property.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 eyesight;
repair the pancreas;
help normalize sugar;
relieve arthritis symptoms;
improve metabolism;
have an anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic effect.

For men

The benefits of marigolds for men's he alth have long been noticed. 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 is a good prevention of genitourinary diseases in men. Increases testosterone levels. It has a good effect on the functioning of the prostate gland.

For women

Infusions and decoctions of a medicinal plant can help a woman with various problems. With menstrual pain, you need to drink tea. It has an antispasmodic effect, replaces painkillers. In women, tagetes infusion normalizes hormonal levels.

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.

Dry flowers are recommended for home cosmetics. To preserve youthful skin on the basis of infusion, you can cook:

lotion;
balm;
gadgets.

When Pregnant

A high concentration of essential oils can cause allergies, affect the development of the fetus. Women during pregnancy are not recommended to use preparations and infusions based on Tagetes flowers.

Folk remedies and recipes

The Mexicans were the first to try the medicinal properties of the plant. The flower grows in their natural conditions. Inflorescences were used as an anesthetic for joint pain. Women used 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 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 speeds up the healing of wounds, relieves the rough crust on the elbows.

Butter is prepared in 2 ways. Cold method - 2 weeks, with heat treatment - in just a day:

Option number 1. Baskets are crushed by hand, put in a container (0.5 l), pour refined olive or sunflower oil. Cleaned in a dark closet for 2 weeks. Every day, the jar is shaken 1 or 2 times. After 14 days, the mass is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
Option number 2. Take 1 part of the flowers, 10 parts of olive oil, mix and infuse for 8 hours. Warm in a water bath for 30 minutes, let cool, filter.

Infusion of flowers

Take fresh flowers. They are crushed before cooking. Put 1 tbsp. l. in 300 ml of boiling water, let it brew, filter. From parasites drink 2 tbsp. l. infusion of marigolds 3 times a day. Drink in between meals. Course length 2 weeks.

Decoction of marigolds

The use of a decoction is indicated for inflammation of the joints. Prepare it in the following way:

crush dried flowers;
1 tbsp l. raw materials are poured into a saucepan;
poured water 250 ml;
heat to a boil, remove from heat, insist, strain.

Tagetes to improve vision

Fresh inflorescences of Chernobrivtsi for medicinal purposes are consumed within 30 days. They restore vision, restore sharpness. To feel the therapeutic effect, an adult will need to eat 3 flowers per day, a child - 1 pc.

For the prevention of the pancreas

Choose a medium-sized basket. The petals are cut off, crushed, poured with 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.

For internal and external bleeding

Take dry, crushed medicinal plants, meadowsweet (1 tsp) and marigold flowers (2 tbsp). Pour boiling water (2 tbsp.). Close tightly, insist 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 out the mass. For arthritis, drink 1-2.5 liters of marigold infusion a day, replacing them with plain water and drinks. Continue treatment for 1.5-3 months. The course is carried out 2 times a year.

For colds

Rhinitis can be treated with inhalation. To prepare the solution, take 5 baskets of tagetes, pour them into a thermos with a volume of 0.5 liters. Fill to the top with boiling water, close. After 5 minutes use for inhalation.

With diabetes

You will need a 1 liter jar, vodka - 500 ml, flowers - 50 pcs. The container is filled, corked, put in a cabinet for 7 days. Shaken 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

An infusion of tagetes baskets 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 lips soft and tender.

The use of colors 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 closets against moths. Summer residents plant a flower in the garden. It repels pests:

onion and carrot fly;
cabbage butterfly;
scoop.

The entire aerial part of marigolds is used in the preparation of liquid herbal fertilizer. Shredded stems are applied to the soil during digging in autumn.

Use in cosmetology

Tagetes essential oil is found in many cosmetic products: oil perfumes, eau de toilette, soaps. At home, wonderful skin care products are prepared from the flower.

Lip Balm

To prepare this remedy at home, you will need olive oil 40 ml, apricot oil 2 tbsp. l., fresh marigold inflorescences (chopped) - 2 tbsp. l. Insist balm for 2 weeks. Apply with gentle movements on the skin of the lips.

Skin softener

Tagetes flower oil is used to preserve youthful skin and eliminate dermatological problems. Two recipes are given above. After a bath (shower), it is applied to rough skin in the area of the knees, elbows, and heels. Marigold oil relieves foot fungus.

Face lotion

The result of applying marigold lotion is a good tone, he althy facial skin. Use it for daily make-up removal, gentle cleansing. Ingredients:

lemon (juice) - 1 tsp;
vodka - 1 tsp;
flowers - 5 pieces;
boiling water - 200 ml.

Make an infusion, cool. All ingredients are combined. Insist 12 hours.

Useful properties of marigolds in cooking

Brightly colored marigold petals contain lutein, a yellow pigment (carotenoid). Natural dye is used in the manufacture of mayonnaise, margarine, pasta, butter, juices. In home cooking, flower petals are used as a seasoning.

Fresh marigold flowers (petals) are included in salads, meat and fish dishes. Thanks to tagetes, drinks and pastries acquire a beautiful golden hue. Fragrant tea with petals contains antioxidants. It enhances immunity, prolongs youth.

Who is the plant contraindicated for and can there be an allergy?

With undoubted he alth benefits, drugs and folk remedies based on marigolds have contraindications. They can be harmful:

allergy sufferers;
pregnant women;
children under 2 years old.

The use should be discontinued if allergy symptoms appear: headache, dizziness, nausea.

In case of colds and other he alth problems, you need to have dry marigold flowers at home. You can harvest them in June, July, August, September. Cut off the marigold inflorescences and a piece (5 cm) of the stem. Dry in the shade. Store in a jar with a lid.