The magical marigold

Miracles of Marigold

Marigold flower

* Treatment for measles

* Treatment for gynaecological disorders

* Used to treat skin infections

* Used as a dye

* A decorative plant

Marigold is a locally grown plant that can be propagated easily in any homegarden. Once called Mary’s Gold and Sun’s bride because of its tendency to follow the sun by day, the plant’s medicinal properties have been documented since the 12th Century.

Common illnesses (it was even called the ‘measle flower’ as it was used to treat the problem) and gynaecological disorders were treated using the marigold. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a dye in place of the expensive saffron, while in the 19th Century, it was used to treat skin ulcers and eczema. The plants were dried and stocked in apothecaries and grown in medicinal gardens. The Marigold in orange, lemon, golden yellow and a rare white, is a good potted plant.

The marigold is easy to grow, with the dwarf varieties suited for the borders in gardens.

Collecting dry blooms must be done with care as they may propagate with unruly abandon. As such, dry leaves mulched into the soil help fertilize the plant as well as keep it moist.

(Some information is based on an article published in The Hindu)