Marigold; Medicinal Uses

Marigold has been highly valued by herbal healers of centuries. In most herbal reference works it is called calendula, its Latin name, so the two names are interchangeable. However, for the purpose of this article, we’re strictly speaking in reference to the calendula variety of marigold, or what are also known as “pot marigolds.”

Marigolds are found almost anywhere in the world. They grow easily, bloom reliably, and have few insect and disease problems. Marigolds are highly useful for medicinal purposes such as headaches, toothache, swelling, and strengthening the heart. They have also been used in cooking as well.

History

It is thought that marigold originated in Egypt and was first introduced to Britain and other countries by the Romans. It was one of the earliest cultivated flowers. The ancient Greeks, who used the petals for decoration, also knew of marigold’s other uses, such as coloring for food, make-up, dying fabrics, and medicinal uses. Marigolds have been grown in the gardens of Europe since the 12th century. By the 14th century, many had learned of its many and varied “magical powers.” One medieval author named Macer described marigold in his volume on herbs and thought that merely to look upon the blooms would improve eyesight and draw evil “humors” from the head. They are often called “pot marigolds”due to their use in cooking.

During the American Civil War and World War I, marigolds were used to prevent wounds from getting infected. The blooms were made into either a poultice or infused into oils for application to the wounds. In eastern countries garlands of the brightly colored flowers were, and still are, frequently used in festivals.

Medicinal Uses:

Only the flower heads of marigolds are used medicinally. They are well known for their wound healing and antiseptic properties, but modern herbalists have found a wide variety of uses for them, including: an alternative analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericide, carminative, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stomachic, styptic, and tonic. The petals of the marigold have been made into an infusion that is useful as an eyewash. They are also good as a natural fabric dye and for food coloring.

Taken Internally:
■Improves circulation
■Balances female reproductive systems with its estrogenic effect—for example in cases of painful or scanty menstruation
■Detoxifies the digestive system, helping to heal viral inflammations, candida, gastritis and peptic ulcers with its anti-bacterial/anti-fungal
actions
■Is a safe diuretic that will aid in detoxifying the urinary tract
■Purifies the lymphatic and immune systems as it builds them up
■Helps to treat dysfunctions of the liver and gallbladder and will clear, cool, and detoxify the digestive system and relieves colitis
■Stimulates the cells that protect the body from infection
■Soothing for sore throats, toothaches, and cold sores
■Antiseptic actions will speed up recovery from measles and mumps

Externally:

Compresses soaked in marigold tea are therapeutic in many ways, including:
■Healing wounds, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, small infections of the skin, animal bites, scratches, and scars
■Stops bleeding with its astringent actions
■Anti-bacterial actions combat infection and promote healthy tissue growth
■Anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling and irritation, soothing the treated areas
■Anti-microbial
■Calendula ointment applied to varicose veins twice daily for about three weeks can improve or clear them completely
■Appling marigold ointment and/or powder to bed/pressure sores regularly can treat and may even prevent them if used before the skin breaks down that far
■Marigold ointment is a safe and effective treatment for diaper rash, and used together with fresh air, it is a wonderful solution to an age-old problem. Marigold powder has also been used as a replacement for baby powder, as its healing properties go far beyond anything that talc can do.
■Great for treating bruises
■Ideal for treating sunburn and other first degree burns
■Soothing to insect bites and stings
Addendum:
Our bodies cannot manufacture lutein or zeaxanthin, but Marigolds can provide it:
Here is an example of a product using marigold for the eyes by taking the herb internally. Zeaxantin can be made other ways than using marigold also.
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU331/ItemDetail?
Here are some research articles purporting the benefits of zeaxanthin:
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/RefSearch?q=zeaxanthin&doSearch=true&ntt&n=0&ntk=Level1&x=14&y=8

Marigolds In Pregnancy and Childbirth:

Pregnant women should not use internal preparations as it is believed to stimulate labor and may thus bring on delivery too early. However, it is safe to use it externally throughout pregnancy and may be especially helpful after childbirth. It has long been used to promote healing of rips to the perineum and likewise any incisions needed to allow for the baby’s entry into the world. It can be alternated with arnica treatments or used alone.

Ointment of Marigold on birthing scars has been used to reduce their visibility and using it on sore, cracked nipples due to nursing offers relief to many when gently rubbed into the area. This same ointment is useful for treating mastitis after birth or during breast-feeding. If a high fever develops after childbirth, a diluted tincture of marigold, in combination with a strong infusion, used three times daily will help reduce the fever and flu-like symptoms that may accompany it.

Shelf life of Flowers and Seeds:

Dried flowers can last 6-12 months while fresh flower heads should be used immediately for maximum potency. The seeds under normal conditions will be good 1-2 years, but stored in a cool, dark place in a tightly covered container will last much longer.

7 Comments to “Medicinal Uses of Marigolds”

1.
I thought the common marigold (tagetes) and the calendula (pot marigold) were two different plants.
I know the common marigold – pictured in the article – can be used to deter aphids and other bugs when used as a companion plant. The pot marigold or calendula, which looks much more like a yellow/gold daisy is used medicinally for salves.

Are they the same? ThanksThank you for pointing that out. The wrong picture was featured and I apologize for any confusion for our readers. I have updated the article to reflect the calendula marigold.

Thanks for the interesting and helpful article!

I was going to point out the same thing Bellen did, but ten noticed that she beat me to it!

The photo shows a calendula, not a marigold, although some people do mistakenly refer to calendula as marigold. Marigold is a different plant/flower, which has a very distinct and somewhat unpleasant smell calendula doesn’t have.

Here is an article about marigold:

http://healthandbeautywoman.com/marigold-flower-beauty-and-health/

Your article now shows a calendula, but apart from mentioning that some people mistakenly refer to calendula as marigolds, all other references to marigold should in my opinion be deleted from your article.
2.

3.
The above article still states that Marigold and Calendula are the same thing but the comments above contradict that. Which one is true???

Calendula is a variety of marigold. Because this flower is referred to as marigold in herbal references, it’s easily confused with the garden variety of marigold we use for insect control. I have added a sentence in the first paragraph to underscore the fact that, for the purposes of this article, we’re speaking in reference to the calendula marigold, or pot marigold as it’s also referred to. How does one get the ointment from these flowers and how to made them for healing.
Thank you for your help.

4.
emmiej1939 – to extract the healing properties into a salve you need a medium such as extra virgin olive oil. Heat about 2-4 cups of olive oil to 200 degrees (check with a candy themometer) in a stainless cooking pot and place the DRIED pot marigold HEADS in a cheese cloth ‘sache’. Sink the cheese cloth sache into the hot oil and check the temperature frequently to maintain the 200 degrees for 1 hour. At the end of an hour, turn the heat off and allow the oil to cool for about 20 minutes. Pull the sache out of the oil using tongs and press out the oil from the cheese cloth against the inside of the pot. place on a plate to discard later. To make the mixture into a sauve you will need to add beeswax. The recipe is approx 4 Tb beeswax to 1 cup oil. Stir melted wax into oil and pour mix into a low cut bin with a good cover and allow to cool. You will want to make sure the sauve cools completely before covering to keep condensation from forming. We use baby food jars but we also made a 3-C cream using Comfrey, Calendula, and Chickweed mix (about 2 cups each). So you could use less oil/beeswax. The cream we used on a baby with diaper rash and the rash DISAPPEARED after the first application. Have fun!

h/t Sharon N Lance Palmer