Healing Power of Marigold

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Marigolds, Healing, Natural Cures, Farmers’ Almanac Television

I always enjoy hearing from either readers or fans of FATV when they question a fact, picture or concept. If it is in the Farmers’ Almanac and we are “caught”, I will salute the sharp-eyed reader in the next edition.

Here is a great question regarding an item on natural cures. I was just watching some of the videos about natural cures.  When I saw the one about using marigold petals, thought I ought to ask you about it.  You picture the kind of marigold flowers many of us grow in our flower gardens.  From all the reading I have done about herbs I think that you probably should have pictured calendula marigold.  That is the healing herb that I have read about so many times.  If I am wrong about this and any marigold petal would work, I’d like to know that too.

Thanks,Marilyn

There is always too much information on any subject. This item below offers the best insights into  the healing powers of Marigolds. It seems that “Calendula” encompasses many varieties of Marigold.

Calendula

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – Cite This Source

Calendula (Ca-lén-du-la, pot marigold) is a genus of about 12-20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. Calendula should not be confused with the true marigolds (Tagetes species, see marigold). It is also the flower of the month October.

The name Calendula stems from the Latin kalendae, meaning first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year. The common name marigold probably refers to the Virgin Mary, or its old Saxon name ‘ymbglidegold’, which means ‘it turns with the sun’. Marigolds typically bloom quickly (in under two months) in bright yellows, reds, and oranges throughout the summer and well into the fall.

Marigolds are considered by many gardening experts as one of the most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially since it is easy to grow. Seeds sown in the spring, in most soils, will germinate freely in sunny or half-sunny locations. They do best, however, if planted in sunny locations with rich, well-drained soil. The leaves are spirally arranged, 5-18 cm long, simple, and slightly hairy. The flower heads range from pastel yellow to deep orange, and are 3-7 cm across, with both ray florets and disc florets. They have a spicy aroma and are produced from spring to autumn in temperate climates. It is recommended to deadhead (removal of dying flower heads) the plants regularly to maintain even blossom production.

Marigolds are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth, The Gothic, Large Yellow Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Marigold petals are considered edible. They are often used to add color to salads, and marigold extract is commonly added to chicken feed to produce darker egg yolks. Their aroma, however, is not sweet, and resembles the smell of hops in beer. The oil from its seed contains calendic acid.

Medicinal effects

The ointment of this herb is thought to cure a range of skin problems from burns to acne as it has properties that reduces inflammation, controls bleeding and soothes irritated tissue. Use externally or topically for minor wounds, eczemas and cysts as well as diaper rash and cradle cap in infants.

Clinical evidence is scanty but one study suggests that calendula can speed wound healing. Another study found that calendula helps prevent rashes caused by radiation therapy.

Selected species

• Calendula arvensis – Field Marigold
• Calendula bicolor
• Calendula eckerleinii
• Calendula lanzae
• Calendula maderensis – Madeiran Marigold
• Calendula maritima – Sea Marigold
• Calendula maroccana
• Calendula meuselii
• Calendula officinalis – Pot Marigold
• Calendula stellata
• Calendula suffruticosa
• Calendula tripterocarpa