The use of marigolds in folk medicine: medicinal properties of black-browed flowers and recipes on how to make tea, infusion or essential oil from them

All of us are well aware of marigolds or Chernobrivtsi (Latin name "tagetes") - undemanding plants that are often used to decorate park beds, balconies, grown in summer cottages. But few people know that the homeland of these plants is Central America.

It was from there in the 16th century that a golden flower was brought. In Europe, marigolds have long been used exclusively as an ornamental plant. But the population of Asia and America knows their healing properties since ancient times. Mexican Indians prepared for their magical rituals from marigolds a drink that possessed a psychotropic property, causing hallucinations.

The markets of modern Mexico sell dried flowers as a seasoning for cooking. Marigold cultivation is a lucrative business in India.

Chemical composition

Modern medicine does not reject the healing properties of tagetes, which are determined by their composition. Marigolds contain the following active substances:

otsitomen;
apene;
pigments;
lutein;
citral;
alkoids;
flavonoids;
carotene.

ATTENTION: In the process of vegetative development, the plant accumulates an essential oil, consisting of 50% of the valuable substance of otitomen. They use ether in cosmetology and medicine. Marigold petals contain Fe, Cu, K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, Au, as well as vitamins A, E, C, folic acid, rutin.

Pharmacological properties

Useful microelements and macroelements of the plant, connecting together, make it a unique medicine. Tagetes has the following properties:

antiseptic;
antifungal;
sedative;
laxative;
antiviral;
healing;
diuretic;
soothing;
anthelmintic;
antispasmodic;
antispasmodic.

Useful qualities

The Chernobrivtsy used in ancient medicine the ancient Aztecs. The medicinal plant was used to make tea, which was used to treat the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, and relieve rheumatic pains.

Hindus juice from Tagetes eliminates eczema. And Mexicans used tincture from the plant to increase the lactation of lactating women. In folk medicine of our country, marigolds are also in demand:

Treatment of pancreatic diseases by taking medications based on golden flowers helps to improve the condition of a diseased organ. Helps relieve swelling, normalizes the production of enzymes. The pain disappears after a few days, and a noticeable improvement occurs after the first week of using the medicine. At the initial stage of pancreatic disease, marigold preparations help the body recover on its own.
Thanks to the substance of rutin, which is part of the flower, the elasticity of blood capillaries improves, they are less susceptible to fragility, which prevents the development of varicose veins, cardiovascular diseases.
Tegetes-based teas and tinctures provoke the pancreas to produce enough insulin, which is responsible for converting sugar into glucose. Thus, it helps to reduce glucose in the body, helps to cope with diabetes at the initial stage.
In cosmetology, the Tagetes found their niche. An oily solution of flowers is applied to the roughened skin of the feet, elbows, knees. Then the skin becomes softer and more elastic. Marigold lotions will clean your skin and help get rid of acne. The hair roots are strengthened, the scalp is moisturized by adding essential oil from the plant to the shampoo.
Indication for the treatment of Chernobriv there are disorders of the nervous system. The plant helps to normalize sleep, relieve stress, increase the production of the hormone endorphin. Another plant stimulates the brain, helping to cope with strong mental stress. Recommended soothing baths from a decoction of marigolds with stress, depression, apathy.
Flowers have medicinal properties and have an immunoprotective function. Thanks to what they support the body during viral epidemics, in the spring, during the period of vitamin deficiency. According to doctors, the risk of contracting a viral infection is 70% less if a person takes medications containing tagetes for prevention.
Plant extract is part of dietary supplements and other drugs to support the proper level of vision. Substances carotene, lutein prevent the appearance of cataracts. To prevent eye problems, eat 3 flowers every day.
Fresh squeezed tagetes juice contributes to the rapid healing of wounds, burns, insect bites.
Tincture of flowers are sinusitis, tonsillitis, ENT diseases.

IMPORTANT: When using funds from marigolds, no special contraindications were observed. However, you need to be careful for pregnant and lactating women, people with individual intolerance to the substance, allergies. Before starting use, it is better to consult a doctor so as not to harm the body.

Read about the medicinal properties and contraindications to the use of this plant here.

Essential oil

Marigold oil is obtained by distillation:

To do this, you need to prepare any vegetable oil (preferably olive) in a ratio of 1:10 and the vegetable part.
Finely chop the stems, castings, flowers and add oil. In a dark, cool place, this mixture should stand for at least 8 hours, and preferably all night.
After it is heated in a water bath, at a water temperature of 60-70 ° C, about half an hour.
The resulting extract is filtered and poured into a container with dark glass.

Saving should be in the refrigerator. Essential oil with a characteristic spicy aroma helps get rid of fungal infections, with frostbite, burns. Compresses with ether heal wounds, also suitable for resorption of hematomas, elimination of corns, corns, warts.

If you add a couple drops of essential oil to the foot cream, the heels and feet will become softer to the touch. Ether of marigolds is taken orally in the treatment of severe cough, bronchitis. It helps to promote mucus, neutralizes stagnation, is an expectorant. Marigold essential oil is mixed with other esters to produce fragrance compositions in perfumery.

Watch a video about making marigold oil:

Preparation of infusion and broth

The recipe for infusion to eliminate worms and pinworms:

Connect 1 tbsp. spoonful of finely chopped leaves, flowers and 300 ml of boiling water and leave for 40 minutes. Strain.
Drink 10 minutes before eating 2 tbsp. tablespoons of tincture 3 times a day.
And before going to bed, you should eat 2-3 marigold flowers. And after a week you can forget about parasites.

Due to the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant, tahetes infusions are used for colds in the form of inhalations:

To do this, pour 5-6 buds of 300 ml of boiling water.
The tool is allowed to stand for an hour, after which you can proceed to inhalation.

With arthrosis and other diseases of the joints, a decoction of tagetes helps well. To prepare a decoction:

Take fresh or dried flowers in an amount of 20 pieces.
Pour boiling water again with a volume of 1 liter.

You need to take 2 liters daily for 3 months.

Flower tea

Tea of flowers for every day is prepared for colds, cystitis, and urolithiasis.. Also used as a diuretic and expectorant: plant inflorescences 3-4 pcs. throw in a teapot with boiling water and after a couple of minutes, the tea is ready. For taste, you can add honey.

TIP: Such a drink should be drunk as a sedative for nerve stress, fatigue, stress.

Traditional medicine recipes

For the pancreas. Infusion for admission for 1 day: chop the inflorescence, add 200 ml of boiling water, let stand. Pre-divide into 4 equal parts, drink the prepared product during the day.
With internal and external bleeding. 2 tbsp. spoons of marigold petals to combine with 1 spoon of meadowsweet flowers, pour 400 ml of boiling water all this. Close the tank. Brew for 30 minutes. Take 1 glass three times a day before meals.
Infusion for hypertension. Calendula, marigolds, mint - finely chop and mix everything. This mixture take 1 tbsp. spoon for 250ml boiling water. Let stand for 20 minutes. Then strain and put honey to taste. Drink 30-40 minutes before eating.
For the treatment of acne. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of marigolds pour 250 ml of boiled water, leave for 3 hours. Use the product in the form of lotions and face rubs. The broth dries and tones the skin well.
Face wash. Make an infusion of 2 tbsp. tablespoons of petals and 200 ml of boiled water. Leave for 12 hours. Add 1 teaspoon of medical alcohol and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to the resulting concentrate. Keep the wipe in the refrigerator. You should wipe your face two to three times a day.

Cookery

In Europe, it soon became clear that the new plant with a spicy floral aroma has a place not only in the garden, but also on the table. Caucasian cuisine uses dried and shredded marigold flowers as a spice called “Imereti saffron” (are saffron and marigold different flowers?). This is an invariable ingredient in the famous Sunflower Hops.

Fresh flowers are used for pickling, pickling, insist in vinegar with the addition of vegetable oil. You can use them as a spice for pickling, vegetables become more fragrant and resilient. Marigold leaves have an island flavor, freshly they are safely added to salads.

Tagetes is used in the preparation of compotes, soft drinks and jelly, as a result of which not only an interesting aroma is obtained, but also the product becomes much more useful.

You can still talk a lot about ancient history, useful properties, folk and culinary recipes of marigolds, but not count all. But it is worth considering that the concentration of healing substances is greatest during the flowering period. It is important not to miss this moment and stock up on a healing plant for the whole year.