Botanical Name

Tagetes erecta L.

Family

Asteraceae.

Synonyms

Tagetes corymbosa Sweet, Tagetes  ernstii H.Rob. & Nicolson, Tagetes excelsa Soule, Tagetes heterocarpha Rydb., Tagetes patula L., Tagetes remotiflora Kunze, Tagetes  tenuifolia  Millsp.

Regional Name

English: African marigold, Hindi: Genda, Hajara, Hajari, Jhandu, Sanskrit: Jhandu, Sthulapushpa, Zandu, Zanduga, Kannada: Chandu hoo, Chandu mallige, Chendu mallige, Marathi: Makh mal, Makhamala, Rajiachaphul, Rajjachaphool, Roji, Zendu, Tamil : Banti, Kancappucceti, Totika, Totikavantippa, Tulukkaccevvanti, Tulukkamallikai, Telugu : banti.

Part Used

Leaf & Flower.

Description

This species is native to Mexico, widely naturalised. Within India, it is cultivated in the gardens, sometimes naturalised. This plant reaches heights of 50 and 100 cm. It is widely cultivated commercially with many cultivars  in use as ornamental plants. Most species have pinnate green leaves. Blooms naturally occur in golden, orange, yellow, and white colors, often with maroon highlights. Floral heads are typically 4–6 cm diameter, generally with both ray florets and disc florets..

Phytoconstituents

The whole plant contains an essential oil limonene, α,β pinene, dipentene, ocimene, linalyl acetate, linalool, gereniol, tagetone, nonanal and n- nonyl aldehyde as major components. The flowers contain lutein esters of dipalmitate, dimyristate and monomyristate. The fresh petals contain tagetin and hydroxyflavones.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna : Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature), Vipaka : Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion), Virya (Potency) : Sheeta (Cold), Karma : Kaphapitta shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and pitta dosha).

Ayurvedic Applications

Kustha (skin diseases), Sotha (inflammation), Kasa (cough), Antrasula (intestinal colic), Suryavarta (sinusitis), Prameha (urinary disorders).

Medicinal Uses

It is used to treat stomach ache, diarrhea, liver illnesses, vomiting, indigestion, burning micturition and toothache. It is also useful as a skin wash and for yellow dye. The flowers are also applied on skin for reducing inflammation, healing wounds, softening skin, treat various skin diseases. It is also used in Respiratory problems, Asthma, bronchitis, coughing, Urinary problems, scanty urination, kidney stone, Menorrhagia / Raktapradar, Erectile dysfunction, Pain in ears, Breast swelling, Cracked heels, rheumatism, Sprain, muscle pain, swelling, bleeding in piles, excessive blood flow during menstruation. Flower can be applied on skin for treating dryness and rejuvenation of skin.