Genda Phool, Mari Gold Tagetes erecta Benefits, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

Jhandu – Tagetes erecta is a plant which is not mentioned in the ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. The plant is a native of Mexico from where it spread to the African continent and then to all over the world.

Latin name- Tagetes erecta Linn.
Family- Asteraceae (Bhringaraja kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name-Genda, Genda Phool
English name- African marigold, Aztec marigold, Mexican Marigold
Bengali name- Genda
Gujarathi name- Galaghoto
Kannada name- Chendu huvu, Chenduhoovu
Marathi name- Ghenda
Malayalam name- Chendu malli
Telugu name- Banti Puvuu
Parsi name- Gulhazara
Nepalese name – Sayapatri

Classical categorization

Raja Nighantu- Parpatadi varga

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tagetes
Species: T. erecta

Morphology

Morphology of Mexican Marigold: 
Jhandu is a small hairy herb growing to a height of 3- 4 feet. The flowers are dark yellow or orange colored and are cultivated all over India in the temperate climate for its decorative purpose. The flowers are also used for various rituals and for culinary purposes as a coloring agent.

Properties, part used, dosage

Jhandu – medicinal Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature)
Vipaka – – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphapitta shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and pitta dosha).
Part used- Leaf, Flower
Dosage- Fresh juice 10 to 20 ml

Chemical constituents, uses

Chemical constituents of Tagetes erecta:
The whole plant contains an essential oil limonene, ocimene, linalyl acetate, linalool, tagetone and n- nonyl aldehyde as major components. The flowers contain lutein esters of dipalmitate, dimyristate and monomyristate. The fresh petals contain tagetin and hydroxyflavones.

Uses of Jhandu

The paste of the leaf is applied over the area affected with boils, carbuncles, muscle pain and rheumatism.
Cold infusion of the whole plant is given in a dose 30-40 ml to treat bronchitis, asthma and cough.
The paste of the leaf and flowers are applied over the external pile mass to reduce it.
The distillate obtained from the flowers is used to treat asthma. 4-5 drops are added with a glass of hot water and consumed.
The cold infusion prepared from the leaves and flowers is given in a dose of 50-60 ml to treat burning micturition.
The paste prepared from the leaves and flowers are applied over fresh wounds to control bleeding or in wounds associated with pus as treatment.
Nasya (Nasal administration) of the fresh juice of the leaf is done in epistaxis.
The paste of the leaf is fried in clarified butter or oil and consumed to control bleeding in piles, excessive blood flow during menstruation.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Adverse effects, Research

Adverse effect: No adverse effect is reported after the normal medicinal use of Tagetes erecta.

Research articles on Tagetes erecta:
Anti- bacterial action: Antibacterial activity of different parts of ethenolic extract of Tagetes erecta was evaluated using disc diffusion method against gram positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. Streptomycin (Standard) was used for antibacterial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of extract from these plant parts against 5 bacteria by using the Disc Diffusion Method. The result indicates that the leaf and flower of this plant part showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Anti- microbial activity: The aim of the present study was to extract active constituents of T. erecta flowers and evaluate their antimicrobial potential. The dried powder of the flower petals was extracted individually by the cold percolation method using different organic solvents like hexane, toluene, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and water. Out of the 8 Gram positive and 8 Gram negative strains studied, B. cereus and K. pneumonia were inhibited by all the solvent extracts except aqueous extract. Amongst Gram positive bacteria, highest antibacterial activity was seen against B. cereus followed by S. aureus and L. monocytogenes; while amongst Gram negative strains, highest antibacterial activity was seen against K. pneumoniae followed by P. pseudoalcaligenes.

Blood coagulation property: Blood clotting activity of leaf extract was examined using prothrombin time (PT) test by Owren method. Experiments showed that there was a decrease in coagulation time with an increase in extract concentration. Marigold leaves extract has shown very good blood coagulation property in lesser quantities i.e., in the range of ?l. Antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activity are also analyzed. From the above findings, it can be concluded that along with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, marigold leave extracts are also having very good coagulation properties.

Hepato- protective action:  Current study focuses on hepato protective activity of the roots in ethanol extract by ethanol induced hepato-toxicity model. Physical parameters, liver functioning, antioxidant levels and histo- pathological study of the liver were studied to find out hepato protective action of Tagetes erecta. Treatment with Tagetes erecta root extracts has protected the liver from induced hepatotoxicity.

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com

Sthanika karma (Action on different systems)

External application – Helps to arrest bleeding, Anti inflammatory in action. Leaf and flower paste is used in Bruise, wounds etc. Nasya with the leaf juice is indicated in nasal bleeding.

Digestive system – Carminative, Facilitate normal movement of doshas, Absorbent. Overdose can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Indicated in Loss of digestive fire, Indigestion, Colic pain etc.

Circulatory System – Indicated in bleeding disorders (In Hemorrhoids, Menorrhagia etc. flower juice mixed with ghee is given.)

Effect on eye:

Eyes are dominant with sun factor, Pitta dosha. marigold, with high quantities of Lutein and Zeaxanthin carotenoids are useful to improve eye health, vision, sleep, brain functions and also in post partum care of the mother.