Know More About Marigold: The October Flower

“Till the time there are flowers on this earth, there will be hope, love, positivity, and the determination to live” - Rheima

The world of flowers is a vast one. There are various types of flowers and they all have different blooming seasons. Based on their blooming season and popularity, every month has a flower. The official flower for October is marigold. Marigold is one of the most popular flowers that are used profusely in temples. The scientific name is Tagetes and it is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower family. Marigolds are native to North & South America but now they are found almost all over the world. The flower is of golden, orange, or yellow color with maroon highlights in some of them.

Know Some Interesting Facts About Marigold Flower Here:

1. Do you know that the term marigold actually refers to the Virgin Mary?
2. Originally marigolds were cultivated in Mexico some 2000 years ago.
3. There are in total 56 species of marigolds.
4. The indigenous people of Mexico known as Aztecs used to believe that the marigold has protective properties and thus used it for the treatment of burns that resulted from a lightning strike.
5. Naturally, the habitats of marigolds are shores, quite water bodies, ponds, wet meadows, springs, ditches, wetlands, waterside swamps, and meadows.
6. It is fascinating to learn that Marigold is a rich source of lutein. Lutein is a substance that is highly beneficial for human eyes. Marigold is thus used in age-related macular degeneration treatments. For this property, marigold is generally included in the diet of chickens that leads to the incorporation of lutein in the eggs. These eggs have bright yellow colored yolks and they help in the treatment of macular degeneration.
7. The pot marigold variety can be termed as “poor man’s saffron”. They add bright yellow to orange color to soups, stews, and other dishes. In German soups and stews, the use of marigold is very common.
8. There is some spiritual significance of marigold flowers. They symbolize the warmth and glory of the rising sun, sacred offerings to God, winning the love of someone after hard work, promoting cheerfulness, and affable relationships.
9. The smell of marigold is quite pungent. This pungent smell deters insects and pests from your garden. So, don’t forget to plant marigold in your garden especially if you have vegetables like tomatoes, aubergines, or peppers growing in it.
10. You can plant some marigold near your window and be safe from the mosquitoes. The pungent smelling flowers repel mosquitoes.
11. Dyes are extracted from marigold which is used extensively in the food and textile industry. Among food, it is used in vegetable oil, cheese, margarine, pasta, mayonnaise, mustard, etc.
12. Marigold flowers treat the skin from wounds, rashes, burns, bites, itchiness, and swelling. Research says that this flower carries the ability to hydrate dry skin, encourage the growth of healthy new tissue, improve collagen production, enhance blood flow to the affected area, and speed up the process of skin repair after surgery.
13. Calendula oil is extracted from this flower. Do you know that this oil is an excellent antioxidant source? This orange and yellow oil is a rich source of carotenes and carotenoids and these phytochemicals are pre-cursors to the production of antioxidant Vitamin A.
14. Research also says that this flower is effective in the cure of conjunctivitis.
15. The anti-microbial and antiseptic qualities of marigold also cure mouth ulcers and sore throats.
16. This flower is used in the beauty industry too in various masks, packs, creams, and oils for its unique properties.