Wellness Wows (Marigold)
Glow With Marigold!
Scoop
up spoonsful of goodness from marigold as the flower serves up a menu of health
benefits and a plate rich with nutrient-dense recipes.
By PRAMITA BOSE
Taking Care of Skin and Eyes
Marigold helps brighten your skin and boost eye
health.
The lutein found in marigold is effective in shielding the eyes from toxic
rays, lifting vision performance and decreasing the risk of age-related eye
disease. The glycoproteins, nucleoproteins, antioxidants and vitamins in
marigold increase skin moisture; promote healing from burns, wounds and rashes;
and stimulate skin collagen formation, resulting in a stronger, healthier skin.
The anti-inflammatory activities in marigolds are reported to lessen swelling
and irritation.
“Daily use of marigold in salads and teas or its topical applications
contributes to a radiant skin as well as protects eye health in a natural way,”
reasons Sonia Mehta, also the founder at Everbloom, a wellness company for
senior citizens.
Keeping Organs in Good Shape
Good news is that vital human organs are kept in a healthy
condition owing to marigold intake.
“Marigold is known to guard mainly the heart, liver, kidneys and
digestive organs,” reports Mehta.
Its antioxidants help relieve oxidative stress, which protects the
heart and blood vessels. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds
within marigold act as a detox for the liver and advance kidney function, while
glycoproteins and triterpenoids lead to proper digestion and prevent
gastrointestinal upsets. Further, its immune-raising properties can help save
different organs from infections and inflammation.
“When incorporated in daily meals, marigold can benefit overall
cardiovascular health, elevate organ efficacy and drive systemic wellness,”
avers Mehta.
Barrier Against Diseases
Marigold’s medicinal properties act as a natural rampart
against numerous health issues. “It may lower the risk of eye degeneration, infections, skin disorders
and chronic inflammation due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects,”
assures Anushi Jain, nutritionist and
founder of Nutri Maven wellness platform.
Marigold
can address common complaints like “hypertension, micro inflammation, eye
disorders and is also beneficial for heart morbidity,” inputs dietician Dnyeshwari Barve,
incharge (nutrition and dietetics department) at DPU Super Specialty Hospital,
Pimpri (Pune).
Marigold aids in fighting off numerous indications from developing —
riding on its antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It
can help prevent eye infections, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, fungal infections and
may even aid in checking the spread of cancer by activating proteins that
target abnormal cells.
Incidentally, marigold’s anti-inflammatory compounds reduce the risk
of diseases related to chronic inflammation, while its antioxidants can
neutralise free radicals, thus curbing the possibility of cardiac ailments and
age-related collapse. Thus, marigold helps prevent many diseases from striking.
Notably, marigold is a potent raw ingredient in
Ayurvedic as well as Unani medicine.
The flower is a precious antidote because of its antiseptic,
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps with circulatory
functions besides providing other remedial benefits. With its daily usage over
time, marigold can assist in tissue healing. “Marigold-based oils, teas and solutions
are common in traditional systems, highlighting its significance as a natural,
multi-functional ingredient with both preventive and therapeutic applications,”
substantiates Mehta.
Jain confirms that marigold is used to “purify blood, treat skin issues,
aid in digestion and support liver health.”
Nutraceutical Ingredient
It is interesting
to note that marigold can be used in diverse forms as a potent ingredient or a health-generating
formula in nutraceuticals (functional food or a food component meting out
medical or health benefits beyond its fundamental nutritional value as in even
preventing and treating diseases). It is an
edible superfood.
“Marigold
extracts are quite rich and versatile with their widespread application in food
supplements. They are encapsulated as oil suspensions, beadlets, dispersible
powders, soft gels or microencapsulated ingredients — each specially created to
stabilise carotenoids while at the same time, improve their bioavailability,”
concludes Sanjaya Mariwala, executive
chairman and managing director of OmniActive Health Technologies.
Most recently, the FDA (US regulatory agency Food and Drug Administration) approved marigold-derived free lutein for use in infant food, which is a first-of-its-kind achievement for protecting early life health. The flower’s journey from a beautiful garden or as a trusted home remedy to a global nutraceutical platform shows how science can collaborate with farmers to invent health solutions for every stage of life.
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