Botanical Name: Tagetus erecta
Family: Compositeae
Introduction:
Latin name : Tagetus = marigold, tages an Etruscan God; erecta = straight.
Sanskrit names : Zandu, Salpushpa, Zenduk.
Botanical Description : This is a small plant. Its stalk and branches are angular and bear bristle hairs.
Leaves – regularly placed, foliated and with hairs.
Flowers – dark yellow. Seeds- black and oblong. flowering – in October (around Dassera).
Many varieties are found.
Habitat : Though imported from Mexico, it is found all over India.
Properties:
Guna : laghu, ruksha;
Rasa: tikta, kashaya;
Virya : sheeta;
Vipaka Katu
Dosha : kaphapittashamak.
It has specific activity on the rakta dhatu.
External uses : Its hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties are helpful in injury and ulcers. Leaves and flowers are used for local application.
Internal uses :‘ Since it is a blood purifier and hemostatic it is useful in blood disorders, bleeding diathesis, bleeding piles and menorrhagia. Flowers fried in ghee are given orally.
Parts used : Flowers or leaf juice.
Dose : Juice 10 to 20 gms.
Srotogamitva
Dosha : Kaphapittaghna.
Dhatu : Rakta (hemostatic), in bleeding diathesis – specially in reducing kaphapitta from the blood