Jhendu / झेंडू / Marigold / Tagetes erecta L.

Jhendu / झेंडू / Marigold / Tagetes erecta L.

Other Names

  • Local Name: Jhendu / झेंडू
  • Common Name: Marigold
  • Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta L.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb
  • Occurrence: Tropical deciduous forests, thorny forests, cloud forests and pine-oak forests
  • Season of Availability: Summer and monsoon
  • Geography: Americas
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes
  • Ripe: Yes
  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A
  • As Food: Flower petals and leaves may be used raw in salads.
  • As Medicine: Leaf paste is applied to areas affected by boils and rheumatism; plant infusion is taken to treat bronchitis and cough; leaf and flower infusion is given to treat burning micturition.
  • Cooking Method: Flower petals and leaves may be used raw in salads.
  • Preservation / Curing Technique: N/A
  • Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: No
  • Souring Agents Required: N/A

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in Carotenes and Carotenoids
  • Medicinal Benefit: Helps treat boils, rheumatism, bronchitis, cough, and burning micturition.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Leaf paste is applied to areas affected by boils and rheumatism; plant infusion is taken to treat bronchitis and cough; leaf and flower infusion is given to treat burning micturition.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Marigolds can be boiled in water and steeped to make tea, which helps soothe cramps.