Many rivers to cross And it’s only my will that keeps me alive I’ve been licked, washed up for years And I merely survive because of my pride.
– Many Rivers To Cross, Jimmy Cliff, 1969.
These words express how silent doctor marigold, relegated to the name “stinking missy”, feels about her tour of duty in Barbados.
Stinking missy is a very degrading name for such a powerful plant. In other parts of the world she is politely called Amarillo, Anito, and African/French marigold. The name is derived from “Mary’s gold”.
Since appearing in the blockbuster The Marigold Conspiracy, which premiered in this column last week, marigold’s status as a healer is rising.
That conspiracy by Panadola and Aspirina from Laboratoria to damage respect for marigold and her usefulness also caused collateral damage.
This week in Part II, The Healing Power Of Marigold Will Freak You Out, Histialee and Advilin, also from Laboratoria and accompanied by their allies – dizziness, vomiting, headache, nausea, hives, diarrhoea and rash – try to ease marigold out of the way so they can take charge.
However, the Creator decreed “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of nations” (Revelations 22:2).
As the people of Horton Village gathered in awe around the herbal educator, she said research proved marigold to be one of the purest and richest sources of lutein – a carotenoid vitamin, natural colorant or pigment, and an important antioxidant.
It may help the eye and skin stay healthy. Some people use it to prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, colon and breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Further, marigold can treat ulcers, fungus, eczema, sore eyes, allergic contact dermatitis, haemorrhoids, anaemia, earache, muscular and bone pain, irregular and painful menstruation, severe constipation and dysentery. A cup of her tea can be used as a diuretic, carminative, and blood purifier.
Marigold is also used as a food colour in some dairy products, citrus fruits, mustard, margarine and in many other products.
The villagers were also informed that they must not confuse this type of marigold with Calendula, also called marigold and used by Perdue Farms to produce a chicken with very golden skin.
As the sun set in Horton, one villager shouted: “I gine an’ fill my garden with nuff marigolds.”
Next week: Marigold Is A Martyr and How To Repair Collateral Damage.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted at silentdoctors@gmail.com or call 250-6450.
disclaimer: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific health claims for any products. Any attempt to diagnose and treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care professional.
