Marigolds fight HIV and cancer

The α-terthienyl and quercetin components in marigold flowers have the ability to resist HIV virus and cancer.

Marigold flowers. Photo: caythuoctrongvuon.

Dr. Vo Van Chi has many large-scale research projects on Vietnamese medicinal plants, said that marigold flower has the scientific name Tagetes erecta L., belongs to the Asteraceae family. This plant grows wild in many places such as Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Gia Lai, Lam Dong...

Oriental medicine often uses this flower to make medicine called marigold flower. People pick the flower in the fall, remove impurities, wash it, dry it for later use. This medicine has a bitter, slightly spicy taste, cool properties, the effect of clearing heat and calming the liver, eliminating wind and phlegm, activating blood circulation, preventing AIDS, and fighting off mollusks. Folk medicine uses it to treat sore eyes (conjunctivitis), respiratory diseases, whooping cough, bronchitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, and toothache. Dosage is from 3 to 10 g.

Pharmacological analysis showed that marigold contains quercetin, β-carotene, lutein, pyrethrin, helenien, tagetiin,α-terthienyl, chrysanthemaxanthin, flavoxathin, auroxathin, syringic acid, caryophyllene...

Pharmacological studies prove the compositionα-terthienyl in marigolds has very strong anti-HIV activity. Quercetin has relatively strong anti-cancer activity. This substance can interact with some mutated carcinogenic factors, so it has the ability to prevent cancer and is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-platelet.

Dr. Chi introduces a remedy to help treat AIDS, fever, chills, headache, swollen and painful jaw, and hot skin as follows: 15 grams of marigold and Chinese clematis root each. 30 grams of dandelion, large green leaf, honeysuckle, and sea gold sand. Boil all of them in water to drink. Add an equal amount of marigold, seven-leaf flower, and honeysuckle. Grind all of them into powder and mix with vinegar to apply to the painful area.

According to VNE