MEDICINAL USES:
The aerial portion of the Marsh
Marigold is a secretory stimulant, an irritant and rubifacient. It is not always consistent in its actions, though some
people find it to be a very useful herb. Marsh
Marigold is highly effective as a secretory stimulant; as an expectorant, a
digestive stimulant or to help bring on menstruation. The roots are diaphoretic, emetic and expectorant.
Dry Marsh Marigold before you use it, as the fresh juice of the plant
tends to be rather caustic. Euell Gibbons recommends the fresh juice for treating warts.
Some people may get dermatitis from handling the fresh plant.
CAUTION:
Dry
plant parts thoroughly as the residual acridity could cause kidney or liver
inflammation in some. Fresh plants
contain a toxic glucoside, though boiling or drying the plant destroys this. The
toxin has caused death in livestock, though the dried leaves, when found in hay
appear to be harmless.
OTHER USES: All parts of the plant are edible, though you must first cook them to break down the acrid chemicals. Marsh Marigold can be valuable in an emergency food in the high country where it often grows in abundance while other edibles are in short supply.