FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)
SYNONYMS: T. glandulifera, tagette, taget, marigold, Mexican marigold, wrongly called ‘calendula’ (oil).
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A strongly scented annual herb about 30 cms high with bright orange, daisylike flowers and soft green oval leaves.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to South America and Mexico. Now grows wild in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. The oil is mainly produced in South Africa, France, Argentina and Egypt, the absolute in Nigeria and France.
OTHER SPECIES: There are several other types of tagetes which share similar characteristics and are used to produce essential oils, notably the French marigold (T. patula) and the African or Aztec marigold (T. erecta) – see also Botanical Classification section.
NB: Not to be confused with the ‘true’ marigold (Calendula officinalis) which has very different properties and constituents, and is used extensively in herbal medicine (and occasionally to make an absolute). See entry on marigold.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: In India the locally grown flowering tops of the French marigold are distilled into a receiver which contains a solvent, often sandalwood oil, to produce ‘attar genda’ – a popular Indian perfume material. In China the flowers of the African marigold are used for whooping cough, colds, colic, mumps, sore eyes and mastitis – usually as a decoction.
ACTIONS: Anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, fungicidal, stomachic.
EXTRACTION: 1. An essential oil by steam distillation from the fresh flowering herb. 2. An absolute (and concrete) by solvent extraction from the fresh flowering herb.
CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A dark orange or yellow mobile liquid which slowly solidifies on exposure to air and light, with a bitter-green, herby odour. 2. An orange, olive or brown semi-liquid mass with an intense, sweet, greenfruity odour. It blends well with clary sage, lavender, jasmine, bergamot and other citrus oils in very small percentages.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly tagetones, with ocimene, myrcene, linalol, limonene, pinenes, carvone, citral, camphene, valeric acid and salicylaldehyde, among others.
SAFETY DATA: ‘It is quite possible that “tagetone” (the main constituent) is harmful to the human organism.’. Some reported cases of dermatitis with the tagetes species. Use with care, in moderation.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Skin care: Bunions, calluses, corns, fungal infections.
OTHER USES: Used in some pharmaceutical products. The absolute and oil are employed to a limited extent in herbaceous and floral perfumes. Used for flavouring tobacco and in most major food categories, including alcoholic and soft drinks.
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