COMMON NAME: Tagetes, Khakibush, Marigold, Inca Marigold, Indian Marigold

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tagetes minuta, T. glandulifera, T. patula, T. bipinata

FAMILY NAME: Asteraceae (Composite,Daisy)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Africa or Americas

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: India, South Africa, France, Argentina, Egypt, Madagascar

HISTORY INFORMATION: Aztecs used the flowers to lower blood pressure and calm nerves. In China, the plant is used for coughs, colds, sores, and ulcers.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There are 30 species of Tagetes. It is commonly called marigold and sometimes erroneously called calendula. T. patula is the short French marigold and T. erecta is the tall African marigold. T. lucida is Mexican marigold and it is commonly used in cooking to replace tarragon. T. lucida or sweet tagetes is smoked by the Huicol of Mexico so they can see visions and the Aztecs gave to sacrificial victims to dull their senses. Copper Daisy (T. lemmonii) is used in cooking and also has beneficial effects for the garden. The Tagetes minuta is used in gardening to repel nematodes and kill certain weeds. It has the ability to recondition the soil. There is a polmeritzation of the oil causing loss of its antibacterial and antifungal properties which lowers it reliability of properties and constituents.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An annual flowering plant growing to 1ft high with soft green oval leaves producing many yellow-orange daisy-like flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Flowering plant.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Dark yellow to orange.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Ketone. 50% tagetone, monoterpenes and several other ketones.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cytophlactic, decongestant, diaphoretic, dilator, emmenagogue, emollient, Hypotensor, insect repellent, insecticide, parasiticide, sedative, stomachic, tranquilizer. Used to disinfect and to heal the skin. Used for catarrh, respiratory infections, coughs, muscular aches and pains, clear the thinking.

MENTAL USES: I choose my will to be directed toward my highest and best good. I desire my actions to support the best in others for their highest and best good.

EMOTIONAL USES: Stuck, negative, unhappy, pessimistic, paranoid, "hitting head against the wall," spiraling downwards and you don't seem to be able to stop it TO confident above the future, enthusiastic, happy, clear about what is wanted out of life.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that your will has a strong hold on you and it has gone negative. You may feel that you have no power to resist as the negative seems so much easier, comfortable, or truthful. It is time to let the will know who is boss and turn your will around for positive purposes. Tagetes supports the will or mental body. Eases strong negative thoughts that can keep people stuck and unhappy so that the will is able to move forward in a more positive and constructive manner. "The will to do good."

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (with proper supervision), inhaler, light bulb ring, massage, mist spray, perfume

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic at low dosages. Cross reaction with arnica and others in the compositae family (don't use in Biotone with arnica), could be neurotoxic, phototoxic, and skin irritant. Avoid in pregnancy and with infants and children.