Tagetes oil

Technical Data Sheets :

Botanical Name: Tagetes minuta. It is also known as Tagetesglandulifera. It comes from the Compositae family. The other names are marigold, Mexican marigold and tagetette. People mistake this oil with Calendula which is called true marigold.

Common Method of Extraction: The oil is extracted from the leaves, flowers and stalks when the seeds are forming.  The method of extraction is steam distillation.

Parts Used: The main parts used are Leaves, stalks and flowers

Note Classification: Top

Aroma: Tagetes oil has a citrus like smell which is sweet, fruity and wild. It is reddish-amber in colour. The viscosity is medium and it tends to become thick when exposed to air for a long time.

Largest Producing Countries: South Africa and France are the largest producing countries of Tagetes oil.

Traditional Use: Tagetes was grown is abundance in South Africa and it is known as ‘Khaki bush’ there. It is now grown in France and North America. After the Boer war which happened in South Africa, Australian troops brought the plants to their native land and it started growing Australia is abundantly.

Properties:

Tagetes oil is an antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, disinfectant, insecticide, sedative and antimicrobial. It is also a very good insect repellent and anti-parasitic. The main component of this oil is limonene, tagetone, valeric acid and ocimene. Tagetes oil does not allow any growth of bacteria, fungus and other parasites in the body. It is good for sores, ulcer and gangrene.  It helps to keep mosquitoes, bees, lice, bed bugs and other parasites away. It is also good to apply it in the parts affected by the bite and sting of such parasites. The oil is good for different type of spasm and it provides relief from coughs, cramps, convulsion and diarrhoea. The oil is natural relaxant. It can be used as a good sedative. The inflammation and irritation in the nervous, excretory, neurotic systems can be sedated with this oil.

It is also good for stress, depression, anxiety, convulsions and many other disturbing tense reactions. It is also good for reducing phlegm and catarrh deposition. It is good for congestion and a good medicine to treat wounds, burns, skin diseases, colitis and athlete’s foot.  The oil has the properties to disinfect the body and also an area. The oil cna be used in fumigants, sprays and vaporizers to disinfect the area. This helps to reduce the chances of getting airborne diseases like cold, measles, mumps and many others.

Blends Well With: Tagetes oil blends well with bergamot, clary sage, citrus, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, tangerine and lemon.

Of Interest: Tagetes oil in spite of the good fragrance is not popular in aromatherapy. It is not used in deodorant also. But it is famous as an anti-parasitic and antiseptic and also famous for the other medicinal properties.

Safety Data: Tagetes oil should be used only sparingly because the oil is very powerful.  It should not be used during pregnancy. Avoid using the oil on sensitive skin and it can cause photosensitivity. Many cases of dermatitis have been reported.