Description
Tagetes essential oil is extracted from Tagetes minuta (also known as Tagetes glandulifera) of the Compositae family and is also known as marigold, Mexican marigold and tagetette. It is often confused with calendula oil, which is Calendula officinalis, also known as “true marigold”.
Although very few people buy this oil for the fragrance, it is a very effective oil when used in cases of infection and especially weeping wounds and chest infections.
Oil properties
Tagetes oil has a wild, sweet, fruity almost citrus-like smell and is yellow to reddish-amber in color. It is of medium viscosity that can turn thick and even gel-like if exposed to the air for a long time.
Origin of Tagetes oil
Known in Africa as ‘Khaki bush’, it is now also grown in France and North America and is a weed with deeply divided deep-green feathery leaves and numerous yellowish-orange carnation-like flowers.
The leaves and flowers are a good insect repellent and are often seen hanging from native huts to deter swarms of flies and mosquitoes. In a 5% dilution, tagetes oil has been used to kill maggots in open wounds, while the roots and seeds have been found to help rid the body of poisons.
After the Boer war in South Africa, Australian troops brought plants to their native land where it grew profusely. It is an ingredient of many foot treatment preparations and is also used in some perfumes.
Extraction
Tagetes oil is extracted from the leaves, stalks and flowers, picked when the seeds are just starting to form.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components are tagetone, limonene, valeric acid and ocimene etc.
Precautions
Tagetes oil is a very powerful oil and should be used sparingly and should be avoided during pregnancy. Not to be used on a sensitive skin and may cause photosensitivity. Cases of dermatitis have been reported.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of Tagetes oil are anti-infectious, anti-microbial, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, insecticide and sedative.
Uses
Tagetes oil is valuable in keeping insects at bay, and can help with parasitic and fungal infestation.
It is used for chest infections, coughs and catarrh, dilating the bronchi, facilitating the flow of mucus and dislodging congestion and can be used in cases of skin infections. It has a healing effect on wounds, cuts, calluses and bunions.
Summary
Tagetes oil can be useful for treating the respiratory system, infections of the skin and as an insect repellent.
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- Burners and vaporizers
- In vapor therapy, tagetes oil can help with coughs, bronchitis, chest infections and as an insect repellant.
- Blended massage oil or in the bath
- As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, tagetes oil can assist with wounds, cuts, coughs, chest infections, parasitic and fungal infestations
- Cream or lotion
- When used in a cream or lotion, it can have a most beneficial effect on fungal and microbial infections and especially helpful when treating weeping wounds.
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Tagetes oil blends well with
Although essential oils normally blend well together, Tagetes oil blends particularly well with clary sage, jasmine, lavender, lemon, myrrh, and tangerine.
More information about Tagetes Oil
Skincare ~ recommended for athletes foot (tinea), healing effect on cuts, burns, wounds, bunions, callouses & corns ~ excellent for treating weeping wounds & varicose veins, skin diseases & dermatitis ~ anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal & anti-inflammatory properties ~ excellent insect repellent & treats insect bites & stings
Hair Care ~ helps eradicate head lice & nits
Digestive System ~ treatment for diarrhea
Immune System ~ helps treat mumps, measles, chickpox
Musculoskeletal System ~ helps treat all types of muscular aches & pains
Nervous System ~ calming & seductive properties ~ effective for depression, anxiety, tension, stress, panic attacks, migraines, nervousness, insomnia & other emotional & psychological hyper reactions
Respiratory System ~ recommended for chest infections, whooping cough & spasmodic coughs, bronchitis, colds, colic,dislodging congestion & catarrh
Emotional ~ Spiritual ~ helps heal those that struggle in vain to find the stable ground of faith ~ it is then that the ‘release’ into spiritual openness may be of great assistance ~ emotional & spiritual balancing ~ soothes the deepest forms of anxiety & installs a profound sense of peace
Blends Well With ~ Allspice, Amyris, Bergamot, Caraway, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon,Clary Sage, Clove, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Eucalpytus Lemon Scented, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Grapefruit Pink, Jasmine, Juniperberry, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Scented Tea Tree, Lemon Verbena, Lime, Mandarin, Myrrh, Nerolina, Niaouli, Nutmeg, Orange, Pine, Rosalina, Rose, Rose Geranium, Sage, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Tea Tree
Safety ~ Non-toxic, non-irritant ~ used with caution on the skin as it may cause skin sensitivity ~ best to avoid during pregnancy
