Essential Oils - Marigold - An absolute from the African Khaki bush

Essential Oils - Marigold - An absolute from the African Khaki bush

Marigoldor marigolds(Tagetes minuta)belongs to the daisy family of botanical plants. The oil is obtained by distilling the freshly flowering plant. An absolute is also made from the flowering herb. Known in Africa as'Khaki Bush', it is now also cultivated in France and North America and is a weed with deeply divided deep green pinnate leaves and numerous yellow-orange carnation-like flowers. Marigold oil is extracted from the leaves, stems and flowers, which are picked when the seeds are just beginning to form. This oil should not be confused with Calendula officinalis, which has completely different properties.

Marigold is a highly fragrant annual herb about 12 inches tall with bright orange, daisy-like flowers and soft green oval leaves. Marigold oil has a wild, sweet, fruity, almost citrus-like smell and is yellow to reddish-amber in color. It has a medium viscosity that can become thick and even gel-like with prolonged exposure to air.

Traditionally, African marigold flowers are used in China for whooping cough, colds, colic, mumps, eye infections and mastitis. The leaves and flowers are a good insect repellent and are often seen hanging from local huts to deter swarms of flies and mosquitoes. After the Boer War in South Africa, Australian troops brought plants back home, where they grew profusely. It is an ingredient in many foot treatment products and is also used in some perfumes.

How can we benefit from marigold oil today?

At a 5% dilution, marigold oil has been used to kill maggots in open wounds, while the roots and seeds help rid the body of toxins. Marigold oil is valuable for keeping insects at bay and can help with parasite and fungal infestations. It is used for chest infections, coughs and catarrh, to dilate the bronchial tubes, to facilitate the flow of mucus and to dissolve congestion, and can be used for skin infections. It has a healing effect on wounds, cuts, calluses and bunions. Marigold oil can be diluted 50-50 and applied locally; it can be inhaled and diffused. Tagetes harmonizes particularly well with clary sage, jasmine, lavender, lemon, myrrh and mandarin. There are some reports of dermatitis with tagetes, so it should be used with caution and in moderation.

Would you like to learn more about essential oils and how they can help us stay healthy? Consider becoming a certified clinical aromatherapist. The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy teaches aromatherapy and energy healing throughout the United States.