Tagetes essential oil is extracted from Tagetes minuta from the Composites family and also known as marigold, Mexican marigold and tagetette and often confused with calendula oil, which is Calendula officinalis and the true marigold.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.The health benefits of Tagetes Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti biotic, anti microbial, anti parasitic, anti septic, anti spasmodic, disinfectant, insecticide and sedative.Tagetes is also known by few other names such as Khaki Bush as Mexican Marie Gold. This herb is believed to be a native of Africa from where it spread to America, Europe and Australia. Its scientific name is Tagetes Minuta and it is very much valued as an insect repellant, anti parasitic and anti septic in the places given above.Anti Biotic: Biotic means anything that concerns life. Biotic growth means growth of living cells or higher forms of life. In the context of human body and pathology, biotic growth means growth of bacteria or fungi or protozoa or any other form of parasites in the human body. So, obviously, an anti biotic means an agent that counters or inhibits such biotic growth in the body. It has been found very beneficial on open sores, ulcers, rotten wounds and even gangrene. In some places, it is used to clear wounds and eliminate growth of maggots in them.Anti Microbial: As discussed above, the Essential Oil of Tagetes is useful in stopping growth of microbes in the body and thereby protecting it from infections. In cases of infectious diseases caused by bacteria or fungi or protozoa, such as food poisoning, athlete foot, cholera, septic, tetanus, typhus, malaria, skin diseases, dermatitis etc., this oil can be employed in wiping out these infections and giving relief from the diseases told above.Anti Parasitic: This oil can help you get rid of the most annoying and harmful of parasites on human body such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bed-bugs and others. It keeps them away as well as neutralize their effects such as bites, stings etc.Anti Septic: Again, as most of you are aware by now, septic is another name of infection caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus Aureus. It is very dangerous and can be fatal. It may start on a simple looking wound and engulf the whole body within a few hours. It readily affects the new born babies. Its symptoms include convulsions, extreme spasm and muscular contractions, swelling with redness, immobility of the limbs and even insanity. This oil is lethal to these bacteria and helps get rid of septic.Other Benefits: Apart from the uses discussed above, it is further used to ease phlegm and catarrh depositions, congestion and to treat wounds, burns, athletefoot, skin diseases, dermatitis, colitis etc.
Few Words of Caution: It may cause sensitization and irritation. Heavier doses or doses of higher concentration may be hard to withstand. It is therefore, should be avoided in pregnancy.