Mexican Mint Marigold
Tagetes lucida
Latin Name: Tagetes lucida
Common Name: Perícon, Mexican Tarragon, Spanish Tarragon, Winter Tarragon, Sweet Mace, Ansillo, Yauhtli (nahualt), Hierba Anis, Hierba/Flor de Santa María, Hierbanís/Yerbanís, Cuchrucumín, Hierba Añil, Periquillo
Family: Asteracaea
Contraindications: Allergies to Asteracaea/Daisy family. Do not consume if pregnant or chest-feeding.
Native To: Mexico, Guatemala
Botanical Description: Half-hardy perennial in warmer regions, and can be grown as an annual in temperate regions. Mexican tarragon can grow up to 70 cm tall, has shiny narrow green leaves and bears clusters of small golden yellow flower heads
Habitat: Drought tolerant and needs full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.
Parts Used: Leaves and Flowers
Key Constituents:
Herbal Actions: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant properties, natural sedative, sleep inducing, decongestant
Taste: Aromatic
Ways To Use:
Digestive Issues — Added to food or consumed as tea to add in digestion, relieve gas, diarrhea, and cramping.
Cold/Fever — Tea is consumed to relieve congestion and fever
Emotional Support — The scent of Mexican mint marigold is said to bring someone out of “susto” or emotional shock/trauma. Dried mexican mint marigold is burned, a spiritual bath is prepared to bath the person in, or a limpia is performed to cleanse the person of heavy energy.
Spiritual Support — It is considered holy to Tlaloc, the rain god, it is rubbed on the chest to ensure safety before crossing a river. It is closely associated with the harvest because it is found after the first rains of the season and blooms around the time the corn is ready to harvest. It is used to cleanse spirits and spaces.
Insecticide — Essential oils in mexican mint marigold deter insects. Can be burned or crushed and applied on skin.
Herbal Preperations:
Vinegar/Oxymel: Fill a jar with leaves and cover with apple cider vinegar. If you would like to make it an oxymel, add 1/4 to equal parts honey to vinegar depending on your likeness. Let it steep for 4-6 weeks. Strain and use in marinades, salad dresssing, drinks, etc.
Hydrosol for spiritual protection, facial cleanser, cleansing spray.
Incense cones for altar or rituals/ceremonies for those who have passed or to ward off evil spirits
Add to Cacao for Aztec xocōlātl or Mexican Hot Cacao
References:
Davidow, J. Infusions of Healing: A Treasury of Mexican-American Herbal Remedies (New York, NY: Fireside, 1999).
written by khadija khansia
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use with caution and consult with a doctor or herbalist before consuming if you are pregnant or on other medications. Please do your own research before consuming to know if this medicine is right for your body.
