Mexican mint marigold is an edible and medicinal plant from Mexico and Guatemala. It grows to about 50 cm, has oblong, oval leaves, yellow flowers consist of 3-5 petals and are located at the ends of the stems.
The Aztecs and Indians used the leaves of this plant for burning to obtain lucky visions and to anesthetise captives before sacrificing them to fire.
The flowers are set individually, small, on short pedicels, white, bisexual, with numerous stamens, blooming in summer. In its Mexican homeland, Mexican mint marigold is a perennial plant, and in Central Europe it is almost always grown as an annual plant.
Like all marigolds, the above-ground parts are very sensitive to frost. In summer, small, orange-yellow flowers appear on the plant in large numbers. Mexican mint marigold can be grown as an ornamental plant, but there are many other varieties that bloom longer and more intensely.
Tagetes (from Latin Tagetes) is a genus of annual plants belonging to the Asteraceae family (from Latin Asteraceae), which includes as many as 53 verified and accepted species.
It is very popular almost all over the world. The plant has a pleasant anise scent, its aroma is very reminiscent of traditional tarragon. The leaves taste very similar and very intense.
As a wild plant, it occurs on both continents of America in the tropical and temperate (warm) climate zones. Mexican mint marigold flowers appear in summer and last until late autumn. Their size depends on the species (from approx. 4-10 cm) and they can be found in yellow, orange and red-brown.
Aerial parts.
Mexican mint marigold is used to relieve digestive system problems, including flatulence, abdominal pain, lack of appetite and colic. It is an element supporting the treatment of helminthosis, also known as helminthiasis.
It is a disease caused by parasitic worms (helminths), including flatworms such as the broad worm, the unarmed tapeworm, and roundworm.
The medicinal properties of Mexican mint marigold are useful in dysentery, which is an acute infectious intestinal disease characterized by persistent diarrhea and blood and mucus in the stool.
Mexican mint marigold is also used in cases of cough, frequent parotitis, colds and as an ingredient of ophthalmological preparations. Researchers indicate that 100 g of herbal raw material contains 560–1200 mg of lutein.
Mexican mint marigold has antidepressant, anxiolytic, calming and relaxing properties. It has anti-inflammatory effects on joints and muscles and is recommended for rheumatic diseases, inhibits the development of staphylococci and streptococci, and destroys parasites.
It supports the treatment of psoriasis and helps to remove harmful metabolic products. It can be used for diseases of the throat, sinuses, bronchi and lungs.
Studies have shown the large amounts of lutein in Mexican mint marigold herb is very good for the eyes. When used before bed, it is intended to calm the mind and body and increase the sleep experience.
It is worth reaching for it when you suffer from a cold or flu, because it has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and has an expectorant effect, so it will be useful in combating a persistent wet cough.
Mexican mint marigold have a great impact on eye health; they help protect them against the development of diseases, all thanks to the lutein, quercetin and rutin contained in it. It also has an antioxidant effect, so it protects the body against the harmful effects of free radicals, has anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.
Mexican mint marigold flower petals are also recommended for use in cases of digestive system infections. This plant also contains compounds called phytoncides, which have fungicidal and antibacterial properties, thanks to which they act as "plant antibiotics".
These flowers also have a diuretic effect, thanks to which they protect the urinary system, including the bladder, against infections. Interestingly, Mexican mint marigold supports the nervous system, has antidepressant properties and helps relieve stress. It is believed to reduce the risk of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
Mexican mint marigold is also suitable for external use on the skin. You can prepare a tonic from it, which will have a beneficial effect on eliminating dark circles under the eyes and discoloration.
Mexican mint marigold flowers are a raw material commonly used in cosmetics. They are perfect for skin lesions, especially those occurring in lupus and psoriasis. They are recommended for flabby, grey, tired and dull skin.
They improve the elasticity of blood vessels and slow down the skin aging process. You can prepare a tonic from Mexican mint marigold. Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of flowers, leave for 10 minutes covered and strain. After cooling, the skin is washed with the infusion.
Due to their attractive appearance, which they owe to their colourful flowers, Mexican mint marigolds are often found in home gardens. They are planted in flower beds, borders, balconies and terraces.
It is grown as a turf plant, or groundcover, which creates a dense ground cover. Mexican mint marigold have flowers of various colors, which can be single-coloured or variegated. The most common ones are yellow, orange and red.
The essential oil produced from Mexican mint marigold has allelopathic properties. This means that the chemicals contained in it have a negative impact on the development of weeds, but also have a deterrent effect on soil pests.
Mexican mint marigolds were used in Aztec times for both religious and medicinal purposes. Currently, this spice is popular in the southern states of the USA. The spice can successfully replace traditional tarragon, and it is better grown in hot climates.
Very similar to traditional tarragon, Mexican mint marigold has a more intense and stronger aroma. It goes perfectly with spicy dishes that are very popular in the south-western states of America.
It is suitable as an ingredient for bouquet garni, for seasoning butter and wine vinegar. Its pleasant smell harmonizes well with poultry meat.
The leaves are used in cooking; they have a strong smell and aftertaste of tarragon combined with anise. It goes well with meat dishes - especially poultry, salads and soups. The plant is used as a food flavouring agent. You can brew it like tea, make alcohol-based tinctures, or smoke the leaves like tobacco.
Mexican mint marigold flowers are an ingredient of salads and are used to decorate savory and sweet dishes. It has a spicy-camphorous smell and a balsamic-bitter taste.
Additionally, dried flowers are the basis for preparing tea. Tinctures are made from Mexican mint marigold flowers. For this purpose, you need 100 g of dry crushed flowers and 900 ml of 70-80% alcohol.
Plant raw materials are poured with alcohol and left in a dark place for about 2 weeks, remembering to shake the container daily. After this time, it is strained and poured into bottles.
Mexican mint marigolds are annual ornamental plants from the Asteraceae family, popular due to their undemanding cultivation and fluted flowers with an intense yellow or orange color, which add color to the garden and are eagerly visited by bees, bumblebees and butterflies.
Growing Mexican mint marigold does not pose many difficulties. It grows best in sunny and wind-protected positions. There are no high expectations regarding the soil, although fertile and humus soil is best for it. During drought it requires watering. It is sensitive to frost and does not tolerate long-term rains.
If we want to sow Mexican mint marigold seeds straight into the soil, we should do it in spring after the frosts have stopped. In earlier periods, you can sow in a field or in containers at home. When growing Mexican mint marigold, you will need:
Mexican mint marigolds are perfect for planting flower beds and can be planted directly in the ground, which is why we often see them in home gardens. They also grow well in containers and baskets, which makes them ideal for decorating balconies and terraces, e.g. in boxes or hanging baskets.
These plants are durable and often planted in parks, squares and along sidewalks. Mexican mint marigolds are also popular in country and home gardens. Mexican mint marigolds like warm and sunny conditions with light partial shade, preferably on balconies or gardens located on the south side.
Flowers need well-drained soil and moderate watering. They should be sown in the ground at a spacing of approximately 30-40 cm, depending on the variety.
Mexican mint marigolds are a relatively undemanding species in cultivation and apart from occasional watering, they do not require any special care.
It is worth removing faded and dead inflorescences, which encourages the plant to bloom longer, and when growing tall varieties, we can remove shoots to accelerate the plant's branching. During the growing season, you can support the plant's development by fertilizing it once a month with a light, balanced fertilizer.
Mexican mint marigolds are quite disease-resistant plants, and their biggest enemy may be too intense watering, which can lead to rot and fungal diseases, so it is worth planting them in permeable soil and ensuring a drainage layer in containers.
Plants may also suffer from diseases such as bacterial leaf spot or stem rot. The characteristic smell of Mexican mint marigolds repels many insects and rodents, but they are not completely resistant - especially unscented varieties, they can be attacked by spider mites, aphids or grasshoppers, and Mexican mint marigolds are also eagerly eaten by snails.
The above-ground parts of the plant contain, among others: thiophene, tannins, triterpene saponins, choline, flavonoids, especially quercetagetin, patuletrin, patuletin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol.
Mexican mint marigold flowers are an excellent source of carotenoids - pigments with anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Mexican mint marigold also has diuretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, choleretic, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antidepressant, fungistatic and expectorant properties.
You can make a health-promoting infusion from Mexican mint marigold. Just crush a handful of picked flowers, then pour 250 ml of hot water over them and set aside for about half an hour.
This infusion can be used not only for drinking, but also for external use on the skin, as a tonic. Just add a little lemon juice to it, then soak a cotton pad and gently wipe the skin.
Mexican mint marigold flowers are also suitable for preparing oil macerate. You will need a handful of Mexican mint marigold flowers and linseed, rapeseed or sunflower oil; olive oil will also work well.
Place the cleaned Mexican mint marigold flowers in a clean and sterilized jar, then pour in the oil so that it completely covers the flowers. Close the jar and set aside in a dark place for two weeks.
In the meantime, shake the jar regularly. After 14 days, strain the oil and pour it into a dark glass container. It's best to put it in the fridge.
To prepare Mexican mint marigold tincture, you will only need: a large amount of flowers and twice as much strong alcohol. Start by crushing fresh flowers, put them in a clean jar, then pour alcohol over them and close the lid.
Set aside in a dark place for two weeks, shaking the jar during this time. After 14 days, strain the tincture and pour it into a clean bottle.
Mexican mint marigold tincture will be helpful in case of respiratory diseases or indigestion, use five milliliters diluted in water twice a day. It is also worth using it for muscle cramps, menstrual pain, and even anxiety or depression. Then the dose is 15 ml once a day.
