Description
Discover the Magic of Tagetes Lucida (Mexican Tarragon)
Experience the enchanting aroma and flavor of Tagetes lucida, a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. This member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae or Compositae) has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant and culinary herb. At Wisdom of Plants Institute, we are proud to offer you top-quality Tagetes lucida sourced from the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico through local friends who also gather our Mimosa hostilis.
Traditional Uses of Tagetes Lucida
The Aztecs grew Mexican Tarragon for culinary, medicinal, and ritual purposes. They believed it treated the illnesses of the gods and burned it as incense. The flowers were used decoratively in many religious ceremonies, and it is still used today to ward off ‘evil spirits’ and in the corners of the cornfield before the harvest. In Aztec culture, it was dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of rain and lightning, and was therefore responsible for ‘wet’ illnesses like colds and rheumatism.
Tagetes lucida was used by the Aztecs in a ritual incense known as Yauhtli. The plant was linked to the rain god Tlaloc, and the Aztecs allegedly used it as one of the ingredients in a medicinal powder which was blown into the faces of those about to become the victims of human sacrifice and which may have possessed stupefying or anxiolytic properties. The plant is also used by the Huichol, mixed with Nicotiana rustica (a potent wild tobacco), for its claimed psychotropic and entheogenic effects.
The Maya used this flower as an additive to their sacred balché drink. It is said that contemporary Mayan shamans still use Tagetes lucida, which they call xpuhuc, in shamanic rituals. The Mixe of Oaxaca drink a tea made from nine Tagetes flowers for divination.
Tagetes Lucida Features
- Top-quality Tagetes lucida sourced from the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico
- Perennial plant with a tarragon-like flavor and hints of anise
- Used for centuries as a medicinal plant and culinary herb
- Believed to ward off ‘evil spirits’ and treat ‘wet’ illnesses like colds and rheumatism
- Has been used in ritual incense and for its claimed psychotropic and entheogenic effects
Scientific Information
Tagetes lucida is a member of the sunflower family and contains various compounds that have been studied for their potential health benefits. These compounds include:
- Tagetone, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Quercetagetin, which has been found to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties
- Flavonoids, which have been linked to various health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases
While more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits of Tagetes lucida, its traditional uses and chemical composition suggest that it may have a range of therapeutic properties.
Experience the Magic of Tagetes Lucida Today
At Wisdom of Plants Institute, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality herbs and plants. Order Tagetes lucida today and experience the magic of this enchanting plant for yourself.