Marigold essential oil: properties and benefits
The marigold (Tagetes minuta) is a plant that probably originated in Africa but is now widespread in South America, Australia and even Europe.
Of particular value and use in parks and gardens, it has a large number of botanical and aesthetic properties: the stem can reach two meters, and the late flowers liven up, with their warm yellow and orange color, the season in which normally everyone the other shrubs slowly peel off and lose their flowers, that is autumn .
In addition, the plant has the ability to prevent pests and fungi, as well as improve the composition of the soil and compost in which it is planted, as well as hinder the growth and proliferation of weeds.
In South America, where it grows luxuriantly, it is also used as a medicinal plant, and used in the form of oil, decoction and compress.
The qualities of the plant are also transferred to the essential oil obtained from the flowers and leaves.
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Properties of the essential oil of marigold
The essential oil of marigold has the following properties :
> Antifungal and fungicide : the essential oil of marigold is a strong antifungal. It allows in fact to cure mycoses of the skin, especially those on the feet . In fact, the essential oil of marigold helps to dry and regenerate the skin affected by fungal infections;
> antibiotic : in nature the marigold plant keeps pests and insects away. In the same way, the essential oil of marigold serves as an antibiotic, in case of cuts and wounds, it avoids bacterial proliferation and infections;
> disinfectant : used internally, or on surfaces, or by spray on clothing and in the rooms, it allows to disinfect the air and purify it from viruses.
It therefore allows to avoid the spread of diseases such as colds, exanthematous diseases that are transmitted by contact or inhalation;
> calming : the sedative and calming property of marigold oil is mainly expressed by using it in the aroma diffuser. It relaxes the nerves, and calms the sad moods and anxieties, whether they are due to known causes and concrete events, or to unknown and sudden causes.
Benefits and use of essential marigold oil
The essential oil of marigold can be used both in aromatherapy by inhalation and as an ingredient in compresses and massage oils .
In aromatherapy the marigold oil brings the sun and the wild scent of the open air in the rooms, purifying the air and giving a sparkling lash, thanks to the limonene content. The scent is in fact citrus and fresh.
Calm and relieve tension . Just as it brings light and color at the end of summer, in the same way it brings light into emotional stages that decline with the coming of winter, following the natural retreat of nature.
For this reason it is used as an antidepressant, especially in mild cases and at the first symptoms.
Mixed with other oils it can instead be used as an antifungal for foot care, in particular, and for skin infections thanks to its bactericidal properties.
It is an oil with antibiotic properties and can also be used internally, mixed in a little clay or honey, to the extent of a drop for a teaspoon: through ingestion and aromatherapy it is also used in case of cough, since it moves phlegm and disinfects the respiratory tract.
Before using the essential oil of marigold, it is always advisable to carry out a test on a small part of skin inside the wrist or elbow, to ensure that the skin is not too sensitive to oil.
Excessive use, in any case, is too aggressive and can lead to the formation of redness and dermatitis.
We therefore use essential oils with respect and caution.
