Traditional Uses of Tagetes erecta

Tagetes erecta, revered for its multifaceted medicinal properties, has been harnessed for traditional healing practices across the globe. Documented usage spans from Guatemala, where it has been utilized in phytomedicine to combat respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, asthma, and tuberculosis, to India, where its flowers are employed in treating various skin conditions including wounds, burns, and ulcers. In Indian traditional medicine, T. erecta extracts are administered alongside common salt and minerals to alleviate kidney-related issues, offering relief from blocked urine. Furthermore, the leaves of this plant are utilized for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Across Spanish and French herbal medicine, Tagetes erecta finds application as an external remedy for its detersive, resolutive, and vesicant properties. Notably, communities in Madagascar recognize its antimalarial potential, while in Rodrigues Island, fever resulting from infection is addressed through the consumption of an infusion made from its flowers. Through centuries of traditional use, Tagetes erecta continues to serve as a versatile and valued botanical resource in global healing traditions.