Tagetes erecta (Tagetes erecta): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Tagetes erecta work for eye health?

Tagetes erecta contains lutein, a carotenoid that accumulates in the macula of the eye where it functions as an antioxidant and blue light filter. This mechanism helps protect retinal tissues from oxidative damage. The herb also contains quercetin and other flavonoids that provide additional antioxidant support. Lutein from Tagetes erecta extracts is commonly used in supplements for maintaining healthy vision. Evidence level: C.

Is Tagetes erecta safe during pregnancy?

Tagetes erecta is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional use suggests it may stimulate uterine contractions, which could potentially lead to miscarriage or premature labor. Pregnant women should not use medicinal preparations of this herb at therapeutic doses. Food-level exposure from ornamental use is not a concern, but concentrated supplements should be strictly avoided. Evidence level: C/Traditional.

What is the recommended dosage for Tagetes erecta?

The traditional adult dosage for Tagetes erecta is 5-10 grams of dried flowers prepared as a tea, taken once or twice daily. For lutein supplementation, standardized extracts in capsule form are available and should be taken according to manufacturer instructions. Dosage recommendations vary based on the preparation and intended use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized dosing guidance. Evidence level: Traditional/C.

Does Tagetes erecta interact with any medications?

There are currently no well-documented drug interactions for Tagetes erecta in clinical literature. However, due to limited research, individuals taking prescription medications should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before use. Those with known allergies to ragweed or other Asteraceae family plants should avoid Tagetes erecta due to potential cross-reactivity and allergic skin reactions. Evidence level: C.

What are the traditional uses of Tagetes erecta?

Tagetes erecta has been used in Mexican folk medicine for treating respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds, and bronchial complaints. It was traditionally employed as an insect repellent and held sacred by the Aztec people for ceremonial and religious purposes. Modern applications focus on its lutein content for supporting eye health and its antioxidant properties. Evidence level: C/Traditional.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Tagetes erecta, commonly known as African or Aztec marigold, is an ornamental and medicinal plant indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala [PMID:33366097]. It is a primary source of carotenoids, particularly lutein, used in the food and pharmaceutical industries [PMID:37714249].

Background

Tagetes erecta is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family [PMID:33366097, PMID:37928490]. It is widely cultivated across America, Africa, Asia, and Europe for landscaping and medicinal purposes [PMID:37714249, PMID:30388858].

Traditional uses

In folk medicine, it is used to treat inflammatory processes [PMID:38996948] and various health problems including dental, stomach, intestinal, emotional, and nervous disorders, as well as muscular pain [PMID:30388858]. It has also been traditionally used for cardiovascular and renal diseases [PMID:39675109, PMID:36181985].

Active compounds

The plant is a fundamental source of carotenoids, especially lutein [PMID:37714249]. Other identified compounds include megastigmane-type norsesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids [PMID:37714249, PMID:35792278], and polyphenols [PMID:39675109]. Volatile compounds such as thymol, thymol anisole, and camphor have also been identified [PMID:35179311].

Mechanism of action

The plant's hydroalcoholic extract modulates inflammation by regulating neutrophil and macrophage functions [PMID:38996948]. Polyphenol-rich extracts stimulate osteogenesis via the activation of $\beta$-catenin [PMID:39675109] and restore osteogenic capacity under microplastic-induced stress by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) to promote antioxidant defense pathways [PMID:42341604].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammation and Pain

Flower extracts demonstrated pronounced antioxidant potential and a dose-dependent analgesic effect in acetic-acid-induced abdominal writhing models [PMID:18814202].

Evidence DOsteoporosis/Bone Health

Polyphenol-enriched extracts from flowers stimulate osteoblast differentiation and increase expression of markers such as RUNX2, SP7, and ALP in preosteoblast cells [PMID:39675109].

Evidence DInflammation

Hydroalcoholic extract of flowers regulates neutrophil and macrophage functions to modulate inflammatory processes [PMID:38996948].

Safety & adverse effects

Safety assessments of marigold flavonoids in rats and mice (including acute oral toxicity at 5000 mg/kg, Ames test, sperm aberration, and bone marrow micronucleus tests) were conducted to provide nonclinical safety data [PMID:35792278]. Lutein from T. erecta has been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for use as a food additive [PMID:16167501, PMID:29144073].

Evidence summary

The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and phytochemical analyses (Level D). There is a lack of human clinical trial data in the provided abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 33366097 (2019) — The complete chloroplast genome of Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L., Asteraceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
2.PMID: 37714249 (2023) — Carotenoid-derived norsesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids from Tagetes erecta L. · Phytochemistry
3.PMID: 39675109 (2025) — Polyphenol extract from Tagetes erecta L. flowers stimulates osteogenesis via β-catenin activation. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4.PMID: 35792278 (2022) — Safety assessment of marigold flavonoids from marigold inflorescence residue. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 35179311 (2022) — A push-pull strategy for controlling the tea green leafhopper (Empoasca flavescens F.) using semiochemicals from Tagetes erecta and Flemingia macrophylla.

Tagetes erecta

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Tagetes erecta