Common names | Mexican marigold, Aztec marigold, big marigold

Scientific name | Tagetes erecta

Used part | Flower

Known active compounds | lutein, quinic acid, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-photoaging, anti-microbial

Product name | Mexican Marigold-APD, Mexican Marigold-ANB

Plant Story

Tagetes erecta, commonly known as Mexican marigold, Aztec marigold, or big marigold, is a flowering plant native to Mexico. Despite being native to the Americas, it is often called the African marigold. T. erecta is characterized by its large and fragrant flowers which come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It is primarily grown as an ornamental plant, and it has been used as a natural insect repellent.

The main constituents of T. erecta include lutein, quinic acid, galloyl hexoside, theogallin, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and their derivatives. Studies on T. erecta flower have shown its anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle, and anti-microbial properties. The flower extracts scavenge free radicals, inhibit hyaluronidase, elastase, and MMP-1 enzymes, and inhibit the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.