Tagetes lucida Cav.

Taragon meksiko (Tagetes lucida) is a herb 40-100 cm tall of the Asteraceae family, originating from Mexico and Central America, now cultivated as far as the United States and Europe. In Mexico, its dried leaves are burned as incense in cultural rituals, while its flowers and leaves are steeped into a tea popular in Latin America. Taragon meksiko is also traditionally believed to relieve headaches, diarrhea, and menstrual pain.

Grows ideally in dry areas with low rainfall and pH 4.9-7.5, somewhat sandy soil conditions and well-drained clay soil. Ideal air temperature 35°C. Prefers full sunlight conditions. High humidity can cause death.

• Leaves linear to lance-shaped (4-9 cm long, <1 cm wide), sessile (leaves attached to the stem without a stalk), green, hairless, mature leaf edges serrated from the middle to the leaf tip.
• Flowers small (1.5 cm diameter), orange-yellow, hermaphrodite.
• Fruit linear, thin. At one end of the fruit, there is a cream-colored two-branched protrusion. However, fruit and seeds are rarely produced.

• Vegetative propagation (cuttings) and generative (seed).
• Seeds are sown in a shaded place. Germination usually takes 2 weeks.

Methyl chavicol (estragole), methyleugenol, ß-caryophyllene), coumarins, flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids, acetylenic thiophenes (5'-methyl-5-(3-buten-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithienyl, 5-(3-penten-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithienyl).

Cough remedy, headache, fever, stomach ache, diarrhea, ulcers, gastrointestinal disease, rheumatism, speeds childbirth, reduces menstrual pain, treats infections, treats scorpion bites, removes lice, relieves tooth and mouth pain, sedative.

• Prepare and wash taragon leaves thoroughly with running water.
• Air-dry the leaves or oven-dry at 60°C until the moisture content reaches 5%.
• Pack in a clean, airtight container (can be a plastic bag or bottle). Give the container a clear label.

Mexican tarragon