Botanical Overview
Sweet-Mace (Tagetes lucida) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. This plant has earned a place in traditional medicine through its consistent therapeutic benefits, recorded across multiple cultures. The daisy family (Asteraceae) is one of the largest plant families, characterized by composite flower heads (capitula) that contain many small florets surrounded by bracts. Plants range from tiny alpine herbs to large tropical trees. The family includes many medicinally important species with bitter compounds and essential oils.
General Description
It is used as a medicinal plant and as a culinary herb. The leaves have a tarragon-like scent, with hints of anise, and it has entered the nursery trade in North America as a tarragon substitute. Common names include sweetscented marigold, Mexican marigold, Mexican mint marigold, Mexican tarragon, sweet mace, Texas tarragon, pericón, yerbaniz, and hierbanís.
Family Context
The Asteraceae family is extremely large and diverse. Notable medicinal members include:
- Yarrow — 63 documented uses
- Gobo — 63 documented uses
- Mugwort — 55 documented uses
- Sunflower — 52 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Sweet-Mace has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and others.
Traditional Uses
Sweet-Mace has been traditionally used for digestive health, skin and wound care, and pain and inflammation, among other applications.
Digestive health.
- Diarrhea
For digestive complaints, the herb is typically prepared as a tea or decoction taken before meals. The bitter compounds stimulate digestive secretions and improve nutrient absorption. Some traditions use the powdered root or leaves in small doses as a stomachic tonic.
Skin and wound care.
- Itch
For skin conditions, the fresh or dried plant is applied topically as a poultice, wash, or compress. A strong decoction can be used to clean wounds and sores. The antimicrobial properties help prevent infection while promoting tissue repair.
Pain and inflammation.
- Rheumatism
For pain and inflammation, preparations are applied both topically as compresses and taken internally. A warm poultice draws blood to the area and promotes healing, while internal preparations address systemic inflammation.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 30 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).
The identified compounds include the following categories:
- Coumarin: aromatic compounds with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects
- Alkaloid: nitrogenous compounds with diverse pharmacological activities