Description

Tagetes erecta, the African or Aztec marigold, is a robust, strongly aromatic annual herb of the family Asteraceae, native to the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala where it was cultivated by pre-Columbian Aztec civilisations for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Introduced to Europe and Asia through Spanish and Portuguese colonial contact in the 16th century, it was brought to India by the Portuguese and has since been adopted as a primary ritual flower in Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions. The large composite flower heads are cultivated intensively across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The petals are exceptionally rich in lutein and zeaxanthin — xanthophyll carotenoids studied for their role in macular health — and are incorporated in formulations for ophthalmic and skin health support. India leads global marigold oleoresin production.