Plant of the Day #1
Tagetes lucida
(Mexican Tarragon, Pericon,
Hierba de Nube (‘cloud herb’))
Family: Aster (Asteracea)
By Tyrrhium (Tagetes lucida), via Wikimedia Commons
GROWING
Full Sun, regular to someone depleted soils. Hardy to Zones 6 to 10, drought tolerant once established. Plant 12 - 16 inches apart - also works well as a bug repellent on the edge of your vegetable garden.
USAGE
Mexican tarragon, a diminutive herb that can be used like culinary tarragon to gently flavor eggs and meat. Its a bit like tarragon with a hint of anise.
For the Huichol Indians, the flower was a very important ritual plant, as seen throughout their art. The Aztecs also used the flower as a psychoactive. They would make an incense combined with resins, known as yyauhtl
CreativeCommons from https://pixabay.com/en/gothic-fantasy-dark-woman-female-2910057/
For my Lucid Dreaming friends out there, Tagetes lucida is an ideal addition to any dream inducing smoking blend or tea.
By Eneas de Troya (originally posted to Flickr as Panteón de Tecómitl) via Wikimedia Commons
In the Mexico the flowers are known as flores de muerto and during Dia de los Muertos celebration, also known as All Saints’ Day, marigolds are the flowers are laid as offerings around altars and tombstones in every community. The sugar skulls that have are popular from this holiday also are decorated with the marigold.
CC from https://pixabay.com/en/deity-religion-hindu-shiva-statue-3132133/
These bright blooms are also presented as flower offerings in Tantric and Hindu ceremonies in Nepal and India, they are associated with the goddess Bhagwati and the god Shiva.
APOTHECARY
Used for common colds, upset stomachs, and to help alleviate the effects of hangovers.
ESOTERIC
Dream Herb, Aphrodisiac
GROW YOUR OWN
https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/tarragon-mexican-tagetes-lucida-packet-of-30-seeds-organic/
More Reading
Siegel, R.K., P.R. Collings, and J.L. Diaz. “On the Use of Tagetes Lucida and Nicotiana Rustica as a Huichol Smoking Mixture.” Economic Botany 31 (1977): 16–23.
Ratsch, Christian., The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and its Applications. Rochester: Park Street Press, 1998.
Voogelbreinder, Snu, Garden of Eden: The Shamanic Use of Psychoactive Flora and Fauna, and the Study of Consciousness. Snu Voogelbreinder, 2009.