The Historical Development of Marigold Essential Oil: Do Its Harmful Effects Really Exist?

Historical records of marigold essential oil and its development and changes

In Africa, marigold is called Khakibush, and it is commonly seen hanging under the thatched huts of the indigenous people to drive away swarms of flies. It is also planted among tomatoes, potatoes and roses to prevent the fruits and flowers that grow from becoming a feast for nematodes. All of this shows that marigold should be an effective insecticide. It is also made into an ointment used to kill destructive maggots in wounds. Both its roots and seeds have a purgative effect, which may be a way of helping the body detoxify.

At the beginning of this century, after the Boer War ended, the Australian army brought this plant back to its place of origin, North Africa. As a result, marigold immediately grew there freely and became extremely lush. At present, its main growing region is France, so it is often called French marigold. Its pinnate leaves are spread widely apart one by one, and each one clusters around its small pale orange flowers. The flowers of marigold look quite like carnations, and only after the peak blooming period has passed are they harvested for steam distillation into essential oil.  
Marigold is widely used in French perfumes.

The Harmful Effects of Marigold

Although marigold has a foul odor, it is not toxic, and long-term harvesting causes no harm to the human body. However, it is not suitable for people who are allergic to pollen to engage in this work, because after an allergic reaction the body will have an emergency allergic response.