Mexican Tarragon
Tagetes lucida
Synonyms:
Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Marigold, Sweet Mace, Pericon
Family:
Asteraceae, Aster family
Origin:
Mexico
Part(s) used:
whole herb
Special constituents:
-
Correspondance:
None found
Uses:
As a spice, as a tea, relaxant and, in larger doses, slightly psychedelic. Antispasmodic, antibacterial, digestive and antidiarrhea
Mexicaanse Tarragon, Afrikaantje 
Lakrids Tagetes, Mexikansk Estragon Mexican Tarragon is a pretty annual, and there is more to it than meets the eye! It comes from Mexico, where it has been used since the time of the aztecs, who valued it greatly. The scent is similar to French Tarragon, but stronger and more anise-like. It can be used culinary for the same purposes as French Tarragon. It is tasty in chicken soup and various sauces, dressings and vinegars. If you add it to a hot dish, only add it at the last moment, otherwise the scent will evaporate.
Mexican Tarragon is a relaxant and the herb can be smoked or a tea can be made for this purpose, if one likes the strong anise-taste of it. It can also be used as an incense.
The essential oil is distilled from the flowering tops. It is not very common, and I couldn't find much information about it. It is good for relaxation purposes and should aid emotional control.
As a garden plant, I can really recommend this herb. It covers the ground nicely, the flowers are pretty and stay long, and it doesn't get any pests. The foliage is dark and shiny. At the end of the season you just harvest the seeds, like with other tagetes, and you have plenty for next year.