This popular flowering plant is a native of Mexico and Guatemala but is now cultivated in thousands of variants across the globe. Valued for its bright shades of yellow, orange and even brown - the flowers and the plant itself finds uses in medicine, food, dyeing and even fragrances.

The essential oil derived from the whole plant is useful in applications from an antifungal agent in plants to fragrances where it is often blended with sandalwood.

Dried and ground flower petals are used as a popular spice in the Caucasus - and the dye thus derived can also be used a colorant in foods and also a dyeing agent in animal based textiles and cotton and even in synthetic textiles.




Therapeutic benefits

• Rich in carotenoids
• Natural colorant for foods
• Traditionally used for digestive ailments
• Aids in respiratory diseases