Evidence supporting the use of: Tagetes
For the body system: Eyes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Tagetes, commonly known as marigold, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for supporting eye health, particularly due to its high content of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in the petals. These compounds are known to accumulate in the retina and are thought to protect the eyes from oxidative stress and harmful blue light. In traditional systems, such as Mexican folk medicine and Ayurveda, Tagetes extracts have been used in infusions or topical applications for various ocular complaints, including eye inflammation and irritation.

Modern research has focused more on lutein and zeaxanthin in general, rather than Tagetes specifically, although Tagetes erecta (African marigold) is a common commercial source of these carotenoids for dietary supplements aimed at supporting visual health. Some studies suggest that a higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. However, direct clinical evidence specifically linking Tagetes extracts (as opposed to isolated carotenoids) to improvements in eye health is limited.

Overall, the use of Tagetes for eye health is primarily justified by tradition and its role as a natural source of beneficial carotenoids, but robust clinical trials on Tagetes extracts themselves are lacking.

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