A BOTANICAL PROFILE

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Tagetes

Tagetes minuta var. bipinata (synonym of Tagetes minuta L.)

Chemotype: ocimene / tagetone / tagetenone type

warmsweet-herbaceousketonicfruity-greengreen-apple-like
PLANT PART
flower
EXTRACTION
steam distilled
AROMA NOTE
top-mid

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LEARN AS YOU COMPARE

What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

I’m interested in

Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.

Finding the matching oil reports…

FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

warmsweet-herbaceousketonicfruity-greengreen-apple-like
Aroma intensity
50 / 100
Soft & subtleBold & expressive
Note layer
top-mid

A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
0.01%
Phototoxicity
Phototoxic — use caution
Maximum for sun-exposed skin
0.01%
Oxidation risk
medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

Reviewed public tagetes safety references classify tagetes oil as strongly phototoxic and limit topical use to 0.01% to avoid phototoxic risk.

Contraindications & cautions

  • majorStrongly phototoxic (non-furocoumarin mechanism, attributed to alpha-terthienyl); topical use on skin exposed to sunlight/UV must be restricted to a maximum of 0.01% per IFRA and Tisserand & Young dermal limits.
  • majorTagetes oil is rich in monoterpene ketones (tagetone, dihydrotagetone, tagetenone, ~up to 50% ketone content); ketone-rich oils of this type are conventionally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to neurotoxic/abortifacient risk reported for high-ketone essential oils.
  • moderateAvoid use with young children and babies due to the oil's high ketone content and strong phototoxicity.
Read the complete safety guide
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

17 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This profile is anchored to Brian Lawrence's directly readable Perfumer & Flavorist review summarizing a full-bloom Tagetes minuta oil, paired with current public Eden Botanicals and AromaWeb safety and organoleptic material for the commercial tagetes oil profile.

ConstituentTypical amountReported rangeChemical familySource
alpha-Terpineol
20.8%
20.8–20.8%monoterpene alcohol
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; alpha-terpineol 20.8%)
(Z)-beta-Ocimene
17.7%
17.7–17.7%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; (Z)-beta-ocimene 17.7%)
Dihydrotagetone
13.7%
13.7–13.7%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; dihydrotagetone 13.7%)
(E)-Tagetenone
13.3%
13.3–13.3%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; (E)-tagetenone 13.3%)
(Z)-Tagetone
8.4%
8.4–8.4%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; (Z)-tagetone 8.4%)
(Z)-Tagetenone
6.1%
6.1–6.1%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; (Z)-tagetenone 6.1%)
cis-Dihydrocarvone
5%
5–5%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom profile; cis-dihydrocarvone 5.0%)
Sabinene
0.3%
0.3–0.3%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Sabinene 0.3%)
Limonene
2.6%
2.6–2.6%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Limonene 2.6%)
(E)-Tagetone
1.9%
1.9–1.9%monoterpene ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, (E)-Tagetone 1.9%)
trans-beta-Terpineol
0.7%
0.7–0.7%monoterpene alcohol
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, trans-beta-Terpineol 0.7%)
Borneol
0.6%
0.6–0.6%bicyclic monoterpene alcohol
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Borneol 0.6%)
Terpinen-4-ol
0.8%
0.8–0.8%monoterpene alcohol
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Terpinen-4-ol 0.8%)
(Z)-Jasmone
0.7%
0.7–0.7%jasmonate-related ketone
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, (Z)-Jasmone 0.7%)
alpha-Humulene
0.4%
0.4–0.4%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, alpha-Humulene 0.4%)
Bicyclogermacrene
0.5%
0.5–0.5%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Bicyclogermacrene 0.5%)
Spathulenol
1.8%
1.8–1.8%oxygenated sesquiterpene alcohol
View source

Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review

https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf (Moghaddam et al. 2007 Tagetes minuta Iranian full-bloom GC/GC-MS profile reported in Lawrence's review, Spathulenol 1.8%)

Profile source: Tagetes EO - Eden Botanicals; Tagetes Essential Oil profile at AromaWeb; Progress in Essential Oils: Tagetes oil review · https://www.edenbotanicals.com/tagetes.html (Extraction Method Steam Distilled; Plant Part flower; Aroma Profile strong, warm, sweet-herbaceous, distinctive ketonic aroma with a powerful fruity-green undertone; maximum dermal use level 0.01%); https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/tagetes-essential-oil.php (extremely phototoxic; under 0.01% in topical formulations; Strength of Initial Aroma Medium); https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2009/07/pf.PF_34_08_054_05.pdf

A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY

Traditional & reported uses

These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.

  • used in perfumery for its distinctive fruity-green, apple-like top note
  • traditionally used in folk herbal practice in some cultures for topical skin applications
  • reported use in blending for a warm, herbaceous-fruity, tobacco-like facet
  • used cautiously in aromatherapy due to phototoxicity/sensitization concerns associated with tagetone-rich oils

For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.

What we're still learning · 2 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

  • Odor intensity 50 is a normalization of AromaWeb's qualitative 'Medium' strength-of-initial-aroma band rather than a directly published 0-100 laboratory measurement.
  • No public source reviewed in this pass published verified volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for tagetes.