Fetid Marigold Isn’t Fetid IMO

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Pague/Dogweed/Fetid Marigold (Dyssodia papposa). Photo © Quita Ortiz

A while back I posted about limoncillo. Well this is limoncillo’s “sister plant” called Pague (dogweed / fetid marigold / Dyssodia papposa). As an herbal remedy, it can be used as an alternative to limoncillo. A tea made from the leaves and flowers of Pague are used to settle the stomach and relieve GI discomfort. Other uses for it include treatment of colic in babies by steeping the seeds, and treating diarrhea by making a tea from the flowers.

If you’re in New Mexico (and other parts of the Southwest and central plains), there’s a pretty good chance many of you have Pague growing nearby. I personally don’t like the common name fetid marigold — that just sounds awful. Can you imagine saying, “here, now drink your fetid tea.” I think it has a pleasant desert plant scent. Definitely worth harvesting some to keep in your plant medicine cabinet for a tummy ache.