Marigolds in Permaculture

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Marigolds are super valuable flowers within a garden space. They are natural pesticides and can repel bugs such as mosquitoes, Tomato Worms, and Squash Bugs! Marigolds also provide a beautiful aesthetic value to a space as well as being edible and having medicinal purposes

Marigolds also make fantastic natural dyes and are Fibers dyed with indigo can also be overdyed with marigold to create beautiful shades of teal/green. 
Marigold ointment promotes wound healing for eczema and sunburns.​ In order to make a marigold ointment you use the fresh flowers and  preserve them in olive oil.  Then store the oil in a cool and dark place. After three weeks, the filtered oil can be mixed with wax to make the ointment. Gradually pour the mixture into a jar and let the ointment set. It will last for several months.

Marigold tea also has many uses. If you drink it three times a day, it alleviates cramps and aids digestion. It will also bring relief for nausea, stomach ulcers, and menstrual discomfort. The tea can also be used in cold compresses and baths as an anti-inflammatory and relaxant. They can also be made into a tincture to ease headaches and can help to facilitate sleep.

Ultimately Marigolds serve a wide variety of purposes which is valuable in a permaculture mindset when choosing plants that can serve multiple purposes and benefit your space in several ways

Blog Post By: Gabriel Navarro, and Emma Dveirin for ENV499

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