Calendula is an herb with a long history of use as a medicinal plant, used for many purposes, including skin care.
One of its nicknames is “Mary’s Gold“, referring to the flowers used in early Christian events. Calendula flowers, also sacred in India, were used to decorate the statues of Hindu deities for thousands of years.
Not only is calendula stunning to look at in a vase, but when the extracted oil is used in skincare, it boasts some amazing benefits.
Calendula is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. These properties make it a powerful healing ingredient.
Benefits of Calendula
1. Wound Healing
This soothing botanical is also known as “The Healing Plant”. Although a gentle herb, the healing effects derived from Calendula petals are powerful. Making it a must-have for your medicine cabinet.
Generally beneficial for many types of wounds like cuts, insect bites, bruises, blisters, and cold sores.
Also effective in treating minor burns, including sunburn. Topical applications of Calendula may be applied to keep wounds clean and help new tissue grow.
Often used to help wounds that are not healing well correct course. Those that exhibit signs of tenderness, redness, or inflammation.
Calendula cream, ointment, and restorative balms applied to wounds can reduce swelling and the risk of infection. It’s antimicrobial and antifungal properties can prevent infection and lead to quicker healing.
2. Anti-inflammatory
We know how harmful inflammation is whether in your body or on your skin. It’s responsible for inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and even a breakdown of collagen.
These conditions can benefit from the soothing effects and anti-inflammatory properties.
When your body reacts to a potential allergen, like food or pollen, it releases histamines. These histamines can cause redness, pain, inflammation, and other allergic reactions. Calendula flowers contain large doses of flavinoids, triterpenoids, and saponins, which help your body block histamines.
Studies like this prove that Calendula is a powerful anti-inflammatory botanical and a wound healer.
3. Hydrating
Calendula contains fatty acids that help moisturize and hydrate your skin. When treating an irritated skin condition, the last thing you want to do is dry it out and cause more damage.
The linoleic acid in calendula helps support your skin barrier function. Healthy skin barrier function leads to skin retaining moisture and staying hydrated.
The flower is also filled with vitamin E, yet another antioxidant with mega skin hydrating abilities.
4. Prevent Premature Aging
Calendula can help with aging skin in two major ways.
Since it is ultra-hydrating, it amps up the skin’s ability to retain water. This translates to fewer fine lines and crow’s feet!
It also encourages collagen production which increases your skin’s tightness. Skin will look less saggy as collagen levels increase.
5. Soothing Properties of Calendula
Calendula is a major redness reducer, soothing and preventing dermatitis. Dermatitis is a catch-all term for various types of skin inflammation.
Herbalists have long promoted extracts from the plant as a substitute for powerful antibiotics and topical steroids to calm irritation and soothe flare-ups of eczema and dermatitis. In fact, studies have found it highly effective for treating several skin conditions.
Calendula has been shown to help wounds heal faster, possibly by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the affected area.
This helps the body grow new tissue. The dried petals of the calendula plant are used in tinctures, ointments, and washes. These petals treat burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause.
It is also used to improve skin hydration and firmness.
Calendula has even been shown to help skin inflammation in breast cancer patients caused by radiation
These are just a few of the reasons we use this amazing botanical in our restorative skin balm.
Check out the other organic ingredients and see before and after photos here.
