Calendula – the sunshine flower your skin has been waiting for
There is something deeply satisfying about watching calendula grow. From the moment those bright orange and yellow petals unfurl in the morning sun, you just know you are in the presence of something generous and healing. Calendula is one of those plants that gives freely, asking very little in return – a bit of sun, some water, and it will reward you with a bloom so consistent, so cheerful, you almost feel it is trying to tell you something.
We grow calendula in our biodynamic garden and I have been in love with this flower since the very first season. There is a beautiful ritual around harvesting the blossoms – early morning, when the dew has lifted and the flowers have fully opened, picking each head carefully and laying them out to dry in the warm air. It is the kind of simple, rhythmic work that quietens the mind.
Once dried, the petals go into a jar with a good quality carrier oil – I use biodynamic olive oil – and they sit in the heat of the sun – under cover for ten to eighteen weeks, slowly releasing their goodness. This is what I call solar infusion, and it is the gentlest, most respectful way to extract the healing compounds from the plant. The result is a deep golden oil, rich, warm, and already remarkable before I have added anything else to it.
So what exactly does calendula do for your skin?
Calendula has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, and for very good reason. Its main active compounds – flavonoids, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides – are responsible for its impressive range of skin-loving properties.
It is anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for irritated, red or reactive skin. If your skin tends to flare up with the cold, wind or a change of season, calendula is your friend.
It is vulnerary, meaning it actively supports the healing of wounds, cuts, chapped lips and cracked skin. Calendula speeds up tissue repair and encourages cell regeneration, which is why it has long been favoured for healing ointments.
It is antimicrobial and antifungal, gently protecting the skin from bacteria and fungal infections without stripping or disrupting the skin natural barrier.
And it is deeply moisturising and soothing – a true comforter for dry, tired or sensitive skin that needs a little extra care.
I find calendula particularly wonderful in the colder months when skin becomes dull, dehydrated and tight. It is also one of the safest botanicals around – gentle enough for babies, elderly skin, or anyone going through treatments that leave the skin fragile and in need of nourishment.
All of this is why calendula is the star ingredient in our Calendula Salve. This small but mighty pot contains our own sun-infused calendula oil, blended with pure beeswax. It is a multi-purpose skin healer that I keep on my bedside table, in my bag and in the kitchen – it really earns its place wherever you put it.
Use it on dry knuckles and cracked heels, on chapped lips, on the nose after a cold, on sore cuticles, on little scrapes and grazes. It is one of those things that, once you start using it, you wonder how you ever managed without it.
Nature really did pack an extraordinary amount of goodness into that cheerful orange flower. I feel grateful every season we get to grow it, harvest it, and turn it into something that ends up on your skin and in your life.
Love and fragrant hugs,
Stefania
