Natural soaps and balms infused with Calendula oil is considered to be a very effective herbal remedy for skin problems.
Calendula oil is natural oil extracted from marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis). It’s often used as a complementary or alternative treatment.
Calendula oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that might make it useful in healing wounds, soothing eczema, psoriasis, chapped skin, insect bites, damaged skin and relieving nappy rash. It’s also used as an antiseptic.
Calendula tincture is a herbal extract made with botanical ethanol that serves predominantly as an antiseptic wash. Its powerfully cleansing, astringent properties accelerate the resolution of broken skin and irritations deeming it the first port of call for quick efficient rescue when the body meets strife.
I personally use the Tincture on Bee Stings (it really “works to ease the pain and reduce swelling”).
WHAT IS CALENDULA?
Calendula is a flower – more commonly known as the marigold –that has been recognised for hundreds of years for its powerful healing abilities. The pretty orange, yellow and, gold coloured flowers get their official name, Calendula Officinalis, from the Latin kalendae, used by the Romans to indicate that it bloomed with the calendar throughout the year. The second word officinalis indicates that calendula was included in centuries old official lists of medicinal herbs.
The petals and seed oils of the calendula plant have been used in both ingestible remedies and topical treatments dating back to the Middle Ages.
IT FIGHTS THE SIGNS OF AGING.
In terms of anti-aging benefits, calendula is preventative in two ways. It increases your skins tightness (through encouraging collagen production), and also increases the skin's ability to retain water (meaning fewer fine lines and crow’s feet). Calendula also treats eye puffiness.
IT HEALS BLEMISHES.
Applying calendula oil or tenure directly to skin blemishes can speed up the healing process. Calendula increases blood flow to the affected area, stimulates skin tissue, produces collagen, and encourages new cell growth.
IT PREVENTS BREAKOUTS.
Calendula’s anti-microbial properties make it a powerful astringent to fight acne causing bacteria. Calendula is gentle enough to use as frequently as two to three times a day.
IT HYDRATES THIRSTY SKIN.
Since calendula stimulates collagen production which boosts skin hydration, calendula oil is effective against dull, dry or flaky skin. The flower is also filled with vitamin E, studies show that using a balm or cream containing calendula extract not only promotes skin hydration, but firmness too.
IT COMBATS REDNESS AND SOOTHES ANGRY SKIN.
Calendula reduces redness and soothes dermatitis. Herbal advocates and holistic healers have long promoted extracts from the calendula plant as a substitute for powerful antibiotics and topical steroids to calm irritation and soothe flare-ups of eczema and dermatitis.
IT’S BRIGHTENING AND TONE-EVENING.
Calendula extract contains high levels of carotenoids, an organic component responsible for the flowers’ yellow-orange pigment. Carotenoids are naturally present in our outer layers of skin, so calendula-rich formulas can enhance and even out blotchy skin tones.
IT BOOSTS YOUR SUN PROTECTION FACTOR.
Calendula, through its powerful skin cell regenerating properties. This means that on a chemical level, calendula inhibits tissue degeneration. Because of this, calendula-based formulas are great when used in conjunction with sunscreen.