The Amazing Power of A Flower!
Officially called Calendula Officinalis, it’s a member of the daisy family called asteraceae. Calendula has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
In skincare, Calendula is used to treat everything from inflammation to dryness—and it’s incredible for sensitive skin.
Keep reading for the YouTube video at the end of the article where I discuss growing calendula in zone8b
Do you struggle to find a product to effectively treat breakouts, rosacea, eczema, or sensitivity? All these inflammatory skin conditions can benefit from calendula’s soothing effects. Calendula’s soothing nature means it won’t dry out your skin and it’s safe to use with other acne fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Calendula are due to a potent dose of flavonoid, saponins, and triterpenoids in the plant. The anti-oxidant properties of Calendula are well known by medical researchers. The flavonoids in Calendula pair with the free radicals essentially neutralizing them and preventing damage that leads to premature aging, hyperpigmentation and dullness.
Calendula is very moisturizing. The linoleic acid in calendula oil nourishes and protects your skin. It gives your skin the ability to absorb nutrients which leads to smoother, more supple skin.
Calendula has been the go-to ingredient for wound healing for hundreds of years. The healing properties come from calendula’s ability to increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin. Many research studies have confirmed Calendula reduces scarring and speeds healing.
Calendula is an easy-care, low maintenance plant. To grow it in zone8b (I farm in East Texas) start seed in early March indoors. It germinates within 7-10 days if a heat mat is used and needs 12-16 hours of light until it is ready to set outdoors. By March 17 my calendula is ready to set out; it has 4-5 leaves and has a healthy root system. I mulch it with pine straw to prevent early spring weeds from choking out the young plants. Calendula is not picky about its soil type and requires limited watering once it’s established. In zone8b it will flower profusely through May but begins to slow down as the heat of June picks up. By July its season has ended and it will stop flowering. Gather your seed for next year by letting the last few blooms dry on the plant. Calendula is frost tolerant in early spring but can’t take the triple digit heat of a Texas summer. Calendula plants do not require any special care.
As your Calendula is blooming, harvest the flowers every 2-4 days to keep the flowers full and abundant.
