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Skin Benefits of Calendula
There are so many skin benefits of calendula, and history has shown us that it's been a long standing remedy for many topical ailments.
It’s benefits and gentleness makes it perfect for virtually everyone, a variety of skin issues, and works very well with all skin types. We'll go over all of that information here.
Our Hyaluronic & Multi Peptide Serum includes calendula extract which is so fantastic for your skin, as well as a long list of proven plant derived ingredients.
The History of Calendula
Calendula, also known as Mary-Bud, Mary-Gold, Pot Marigold and Poor Man’s Saffron, is one of the oldest of all cultivated flowers in recorded history. The plant was described in the Third Century, BC and was an important part of the gardens of 5th Century France. It has been under cultivation for six centuries. The Latin name, Calendae, means the first day of the month.
The plant has been cultivated in England since the 1200’s. One of the many folk tales which enrich the history of this plant describes a beautiful, golden-haired child called Mary-Gold who spent all of her time watching the sun until one day she disappeared and was never found. In the place where she used to sit, there grew a little sun-like flower. The child’s friends proclaimed that the little flower was really Mary-Gold and that she had been turned into a flower.
Calendula came to the New World with the first European settlers. It was used as a coloring agent in foods and also in soups and stews. Joseph Breck in his 1851 book, The Book of Flowers, “A hardy annual, common to the gardens time out of mind, and formerly much used in soups and broths…” The petals of the flowers were used in puddings, dumplings and even wine.
By the 1800’s doctors had realized that a significant skin benefit of calendula included using the plant as a poultice, which could help stop bleeding. By the time of the Civil War most doctors carried dried calendula petals in their medical bags to stop bleeding and to promote the healing of wounds.
9 Extraordinary Skin Benefits of Calendula
Anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is considered one of the top skin complaints universally. We can conclude that inflammation is often the cause for most skin ailments, like breakouts, rosacea, eczema, sensitivity, and even the signs of aging. It’s very hard for your skin to regenerate and heal, when it’s spending it’s energy fighting inflammation.
The anti-inflammatory properties in calendula is a result of high amounts of flavonoid, saponins, and triterpenoids. These give calendula the power to prevent your body’s release of histamines, which can cause redness, pain, allergies, and inflammation. When it comes to treating acne, calendula’s gentle nature means it won’t dry your skin out and is safe to use with other anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid and other natural acne fighting active ingredients.
Antioxidant rich. Antioxidants are highly valuable when it comes to skin care and for good reason. They put a stop to free radicals causing our bodies oxidative stress, which can cause premature aging, collagen and elastin breakdown, and a whole host of other issues. Calendula also contains flavonoids and carotenoids. Because of these antioxidants, the plant has been shown to help wounds heal faster, plump skin through hydration and circulation, and as we’ve mentioned, prevent inflammation.
Superior skin healing. For centuries, calendula has been a mainstay for wound healing. The healing properties come from calendula’s ability to increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin, which does mean more nutrients can circulate through the skin and this obviously allows skin to function at it’s highest level and look much better.
Our Hyaluronic & Multi Peptide Serum includes calendula extract which is so fantastic for your skin, as well as a long list of proven plant derived ingredients.
It’s very hydrating. We already know of the important benefits of a diet rich in essential fatty acids. Well, those same essential fatty acids, like the linoleic acid in calendula oil or extract, can also nourish your skin when used in products topically. They give your skin cells the power to absorb nutrients and hold water a bit longer (great for those with perpetually dry skin). On the surface, this will look like more supple, hydrated and much smoother skin.
Excellent for psoriasis. Calendula flower promotes wound-healing properties which make it an excellent choice for treating psoriasis.
Offers relief from eczema. Many people use calendula to treat eczema, and it can help relieve pain from dermatitis in people receiving radiation for breast cancer.
Quality skin firming. The immediate effects and benefits of calendula can help plump the skin to give you a firmer, tighter appearance. On a more accumulative level, because calendula has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can help promote the production of collagen and elastin.
Protection from the elements and environmental hazards. The same qualities that give calendula the ability to calm skin also make it an important skin protector. . Flavonoids function as a powerful antioxidant, which helps protect your skin against free radical damage.
Antimicrobial qualities. Calendula’s important antimicrobial benefits make it useful in addressing issues like rashes, acne, redness, irritation, and environmental effects.
DIY Healing Calendula Mask
Make yourself a cup of calendula tea. Steep 2 bags of calendula tea for 8 minutes. Remove tea bags from water, let it cool to the touch, and squeeze out excess. Open tea bags into ½ cup plain yogurt and ¼ cup rolled oats. Mix well and apply to a clean face. Leave on for 15 minutes. Wipe off with a cloth, and rinse well.
Skin Benefits of Calendula: Medical Study Support
A comprehensive study in 2008 was conducted and involved AARP Ageline, Allied and Complementary Medicine; Australasian Medical Index (AMI); BioMed Central Gateway, CAM on PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Current Contents Connect, Current Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), Dissertations Abstracts International, EMBASE, Health Source nursing/academic edition, International Pharmaceutical Abstract, MEDLINE, and Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP).
Their study and findings showed that calendula officinalis possesses a number of properties that are conducive to wound healing. Clinical data support several of these properties using topical applications of 2%–10% Calendula ointment or ethanolic extract in a number of acute and chronic wounds, particularly for its effect on inflammation, microbial load, and epithelialization.
Another recent study published in The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care examined the effectiveness of calendula ointment on cesarean scars in 72 women. Researchers found that as compared to standard hospital treatment, those women treated with calendula ointment had a quicker healing time. They reported their incisions to be less red and swollen.
Our Hyaluronic & Multi Peptide Serum includes calendula extract which is so fantastic for your skin, as well as a long list of proven plant derived ingredients:
Conclusion
Based on the above medical study, and centuries of experience, the skin benefits of calendula show us that we can be confident that calendula can solve a lot of skin issues and can be an important part of your skin care routine.
