Tiamat

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We have all heard about Calendula being used in skincare.
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But what are the real, scientific reasons behind this?
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Throughout human history, druids, philosophers, healers, witches, and herbalists have all worked with plants. Across different parts of the world, these people shared a common, almost innate understanding of the power of herbs.
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The ancient Greeks had an idea called the “doctrine of signatures” - the belief that a plant’s appearance could offer clues about its traditional uses. Calendula, with its sun-like shape and golden-orange colour, was naturally associated with the sun.
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And they were not far from the truth.
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Calendula not only looks like the sun, it behaves a bit like it, too.
In the morning, calendula flowers open with the light, and in the evening, they gently close again. It is almost as if they spend the whole day absorbing the sun’s energy and storing it deep within their petals.
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This sun-plant conversation helps explain the high levels of carotenoids, which absorb light energy for use in photosynthesis and provide photoprotection in plants.
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The word carotenoid comes from the Greek word karoton, meaning carrot. And yes, these are the pigments responsible for the orange colour in carrots, squashes, tomatoes, oranges, and, of course, calendula.
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The very orange flower of calendula has high levels of carotenoids.
The deeper the orange, the higher the carotenoid level.
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Carotenoids have extraordinary antioxidant properties. This means they help neutralise free radicals, protecting the skin from oxidative stress and potential premature ageing. They are also known for their wound-healing potential.
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Because we are using calendula to make a traditional oil infusion, we are interested in its fat-soluble compounds, and carotenoids are one of them, but certainly not the only ones.
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Calendula’s golden petals also contain other oil-loving compounds, including triterpenes, especially faradiol esters, as well as plant sterols and other lipophilic compounds. As the flowers slowly infuse, some of these may pass into the oil, contributing to its skin-soothing and calming qualities.
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Other beneficial parts of calendula prefer water or alcohol instead. This is why a tea, a tincture, and an infused oil can each reveal a different side of this powerful plant.
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But that is a whole other story to write about another time.
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Today, we are focusing on harvesting the plant power from our garden, to capture the many gifts calendula has to offer: to soothe, repair, and protect the skin.
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Our next step is to cold infuse the dried flower petals and wait for 4-6 weeks. After that, we will be left with a wonderful sun-kissed oil macerate that will go into our healing balm.
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It definitely wouldn’t hurt to introduce a bit of this extraordinary herb into your diet. When you are out in the garden, pick a few petals and sprinkle them over your salad, or add them to cookie dough for some fun time with the kids.
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Remember, skincare is only one step in honouring your body and supporting a healthy stay on this planet.
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Let’s start there.
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Nika

Join us this June for a Sustainable Sunday Skincare Workshop at !

Learn how to create your own natural skincare products using locally grown botanicals, plant oils, and simple kitchen equipment.

Had so much fun making this mushroom hat. I wish its lucky owner a happy mushroom hunt! 😄