Calendula “mother of the skin”

It is no mystery that the cosmetic and skin care industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.  What is the very first thing you see when you walk into any department store?  Right smack in the middle of the front entrance is typically where you will find every skin care brand imaginable, all promising to make you look young and feel great, at very costly prices.  The funny thing to me is that one of the very best all-purposed skin care ingredients can be grown right in your own back yard, at a very low cost.

Calendula officinalis has been named by herbalist as the “mother of the skin.”  This plant is from the marigold family and can be easily grown throughout North America and Europe.  Calendula has a track record for over 1,000 year as having many medicinal properties.  When shopping for natural skin care, make sure to look for calendula creams or soaps and salves that have this wonderful herb as an ingredient.   Not only does Calendula offer medicinal and culinary properties, but is most recognized for its effectiveness in treating skin problems, such as wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, shingles and skin ulcers to name a few.  This wonderful herb can be taken both internally and externally.  Calendula is used in salads, and to spice up meats and salads and can be made in to a tea, and externally Calendula is used in lotions, creams, handmade soaps, and refined oils.