My first introduction to calendula (Calendula officinalis) was in the late 1990s when I was living in Ireland. I worked at a factory as a floater, and would switch between production lines making circuit boards, and testing finished products, soldering wires, folding cardboard boxes for packaging, and basically anything else that was needed. My hands were constantly working, and would dry out easily. Nothing could keep them moisturized, and the combination of using them so much and their constant dryness left my hands covered with tiny cuts. 

They hurt.

Finally, after weeks of dry, irritated, and cut-up hands, I walked to the local herb store and asked for any suggestions.

"Calendula oil!" was the unanimous answer.

I had never heard of calendula oil, and at the time, had only on occasion used oil on my skin. I had an after-shower oil from a big name brand, but that was it (looking back, it was probably a blend of alcohols with a small amount of natural oils). I was still new to natural products. 

I was told that the calendula would heal my cuts so fast that I needed to add something to it that had antibacterial properties. The women working in the shop guided me to the essential oils and advised adding tea tree oil (this was also my first experience with straight essential oils). 

I went home with my little bottle of calendula oil, and my bottle of tea tree oil, put the two together, and massaged it in. Being new to oil, it was a weird sensation to oil my skin. It was greasy at first, but it felt good. I carried that oil with me, and put it on several times a day. A few days later, my skin was back to normal, and all the tiny cuts were gone. Like magic.

I was totally in love with calendula.

XoXo, 

Lisa

Go to My Love Affair with Calendula, part II

Reminder: I'm not a doctor. I'm just a girl who loves herbs, and likes to tell my stories of how I use them. This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.