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.