Recently on one of my evening walks around the neighborhood, I came upon a patch of Calendula. The bright orange flowers boldly showing off that they had snuck under the fence and into the crack in the sidewalk. These sweet little escapees seem ordinary and simple to some, but immersed in those flowers are amazing healing powers.
Calendula Healing Tea: Make an infusion from the flower petals of Calendula to use it’s calming healing qualities to soothe a sore throat or mouth sores. Add extra healing by adding raw honey to sweeten. To make- add petals (dried or fresh, gently pull the petals form the base of the flower) of 2 to 3 flowers or about a overflowing tablespoon to one cup of very hot water. Allow to steep in the water for about 15 minutes.
Healing Oil: Calming and softening to sunburn or dry skin. I use it to moisturize my face especially after a day in the sun or wind. Nice as a gentle eye make-up remover too. Find the recipe in a past blog post.
Soothing Salve: Super healer for irritated skin by combining 1 cup of dried Calendula petals, 1 cup of olive oil , 1 tablespoon beeswax and 1 vitamin E capsule. (see the full recipe on page 158 of The Herb Lover’s Spa Book)
Simple Herb Soap: See the how-to in this past blog post!
Easy to grow annual. Find seed at Renee’s Seed. Plant in full sun. Harvest the flowers when they are fully open but before they begin to fade in color. Use the fresh petals by gently pulling them away from the center of the flower. For ease of storage, flower heads can be dried whole. When ready to use, pull the petals away from the center of the flower.
The Herb Lover's Garden 
Reblogged this on Creative Gardener.
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