When it comes to herbs most people are familiar with parsley, rosemary, sage, and basil, but the world of herbs is more complex than what is usually found in your kitchen cabinet.
Two particular herbs have been used for centuries but may go unnoticed in their many ways of use. These flowering plants are Calendula and Chamomile.
What is Calendula?
Calendula officinalis is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Common names of this plant include the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold or Scotch marigold.
We have yet to tap into this amazing sunshine herb's full capabilities, but the proof of its healing ability is slowly coming to realization. The widely known gardening flower is one of the oldest plants known to medicine, and is thought to have been used in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Arabic empires.
This bright, beautiful bloom has been cultivated for external remedies to combat every manner of skin concerns. The herb is said to be antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. These significant properties allow this flowering plant to aid in skin conditions:
What is Chamomile?
Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well documented plants in the world and has been recommended for a variety of healing applications (1).
A widely known herb, some commonly used species include, Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) or Chamaemelum nobile (Roman, English, or garden chamomile). It has had a long history of medicinal use. This beautiful flower has been ushered throughout many cultures for stomach ailments and as a mild sedative.
Chamomile is native to the old world and has been used in skin healing for centuries. The flower native to Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America was used by Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks to treat many conditions and illnesses such as nausea, pain, inflammations, [and] skin diseases (2).
Mostly known in western culture as a great nighttime tea, chamomiles full potential has yet to be fully realized. This lovely plant helps combat many skin concerns. Some of which include:
Making Herbal Oils
Herbal oils are made by infusing herbs with high quality oils. These oils should be food grade, unrefined, expeller pressed or cold pressed. Herbal oils are beneficial for soothing skin conditions like dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
Preparing herbal oils is quite easy, and after preparing an herbal-infused oil, you could also transform it into an herbal body balm or use it as a stand-alone oil.
Calendula and Chamomile are two special blooms we incorporate within our body oils and scrubs. These ancient herbs bring life and healing to the body. Find ways to explore earth's gift in more ways than one.
References.
[1] Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=chamomile%3A+a+herbal+medicine
[2] Chamomile Skin Benefits, Super Ingredient = Excellent Results. https://perfectimage.com/about/blog/chamomile-skin-benefits/