Properties of Calendula Oil
The oil infusion created from the Calendula officinalis flower has many healing properties. In fact, it has one of the longest histories of any medicinal herbal plant. The beneficial chemicals found in calendula oil have been scientifically examined but are still scarcely understood.
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Identification
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Calendula oil comes from the ligulate florets of the Calendula officinalis plant, also called a marigold. Because of its bright yellow color, the calendula is often mistaken for the Tagetes genus.
History
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Calendula oil has been used for thousands of years by ancient civilizations. This medicinal plant has been traditionally used for several ailments including muscle spasms, digestive problems and most commonly to soothe skin irritation.
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Skin Healer
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Calendula oil is a natural moisturizer and can be used to treat sun damaged skin. It also stimulates the collagen in the skin, which can lead to less wrinkles and a younger appearance.
Aromatherapy
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Calendula oil contains carotenoid pigments that are used in many cosmetic products as a coloring agent. The flower's aromatic oil is also used as an ingredient for popular perfumes and scented oils.
Duodenal Ulcers
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Two studies released in a Soviet science journal, "Vatreshni Bolesti," confirm that calendula oil can heal duodenal ulcers. The scientists report that a mixture of calendula and comfrey root was effective in alleviating the condition of gastroduodenitis.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Christian Guthier
