This season’s crop
Calendula is a flowering plant I have been fond of since I was a small child because my mother fancied them, and she always planted a row along the pathway to the back door. I’m sure it’s because they are bright, and hardy, as well as therapeutic, and we just loved them and Mum loved growing calendula.
While Mum never added the flowers to any salads we ate, nor did she make tinctures, lotions or even shampoo from them, they have for centuries been enjoyed as ornamentals, culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal reasons.
At one end of my garden this month I am growing calendula and borage.
The calendula flower is popular in many natural health products and skincare lines available and is used in almost 200 various lotions, shampoos, and other products. Its therapeutic qualities are known to help with a wide range of health issues. As a powerful antioxidant, it is among the strongest antiviral herbs and can inhibit the development of viruses. Used to treat infections, they typically cause no, or few, side effects.
Calendula is one of many antiviral herbs that boost the immune system, which allows the body to attack viral pathogens. Calendula is also used cosmetically to improve skin firmness and hydration. What is impressive, it helps increase blood flow, and oxygen to wounds and infected areas, which helps the body grow new tissue and heal more rapidly. To find out more about all the benefits of growing calendula, check out the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keAhvqcaa4c