This end of summer moment seems like the perfect time to celebrate one of the “crown jewels” of the Island Thyme Farm, the humble orange flower, Calendula officinalis.
Something about being in that sea of bright orange and yellow blossoms harvesting on a warm sunny day immediately fills one with joy and gratitude for this potent herb.
In addition to being uplifting to look at, this brilliant pigment is packed with vitamin A and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
After a few minutes of picking the flowers, your fingertips are covered with a sticky resin that smells rich and aromatic. It takes a real effort to wash off!
This resin is a powerful humectant, high in vitamin E. It is helpful for various skin ailments, reducing redness and irritation as well as supporting the delicate connective tissue that forms our skin’s protective barrier.
When our baskets are heavy with this botanical bounty, we head up to the workshop and spread the flowers out on screens to dry.
After a few days, we will infuse them in oil, which will then be used in many of our farm-to-body products, including a customer all time favorite, our Calendula Comfrey Cream.
What’s so special about calendula?
For centuries it’s been known as a go-to remedy for skin troubles. Calendula has been used to help:
- soothe irritation
- calm redness
- speed up wound healing for minor cuts and burns
- moisturize and improve skin elasticity, (beneficial for conditions like eczema, diaper rash, and acne)
- protect skin from free radical damage
- delay signs of aging
- repair sun damage
- and contribute to overall skin health and a more even complexion
There’s good scientific evidence for all of this. It’s an impressive orange flower!
Calendula is a key ingredient in several of Island Thyme’s best-selling products.
You’ll find it in Calendula Comfrey Cream -- check out the testimonials to see how people have used it on eczema and other tough skin issues.
It’s in the Soothing Skin Salve and Mother & Baby Balm (great for diaper areas).
It’s a featured botanical extract in our Soothing Flowers face care line - helping nourish and moisturize sensitive skin.
You’ll also find it in our Calendula Goat’s Milk soap where we combine the soothing properties of goat milk and calendula for a skin-loving soap.
If you’re curious about the science behind how calendula works its magic, check out our deep dive into the benefits of calendula petals.