Calendula is a perennial member of the aster family, although it
is cultivated as an annual in colder climates. The plant is thought to
be originally native to southern Europe, but is now distributed in
temperate regions throughout the world. It is also a popular addition to
kitchen herb gardens.
For thousands of years, calendula has been used as food and medicine and
to produce a yellow dye to color leather, cloth and other textiles.
Viking women were known to use calendula flowers to add golden
highlights to their hair, a practice that continues to provide an
alternative to chemical-based hair dye today.
Calendula also has a long history of use in skin care products. The petals,
which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, including carotenoids
such as lutein, are used to make nourishing skin oils, creams, lotions, facial
serums and soaps.
