Calendula has long been available in an 'infused oil', where the flowers are soaked for some time in a carrier such as Olive oil to extract their magnificent healing properties. Now, an essential oil has been made available through the important Supercritical Carbon Dioxide distillation process, imparting all the healing properties of Calendula in a highly concentrated pure essential oil. This makes it finally possible to easily add the healing properties of Calendula oil to any blend or recipe.

Calendula essential oil (also know and Marigold) is distilled from the deep orange colored flowers we're all familiar with as an annual plant in many home gardens. The plant has a long history of use in wound care and skin care recipes. And its use has a significant body of data available through extensive scientific research over the last decade.

In the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, Volume 20 2009, researchers at Amala Cancer Research Centre Amala Nagar, India, published a study examining the wound-healing effects of the extract of Calendula officinalis (this SCO2 distillation is what would be considered the finest extracts available of this flower). The researchers saw a dramatic increase in the healing speed of skin wounds, with the conclusion being summed up by: "The data indicate potent wound healing activity of Calendula officinalis extract."

Calendula oil also shows very potent anti-oxidant effects, along with protective effects to organ systems. Another study examining these actions concluded "Extract has been found to contain several carotenoids of which lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene predominates. Possible mechanism of action of the flower extract may be due to its antioxidant activity and reduction of oxygen radicals." With this activity, the essential oil is not only an excellent choice for wound healing (and dermatitis of all types) but in daily-care recipes as well. One of the 'foundations' of skin aging is that free-radicals speed visible aging of our skin, and these highly-regarded antioxidants may have a significant effect at slowing this process.

Also of interest is the support offered by Calendula oil for those undergoing cancer treatment for radiation-induced epithelits, one expression of which is commonly called 'radiation burns'. A paper published in the July 2009 French journal of Cancer Radiotherapy, researchers noted that while aloe vera, "Calendula Officinalis was shown to be superior". Due to this effect, it may also be supportive in blends for hair loss, as much hair loss has been shown to be a result of inflammation on a cellular level.

Calendula oil in this form is wonderfully potent. It is suggested to add to skin care formulas at a 1 to 3% concentration, which equates to 11 to 27 drops of Calendula essential oil per ounce of your total recipe. We have had customer's tell us they've used it "neat" on burns with excellent success as well.