flower Power: a story of healing with calendula
Ten years ago I was introduced to a plant that changed my life. I was working at the Arbor Gate in Tomball, TeXas (a 2.5 acre plant nursery with some of the most exotic plants in the greater Houston area), where i encountered my mentor and long time friend, Beth. through her I would meet my favorite plant: Calendula.
One day I noticed Beth giving away a small mason jar full of green goop to a woman. I asked Beth what she was giving away and she responded, "Calendula Salve, of course!" I wasn't sure what Calendula meant, and I was kind of shocked she would just give this jar away to basically a stranger. Beth taught me that medicine is meant to be shared. over the coming months, beth taught me about calendula and how she made her salve. calendula is a French flower with a resinous property and a Sunny disposition. It is cold tolerant and is grown from October to May in texas. calendula's resins contain flavanoids, sterols, and triterpenoids that work to soothe your skin, support wound healing, are antimicrobial, and help the skin hold in moisture. skin conditions like Eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea can be alleviated with the calendula flower.
give it enough calendula and time and it will heal.
When I moved from the sub tropical climate of Houston to the drier climate of Glen Rose, my skin reacted. It was dry, itchy, and irritated. I thought of my old friend Calendula and wondered if she could help me out. I started creating a facial oil: testing different oils infused with my beloved Calendula until I found the simplest, most hydrating, and repairing combination: Jojoba oil and Calendula. This is the origin of our facial serums: Dew Drops and Moon Drops, deeply hydrating, lightweight infused oils suitable for anywhere on the body.
Now, I grow calendula every year from seed, i harvest the flowers, and i slowly infuse them in organic oils. I have expanded what I make with calendula to include olive oil and beeswax salves and tallow moisturizers.
Today, someone at the hardware store complimented my skin as they pointed to their own, red, irritated, dry skin. they were exasperated by the hunt for a product that worked, they lamented about all of the chemicals and synthetic fillers in everything recommended. they asked what I used and I said, "Well, I make it actually" and I told them to come by the farm store so I could share a bottle to test out. I think Beth would approve.
The wisdom beth shared with me changed my life and I have not been the same since. it led me down a path of learning that radicalized how I viewed our healthcare system, how I viewed my own abilities to grow medicine for myself and my family, and the space I wanted to occupy in the world. it taught me that god and mother earth give us everything we need to heal.
your relief is ours. It reminds us why we do what we do.
Recently some of our customers have reached out to let us know how our products have helped them:
Alan from San Angelo healed his psoriasis on his arms this year. It took some convincing to get him to try our facial serum for his arms regularly, but once he did, the results were undeniable.
Michelle in Dallas recently re-ordered our salve, it seems to be the only thing that helps her eczema on her hands.
I want to say thank you, it's because of your orders and support that we get to continue to help people heal.
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