Super Skin Tea to Build Collagen

Collagen is the key to keeping skin smooth and resilient. It is a major structural component of skin that decreases as we age, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin. There is no evidence to show that consuming collagen will increase its levels, so we are left to ingest foods and herbs that stimulate the production of collagen.

Minerals such as silica as well as vitamins A, C, and D encourage the body to create its own collagen. Although there are foods that contain these constituents, the best way to consume them is in a tea, where minerals and vitamins are extracted at a higher concentration.

Last summer I wrote about applying vitamins A, C, and D topically because those vitamins can work their magic through the skin.  Silica, on the other hand, must be consumed internally to do its work.

Calendula provides 100 times more vitamin A by weight than a sweet potato

The following tea recipe contains herbs that have the highest amounts of silica, vitamins A and C.  Peppermint, an antioxidant,  is thrown in for flavor, but it also contains vitamins A and C. Antioxidants combat oxidation (aging) of our skin.

 Super Skin Tea Recipe

1 part horsetail (highest concentration of silica of any source)
3 parts nettle (silica, vitamins A and C)
3 parts rose hips (more vitamin C by weight than any other source)
2 parts calendula (highest source of vitamin A)
1 part raspberry leaf (vitamin C, antioxidant)
3/4 part peppermint (antioxidant, vitamins A and C)

For a typical tea, steeping 10 minutes is adequate, but the constituents will be extracted to the maximum with a super-decoction—four hours or more.  You can make a pot to store in the refrigerator and drink it iced or warm it up as a hot tea.

Beautiful Skin with Calendula

Do you want to reduce wrinkles? Soothe an itchy rash? Calm sensitive skin? Then look to Calendula, the best herb for skin that is virtually unknown to many people.

Calendula is a cheerful flower with bright yellow and orange blooms that grows enthusiastically in Northern Wisconsin and throughout the world. It is my favorite herb because of its beauty and its bountiful benefits.

Packed with Collagen-Stimulating Vitamin A

Calendula is known as a “nutritive herb” because of its high amount of vitamin A—100 times more vitamin A (by weight) than a sweet potato! Consuming calendula through a tea or tincture can improve your eye, bone, and skin health as well as boost your immunity. Topically, vitamin A stimulates collagen production, reducing fine lines and plumping sagging skin.

Good for Sensitive or Irritated Skin

In addition, calendula contains powerful anti-inflammatories, making it the perfect herb for itchy skin, irritations, and rashes. Calendula is a member of the daisy family, however, so anyone with allergies to daisies should avoid it.

Calendula blooms in the dehydrator

Growing Calendula

Calendula grows from seed planted in the cool months of spring. It reseeds itself readily, so you should get a bountiful crop every year without having to replant. It is also drought-resistant, so requires little maintenance other than weeding to achieve those beautiful blooms. The only problem I’ve had is bugs that eat the leaves and flowers. I use the hose to knock them off and encourage beneficial insects to come eat them by not using pesticides. (I would also not be able to use the plant if it was treated with pesticides or herbicides.)

Calendula Products

Wrinkle Reducer takes advantage of the collagen-stimulating abilities of the vitamin A packed into calendula’s flowers. I infuse the flowers in jojoba oil, the oil that most closely resembles our own skin’s sebum, then combine it with thyme-infused jojoba oil. Thyme has large amounts of Vitamin C which also stimulates collagen production and lightens dark patches. I add a dash of skin-loving lavender essential oil for scent.

Calendula Mousse highlights calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties in this cream for sensitive skin. It also works well for those experiencing itchy, irritated skin, including babies with diaper rash. Once again, I infuse the flowers in jojoba oil, then combine it with hypoallergenic candelilla wax and shea butter to create a creamy consistency.

Sensitive Skin Lotion consists of three ingredients: calendula, jojoba oil, and aloe. It is designed for those with extremely sensitive skin that would not be able to tolerate the candelilla wax and shea butter in Calendula Mousse.

Calendula Soap for sensitive skin is created using calendula-infused olive oil. Calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties combined with emollient-rich olive oil soothes sensitive skin and keeps it soft and moisturized.

If you would like to make your own calendula-infused oil, see my article on making an infused oil.