The Attic
There was a creaking in her attic, The kind that settles in your bones, Makes your heart flee when you have the thought, Of facing it alone. Her mind made it an object, With each creak sending her numb, Like the noise possessed a pair of hands, Wrapped tight around each long. The world told her to fear it, “There’s nothing good in the unknown”, And she wandered if they’d ever faced The creaking on their own. So she built herself a ladder From the thoughts that screamed to stop, And she climbed it to the darkness Waiting at the very top, There inside her attic, Prepared to fight it to the death. Her fingers shook against the switch And fear gripped at her breath; As the light flickered above her Not a monster was in view, But a group of dreams she’d dare not have In fear they’d not come true. The creaking in her attic Had been a plea unto her heart, A dare to face the unknown And release them from the dark. Because you won’t encounter freedom If you give in to your fright. Sometimes the bravest thing you’ll ever do Is just turn on the light.
e.h.
Notes on Calendula
By Ana
Calendula is one the plants I use in my Breast Friend Salve, as well as my home-made face oil
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is an annual flower that blooms regularly through the growing season. Native to the Mediterranean, calendula got her name because she seems to bloom with the calendar.
Calendula is a kind of marigold. There are two genre of marigold — taget and calendula. Taget marigolds, also known as French marigolds, are the marigolds many people plant in their flower gardens. Of the two kinds of marigolds, calendula is the one used internally (and externally) for its health benefits, so of course, she’s the one I prefer to plant
Traditional herbalists have known the benefits of calendula flower for centuries and science is beginning to back those claims.
She’s known to protect against inflammation and cancer because she contains flavonoids and linoleic acid which both help fight inflammation. A 2009 study shows that calendula inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Calendula has also been found to fight cancer. A study published in BMC Cancer found that the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of calendula make her an interesting remedy to explore for cancer treatment. In the study, calendula inhibited cancer cell proliferation and increased lymphocyte production (white blood cells of the lymph system).
Because of her ability to relax muscles, calendula is beneficial for menstrual cramping, diarrhea, and spasming or sprained muscles, as well as conjunctivitis, diaper rash, as well as gingivitis and plaque
Amenorrhea (an abnormal absence of a monthly period) is one ailment that calendula can help with. Calendula has been used traditionally to help induce menstruation- therefor, be cautious if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
She can also help ease PMS symptoms like cramping.
Externally, she helps with wound healing, such as cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises, and insect bites, by stimulating tissue and collagen production.
Calendula is used to heal:
One of the most interesting benefits of calendula is her antiseptic and antifungal properties. Because of this, calendula oil, tea, and ointment can be used to treat minor skin and eye infections as well as general skin conditions.
Among her other uses, Calendula can be used as a food to brighten up salads or fabric dye
Sometimes, I cut a couple of her flowers and float them in my water, to infuse her essence and make my drinking water prettier!
This would work in a bath as well :)