A Grassroots Healing Project

Planting seeds and sharing herbs is a way to bring about positive change.

 

Our mission is to inspire more dialogue, support, and understanding of the root causes of violence and oppression by encouraging people to grow and dry calendula for healing purposes in their communities.

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Violence against women* is prevalent worldwide.

When herbalist Deb Soule first learned about the work of V (formerly Eve Ensler) in the Congo Region to assist women who have been raped and violated, she asked, “How can I be of help?” The answer that came to her was to “grow a row of calendula.”

Calendula is a remarkable herb for healing wounds and traumatized tissue and for filling the body and spirit with vitality and light. Used as an oil or salve, it repairs many kinds of wounds, soothes inflamed or infected vaginal tissue, and lessens scarring. As a tea, its sunny flowers assist in the easing of both physical and emotional pain.

*In using the term women here, we refer to women who are cisgender, transgender, non-binary, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence.

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How can I start growing my own row of calendula?

Begin with the intention to help bring healing to women. Plant calendula seeds. Nurture them. Collect their bright flower blossoms. Dry them. Prepare the dried flowers into healing remedies to share with those who need them.

 

“Maintaining a garden is an act of resistance because it does the opposite of what the capitalist machinery does—it connects people and communities with the Earth. To grow one’s own food, to grow beauty and life, is revolutionary in this age of ecological, environmental, societal and spiritual collapse.”

One Billion Rising