How to Make Calendula Healing Salve

Calendula is a prolifically-growing species of marigold that can be easily started by seed. The bright orange and gold blossoms have long been valued as a healing herb, and their antibacterial and antiseptic properties are especially useful for healing cuts and abrasions and preventing infection. Calendula healing salve can also soothe skin conditions such as acne, rashes, eczema, sunburn, bug bites and itchy, dry skin.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups freshly-picked calendula blossoms
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil or almond oil
• 2 oz. or ¼ cup beeswax chips or grated beeswax
• 30 to 40 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 1 quart-size canning jar
• Small, heavy saucepan
• Strainer
• Cheesecloth
• Wooden spoon
• Small, wide-mouth jars with lids, sterilized

Instructions

1. Pick the calendula blossoms on a sunny morning so that they will be fairly dry. Shake the blossoms well to make sure any soil is removed.

2. Put the blossoms into a quart-size canning jar. Add the olive or almond oil and stir it to make sure all of the blossoms are coated with oil.

3. Cover the jar with cheesecloth so that moisture can evaporate, and set the jar in a sunny window. Leave it until the oil turns to a deep golden color, about one to two weeks.

4. Place the oil in a small, heavy saucepan and add the beeswax. Heat the mixture slowly on low heat just until the beeswax melts. Add the lavender essential oil, if desired, and pour the mixture into wide mouth glass jars. Allow the oil to cool and thicken into a salve before placing lids on the jars.

5. Strain the healing salve thoroughly through a folded cheesecloth laid in a strainer, pressing with a wooden spoon to extract as much oil from the blossoms as possible.

6. Pour the salve into the jars and allow it to cool before tightening the lids. Store the calendula salve in a dark, cool place. It will keep for about a year.

Tips & Warnings

• If the calendula blossoms are damp, spread them on a flat surface and let them dry in the sun for a few hours. Too much moisture in the leaves can cause the salve to mold.

• Clean jelly jars are a good size for salve.