How to Make Calendula Salve

Pitcure of the Calendula Flower

Calendula is known as a healing herb, most notably for the healing of wounds. It has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent infections. It can also support coagulation and scab-formation in sores that resist healing. Calendula is often used in ointments or lotions to assist with skin conditions such as acne eczema rashes and sunburn. This article will describe how to make Calendula salve.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup dried calendula flowers
• 1/2 cup oil (olive oil, almond oil, saffower, or sunflower oil)
• 1/8 cup grated beeswax
• 40 drops lavender essential oil
• Pint Sized Canning Jar
• Small Heavy Saucepan
• Several Pieces of Cheesecloth
• Several Wide-Mouth Glass Jars

Instructions

How to Make Calendula Salve

1. Make the infused oil. To make the infused oil, put 1/4 cup calendula flowers into a pint-size canning jar. Add 1/2 cup oil and stir well. Cover the jar with a lid and place the jar in a sunny window. Once the oil turns a deep golden yellow (this generally takes one to two weeks), strain the oil through several layers of cheesecloth to remove the flowers.

2. Grate the beeswax if not already grated.

3. Combine the combine the Calendula oil with the grated beeswax in a small, heavy saucepan. Heat gently until the beeswax is melted.

4. Add 40 drops of lavender essential oil to mixture in the saucepan.

5. Pour the mixture into several wide-mouth glass jars.

6. Allow the salve cool in the jars.

7. Cover jars with the lids.

8. Store in a cool, dark place.

Tips & Warnings

• Calendula salve will stay fresh for approximately one year.

• Adding 2 to 3 teaspoons of Vitamin E oil for every cup of oil will help extend the shelf life of the salve.

• Do not use Calendula salve on wounds that need to remain open until all the infection has drained away.