How to Make a Salve With Calendula Flowers
Calendula flowers have a long history of healing uses, for everything from teas for stomach upset, hemorrhoids, and infected eyes to oils and salves for skin ailments. The ancient Romans prized calendula and its name comes from the word calendar. According to the Herb Research Foundation, calendula has antibacterial, astringent, wound healing properties. While there are many commercial cosmetic creams and mixtures with calendula in them, it is easy to make a quality, soothing calendula salve yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Calendula flower petals
- Extra virgin olive oil or pure sweet almond oil
- Cheesecloth
- Beeswax
- Double boiler
- Sterilized jars with lids
Instructions
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1
Pick 2 cups of calendula petals at noon or mid-day on a sunny, dry day, not a rainy day or early in the morning when plants will be wet with dew. Look for fresh petals that don't have any moisture from rain or dew from flowers that are still soft and growing. Pull just the petals from the flowers, not any other green leafy parts.
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Put freshly picked petals and 1 cup extra virgin olive oil or pure sweet almond oil in a saucepan. Slowly heat the oil over a low heat, stirring constantly. Do not leave the pot unattended or allow the oil to boil or burn. Heat for about an hour. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
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3
Strain the oil through unbleached cheesecloth to remove the petals. Tie the petals in the cheesecloth bundle and squeeze over a clean bowl, squeezing out all the oil from the cooked petals. Put this freshly squeezed calendula oil into a clean saucepan to warm again on low heat . Melt 1/4 cup beeswax in a double burner at the same time. When the beeswax is melted and the calendula oil is warm, pour the beeswax into the calendula oil and continue warming for a while longer until they are mixed together well, then remove from the heat.
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Pour the mixture into sterilized, lidded jars. Let the warm mixture set for 15 to 20 minutes before putting on lids and sealing. Mix in a few petals for color and interest, if desired.
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Label calendula salve in jars and store in cool, dark place. Since this is an all-natural mixture with no preservatives, put a date on the labels and store in a drawer or cabinet out of direct sunlight.
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Tips & Warnings
Fresh petals are best for the highest oil content, but petals can be sealed in airtight containers and frozen for later use when fresh flowers won't be available. Make sure to protect against freezer burn. Be creative and decorate the labels with dried flowers, colored pencil drawings or calligraphy. Use the homemade salve on burns, insect bites and stings, slight scrapes and cuts, dry lips and skin, and blemishes.
Don't confuse calendula, also known as pot marigold, with French or other marigolds. They are different plants.
