How to Infuse Calendula
Bright orange and yellow calendula flowers are beautiful in the garden, but their benefits extend beyond aesthetic beauty. Herbalists and housewives alike have used calendula infusions for centuries. Cuts, scrapes and burns are treated with calendula oil. The mild antibacterial and antiviral properties of calendula also help to prevent infection while the wounds are healing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. So when it grows in abundance, make calendula-infused oil to use throughout the year.
Instructions
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1
Harvest the calendula flowers by placing two fingers on either side of the blossom and lifting gently upward.
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2
Fill the jar loosely with calendula flowers. The blossoms should be thoroughly dry to prevent mold from forming.
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3
Pour oil over the calendula flowers to fill the jar. Sesame oil is recommended because it preserves the color of the flowers and has a mild unobjectionable scent, but any vegetable-based oil can be used.
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4
Gently press the flowers into the oil with a spoon to fully submerge the blossoms and to remove any air bubbles.
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5
Cut a round circle from the wax paper slightly larger then the size of the jar's opening. Place the wax paper circle on top of the oil and petals pushing the extra paper down the sides of the jar. This will prevent mold from forming on top of the oil.
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6
Secure the lid tightly on the jar and place your infusion in a cool, dark place.
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7
Check your infusion every week for mold. If mold has formed on the top of the oil, carefully remove the wax paper and replace it.
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Remove the flowers from the oil after six weeks by pouring the infusion into a new jar though a sieve. Your infusion is ready to use for all the little cuts, scrapes and burns that occur throughout the year.
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