Calendula is one of my favorite herbs. The cheerful orange and yellow blossoms look gorgeous in the garden and have incredible healing properties. I grow it in my garden every Summer here in New York!
Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold or garden marigold, has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. Plus, it stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites to help minimize scarring and assist with stretch marks. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, compresses, washes, salves, ointments, massage oils, baths, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It is also gentle enough to use for babies, children, or animals. Internally, gargling with Calendula infused water may ease a sore throat, sores in the mouth, and inflammations in the mouth and throat.
Not only is Calendula a wonderful healing and medicinal herb, but as I mentioned earlier in this post, it’s a lovely and useful plant in the garden! Calendula repels many common garden pests including aphids, eelworms, asparagus beetles, and tomato hornworms, and is a companion plant for potatoes, beans, and lettuce. Plus, it grows quickly and is easy to cultivate from seed. The fresh vibrant petals can be used to color butter, cheese, custards, sauces, or sprinkled atop salads, cakes, and sandwiches.
I invite you to make some Calendula Oil to have on hand in your medicine cabinet! Here’s a simple recipe for you to try…
Calendula Oil adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs
This medicinal oil is simple to prepare and has so many uses. The gentle, soothing, and healing oil is perfect for:
- Cradle Cap
- Diaper Rash
- Chapped or Chafed Skin
- Bruises
- Sore or Inflamed Muscles
- Preventing Stretch Marks and Scarring
Calendula oil can be used alone, or incorporated into salves, massage oils, lip balms, ointments, creams, and lotions.
Ingredients:
Organic Olive oil
Organic Calendula flowers, dried or fresh (I use both fresh and dried depending on the time of year and if its in growing my garden at the time)
Directions:
- Place Calendula flowers in a clean, dry glass jar. TIP: If using fresh Calendula, wilt for 12 hours to remove most of the moisture (too much moisture will cause the oil to go rancid) before adding to the jar.
- Pour olive oil into the jar, making sure to cover the flowers by at least 1” of oil so they will have space to expand. Stir well and cap the jar tightly.
- Place the jar in a warm, sunny windowsill and shake once or more per day.
- After 4-6 weeks, strain the herbs out using cheesecloth. Pour the infused oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
Heat Method:
I prefer to infuse oils utilizing the solar or folk method described above, but heat can be applied if you need the oil quickly.
To prepare, follow step 1 from above, but place the Olive oil and Calendula flowers in an uncovered container. Warm over low heat at approximately 100 degrees F for at least 3-5 hours, the longer the better. A yogurt maker, double boiler, or inside the oven with a pilot light on are all effective ways to heat the oil, just make sure to check the temperature occasionally to ensure that the oil isn’t getting too warm. Once the oil has infused, strain out the herbs using cheesecloth and package the infused oil into glass bottles.
All ingredients, bottles and packaging can be purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs, its where I shop for all of my materia medica and supplies! Here’s the link
The post Healing Calendula Oil Recipe appeared first on Goddess Life Coaching, Life Magick Mentor, Women's Empowerment Coach - The Goddess Lifestyle Plan.