homemade calendula salve
Bryana shows us how to craft a dreamy Calendula salve in less than 5 minutes! We grew these Calendula blooms in our greenhouse, but they’ll grow by a warm window at home, or in your garden during the summer months.
Calendula oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral. If you make this at home, drop us a line and let us know how it soothes your body, mind, and soul!
ingredients for making calendual oil salve:
For Oil Infusion:
3/4 cup of Dried Calendula Flowers
1 cup of Sunflower Oil (or other preferred oil)
For Salve:
1 cup of Infused Oil
1 oz of Beeswax
2 cup Pyrex Glass Measuring Pitcher
1 Medium Sized Pot for Boiling
3-4 Small Tins (washed and dried)
Optional:
Alternative oils such as olive, coconut, etc.
Essential oils of your choice!
Making your own infused oil:
Step 1. Dry your plant matter. We used dried calendula petals and leaves. Wilt overnight or use pre-dried calendula.
Step 2. Place plant matter and oil in jar. Fill your jar about 3/4 of the way with dried calendula. Fill jar with sunflower oil (or oil of your choice), leaving approximately one inch of headspace (flowers will expand). Stir to release air pockets. Cover and let infuse for 4 weeks! Strain with cheesecloth when complete. Store infused oil in a cool dark place.
Making your own salve:
Step 1. Stage your ingredients and tools. Set up a double boiler with a medium-sized pot, small pyrex, infused oil, and beeswax.
Step 2. Check your ratio. We recommend for every cup of infused oil that you add 1 oz of beeswax (add more or less for desired consistency).
Step 3. Wait and stir! Place infused oil and beeswax in double boiler, stirring occasionally. Wait until beeswax has completely dissolved. Optional: add 10-20 drops of essential oils.
Step 4. Pour into clean containers. Have your containers ready! Your salve will begin to solidify very quickly, but before it does, you have the option to add some of your dried plant matter for a little added decor.
TIPS FROM BRYANA ON INFUSING OIL:
If you choose to use fresh flowers for infusing your oil, let them wilt overnight to release their moisture. This reduces the chance of mold developing during infusion!
Bryana likes sunflower oil because it is light, has a minimal scent, is cost-effective, and you can usually source locally and/or organic.
Some folks say you should infuse your oil in a dark space… some say in front of a window… it really depends on the plant you are using and who you talk to. In this case, with calendula, we recommend leaving your infusion on a windowsill.
Stir your infusion every once in a while, make sure there is not any mold growing. As long as your plant matter is submerged you should be okay!
After you strain your oil, consider composting your plant matter vs. throwing it away.