DIY Calendula Infused Olive Oil and Salve Recipe
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I always felt like making an herbal infusion was beyond the scope of my simple DIY life. If a recipe is complicated, I’m not doing it. Oh, how wrong I was! It is actually one of the most simple DIYs out there.
The main ingredient you will need is PATIENCE. Most herbal infusions need to sit for about 4-6 weeks (minimum!) to really draw out the therapeutic molecules from the herb or flower.
Once you get that final product though – you will be really proud of yourself!
Calendula Infused Oil Skin Benefits
You will find calendula oil in tons of healing balms and salves because it’s super soothing to the skin and highly anti-inflammatory. The flowers have a very mild smell so it’s great to use as a base oil in balms and salves. It blends well with essential oils since the odor is so mild.
Once I made my first batch of calendula infused olive oil, I started using it as the base in my body oil (recipe coming soon!) and I loved the way it softened my skin. I have Keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms and after using the body oil just a few times, the bumps disappeared.
I also used it in my DIY Super Healing Hand Cream and guess what? Soft hands and no more dry patches!
For my son’s itchy skin, I made him a simple calendula salve with just beeswax and calendula oil and it relieves his itchies so quickly. This stuff is gold!
How To Make Calendula Oil
Calendula Infused Oil Supplies
Calendula Flowers
Olive Oil
Glass Mason Jar
Cheesecloth
The Process of Making Calendula Oil
Fill your mason jar about 3/4 of the way with the calendula flowers. Pour in the olive oil all the way to the rim (the flowers should be completely covered) and put the cap on.
Label the jar with the name and date so you don’t forget what’s in there! Let it sit for about 6 weeks. Patience my darling!
When you’re ready to decant your oil, grab the cheesecloth and line a strainer with a decent sized piece (you don’t want the edges of the cheesecloth to fall in the oil). Place the cheesecloth-lined strainer over a bowl or big glass measuring cup and pour your concoction into the strainer.
Let it all drip out. Pick up the edges of the cheesecloth, hold them together and squeeze squeeze squeeze until all that amazing oil is completely squeezed out of the cheesecloth.
Admire the herbal infusion that you just created (very important step).
Carefully pour the calendula infused oil into whatever storage container you like. I prefer these 8-ounce amber bottles.
Your calendula infused oil should last about 12 months if stored in a cool, dry place.
How do I use Calendula Oil?
Now for the fun part – using your calendula oil!
You can use your calendula oil as a base in any balm, salve or lotion recipe. Instead of using regular olive oil, just replace it with calendula oil.
The very first DIY I made with mine was a Calendula Salve for my son. Like I mentioned earlier, his skin gets really itchy at night and he starts tearing it up, scratching like crazy. I apply the salve to his skin and it immediately calms down.
The salve has two simple ingredients – calendula infused olive oil and beeswax.
Beeswax helps to prolong its application on your skin and it also helps to lock in moisture.
To make a calendula salve melt 1 teaspoon of beeswax over a double boiler. Add in 3 tablespoons of your calendula infused olive oil, stir to combine and let cool. Your salve is done!
I like a really balmy texture as you can see in the picture above. If you want a little bit of a harder texture, like a lip balm, just add less calendula oil.
How do I use a calendula salve?
We use our calendula salve as a spot-treatment. As I mentioned above, my son gets really itchy on his back so I’ll apply a little bit to the dry, itchy spots.
A calendula salve is great for bug bites, wounds (healing, not open), scrapes, dry cracked skin, diaper rash, inflamed skin and you can also use it on cracked nipples if you are breast feeding.
Are you ready to infuse your own calendula oil?
I hope so! I also highly recommend making this super-healing hand cream with your calendula oil. It’s amazing for dry hands!
DIY Calendula Infused Olive Oil
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