Calendula is known for its healing properties and used as a salve for centuries. Want to prepare your very own Calendula Salve?
We will look at the ingredients and preparation method, before we look into the benefits and uses of the salve.
Ingredients
Calendula Petals / Flowers
Beeswax – 30 Gm
Sweet Almond Oil – ½ Cup
Coconut Oil – ½ Cup
Lavender Essential Oil – 16 Drops (Optional)
Instructions
First, you have to prepare the infused oil. You could do this in different ways. The easiest way to do it is by heating the oil with calendula flowers or petals in low flame. Once infused, filter and you’re good to go.
The traditional way to make infused oil is longer, but the best. For this method, dry the petals in shade for a few days – till fully dry. Then, add the petals to the oil mixture (coconut and almond oil) in a glass jar and leave it in sun. Keep the jar covered with a netted cloth during the day to prevent dust or other particles from falling into the oil. At night, remove the jar from sun and cork it closed. Do this for a few days – depending on where you love and how much of sun you get, it could take a few days or more. Once the oil color changes and is infused (takes a week or more), you can filter and use it.
Add the infused oil to a double boiler along with beeswax.
When the wax melts fully, stir using a spatula to combine the ingredients well and remove from heat.
After a few minutes add the essential oil (if you are adding it).
Pour into sterilized glass jar and let it set.
How to Use the Salve?
For bug bites or wounds and bruises, or even dry feet or hands, apply the salve on your skin and gently massage for a few seconds. Do you know you can also use this for chapped lips?
Why Calendula?
Calendula has been used for centuries for its healing properties. It sustains most climates and keeps growing back easily.
Calendula officinalis is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral and also an astringent. This makes it one of the best and most comprehensive herbal healing solutions out there for minor cuts or bruises, to burns, bug bites or ever rashes. Itching skin, dry skin or even cracked heels can be soothed using Calendula salve.
You don’t need to use essential oil, especially if you like the natural herbal and flowery aroma that Calendula gives to the recipe. I used Lavender Essential Oil as it helps with the healing as well. However, it is optional and the salve works just fine without it.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can also use Olive Oil along with or instead of the carrier oils (coconut oil and almond oil) used in the recipe.
You can also buy dry calendula flowers if you don’t get fresh ones and use them for this recipe.
Beeswax gives the salve the texture that’s characteristic for salves and also aids with healing, however, you can substitute it with other waxes if you are allergic to it or prefer vegan alternatives.
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