This year in my garden I was pleasantly surprised with a nearly absurd amount of Calendula popping up. I had planted a few Calendula flowers in the garden last year and I guess they wanted to come back again this year in full force. I find that when a plant shows up with this kind of force in my life it is clearly trying to communicate with me. Since plants don’t speak English we need to open our senses to other cues of communication. As a potter, gardener and amateur builder my hands take a serious beating. They are often extremely dry and sometimes even crack in the winter months. I have noticed over the years that Calendula is an ingredient in many natural skin care products and for good reason.

Calendula officinalis has been used by herbalists, homesteaders, and natural healers for centuries. It can be used both internally or externally to support the immune system, heal skin and infections. Calendula works its magic by promoting cell repair and growth. It also has natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula Salve can heal and treat a wide array of skin conditions including, dry skin, sunburn, rashes, swelling, eczema, acne, stings, wounds, scrapes, chick pox, cold sores, chapped lips, dry feet, cradle cap and diaper rash. It can also be very soothing after shaving, to prevent or treat razor burn and apparently lessen the appearance of varicose veins and soften scars.

So needless to say, with the abundance of Calendula in my garden this year I figured I would give making Calendula Salve a go, and it was a great success! Not only was it incredibly easy, it also required few ingredients, steps and supplies. I ended up with plenty of topical medicine for not only my hands but for my friends and family as well. It has now become a part of my self-care regimen and a staple in my travel kit. I sometimes feel like the dad from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” that wants to put Windex on everything, or like my father who wants to put WD-40 on everything. I get it now, I want to put Calendula Salve on everything!

Here’s How to Make It:

1 cup fresh or dried Calendula Flowers (I include some leaves as well. I personally believe that the power of the whole plant speaks a clearer language then the flowers alone)
1 cup olive oil
2-1/2 ounces beeswax pellets
10 drops essential oil of choice (I recommend Lavender)

Step 1: Infuse the Oil

Fill a mason jar with the Calendula flowers and pour the olive oil over them, making sure all the flowers are completely covered. Set the jar on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks to infuse the oil with the Calendula. Shake the jar every few days to agitate the contents. When the oil is done, measure out ¾ cup of the liquid to use and discard the solid plant mater..

Step 2: Make the Salve

Add the beeswax Pellets and melt with the infused olive oil over low heat over a double boiler, stirring occasionally.
Once the beeswax is melted, remove from heat and stir in the Lavender essential oil.
Pour the salve into a small covered metal or glass container and let cool.

Do you have a favorite plant remedy? If so please share and help us all Grow Greener Together.

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Save Your Skin with Calendula Salve