Homemade Calendula Salve
The perfect recipe for getting you hooked on making your own herbal remedies. It is a simple salve combining olive oil, calendula, and beeswax. The combination of ingredients creates a solidified ointment with healing and soothing properties for all occasions.
Servings ounces
Equipment
- 2 16-ounce mason jars (I like Ball mason jars)
- 4 oz. container to put your salve in (I like Vivaplex Amber Jars)
- Wooden utensil (for stirring, I use reusable bamboo chopsticks)
- Canning jar lifter (this is optional, but I use the Norpro Canning Jar Lifter)
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter (this is optional, but I use unbleached coffee filters)
- French press (this is optional, but I use a Mueller French Press)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/3 cup calendula flowers (I use Anthony's Goods' Organic Calendula Flowers)
- 1.5 tbsp. of beeswax or candelilla wax
- 36-144 drops of essential oils for skin health (optional)
Instructions
- Add dried calendula and extra virgin olive oil to the mason jar and close it.
- Fill a pot with water and place the jar in the pot (the water should cover 3/4 of the mason jar).
- Simmer for 1-2 hours. Start with medium heat and then drop to a low simmer when it starts bubbling (anything hotter may cause the glass to explode). Be sure to check the water level every 15 minutes and add water to the pot as necessary.
- When the oil is infused, it should be golden/orange. When it has reached that color, remove it from the heat with a canning jar lifter and strain it into the second mason jar (I use a fine mesh strainer covered with an unbleached coffee filter).
- Optional: Use a French press to extract the remaining liquid.
- Pour out some of the pot’s water from the infusion process, leaving just enough water to cover half of the second mason jar.
- In the second mason jar holding the calendula infusion, add beeswax and place on the stovetop over medium heat to melt. Mix occasionally with a wooden utensil.
- Optional: Add essential oils if you're using them.
- Pour it into the container of your choice (I like using a dark-colored, glass, airtight container like Vivaplex Amber Jars) and let it cool. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the process. Once solidified, it’s ready to use.
Notes
- You can use this for any skin issues your family might be experiencing as frequently as you’d like.
- When stored in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet (or the refrigerator), it will last 12 months.
