Tis the season of witches and potions and dark afternoons. We sip warming teas and collect maple leaves under a full, Hunter's moon.
When I walk outside to check the garden on cold, autumn mornings, I see a few proud flowers standing tall and refusing to give up. Impressive, I think. Calendula, also known as “pot marigold,” is one of these tough little ladies who just keeps on blooming through October cold snaps. Sometimes she’ll make it through the first frost. Yet before long, the last seeds form and fall into the soil for a long winter’s nap.
From the moment you touch this flower you’ll begin to understand that although beauty and smell lured you in, now the tangible evidence of its healing properties has left a trace on your skin. Calendula is sticky. That’s the medicine.
Healers of old discovered this plant’s little secret and made a center spot for it on the apothecary shelf. They dried the vibrant orange and yellow flowers and stored them away for use in winter tea mixes that would soothe a sore throat or an upset tummy. Used in wound poultices, healing salves or simply to fancy up a salad or omelette, calendula has left a trail of historical notation. From ancient Rome to 5th century France and on to America’s first settlers, this medicine flower was well worth examining, if not praising.
And here we are today! Now, let’s get down to business and talk about How to Make Calendula Healing Salve, my favorite calendula potion. Strap on your apron and let’s get to it!
Materials for Oil Infusion:
medium mason jar
4-5 cups calendula flowers (Fresh or dried)
handful of lavender buds and flowers (optional)
organic grape seed oil
organic olive oil
organic primrose oil
(If primrose oil is not available, simply omit and use more parts of the other two oils or try coconut oil or jojoba oil)
INFUSING THE OIL
1. Pack calendula flowers into a mason jar. Press flowers down and fill the jar all the way to the top. If you’re adding lavender buds, sprinkle them in like layers in a parfait.
2. Fill your glass jar in 3 parts: 1/3 olive oil, 1/3 grape seed oil, 1/3 primrose oil. As the oil settles to the bottom, use a chopstick or long spoon to muddle the flowers (releases the medicine). Press and stir the flowers around. Add more flowers if room at the top becomes available, but be sure that all flowers are completely covered with oil before screwing on the lid. THIS WILL PREVENT MOLD AND BACTERIA FROM GROWING.
3. When you’re happy with your oil and flower-filled jar, place it in a sunny window. Label the jar with the ingredients used and the date. Leave it there for 4-6 weeks and give it a shake every now and then.
Materials for Cooking the Salve
1 ¼ cup infused oil
1/3 cup organic beeswax pellets
heavy bottom pot
small whisk
package of cheesecloth
organic essential oils for skin health—I use lavender, frankincense and myrrh.
measuring cups
large bowl
2 ounce product containers (glass or metal)
MAKE THE SALVE
1. Lay out six or seven product containers on a tray, open and ready to fill.
2. Grab your large bowl and cheesecloth. Lay two pieces of cheesecloth, crisscrossed, inside the bowl with plenty of extra cloth hanging over the edges.
3. Empty the entire jar of oil and flower mixture into the cheesecloth. Wrap up the flowers into a ball and begin to squeeze out the excess oil until every last drop is removed from the plant material. It should have a nice amber color… It will smell divine.
4. Place your heavy bottom pot on the stove and set to the very lowest temperature. Add 1/3 cup of beeswax and gently whisk. It’s important to melt the beeswax very slowly in order to preserve its healing properties.
5. When the beeswax is completely liquified, add 1 ¼ cup of infused oil. Gently whisk until the mixture is completely translucent and warm.
6. Add desired amounts of essential oils and whisk. Don’t overdo it. Essential oils are strong and sometimes a little bit goes a long way!
7. Pour the infused oil, beeswax and essential oil mixture into a glass measuring cup with a lip, then QUICKLY fill each salve container. It will begin to solidify within minutes of cooling. I like to let mine sit for a least half a day before I screw on the tops.
8. VOILA! YOU DID IT!
Calendula Quick Facts:
~Parts used: FLOWER
~Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, blood cleanser
~Wound healer both internally and externally
~When used internally it aids in breaking fever and treating menstrual cramps
~Externally is a soothing remedy for burns, sores, rashes, insect bites and wounds
~Treats varicose veins and shingles
~Food: Sprinkle petals on salads or use as a garnish
Precautions:
Calendula is a uterine stimulant and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Resources:
Chevallier, Andrew. 2007. Herbal Remedies Handbook, 86. New York, DK Publishing.
Gladstar, Rosemary. 2012. Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide, 112-116. North Adams, MA, Storey Publishing.
Elias, Jason; Masline, Shelagh Ryan. 1995. Healing Herbal Remedies, 80-81. New York, Dell Publishing.
Sally Wenczel is an author of children’s books and has published hundreds of articles. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Albion College in 2002, she started writing for publications and organizations such as Plumas County History Museum, Garden Design Magazine, Traverse City Business News, Ferndale Friends, The Chaldean News, SFGate.com, EHow.com and Answerbag.com. She has worked in education gardens as a teacher and program director in the Detroit area. Wenczel has also been a state licensed massage therapist for 15 years and has studied natural healing therapies, although she is not a certified naturopath or doctor, therefore let it be known that any medicinal content in this blog is not coming from a professional doctor in the field of medicine and persons reading and putting the advice to practice shall do so at their own risk. This blog contains Wenczel’s own opinions as well as thoroughly researched information. The content is accurate, yet there may be some mistakes, misspellings, errors and omissions.
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