Do you want to learn how to make calendula oil at home? For those who study to become an herbalist, calendula is one of the first herbs to be taught. It has many uses and is one of the more commonly found flower garden plants. The yellow to orange flowers are attractive to both humans and bees; an endangered species that is necessary for our crops.
While calendula oil can be used by itself, it makes a very powerful healing combination when used with essential oils. Essential oils are very concentrated and need to be diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to skin.
Not only does calendula oil assist with essential oil application, but adds beneficial value to the mixture, assisting with natural healing.
What is Calendula Oil?
Calendula oil is made from the flowers of the Calendula officinalis plant, which is also known as the “pot marigold” and “marygold”. It is believed to have originated in India. This oil is yellow to orange in color, and is a part of traditional Ayurvedic medicine where it is used to treat a wide variety of ailments.
While it has a history as a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments, it’s most common uses nowadays for first aid and as a skin protectant. Can be used for minor cuts and scrapes and to moisturize the skin.
The health benefits of calendula oil include soothing, calming, and healing properties. The word calendula is Latin and translates as the first day of the month. Calendula flowers were once used to mark the first day of the month in ancient Rome.
How to Make Calendula Oil At Home
The first step in making calendula oil is to choose the base oil. These oils are used topically rather than ingested, so the choices are fairly wide. It may depend on the desired end product rather than a generic, one size fits all.
When it is wanted for healing, such as wound care, olive oil is usually the best choice. Skincare products, like those for calluses, often use jojoba oil. While any oil will work, it is best to choose something that is cold pressed. Heat can destroy some of the benefits of the oil in question.
The process for making it can be simple or complex, plus it requires a large dose of patience because you will have to let the flowers steep for 6 weeks.
Step 1: Place one half cup of fresh flowers or one quarter cup of dried flowers in a jar.
Step 2: Add two cups of oil to the jar. Olive oil is the most common oil used, or you can use jojoba oil.
Step 3: Shake it well and then put it in a cool, dark place for six weeks.
Step 4: Shake the jar once a day for that time period.
Step 5: After six weeks, strain the flowers out of the jar and store the oil in a green or amber glass bottle.
The bottle should be kept away from light, as that will destroy the properties.
Some herbalists change the flowers regularly while they are soaking. The flowers are gently pressed to remove the oils in them and then discarded. Fresh are added. This can make a stronger oil, but it is a messy process. The complication of doing this is left to the reader’s discretion.
Now that you have calendula oil, what can you do with it?
What to Use Calendula Oil For?
There is actually a wide variety of uses for this oil. Skincare is the main use, both for beauty treatments and for topical first aid. It is also used as aromatherapy, a practice which is quickly catching on.
It can also be used to carry other essential oils. Adding essential oils will increase the scope of the oil and make it even more useful. Ideas for pairing will be listed below.
1. Bugs
While a lot of people reach for the Off! for fending off insects, there are those who prefer a more natural approach to repelling insects. There are also times when such an outdoorsy smell is unwanted, but relief from fleas or bed bugs would be appreciated.
For this purpose, an infusion with olive oil is ideal. The reason for using this carrier oil is that those bugs bite can cause serious itching. Both the calendula and the olive oil will help reduce the itching as well as discouraging the pests from biting.
There are several essential oils that can be useful for this. For adults and children over the age of six, eucalyptus oil is good. Lavender, rosemary and basil will also be helpful. In fact, basil is used in some parts of the world to repel flies.
2. Antimicrobial
Microbes can take many forms. They can be bacteria and fungi. Some of them are beneficial to the human body, but many are not. Finding something that will kill the microbes that cause us harm is important, as is making sure we don’t harm the good variety any more than we have to.
Before antibiotics, there were few ways of doing this. However, calendula was one of them. Studies suggest that it can still be useful in that regard today. That is one of the reasons it is on the top ten list for most herbalists… and an important part of an herbal first aid kit.
Lavender, tea tree, and cinnamon essential oil will all help in this department. For adults, eucalyptus and peppermint are good additions. It is best to avoid using eucalyptus and peppermint oil with small children.
3. Relaxant
If you’ve ever had a muscle spasm or the hiccups, you know how annoying… and painful… they can be. Calendula oil can help relieve the pain and stop the spasm. Again, the best carrier oil for this would be olive oil. It has some pain relieving properties of its own. For the best benefit, try a gentle massage of the area to help relieve the spasm.
This is also useful for some types of diarrhea. The colon can spasm and create the condition. While it won’t resolve all types of the problem, it can be helpful for those that involve a spasm.
Lavender, roman chamomile, and yarrow essential oils are good to go into the calendula oil. They will help with pain relief, reduce tension and help to reduce the spasms. All of these are good for children, although the amount used should be half of what is used for adults. Children over twelve can use the adult strength.
4. First Aid
Calendula oil for first aid? With its high concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, calendula oil can be used for a variety of minor skin issues or wound. Most skin-related problems are annoying, painful and unsightly so this can be a welcome relief to common skincare ailments.
This oil has been known to help with pain and inflammation making it a great choice to use in first aid blends. Many people also report that calendula oil is soothing and moisturizing, so it can be used as a lip balm by those who suffer from cracked or chapped lips.
Calendula oil is a soothing carrier oil that can be useful for a variety of common issues, pair with essential oils for an even more powerful home remedy.
Calendula Oil Tutorial Video
Morag Gamble of Our Permaculture Life shows you two ways to make natural organic calendula oil for skin care, first aid and eating from just two ingredients. This oil suitable for sensitive skin, children and babies.
Step by Step Tutorial for Making Calendula Oil At Home Printable
Click the print button on the recipe card below to get a printable version of this recipe for future use. Be sure to rate the recipe too!
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Where to Buy Calendula Oil
If you are not into making homemade calendula oil then alternatively you can purchase a bottle instead. Look for 100% pure and natural oil, you can also buy in the form of a salve (thick cream consistency). Here are a few options:
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