Calendula is a household medicine chest in itself!  Shown to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, it has been used for treating conjunctivitis, gingivitis, enlarged lymph glands, fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and yeast infections, and as a mouthwash for canker sores. 

Calendula is one of the easiest herbs to grow.  Although it likes full sun, it will also grow in partial shade. It is fast growing and blooms prolifically throughout the summer, each foot tall plant producing an abundance of bright, daisy-like yellow and orange flowers.

Calendula is edible, as well. It has been used historically as a saffron substitute to color food a golden yellow and as an ingredient in soups to ensure good health. Try sprinkling some fresh petals on top of your salad for a healthy and eye-catching dish.

Calendula has a reputation as the BEST all-purpose herb for healing skin. The petals promote cell regeneration to quickly repair such conditions as sores, rashes and cracked skin.  While calendula is successful in alleviating the pain, itch and raw skin of eczema and psoriasis, its power is gentle enough for even young sensitive skin.

Because we love calendula so much it is in most of our body care products.  We combine the healing properties of calendula with other certified organic botanicals in our Pregnant Belly Oil, Pregnant Belly Salve, Nipple Cream, Diaper Rash & Thrush Relief, Rhoid Balm and Green Salve.

Make Calendula Oil

Calendula is an effective healing oil for everyday minor cuts and scrapes. It heals the sting of sunburn, quickly takes the itch out of bug bites and even eliminates diaper rash. 

Making calendula oil is easy!
Put the dried calendula flowers in a slow cooker and just cover with a high quality oil, such as olive oil.  Turn the cooker on the lowest setting for two to four hours, stirring occasionally.  If you have a pot with a temperature reading as low as 100-125 degrees F, the oil can cook overnight. If the heat gets too high, the oil may turn rancid. 

Strain this finished oil through a white cotton cloth (diapers or white handkerchief works well). Squeeze out as much of the oil as possible from the herbs and let the oil sit overnight so any sediment can settle to the bottom of the jar.  Decant the clear oil into another jar, leaving out any sediment that has settled on the bottom.

To make calendula oil into a salve: Chop or grate 1 oz. of beeswax into one cup of the finished oil.  Stir over low heat until the beeswax is melted and uniformly mixed with the oil.  Pour this mixture into small jars and, when the oil cools, you have a jar of calendula salve ready to use whenever  needed.