This homemade calendula salve recipe is made from infused calendula apricot oil. You can learn how to make calendula infused oil by reading my previous post. This all-purpose salve is so gentle, soothing and suitable for any age group. Use it for the whole family; take is camping, fishing, hiking, and skiing; and keep it in your vehicles, your bags, and bathroom. This is my “go-to” first-aid salve. This basic recipe is an excellent foundation that you can build off of to make other salves, using different herb and essential oil combinations.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has many healing properties, and when used topically, calendula can ease, heal, and treat a variety of skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. It relieves dry itchy and irritated skin and promotes cell repair and boosts wound healing. When it is infused into an oil, such as olive, apricot, avocado, jojoba, coconut, almond, or other oils, calendula is soothing, moisturizing and calming, making it an excellent salve for diaper rash, wind burn, razor burns, dry/chapped skin, dry and cracked cuticles, dry and cracked heels, eczema, minor scratches/scrapes, insect bites and bee stings.
This is a standard recipe without essential oils. You can add essential oils if you’d like. If you decide to use essential oils, the research and the resources you use will guide you on the types and amounts of drops to add to your recipe.
To start off with, I made this salve using apricot oil to infuse with the calendula. Apricot oil is a lighter oil that absorbs easily into the skin. It is a gentle oil and used for those with sensitive, dry skin. Apricot oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is soothing and moisturizing. It is rich in vitamin E and K. It also stimulates collagen production.
Here is a picture of some other dried herbs that I infuse into oils: rose buds, lavender buds, chamomile, and calendula flowers. You can purchase these dried herbs here and here.
Supplies you will need:
A double broiler (a 2 cup Pyrex dish and a small saucepan)
Tongue depressors, or any small wooden spoon
Beeswax (I used beeswax pastilles in this recipe because they melt down easier and faster, or you can use a 1 ounce stick)
Infused calendula oil
Labels for your salve jars
Essential Oils of choice (optional)
This recipe will make 8 ounces, and you can omit the small one-ounce jars and pour your ingredients into two 4-ounce mason jars.
Directions:
Prepare your clean salve jars or mason jars, by opening the lids. I like to place my jars onto wax paper onto the counter, to catch any spills.
Create your double broiler, by pouring one cup of water into your saucepan.
Place saucepan onto the stove top and warm the water, (not boiling or too hot, but at a simmer). Keep the steamed water away from entering the Pyrex dish.
Measure out 1 ounce of beeswax and place it into the Pyrex dish.
Add 1 cup of your infused oil to the beeswax.
Place the Pyrex dish into the saucepan and let the beeswax melt, stirring frequently. Once the beeswax has melted, remove from the heat, and let it cool down for about 3 minutes, then gently pour the warm oil into your jars, until just about full. Leave the lids off until the salve has completed cooled and hardened.
Once cooled, place the lids on the jars and label and date them. Store in a cool place away from heat. This should store well up to two years.
To Use:
Dab a dime sized amount, (or as needed), to the affected areas on the skin. (A little goes a long ways).
Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, nor do I diagnose or treat people. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and natural remedies that I use, remember that using herbs and natural remedies are a personal choice. The information that I share on my blogs are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on these blogs are my opinions and shared knowledge, based on my research or the research of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult with your physician prior to taking herbs or attempting natural remedies.
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