Homegrown Calendula Salve

Calendula is helpful for many skin conditions; it can be applied topically or internally. Romans named it calendula because it bloomed on the first day of the month (calends), it seemed to them. Roman used it to treat scorpion bites. Old herbalists believed that frequent use would prevent gangrene or tetanus. It is an excellent antiseptic because it contains natural iodine. As a tea it can be used for gargling or a nasal wash to soothe tender mucus membranes. It can heal membranes inside the body, such as colon, stomach, liver and gums. Applied as a poultice, it promotes healing of cuts and wounds. However, its most common application is as an ointment, salve or oil for injuries, burns, bruises and varicose veins.

I’ve been growing calendula since last year. I’ve decided to actually do something with it this year. I think the hardest part is getting around to planting and growing something. Then, when it is growing, you can harvest and dry and then figure out what to do with it later.

I’ve been harvesting blooms as they appear and drying them in my dehydrator along with batches of tomatoes, zucchinis and apples.

When I had about 3/4 of a cup of dried flowers, I put them in about 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil. I heated this on the stove and then let them steep for almost a week. I would pop it back on the stove every couple of days to reheat the oil to extract more good stuff. This is optional. You could pour the oil and dried blossoms in a jar and let it steep like that for several weeks. Or just heat it gently on the stove for several hours.

When I thought it was appropriately steeped, I filtered the oil through a colander lined with cotton. You could use muslin, flannel or cheese cloth.

The oil is a beautiful golden orange-y color.

After it is strained, I gently heated the oil again and grated about a tablespoon of beeswax into it.

I dropped a drop onto a plate and stuck it into the refrigerator to see if it would harden to a desirable consistency. It is much like testing jam.

When it was just right, I poured it into an empty mint tin.

For a small amount of time and cost, I made a homegrown calendula salve. I’m going to continue to harvest blossoms and make another batch or hopefully two. Maddy also harvested about 1/2 cup of seeds, so if anyone would like to grow some, we have plenty of seeds to share!

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