Calendula infused oil is easy to make!

This batch was prepared in the Aromatherapy Certification Program
at the Aromatic Wisdom Institute
by ACP graduate, Stephanie GhostkeeperΒ 

Β *This post contains affiliate links. See myΒ disclosureΒ for details.

What is Calendula?

Calendula officinalis, more commonly known as the common Garden Marigold, is a beautiful orange flower that has been used for centuries to soothe skin irritations and heal wounds. It has tremendous healing properties, yet is gentle enough for babies or animals.Β  In fact, it was an infusion of calendula that was the carrier oil used in my son’s first massage just one hour after his birth in Rome, Italy.

When they are distilled, the flowers make an amazing hydrosol that’s so good for babies skin; you can spray it on their tush when they have a rash. They will thank you with a coo and a smile

What is an Infusion?

An infusion is a product that’s made by soaking organic plant material in oil or water to extract its soluble constituents.Β  After several weeks, you remove the plant material, and what you have left is the infused product.Β  If you’ve ever made a cup of tea, you’ve made a dried plant water infusion. You add plant material, let it soak, remove the plant material (tea bag) and enjoy the infusion!

Benefits of Calendula Infused Oil

When you infuse Calendula in oil, you have a product that is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, anti-fungal, antiviral, and immuno-stimulant.Β  It can be used to disinfect and treat minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, bruises and burns, athlete’s foot, diaper rashes, and other skin irritations.Β  It stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites which helps to minimize scarring.

Suggestions for Using Calendula Infused Oil

This gentle, soothing, medicinal oil is perfect for any application that requires an oil.Β  It can be used alone or used as a carrier with essential oil.Β  Calendula Infused Oil can be incorporated into massage blends, face serums, wound healing formulas, lip balms, healing salves and an everyday body butter.Β  It can be rubbed into an infant’s scalp to help reduce cradle cap and used on the other end for diaper rash.Β  It would be a wonderful addition in blends designed to heal bruises or sore, inflamed muscles.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Calendula Infused Oil

This product will take about 30 minutes to prepare and 4-6 weeks to sit and infuse.

Ingredients:

Organic Olive oil or Organic Sunflower Oil 1 gallon (You can cook with any remaining oil. Keep in the fridge to prolong shelf-life)
Organic Calendula Flowers 1 pound (we used Starwest Botanics)

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Directions:

1. Place the Calendula flowers in a clean, dry quart-sized glass Mason jar. I always sterilize mine with alcohol before adding the product. If you’re using fresh flowers, let them wilt for about 12 hours to remove the moisture. You definitely want the flowers to be dry as moisture can make the oil become rancid.Β  Important Note: if you’re making this oil for commercial purposes, wear sterile latex gloves.

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2. Pour your carrier oil into the glass mason jar, making sure to cover the flowers by at least one inch of oil so they have room to expand.Β  Stir well.
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3. Cap the jar tightly, add a label with the date and contents.Β  Keep in a sunny spot and turn it upside down or shake the jar once a day.
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4. After 4-6 weeks, strain the calendula flowers. Some people, prefer to leave the botanical material in and add new oil, but I prefer to start over. Many people use natural cheesecloth for straining, but we had great success using a 1-gallon mesh paint strainer which you can find at any hardware or paint store.
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5. Strain the oil through the mesh and into a sterilized Pyrex container (or anything with a lip for pouring). Really squeeze to get it all out!

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6.Β Pour the infused oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place
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Have you ever used Calendula infused oil?
How did you use it?
What were the results?

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