An alternative method that I use is to heat a solid oil/butter, such as cocoa butter, shea butter or coconut oil in a double boiler on low. Add calendula flowers, ground or chopped in the coffee grinder or food processor if possible. I generally add as much as I can possibly fit into the pot with the oil still covering 1 inch on the top. A common ratio of flower to oil is 350grams of flowers ground up added to 45oz of oil. Heat the oil on low for 3 – 5 hours. Then strain through cheesecloth and pour into containers and add essential oils as suggested above.. These oils are naturally hard at room temperature, which is why no beeswax is needed.
Calendula salve is excellent for rashes, diaper rash, cradle cap, repairing scar tissue, bug bites, muscle trauma and soreness, cuts, scrapes, and fungal conditions like athlete’s foot. The salve is a great treatment for these symptoms, but also good to use as daily maintenance and prevention, even when symptoms are not flaring.
Culinary
Calendula is an edible flower with a long history of use in the kitchen. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is to add a few of the flower petals to salads.
In the kitchen, the petals are also used to impart a golden color to rice or other grain dishes, as well as add color and medicinal properties to butter, vinegar, wine, cooking oil and sauces. Calendula has been used as an alternative to saffron for these purposes. The flowers or petals are also commonly added to soups, baked goods, pasta dishes, vegetable dishes, stir fry and fruit salads. They can be used to garnish just about any dish, including fancy cakes. The flower petals or whole flowers are also creative drink decoration: Place a few flower petals or a flower bud in the cubes of an ice tray before adding water. Once frozen, the floral ice cubes are an artistic and uplifting addition to any cup.
OR just float a fresh flower in your cup of tea!
Calendula infused honey is a sweet and medicinal way to enjoy this herb. It is useful externally for a face mask to relieve acne, soften and diminish scars, boost complexion and tighten skin.
T/he honey can also just be enjoyed by the spoonful, in tea or on toast like regular honey.
To make infused honey:
Place dried chopped flowers in a jar of honey and infuse for 4 weeks. Stir once per week. Strain with cheese cloth for external use, or just eat the honey and edible calendula flowers together. Enjoy all of the medicinal benefits of this flower plus the medicinal benefits of honey.
In the Garden
In the garden, calendula is a beautiful plant, whose beauty only increases upon knowing its many uses. Calendula flowers are easy to grow and repel many common garden pests including aphids, eelworms, asparagus beetles, and tomato hornworms. In addition to all that, it is a strong companion plant for potatoes, beans, and lettuce. It is also deer resistant and attracts butterflies. Calendula likes either full sun or part shade and well drained soil. Do not starve it of water, but don’t overwater either. In my experience, this is the only issue that I’ve seen, growing this plant. Too much water without enough airflow will cause the leaves to develop mildew. Once this happens, I choose not to use the flowers for medicine. Medicinal preparations should always be made from a healthy plant.
Calendula blooms from spring into autumn as long as the blossoms are continuously picked so that it doesn’t go to seed. This makes it easy to have a steady supply of fresh flowers throughout the growing season. The name Calendula stems from the Latin word, Calendae, referring to its long blooming season.
Calendula flowers have lots of practical uses in many different situations. They are very effective as medicine, versatile as food and well loved for their beauty. This flower infuses the body and spirit with sunshine and bright energy. It is a great herb to have around in the kitchen, in the garden and home apothecary for a variety of conditions, both internal and external.
Samantha Perry processes medicinal herbs into extracts for Terra Firma Botanicals in Eugene, OR. She lives just outside of Eugene and enjoys hiking in the forests and along the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Samantha has an extensive background in natural health and holistic therapy, having worked in herbal manufacturing companies, managing and leading production. Samantha completed midwifery school in 1999 and she has worked in the natural health industry as a clinic assistant and manager to medical doctors, naturopathic physicians and acupuncturists. Samantha finds her greatest strengths in wild-crafting medicinal herbs. One of her biggest passions and aspirations is to travel to different regions of the world to become acquainted with the native plants .
Calendula cont'd