Homemade Calendula Oil

Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin.

Reading this, I’m left to wonder: What can’t calendula do? So let's get started and make some lovely calendula infused oil. This oil can be used after you shower , in your bath or maybe as an additional oils to your creams

What you will need:
dried calendula petals
carrier oil (olive oil, almond oil, or sunflower oil are all great choices)
a clean, glass jar with a lid

How to infuse the oil:

There are two different methods to infuse your oil with the healing properties of calendula. We'll look at the two different methods below and talk about the pros and cons to each method.

• 1. Cold Infusion Method

This is usually the preferred method, because it protects the delicate calendula from being damaged by heat.

Steps for the cold infusion method are as follows:
Put your desired amount of dried calendula petals in your clean, dry glass jar.
Fill the jar with your carrier oil of choice to cover the petals by one inch.
Put in a sunny place to infuse for 4 weeks.
Drain the petals from the oil and store your oil in a container with a lid for up to one year.

That's it! Very simple and straightforward. The only downside to this method is that it takes 4 weeks to get your finished oil. If you are in a hurry then you might need to use this next method.

• 2. Hot Infusion Method

This method is much quicker then the cold infusion method, but it won't have quite the same strength because of the heat that it is subjected to. Don't worry though! It will still have healing properties, just not to the same extent as the cold infused oil.

Steps for the hot infusion method are as follows:
Put your desired amount of dried calendula petals in your clean, dry glass jar.
Fill the jar with your carrier oil of choice to cover the petals by one inch.
Dump the entire contents of your jar (the petals and the oil) in a small saucepan or slow cooker. Heat on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Let cool. Drain the petals from the oil and store your oil in a container with a lid for up to one year.