Calendula Redux

Remember Calendula, 2008 Herb of the Year? I’ve been having good luck with it, so I thought I’d point to some great products that include Calendula and revisit the properties of this great herb.

Calendula has been used in homeopathy since the 1840s to promote wound healing for ulcers, burns, and lacerations. Calendula does not kill bacteria, but contains it so that the body is able to cure itself. Today, we also use Calendula in skin toners, creams, and bath products..

If you’re game to make your own concoction, try this recipe—

Calendula Salve

• ¼ cut dried calendula flowers
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 cup grated beeswax
• 40 drops lavender essential oil

Put calendula flowers into a pint-size canning jar. Add olive oil and stir well. Cover the jar with a lid and place the jar in a sunny window. When the oil turns a deep golden yellow (generally 1-2 weeks), straight he oil through several layers of cheesecloth to remove flowers. Now you are ready make a salve.

Combine calendula oil with grated beeswax in a small, heavy saucepan. Heat gently until beeswax is melted. Add lavender essential oil, if desired. Pour the mixture into wide-mouth glass jars. Let the salve cool, and cover with a lid. When stored in a cool dark place, calendula salve will stay fresh for approximately 1 year.