How to Make Calendula Oil | Easy Herbal Infused Oil for Skin
Learn how to make calendula oil at home with just two ingredients! This easy herbal infusion is perfect for homemade salves, balms, lotions, and natural skincare. A must-have skill for every homesteader and herbal enthusiast.
Equipment
- Mason jar + lid
- wooden spoon
- Measuring Utensils A food scale is preferred.
- Instant Pot or slow cooker optional
Ingredients
- calendula flowers dried
- oil See options in "Tips and Troubleshooting".
Instructions
- Harvest calendula flowers and arrange them on dehydrator trays.
- Dehydrate calendula at the lowest possible temperature of your dehydrator.
- Place dried flowers into a wide-mouth Mason jar (be sure your jar is large enough to allow for expansion).
- Using a wooden spoon or a kraut pounder, gently tamp down the flowers in the jar.
- Pour your oil of choice over the top of the flowers and cover the flowers with about one inch of oil.
- Add the lid to the jar, mark with the date and place it on a shelf, out of direct sunlight, to steep for about six weeks. Shake the jar periodically to redistribute the flowers throughout the oil.
- After six weeks, strain out the solids and store your oil in an air-tight jar. Be sure to label and date your jar!
Quick Method
- Follow the steps above until you have a jar of calendula oil. Using an instant pot or slow cooker, place the jar of oil into the pot.
- Add warm water to the pot until it's the same height as the oil in your jar.
- Turn the heat to low and let steep for 24 hours.
Notes
How to Use Calendula Oil:
One of the best things about learning how to make calendula oil is discovering how many ways you can use it. Here are some common uses:
- Homemade Salves - Calendula oil is often used as the foundation for herbal salves. Simply combine it with beeswax to create a semi-solid balm.
- Moisturizing Dry Skin - Apply a small amount directly to dry areas to help nourish and soften skin.
- Lip Balms - Use calendula-infused oil as an ingredient in homemade lip balm recipes.
- Massage Oil - The gentle nature of calendula makes it a popular choice for massage blends.
- Homemade Body Care Products - Incorporate calendula oil into this lotion bar recipe, or other homemade lotions, creams, body butters, and in making soap at home.
- Use Only Dried Flowers - Fresh flowers contain moisture that can shorten shelf life and increase the risk of mold.
- Customize Your Carrier Oil - There are several oils to choose from, each providing unique benefits. Olive oil is a traditional choice because it is affordable and readily available. Sweet almond oil is lightweight and nourishing. Jojoba oil has a long shelf life and is excellent for skin care. Grapeseed oil has a light texture and quick absorption. Avocado oil is rich and deeply moisturizing.
- Keep Flowers Covered - Ensure all plant material stays completely submerged beneath the oil during infusion.
- Choose Quality Ingredients - The quality of your calendula flowers and carrier oil directly affects the quality of the finished infusion.
- Label Everything - Always label homemade herbal preparations with the ingredients and preparation date.
- Store Properly - A cool, dark pantry or cupboard helps preserve freshness and maximize shelf life.
- Make Larger Batches - Calendula oil stores well and serves as the base for many homemade herbal remedies, making it worth preparing in larger quantities.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
