Calendula, often known as pot marigold, has been used for centuries as a healing oil and tonic. If you’re growing calendula in your backyard and want to take advantage of its benefits, making a batch of nourishing calendula cream is a great idea. This cream can help soothe aches and pains, condition dry skin, and even heal minor wounds.
Homemade Calendula Cream
Making calendula cream involves a two-step process to create a rich, smooth lotion perfect for dry skin, cuts, bruises, and more.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of high-quality carrier oil (olive oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil)
– A bunch of dried calendula flowers
– 1 ounce of beeswax
– 1 cup of room temperature water
– 10 to 20 drops of essential oils of your choice (suggested oils below)
– A clean blender
– Clean mason jars or tins
Directions:
1. Infuse the Oil: Start by making calendula-infused oil. You can let the dried flowers steep in a cup of carrier oil in a sealed jar for several weeks, or heat the oil and flowers in a slow cooker for 12 hours, then let cool overnight.
2. Strain and Store: Strain the flowers out of the oil and transfer the oil to a clean, airtight jar. You should have one cup of rich yellow calendula oil.
3. Prepare the Blender: Place several cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Swirl two cups of this warm water around the blender to heat the glass and prevent the cream from sticking.
4. Double Boiler: Create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl on top of the pot. Turn the remaining water to a simmer.
5. Melt the Wax: Pour one cup of the infused oil into the heatproof bowl and add the beeswax. Stir gently until the beeswax melts. Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
6. Blend the Cream: Discard the warm water from the blender and pour in the melted oil and wax blend. Blend on low speed while slowly adding one cup of room temperature water until the cream emulsifies. Scrape down the sides if needed.
7. Store the Cream: Pour the cream into clean jars and let it set before using. This natural, preservative-free cream will last about a month when stored in the refrigerator.
Suggested Essential Oils:
– For dry skin: Lavender, Neroli, Rosemary, Rose, or Carrot Seed
– For anti-aging: Geranium, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender, or Myrrh
– For healing: Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree, or Peppermint
Benefits of Calendula Cream
Now that you have your homemade calendula cream, here’s how it can help with various skin and health conditions:
– Dry Skin: Calendula is great for moisturizing dry, flaky, or cracked skin. Use it once or twice daily for noticeable improvement.
– Acne: It helps reduce bacteria in skin pores and acts as a cleanser and toner, pulling in the pores to keep out dirt and dust.
– Premature Aging: Calendula cream’s restorative properties can fight premature aging and thinning skin. It’s gentle enough for daily use, even around the eyes.
– Minor Wounds: Its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties speed up the healing of minor cuts and wounds. It’s also effective for insect bites, rashes, sunburn, spider veins, varicose veins, leg ulcers, and chilblains.
– Muscle Pain: Massage sore muscles and joints with calendula cream for pain relief and reduced swelling due to its anti-inflammatory action.
– Dermatitis and Eczema: Calendula can help prevent dermatitis and skin inflammation by moisturizing, rejuvenating, and fighting microbes and swelling. It’s also used in homeopathy for eczema inflammation.
– Diaper Rash: This water-based cream is perfect for treating diaper rash due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also effective for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Precautions
While calendula is generally safe for skin use, avoid applying it to open wounds. People allergic to plants in the daisy or aster family may experience a skin rash. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using calendula.
