It’s the secret ingredient in many healing balms and skincare products, and for good reason. Calendula petals are rich in compounds that nourish, hydrate, and support skin healing – they’ve been used for centuries to help with everything from pinkeye and sore throats to skin irritations. But don’t think you need a cut or scrape to make use of it – I use it on my face and love the way it makes my skin glow!
A few weeks ago I shared a super simple method for making calendula infused oil at home, and now I’m going to show you how ridiculously easy it is to make it into an #allthethings salve. By #allthethings I mean I use it as a:
- face moisturizer
- chapped-lip balm
- baby bottom balm
- owie salve
- burn salve
- bug bite balm
And by easy I mean you can make it while your toddler tries to climb your back like Mount Kilimanjaro. Ask me how I know.
Anyway, this stuff is so amazing I carry a little tin of it in my purse. I love these 2 oz. tins for everything from this salve to this children’s chest rub and these bug repellent lotion bars. They also make a gorgeous gift when you make lotion bars with this recipe and these molds.
(Also, if you love the sound of calendula salve but want to skip the infusion process, you can buy pre-made calendula oil here.)
Essential Oils That Complement Calendula
I love the earthy, herbaceous scent of calendula, and truly it’s an ingredient that stands on its own. However, there are several essential oils that can be complementary based on what you are trying to achieve. A few of my favorites are lavender, frankincense, chamomile and tea tree.
Carrot seed essential oil (which is distilled from wild carrots) is thought to be beneficial for supporting skin elasticity and healing, but from what I’ve heard its fragrance can be overpowering. It’s been out-of-stock at the shops I buy from for quite awhile, but it’s finally available again. I just ordered some, so I’ll let you know. 🙂
Calendula Salve Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces calendula infused oil (you can make your own calendula oil using this recipe, or buy pre-made calendula oil here)
- 1/2 ounce by weight beeswax (about 2 tablespoons grated, packed beeswax)
- 25-50 drops essential oil, optional (lavender, frankincense, chamomile and tea tree are good choices)
Instructions
Gently heat the beeswax in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler you can use a stainless steel bowl set inside a pot of boiling water.) When the beeswax is melted, add in the calendula oil. Allow it to warm up for 30-60 seconds, then stir until the beeswax and oil are thoroughly mixed. If you’re adding essential oils, wait until the mixture cools just a little and then stir them in.
Pour your salve into a clean, dry container and allow to cool – I used three of these 2 ounce tins. Now you’re ready for the next bug attack, bee sting, scrape, etc.
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What to use instead of beeswax? The beeswax scent causes breathing problems. (Not wanting to use so-called ‘unscented’ beeswax either).
Thanks.
Hi Ken, you can use carnauba wax, but it’s harder than beeswax so you’ll probably want to decrease the amount used by about 20%. Here’s what I’ve used: https://www.amazon.com/Carnauba-Butter-Creme-Lotion-Candles/dp/B0155FDDPS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mommypotamus-20&linkId=b16389c0e8c503b53d93458ffe0fd24a&language=en_US
Or try cocoa butter instead! It’s vegan, and also solid at room temperature like beeswax 🙂 you can add a tiny bit ignorant coconut oil to make it more soft too! Happy making 🙂
-purHealing
Do I have to dry the petals first or can I use fresh petals?
Since this is so similar to the plantain salve, could you use both calendula and plantain to make one balm? Any benefit of both together, or are they better separate, or no difference? If you combine the herb oils, would you split it 50/50 in the recipe? Thanks!
I actually had the same question so would be very interested in the answer!
Also what about Comfrey Leaf/Root Oil?
I found a recipe that combines calendula and St. John’s wort infused oils . The author of Body Balance book states those herbal oil infusions compliment each other nicely and work well when mixed together.
I ordered a pound of calendula and some carrot seed oil, I’m looking forward to making this recipe, I’ve never used either of these things so it will be fun to try. I appreciate that you gave the weight needed of beeswax, i have a big chunk and when i grate it it doesn’t always measure correctly so having the weight is very helpful. Thank you for all the information you give.
I made this salve with carrot seed oil and it’s fabulous! I just love it. I had a bite on my leg that wouldn’t get well and itched terribly, one swipe of salve and no more itching and it got well. I like the smell, it’s not strong but a very clean smell.
I made the calendula lotion yesterday and it turned out great, my first homemade lotion.
Thanks so much!
Can you use Argan oil?
Also, how much calendula flower (weight) per ounces of oil?
My sister has a really bad case of psyrosis on her leg. She itches it constantly. Do you think this would help? Thanks
Hello Heather I love your page. Have gained much info. Question can I use marigold potted in organic soil to make the Calendula Salve. Anxious to get started. Thanks for sharing all you have learned. Sandy
Being a bit dumb and not wanting to read between the lines…. You mention several oils in the recipe. Is it up to 50 drops of all of them combined or am I choosing just one?
Hey Janis, I know your question is old but hopefully someone else has the same question and this will help! It is a total of 50 Drops of any essential oils you use combined. So for example if you pick 3 different essential oils you wouldn’t use 50 drops of each- rather 50 drops combined. It sounds like a LOT, however, once any salve has set and firms up the scent of the essential oils gets much lighter. Enjoy lovelies! Thanks again Heather!
Thank you for this simple salve recipe! I actually used it with tea tree and peppermint oils, instead of Calendula oil. Next time, I intend to use lavender and chamomile oils as a “sleepy” salve I can use to calm down my normally rambunctious boy when he goes to bed
Hi Heather,
How did the sleepy salve go for your boy? I have been thinking of making similar for my grand daughter who finds it hard to relax and doesn’t like herb tea.
Hey there, I know this is an older post however the link for the calendula oil is a tracker link. I tried to click it and it sends you to some marketing software tracker site. Just curious what calendula you had recommended? Thank you 🙂
Can I reuse the flowers I’ve infuses once for anything?! Thank you!
Lovely recipe!
How long will it last for?
Hi there,
I make up to 20 20z. tins of Calendula salve at one time but I’m a little confused about the wax and oil ratio. I don’t want it to be too soft but not to hard either so the essential oil smell doesn’t come through.
Can you help clarify please.
Thank you!
Caroline
For me, the best ratio is 1 oz beeswax to 1 Cup infused oil.
Ive left the petals in the oil for 6 months :/ (completely forgot about the project!!) It looks fine, is it ok to use still, you think?
I’ve done the same thing. As long as the oil is still good IMHO i think we are fine. Let me know and I can let you know how mine turns out.
I would love to read the answers to these questions. Now that I have signed up for emails will it allow me to see the answers somewheres?
Thank you so much for your recipe! When I first read about it in your e-book I thought to myself that if the calendula works so then I can add other beneficial herbs to the oil to make the finished product even better for my own purposes. I am now making my own infused oils to make salves to help relieve my arthritic hands. I live in a “legal” state so I can add cannabis leaves to my infusion and using your cold infusion process I am guaranteed to get only the medically beneficial ingredients and not the psycho-active ones. I now get fast relief when I use this first thing in the morning on my old, arthritic hands.
Can I use jojoba or avocado oil instead of the calendula infused oil
Yes
HI Mommy
We are looking at using some Calendula Oil, for our little Moko, who has a serious nappy rash, which in places is actually an open wound… would that be okay?
Hi, really interested in making creams and salves. Can you point me in the right direction for a good book.
Is there a way I can use calendula tincture to make this salve?
i would like to make this but i am a little confused as to amount to use of the pre-made Calendula Oil i have a bottle that says 50ml but your recipe says 4 ounces
i have this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0013G6OL4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
but is the ounces by weight or by fluid
It’s by volume (fluid). I think because you’re on Amazon UK the listing is slightly different than the one available in the U.S.
Been using this salve for 3 years now. It works 2 to 3 times faster than triple- antibiotic ointment for minor burns, scrapes. It removes the itch from any contact dermatitis, and also heals eczema. It’s safe to put a little inside dry, congested nostrils. Wonderful!
Do I have to dry the petals first or can I use fresh petals?
This is brilliant, going to start making the oil today then make a balm out of it…
How long would the balm keep for? I presume you can keep it at room temperature?