Calendula Uses + Infused Olive Oil Recipe

Hands holding a calendula flower on wooden table

Calendula is one of my very favorite herbs. The cheerful orange and yellow blossoms look gorgeous in the garden and are incredibly versatile in an array of preparations.

Calendula officinalis, also known as "pot marigold" or "garden marigold," has been used for centuries. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, salves, massage oils, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It's also gentle enough to use for babies or children.

Not only is calendula a traditional herb for body care, it is also a lovely and useful plant in the garden. It grows quickly and is easy to cultivate from seed, plus it helps to keep many common garden bugs at bay. The fresh, vibrant petals make a wonderful food-safe natural dye that can be used to color butter, cheese, custards, or sauces. Or, sprinkle some petals on salads, cakes, and sandwiches for a bright burst of color. 

Calendula flowers in jar infused in oil sitting next to flowers

Using Calendula in Recipes

There are many ways to put your calendula flowers to use in herbal preparations. One of the easiest is to use calendula-infused herbal oil as a base for your body care products.

Calendula-Infused Herbal Oil Recipe

This traditional oil is simple to prepare and has SO many uses! It is perfect used alone or as an ingredient in salves, massage oils, lip balms, creams, and lotions.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Fill a glass jar 2/3 of the way full with dried calendula flowers. If using fresh calendula, wilt for 12 hours to remove most of the moisture (too much moisture will cause the oil to go rancid) before adding to the jar.
  2. Pour olive oil into the jar, making sure to cover the flowers by at least one inch with oil so they will have space to expand.
  3. Stir well and cap the jar tightly.
  4. Place the jar in a warm, sunny windowsill and shake once or more daily.
  5. After 4 to 6 weeks, strain the herbs out using cheesecloth.
  6. Pour the infused oil into glass bottles and store in a cool, dark place.

I prefer to infuse oils utilizing the solar or folk method described above, but you can also infuse oils by applying heat if you need the oil quickly.

 Calendula flowers laying on cheese cloth on worn wooden table

LOOKING FOR MORE ON HERBAL INfusions?

Learn to Make Herb-Infused Honey!

You may also be interested in:

How To Make Calendula-Infused Oil Pinterest Pin from Mountain Rose Herbs


Topics: Natural Body Care, Recipes, Herbalism

Christine

Written by Christine on August 4, 2011

As Director of Product Development & Management, Christine Rice has been working with the botanical goodies at Mountain Rose Herbs for over 14 years. With a Certificate in Aromatherapy from The American College of Healthcare Sciences, she works closely with the essential oils and hydrosols that we offer. She connects with the aromatherapy industry through our National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy business membership and contributes on working committees with The American Herbal Products Association. In addition to her love for aromatics and blending essential oils, Christine can be found gardening and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys canning and preserving food, knitting when she has time, and keeps busy with her energetic daughter.


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Calendula Uses + Infused Olive Oil Recipe

Hands holding a calendula flower on wooden table

Calendula is one of my very favorite herbs. The cheerful orange and yellow blossoms look gorgeous in the garden and are incredibly versatile in an array of preparations.

Calendula officinalis, also known as "pot marigold" or "garden marigold," has been used for centuries. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, salves, massage oils, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It's also gentle enough to use for babies or children.

Not only is calendula a traditional herb for body care, it is also a lovely and useful plant in the garden. It grows quickly and is easy to cultivate from seed, plus it helps to keep many common garden bugs at bay. The fresh, vibrant petals make a wonderful food-safe natural dye that can be used to color butter, cheese, custards, or sauces. Or, sprinkle some petals on salads, cakes, and sandwiches for a bright burst of color. 

Calendula flowers in jar infused in oil sitting next to flowers

Using Calendula in Recipes

There are many ways to put your calendula flowers to use in herbal preparations. One of the easiest is to use calendula-infused herbal oil as a base for your body care products.

Calendula-Infused Herbal Oil Recipe

This traditional oil is simple to prepare and has SO many uses! It is perfect used alone or as an ingredient in salves, massage oils, lip balms, creams, and lotions.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Fill a glass jar 2/3 of the way full with dried calendula flowers. If using fresh calendula, wilt for 12 hours to remove most of the moisture (too much moisture will cause the oil to go rancid) before adding to the jar.
  2. Pour olive oil into the jar, making sure to cover the flowers by at least one inch with oil so they will have space to expand.
  3. Stir well and cap the jar tightly.
  4. Place the jar in a warm, sunny windowsill and shake once or more daily.
  5. After 4 to 6 weeks, strain the herbs out using cheesecloth.
  6. Pour the infused oil into glass bottles and store in a cool, dark place.

I prefer to infuse oils utilizing the solar or folk method described above, but you can also infuse oils by applying heat if you need the oil quickly.

 Calendula flowers laying on cheese cloth on worn wooden table

LOOKING FOR MORE ON HERBAL INfusions?

Learn to Make Herb-Infused Honey!

You may also be interested in:

How To Make Calendula-Infused Oil Pinterest Pin from Mountain Rose Herbs


Topics: Natural Body Care, Recipes, Herbalism

Christine

Written by Christine on August 4, 2011

As Director of Product Development & Management, Christine Rice has been working with the botanical goodies at Mountain Rose Herbs for over 14 years. With a Certificate in Aromatherapy from The American College of Healthcare Sciences, she works closely with the essential oils and hydrosols that we offer. She connects with the aromatherapy industry through our National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy business membership and contributes on working committees with The American Herbal Products Association. In addition to her love for aromatics and blending essential oils, Christine can be found gardening and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys canning and preserving food, knitting when she has time, and keeps busy with her energetic daughter.