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by Nicole Wines

This week’s D.I.Y. is a simple step-by-step tutorial on making your own calendula infused oil.  We grow calendula in all of the Raíces EcoCulture garden plots so the blooms are always in abundance.

calendula collageWe only remove flowers from about half of our plants and leave the remaining blooms for the pollinators and for seed production.  The picked flowers are left to dry for a few days in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.  Once dry, we remove the petals and use them in tea mixtures and to make calendula infused oil.  This is a simple set of instructions.  If you want more info, check out this great blog post from rootsimple.com and explore the links and resources listed at the end of this post.


What you need to make calendula infused oilWhat you’ll need

  • Dried calendula flowers or petals
  • Olive oil or another carrier oil (ex: jojoba, grapeseed)
  • Jar with lid

 

Instructions

  1. Start with dried calendula flowers.

Dried calendula flowers

2. Fill jar about halfway with calendula (whole or petals).

Fill jar about halfway with calendula flowers or petals3. Pour olive oil over flowers.

IMG_2619Note: Fill jar almost to the top. The flowers will absorb some of the oil, so you will end up with less oil than you originally poured in.

IMG_26214. Cover and leave on a sunny windowsill.  The gentle heat and sunlight will help the infusion along.  Shake or turn once a day for 3-4 weeks.

Leave covered jar on a sunny window sill and shake or turn once a day.It’s that simple!  When it’s ready, strain the flowers out and store in an airtight jar.  Can be used directly on skin or in an herbal salve.


LINKS & RESOURCES

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