Craft Your Own Calendula Salve: Perfect for Outdoor Healing and Care

Welcome to this step-by-step guide on creating your very own calendula salve using the hot infusion method! Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a gardener, or simply someone who loves natural remedies, this homemade salve is a must-have for your first aid kit. Calendula, known for its soothing and healing properties, is perfect for treating minor cuts, burns, and insect bites—making it an essential item for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature.

One of the best parts about this method is that you can make your salve on the same day you harvest the flowers, so there’s no need to wait weeks for the infusion. We’ll be using almond oil for this recipe, though olive oil works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the entire process, from harvesting your calendula flowers to crafting a beautifully smooth salve that’s ready to use. Let’s get started on making this versatile and natural remedy that your skin will love!

1. Calendula flowers.
2. Almond oil. (Olive oil can be used as an alternative.)
3. Beeswax.
4. Cazuela and heat-resistant container.
5. Jars or tins.
6. Kitchen scale.
7. Fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth (or cotton cloth.)
8. Wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
9. Paper towels or a clean surface.

Start by carefully harvesting your calendula flowers. When picking the flowers, it's important to leave some blooms on each plant to ensure they continue to grow and thrive. Try to collect flowers from multiple plants rather than stripping one entirely.

Once you've gathered the flowers, spread them out evenly on a sheet of paper or a clean surface. Allow them to dry for about a week in a cool, dry place. This step helps the flowers lose excess moisture, which is important to prevent mold in your salve.

After a week, your flowers should be dry and ready for the next step. You'll notice they’ve shrunk slightly and feel crisp to the touch. These dried flowers are now ready to infuse into your oil and release their beneficial properties.

Start by determining how much salve you want to make. To do this, take the jar or tin you plan to use for storing the salve and fill it with almond oil. This will give you the exact amount of oil needed.

Once you’ve measured the oil, pour it into a heat-resistant container or bowl that will fit in your double boiler (bain-marie). If you’re making more than one jar, repeat this process for each one.

Now, place the container with the oil into the double boiler setup. Heat the oil over medium heat. At this point, the oil will have a light color, but don’t worry—this will change once the calendula flowers are added.

You're now ready to start infusing the oil with the calendula flowers in the next step!

Add the Flowers:

1. Gradually add the dried calendula flowers to the warmed oil in the double boiler. Ensure that the flowers are fully submerged and covered by the oil. You may need to gently stir them to distribute the flowers evenly.

Macerate the Flowers:

1. Allow the mixture to heat over medium heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally to ensure that the calendula flowers are infusing evenly into the oil. The oil will gradually take on a deeper, richer color as the calendula's beneficial properties are extracted.

Check the Oil:

1. After about an hour, check the oil’s color—it should be noticeably darker and infused with the essence of calendula. If you're unsure if the infusion is complete, you can let it steep for a little longer, but keep an eye on the temperature to avoid overheating.

Remove from Heat:

1. Once the infusion is ready, carefully remove the container from the double boiler. Allow the oil to cool slightly before proceeding to the next step.

Prepare Your Straining Setup:

1. Place a fine mesh strainer over a clean bowl or another container. Line the strainer with cheesecloth or a cotton cloth to ensure that any small particles from the calendula flowers are filtered out.

Strain the Oil:

1. Carefully pour the warm calendula-infused oil through the strainer. The cheesecloth or cotton cloth will catch the flower petals and any remaining plant material, allowing only the clear, infused oil to pass through.

Extract Remaining Oil:

1. After pouring, gather the edges of the cheesecloth or cloth and squeeze gently to extract any remaining oil from the flowers. Be cautious as the oil may still be hot.

Discard the Solids:

1. Once you’ve squeezed out as much oil as possible, discard the used calendula flowers. You should now have a bowl or container of clear, golden calendula-infused oil.

Cool the Oil:

1. Allow the strained oil to cool slightly before proceeding to the next step of preparing your salve. It should be warm but not hot when mixed with the beeswax.

Calculate the Beeswax:

1. Measure the amount of infused oil you have. Based on the ratio of 90% oil to 10% beeswax, calculate how much beeswax you'll need. For example, if you have 45 grams of oil, you’ll need 5 grams of beeswax.

Melt the Beeswax:

1. Place the measured beeswax into a clean, heat-resistant container or bowl. Set this container in the double boiler (bain-marie) along with the container of infused oil from the previous step. Heat the beeswax over medium heat until it is completely melted. Stir occasionally to ensure it melts evenly.

Combine the Oil and Beeswax:

1. Once the beeswax is fully melted, carefully pour it into the container with the calendula-infused oil. Stir the mixture thoroughly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to ensure the beeswax and oil are well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform.

Test the Consistency (Optional):

1. To test the consistency of your salve, take a small spoonful of the mixture and place it on a cold plate or surface. Let it cool for a minute or so to check if the texture is to your liking. If it’s too soft, you can melt the mixture again and add a bit more beeswax. If it’s too hard, add a little more infused oil.

Pour into Containers:

1. Once you’re satisfied with the consistency, carefully pour the warm salve mixture into your prepared jars or tins. Use a funnel if necessary to avoid spills. Leave a little space at the top of each container.

Cool and Set:

1. Allow the containers to cool at room temperature until the salve is fully set. This can take a few hours. Avoid moving or disturbing the jars while the salve is setting to prevent any surface imperfections.

Label Your Salve:

1. Once the salve has completely cooled and set, you can add labels to your jars or tins. Include information such as the name of the salve (“Calendula Salve”), the date of production, and any other relevant details like usage instructions. This will help you keep track of when the salve was made and provide a professional touch.

Store Properly:

1. Store your calendula salve in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Proper storage will help maintain its effectiveness and extend its shelf life. Ideally, it should be kept at room temperature.

Your calendula salve is not only great for minor cuts and burns but also for soothing insect bites and stings. The anti-inflammatory properties of calendula help reduce itching and swelling, providing relief from mosquito bites and other insect stings.

If you’re spending time outdoors and are prone to insect bites, consider applying a thin layer of the salve to exposed skin. While it won’t repel insects, it can help minimize the discomfort and speed up the healing process if you do get bitten. Unlike some chemical-based insect bite remedies, this salve is made from natural ingredients, making it a gentle option for sensitive skin. It's especially useful for children or those with sensitive skin who may react negatively to conventional treatments.

How to Use Your Calendula Salve for Insect Bites:

When dealing with insect bites, here’s how you can effectively use your homemade calendula salve:

1. Clean the Affected Area: Gently wash the skin with soap and water, being careful not to break any blisters or vesicles that may have formed.
2. Remove Any Foreign Objects: If there’s a stinger or any other foreign object, carefully remove it using sterile tweezers. Avoid using your hands or trying to suction it out.
3. Disinfect the Area: Apply a disinfectant to the bite area to prevent infection.
4. Apply Calendula Salve: Finally, apply a small amount of your calendula salve to the bite. The soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of calendula will help relieve itching and reduce swelling.

Congratulations on crafting your own calendula salve! Your homemade creation is now ready to provide soothing relief and promote healing.

As someone who spends a lot of time in the field, whether it's hiking, camping, or gardening, I’ve found this calendula salve to be incredibly useful. I use it to treat minor cuts, burns, and insect bites that inevitably come up during outdoor adventures. The soothing effect of the calendula helps reduce irritation and speeds up healing, making it a reliable companion on my journeys.

Feel free to share your homemade salve with friends and family, or use it as a thoughtful and personalized gift. Enjoy the benefits of your natural remedy, and if you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment!