Calendula Recipes

What is Calendula?

Calendula is in fact the petals of the marigold plant. The bright yellow petals dry to a strong mustard shade and have a distinctive fragrance. Marigold is an ancient plant and has the Latin name of kalendae.

The plants feature in gardens throughout the world, and while today there are a wide variety of types, these would all have been developed from a single species. Marigolds were popular amongst the ancient Romans and many civilizations recognized the beneficial properties of the flower. Calendula is an affordable herb that is widely available.

Organic

Calendula is often found in an organic form. It requires very little in the way of processing and is often produced in a near natural state. The petals are simply dried and packaged and are not subject to intensive processing methods.

What is Calendula Used For?

Calendula is typically used externally. Calendula is widely believed to have healing properties for the skin. It is often used in natural beauty products and skin care, and is also used as a natural alternative to acne or eczema creams. Other ways that calendula is used is to help heal burns and scalds and to sooth blisters. Its slight antiseptic properties means that it is also useful to help with complaints such as diaper or nappy rash.

Calendula also has anti-fungal properties and this makes it ideal for treating athletes foot or other fungal complaints.

Calendula Recipes for Skin Care and Toiletries

Calendula is such an easy herb to work with and with very little in the way of specialist equipment it is possible to keep yourself, your family and your friends stocked with interesting handmade skin treats.

Calendula Infused Oils

One of the best ways of applying calendula to the skin is through infused oils. This is also one of the most straightforward and simplest forms of skin care to make at home. To infuse calendula in oil the petals simply need to be steeped in oil for a week. A warm windowsill will aid the process. After a week remove the petals.

The most suitable form of oils are olive oil, sunflower oil or almond oil. Some people like to use a mixture of oils. There are many recipes for calendula infused oils available, however as a basic 'rule of thumb', add one cup of petals to one cup of oil.

Calendula oil can be used on the skin and the color of the petals will give a rich yellow to the infused oil.

Calendula

There are two methods of making soap. ‘Cold process’ is the term used to describe the traditional method of soap making and this is when oils such as palm or coconut oil are mixed with an alkaline solution and this reaction causes the oils to saponify and form soap. Although this is actually relatively easy to do at home, a new type of soap making known as ‘melt and pour’ has made making soap at home much more accessible.

Melt and pour soaps are blocks of glycerin soap base that can be melted down in a domestic kitchen, have fragrances and other additives included and then poured into molds to set. Melt and pour soaps come in clear and opaque form and there is now an organic version. These work extremely well with calendula petals. This is very straightforward to do, simply add some petals before pouring the melted soap into molds and stir them in well.

Other Calendula Recipes

There are many other great recipes that use calendula on the Internet and these can provide inspiration for a whole new range of toiletries:

• P V Soap – recipe for calendula ointment using calendula and olive oil
• Make Your Cosmetics – a rich lotion using a variety of butters and oils
• Recipe Zaar – calendula recipe for an aromatherapy oil
• Life in Sugar Hollow – simple calendula salve

Making your own toiletries using calendula recipes is a great way to provide yourself with tip top products. You have complete control over the ingredients used and can make the best quality every time – because you're worth it!