Calendula macerated oil

A macerated oil is the combination of vegetable oil together with a plant drug, this is the part of a plant where more active compounds are found for example leaf, stem, root, flower, or seed. This is an easy recipe for a macerated oil using calendula flower (Calendula officinalis L.).
Calendula is an herbaceous perennial with yellow or orange flowers. It is commonly found in the Mediterranean countries, although it is widely naturalised in many other climates. The plant drug is the flower, although sometimes the leaf may also be used.
It has very interesting properties when used either internally or topically. As for its application on the skin, the effects attributed to it are anti-inflammatory, healing and regenerating of the skin. The use of calendula oil is ideal for redness (including nappy rash), mild burns, atopic skin, eczema, acne, or even insect bites. It is suitable for the most sensitive skins, excluding those with known sensitivity to the plant. Caution should be exercised with its use on open wounds.
Other flowers that can be used to make macerated oils at home are Arnica (Arnica montana L.) or St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.).
As for the vegetable oil, I have chosen sweet almond oil because it is suitable for all skin types (including baby or elderly), it is also soothing, anti-inflammatory and easily absorbed by the skin. There are plenty other options for vegetable oils such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, etc. Always chose an oil that has been obtained through first cold-pressed methods and ideally from organic farming. Whatever you put on your skin, it should nourish and protect and therefore contain as few toxins as possible. Your trusted herbalist should have these types of products, as well as dried marigold flowers.
For this recipe you will need:
• Vegetable oil of your choice.
• Dried marigold flowers.
• One glass jar with an airtight lid: dry, clean and disinfected with a little alcohol.
The amount of oil and flowers will vary slightly according to the size of the jar you use. You shouldn’t need to buy one as you can reuse the ones you have from the supermarket (preserved foods). Fill three quarters of the jar with the dried flowers, pressing it a little, but without compacting them. With this done, fill the jar with oil up to the top. Make sure that the oil does not reach the lid when the jar is closed.
Cold maceration is a long process in which the mixture sits for 40 days with the jar upside down. During this time, you need to very gently jiggle the mix daily. It is best to leave it to rest in an area of the house, inside or outside, where there are temperature changes and with no direct sunlight. Once the 40 days are over, we strain the oil through a fine cotton cloth to filter out all the impurities. Thus, we have the macerated oil ready.
Its uses are varied since it can be the base of other mixtures with essential oils, or we can use it directly once the maceration is finished.
In case of mixing with essential oils, it is important to remember:
• The safe combination is 95% vegetable oil or macerated oil with 5% essential oil (1ml = 1 drop of essential oil).
• Before broadly applying any of the mixture onto your skin, test a few drops on a small area of the arm to confirm that there are no harsh reactions.
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts, so their direct application, internally or topically, is not advisable. Likewise, much care should be taken when doing inhalations. When in doubt, always consult your herbalist or therapist.
In 40 days, when we have our calendula oil, I shall be back with yet another homemade recipe for herbal remedies. We shall work on a recipe to prepare a wax-based ointment. With a creamier texture, it is ideal as a balm for lip protection, for insect bites, for soothing bruises or helping with colds.