Calendula: Sunshine in a Jar (and a Simple Infused Oil Recipe!)
Did You Know? 🌼
“Did you know calendula was once called ‘sun bride’?”
I love this nickname because it captures exactly what calendula brings—warmth, healing, and brightness. God tucked so much goodness into this flower that it’s been celebrated for centuries as both medicine and beauty.
A Little History
Calendula has been used since ancient Roman and Greek times for wounds, inflammation, and digestive complaints. Its golden petals were even added to soups and stews to bring “sunlight” into winter meals. In medieval Europe, it was planted near homes for protection and prosperity.
Today, herbalists still turn to calendula for its skin-soothing and restorative qualities.
Why We Still Use It
Skin Soothing: Gentle enough for babies, yet powerful for healing dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
Supports Wound Healing: Infused oils and salves are often applied to minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Anti-Inflammatory: Its compounds help calm redness and swelling.
Digestive Comfort: Calendula tea has been used to ease minor stomach upset.
🌼 Simple Calendula Infused Oil Recipe
This easy recipe is the base for countless remedies. You can use it as-is, or turn it into a balm with beeswax.
Ingredients:
1 cup dried calendula petals
1 ½ cups olive oil (or your favorite carrier oil)
Instructions:
Place calendula petals in a clean glass jar.
Cover completely with oil, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
Cap and set in a sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
Strain through cheesecloth and store in a cool, dark place.
✨ Use it directly on skin, or melt together with beeswax (about 1 oz per 1 cup oil) to make a healing balm.
Why I Keep It in My Apothecary
Calendula is one of my must-have herbs. It’s simple, safe, and versatile—a flower that turns into medicine, skincare, and comfort all in one. I think of it as bottled sunshine for the body.
Sources
Gladstar, R. (2001). Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. Storey Publishing.
Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press.
Wood, M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: Old World Edition. North Atlantic Books.
