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Calendula Infused Oil Recipes for Salves and Lip Balms

Here are four calendula infused oil recipes: two for salves and two for lip balms.

Content

Salve Basics
Uses for Calendula Salve
How to Make Calendula Salve
Calendula Infused Oil Recipes for Lip Balm

Salve Basics

Salves are semi-solid products used to soothe the skin.

How do you use a salve?

Usually, you only want to apply salves to small areas. For large areas of the body, you typically want a massage oil.

Uses for salves include relief for specific aches and pains in areas such as the neck and shoulders, lower back, knees, or feet. A chest salve can help clear congestion and support breathing during colds. Or you can use a skin salve on cuts, abrasions, insect bites, or other minor wounds and on dry, irritated skin—that's the use for which calendula shines in a salve.

When should you not use a salve?

Do not use salves on weepy skin conditions (including weepy eczema), fungal and bacterial skin infections, fresh burns (including sunburn), poison ivy rashes, pimples, or boils. Instead, use a water-based application, such as an herbal compress, soak, bath, or poultice.

What is the shelf life of salves?

Because salves do not contain water, preservatives are unnecessary. However, it's best to store salves in cool conditions. The average shelf life of a salve is 12 months.

What is the difference between a salve and a balm?

A salve contains a little less beeswax than a balm, meaning a balm is smoother and harder than a salve. Balms create a protective barrier on the skin (for example, lip balms protect the lips). With less beeswax, a salve is softer and more easily absorbed into the skin.

What if you are vegan and do not want to use beeswax?

Vegans can substitute candelilla wax for beeswax by using about half the amount of beeswax called for—that is, rather than 1 tablespoon beeswax, use 1/2 tablespoon candelilla wax. This can vary slightly, and you may need to make adjustments.

Is calendula salve safe?

Calendula is a member of the daisy plant family and has the potential to cause a reaction in people allergic to those plants. If you are new to calendula oil, do a skin patch test before using the oil extensively.

If a salve contains essential oils, also make sure you are not sensitive to those oils.

Uses for Calendula Salve

The healing benefits of calendula salve make it appropriate for the following uses:

Slow-healing minor wounds
Bug bites
Chapped, dry, cracked, inflamed, or irritated skin
Diaper rash
Eczema (dry)
Mild burns (after the initial inflammation subsides)
Scrapes, scratches, sores
Sore/cracked nipples from breastfeeding

How to Make Calendula Salve

Here are two versions of DIY calendula salve: one without essential oils and one with them.

Calendula Salve Recipe (Without Essential Oils)

This salve is safe for pets.

3.5 ounces (7 tablespoons) calendula-infused oil
0.5 ounces beeswax pastilles
2 two-ounce tins or glass jars

Add the oil and beeswax to a heat-proof glass container.
Place it in a pan containing several inches of water.
Gently bring the temperature up to medium-low heat and let the wax melt.
Remove mixture from heat and pour into tins or jars. Let cool.

Source: The Nerdy Farm Wife's Things To Do With Calendula

Calendula Salve Recipe (With Essential Oils)

1/8 ounce beeswax
2 tablespoons calendula-infused oil
10 drops calendula CO₂ extract
10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
5 drops German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) essential oil
1-ounce glass jar

Place the beeswax in a double boiler and let the wax melt almost completely.
Add the calendula-infused oil and stir occasionally until blended with the completely melted beeswax.
Remove the mixture from the heat and wipe moisture off bottom of pan.
Add the CO₂ extract and essential oils and stir with a fork until well combined.
Pour the salve mixture into sterilized glass jar.
Gently place cap on the jar. Let the salve sit and harden. *Do not move the container before the salve has hardened.* Label the jar.

Source: The Calendula E-Book by Jade Shutes

Calendula Infused Oil Recipes for Lip Balms

Lip Balm (Without Essential Oils)

2.5 tablespoons calendula-infused oil
0.5 tablespoon castor oil
1 tablespoon mango, shea, or cocoa butter
1 tablespoon beeswax

Place all ingredients in a heat-proof glass container.
Set the container into a pan with a few inches of water.
Place the pan over medium-low heat and bring the water to just under a simmer.
Heat, stirring occasionally, until the wax and butter are melted.
Remove from heat. Pour into lip balm tubes or tins.

Source: The Nerdy Farm Wife's Things To Do With Calendula

Lip Balm (With Essential Oils)

Makes about twelve 5.5 ml lip balm tubes, or you can use lip balm tins.

1 tablespoon beeswax
1 teaspoon cocoa butter
2 teaspoons shea butter
2 tablespoons calendula-infused oil
24–36 drops essential oil(s) of choice

Using a double boiler, completely melt beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, and calendula oil.
Turn off the heat and add the essential oil.
Gently and carefully pour lip balm mixture into lip balm tubes or tin containers.
Let lip balm harden in containers. Cap and label.

Which essential oils are good in lip balms? Consider lavender, distilled lime, sweet orange, mandarin, peppermint, spearmint, vanilla CO₂, ginger, frankincense, or cardamom.

Source: The Calendula E-Book by Jade Shutes

Buy calendula-infused oil.

About the Author

Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

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