| The Calendula flower is a very bright orange flower. | | | | You actually can use the same process with any kind |
| From the family of the Marigold plant and can grow in | | | | of oil you would like: Avocado oil, coconut oil, almond |
| pots, window boxes or outside in the garden. | | | | oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil and the oils listed |
| Calendulas love the sun and are very easy to care | | | | above are the most common carrier oil. Again you |
| for. Plant preferably around April, you can harvest the | | | | can keep the cheese clothe with the Calendula petals |
| flowers from early summer to late fall depending of | | | | and use it in your bath. |
| your location. Originally grown in Egypt on the border | | | | If you do not have use for it right away, place the |
| of the Nile, it was already used before Cleopatra's | | | | cheese clothe in a close container in the fridge. It will |
| time for its healing properties. Healers from the | | | | keep for at least 2 to 3 weeks. |
| Meditterranee and the Middle East utilize the whole | | | | 4. Healing Wounds |
| flower for different medicines. (Skin, digestive | | | | The medicinal properties of Calendula are very |
| system, wounds, vascular problems just to name a | | | | complex and well research. I just want to pass on a |
| few.) | | | | few of Grandma recipes. The following are an |
| The easiest way to take advantage of all the | | | | alternative to commercial antiseptics and ointments. I |
| properties of this wonderful plant is to harvest the | | | | always have a little jar of Calendula oil at my house in |
| whole flower and separate the petals before placing | | | | my first aid kit. I have found that applying a little bit |
| them in a flat basket. Actually you might use any | | | | of Calendula Oil on scratches, cold sores, light cuts, |
| natural container as long as the petals can breathe. | | | | bruises and burns have worked very well for me, my |
| Cover with a clean cloth and let dry for a few days | | | | dog and the kids. |
| in a warm dark place. As any medicine herbs they | | | | 5. Calendula Tincture |
| need to dry in the dark to keep their healing | | | | 1 cup of petals mixed with vodka and distilled water: |
| properties. Store in a glass dark jar preferably or | | | | 2 part vodka, 1 part water until the petals are |
| away from the light in a cool place. Then just use the | | | | covered. Seal it off with saran wrap. Let it sit in a |
| petals, as you need them. | | | | warm dark place for 6 to 8 weeks. Strain the petals |
| 1. Sun damaged Skin | | | | and put the tincture in a dark glass jar. Take 3 or 4 |
| Infuse the Calendula petals with carrier oil at very low | | | | drops in a 1 oz glass of water for digestive problems |
| heat for about 8 hours in double boiler so you do not | | | | and gastro intestinal upsets. |
| burn the oil. Strain the petals in cheesecloth and keep | | | | 6. Tea |
| aside. Add the infused carrier oil with equal amount of | | | | Infuse the dry leaves with boiling water to make a |
| Carrot seed oil and Apricot Kernel oil. Most | | | | wonderful natural tea. Very good for sluggish liver |
| recommended carrier oils are: jojoba oil, grape seed | | | | and upset stomach.You can mix with nettle leaves or |
| oil, wheat germ oil, and hemp oil. | | | | fresh mint leaves for a different taste and more |
| 2. Soothing and Relaxing Bath | | | | healing properties. |
| Take the cheese clothes with the Calendula petals | | | | 7. In Cooking a Great Alternative to Saffron |
| from the above recipe and put them in your warm | | | | Rich in vitamin C, it is a great add on to salads, |
| bath. It will soothe and heal your skin. It is particularly | | | | soups, and pasta or rice dishes. Nice colorful finishing |
| efficient for dry and itchy skin. For a more relaxing | | | | touch for your dish, the petals are pleasing to the |
| moment, add a few Lavender essential oil drops and | | | | eye and the palate as well as healing for the |
| light a scented candle. The bright orange color of the | | | | digestive system. When you cook your rice or your |
| flower will also bring some sun to your soul during the | | | | sauces with a few petals, they will naturally turn to |
| long winter blues. | | | | yellow or orange. |
| 3. Moisturizer for Dry Skin | | | | It is easy to plant Calendula seeds. They prefer a |
| Use the carrier oil infused with the Calendula petals as | | | | light well drained soil with full exposure to the sun. If |
| a daily moisturizer for your body. Keep in a cold place | | | | you were going to use the flowers and the petals |
| or even in the fridge. Another way to create a nice | | | | for consumption, I would recommend buying organic |
| moisturizer for the body is to use olive oil. Add the | | | | seeds. This plant reseeds easily so all you have to do |
| petals to an organic cold pressed olive oil, in a dark | | | | is let a few flowers go to seeds for your next year |
| glass jar and let it sit for 12 to 15 days. You will know | | | | harvest. It is important to collect your Calendula |
| it is ready because of the dark orange color. Use a | | | | flowers when the flower is wide open and healthy. |
| cheesecloth to drain the oil before using it. With olive | | | | This is when all of the healing properties are their |
| oil it is better to add a little bit of Vitamin E before | | | | peak. Plant around April and you can harvest until late |
| storing to naturally preserve the moisturizer. Be | | | | in the fall. If you do not have a garden, planting the |
| aware that if you keep it in the fridge, the olive oil | | | | seeds in window boxes will work very well to. |
| will solidify. | | | | |