Marigold season | Make your own marigold oil | DIY
Once you start with natural skincare, there's no going back. At least, that's how it was for us. The product we use most on our skin is calendula oil. Try making your own oil. It's so easy!
Calendula symbolizes the sun. And that's roughly how it feels when we apply the oil to our skin on a grey November day. Sun, warmth, softness, radiance. Something else happens too, something a little harder to put into words. We feel protected and grounded.
HOW TO | DIY
Pick calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) and fill a well-cleaned glass jar. We let the flowers dry a little as it had recently rained. Fill the jar with organic olive oil (or another favorite oil whose scent and feel you like). Put on the lid and place it on the windowsill, where the sun can activate the oil and release the herb's active compounds. We wanted to kickstart our oil and placed it on the warm stove for a couple of hours.
Let the jar sit for about 2 weeks. We haven't finely chopped the calendula flowers before, as they are so beautiful to look at in the oil. But you can certainly do that.
Once the oil is ready, we strain it and add a couple of drops of essential oil.
When fresh flowers are not available, we make the oil from dried calendula flowers instead. The oil is best stored in the refrigerator.
CALENDULA OIL USAGE
We use calendula oil directly on the skin, after showering, when the skin is still wet. The oil is easy to massage into the skin and it dries quickly.
HERBAL OIL FOR NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
It wasn't until I listened to Organic Olivia's podcast that we heard someone else describe in words what I experience when I apply calendula oil. A powerful healing ceremony. A protection. Organic Olivia herself says that herbal oils have been important in her recovery. Herbal magic, simply put.
It wasn't until I listened to Organic Olivia's podcast that we heard someone else describe in words what I experience when I apply calendula oil. A powerful healing ceremony. A protection. Organic Olivia herself says that herbal oils have been important in her recovery. Herbal magic, simply put.
You can listen to her podcast on her website, Season 2 Episode 17.
For me, this ritual means that I regularly manage my own stress. I help my nervous system regulate itself. I become warm. With the help of calendula oil, I create a protective layer. My body becomes warm and soft, a sun radiating outwards, and everything becomes a little less grey.
At Örtfabriken, you'll find Calendula in several of our tinctures. We love to use it in our recipes as it often serves as a cornerstone for other herbs. It's included in our popular blends such as Happy Bitters and Happy&Relaxed.
