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Calendula Rose Herbal Salve

Nature has everything your skin needs — you just have to bottle it. This upgraded calendula–rose salve blends classic botanicals with tamanu oil, sea buckthorn oil, vitamin E, and shea butter for a richer, more protective balm. Perfect for dry hands, cracked heels, minor cuts, and daily skin nourishment. Topical use only.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Heat Method 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Course Herbal
Cuisine Salve
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Heatproof glass beaker or jar (about 2 cups / 500 ml capacity)
  • Small Saucepan (double-boiler setup)
  • Fine mesh strainer + cheesecloth (for infusion)
  • Digital scale (0.1 g precision ideal)
  • 6 2-oz amber jars or tins (sterilized)

Ingredients

  • Dried calendula petals — 1 cup
  • Dried rose petals — ½ cup
  • Base oil for infusion (olive, almond, or coconut — enough to fully cover petals (yields about ½ cup infused oil for this recipe))
  • Beeswax pastilles — 2 ½ tablespoons (≈ 1 oz)
  • Shea butter — 1 ½ tablespoons (≈ 0.7 oz)
  • Tamanu oil — 1 ½ tablespoons (≈ 0.7 oz)
  • Sea buckthorn oil — 2 teaspoons (≈ 0.35 oz)
  • Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols — ½ teaspoon (≈ 0.07 oz))
  • Optional: 6–12 drops gentle essential oils (rose, lavender — about ¼ to ½ teaspoon max. (Skip for very sensitive skin.))

Instructions

  • Infuse the oils: Add 1 cup dried calendula petals and ½ cup dried rose petals to a clean glass jar. Pour in enough base oil (olive, almond, or coconut) to fully cover the petals. Cap the jar and place it in a sunny windowsill for 4–6 weeks, shaking every few days. For a quicker method, gently warm the jar in a double boiler over low heat for 4–6 hours.
  • Strain and measure: Strain the infused oil through cheesecloth into a measuring cup. You’ll need about ½ cup (118 g) of infused oil. Stir in 20 g tamanu oil and 10 g sea buckthorn oil to complete the blend.
  • Melt and mix: In a heat-safe beaker set over a double boiler, melt 30 g beeswax pastilles and 20 g shea butter until smooth. Slowly stir in the infused oil blend, mixing until the salve turns a glossy golden color.
  • Finish the salve: Remove from heat and add 2 g vitamin E oil. If desired, stir in 6–12 drops rose or lavender essential oil. Pour the mixture into clean tins or jars, leaving a little headspace.
  • Cool and store: Let the salve cool completely at room temperature before sealing. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.

Notes

  • Texture tuning:
    • Softer balm → beeswax 12–13%
    • Firmer/summer-proof → beeswax 18–20%
  • Color warning: Sea buckthorn can tint balm deep orange; use clean fingers or a spatula to avoid staining fabrics.
  • Sensitive skin: Start unscented; patch test on inner forearm for 24 hours.
  • Jar choice: Amber jars protect carotenoids and delicate aromatics from light.