(This recipe is a sneak peek into my ebook, Tal’s Guide to Holistic Health: Herbal Recipes for Year-Round Wellness and Glowing Skin. Upgrade your ebook purchase to include our Calendula Salve Kit with all the ingredients you need to bring the classic herbal salve recipe in this blog post to life, along with two other recipes from the ebook!)
I always keep this salve on me! There’s a jar in my purse, one in the car, and another in our first-aid kit at home. Calendula salve is that multipurpose, use-it-for-everything kind of thing. I use it on dry skin, rashes, bug bites, sunburn, little scrapes, and random itches my son swears are the end of the world. I’ve even used it as a lip balm when mine went missing and as a hand salve when I was out running errands and noticed my skin was rough.
It’s one of our best-sellers for a reason. This salve just works, y’all! And the recipe is so simple. If you’ve got littles, have sensitive skin, or just want something gentle and reliable in your bag, this one’s for you.
Why Calendula is Always in My Apothecary
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has been part of my life for a long time. When I think about skin support, this is the first herb that comes to mind.
This sunny little flower is also rich in compounds that calm inflammation, soothe irritation, and support your body’s natural repair process.* That’s why calendula is the ultimate skin-soothing herb, especially for dry, sensitive, or reactive skin*. It can be helpful for occasional breakouts, rashes, burns, or wounds. I thought it was really cool to learn that calendula was even used on Civil War battlefields when other medical supplies ran out.
It also supports the lymph, which most people don’t think about when it comes to skin health.* But if your lymph is stagnant, your skin will show it. Breakouts, puffiness, random flare-ups. Calendula helps move that fluid in a gentle way and clears out what the body’s ready to let go of.*
Calendula is a safe, easy-to-grow, and incredibly versatile plant. If you’re just starting your herbal journey, this is one of the first herbs I would put in your at-home apothecary. It’s one of the most important herbs we use, and I’ve seen it help so many people with their skin ailments and lymphatic support.
Calendula Salve Recipe
I like to think of this calendula salve recipe as herbal backup for any kind of skin ailment. You will need calendula-infused oil as the base for this recipe. If you’ve never made an herb-infused oil before, no worries. You can find easy instructions for making one in my How to Make Herbal Oil blog post (just swap out the lavender for dried calendula flowers to create the perfect oil for this salve.)
Ingredients
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4 tablespoons calendula (Calendula officinalis) infused oil
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1 tablespoon organic beeswax (optionally, up to 2 tablespoons for a harder salve)
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A few drops of vitamin E oil (optional, to preserve. For topical use only.)
Instructions
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In a double boiler or heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, add the beeswax. Stir gently until fully melted.
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Once melted, add the calendula oil. Stir well to combine. Remove from heat.
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If using, stir in a few drops of vitamin E oil. Mix thoroughly.
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Carefully pour the warm mixture into a clean 2-oz salve tin or glass jar. Let cool undisturbed at room temperature until firm, about 30 to 60 minutes.
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Label your salve with the name and date. Store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. It should keep for 6 to 12 months.
How to Use
Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin as needed. This salve is perfect for minor skin irritations, burns, scrapes, dry patches, cuticles, cracked heels, and more.* For external use only.
Not the DIY Type?
If you’re not in the mood to make your own, I got you! The calendula salve recipe above is a simplified version of our best-selling calendula salve. Our salve is 100% organic, all-natural, and handmade in small batches with love. It’s gentle, nourishing, and ready to use whenever your skin needs a little extra love.
Here’s what one customer shared:
“This salve has a new meaning for me. Not only is this product amazing, it is a skin "salvation" to cracked or super dry skin! This is now my go to for everything, not just for dry skin, but to moisturize and use every day on face, body, lips etc. Your skin just eats it all up and loves it.” - Wendy M.
Want More Recipes Like This One?
This calendula salve recipe is just a little sneak from my ebook, Tal’s Guide to Holistic Health: Herbal Recipes for Year-Round Wellness and Glowing Skin. You can download the 90+ page digital book for only $19.99 or you can upgrade your purchase to include the three-part DIY Herbal Wellness Kit, one of which provides you with the materials you need to make this Calendula Salve recipe, including the storage tin and a cute label!
If you’ve been wanting to bring more herbs into your everyday life but don’t know where to start, this ebook is for you. I packed it with my go-to recipes for teas, oils, scrubs, and salves, plus plant profiles and tips to help you feel more confident using herbs at home. You can get your copy here!
Your support means so much to me. I hope this Calendula Salve recipe brings a little more love and care into your day. And if you do make any of the recipes from the ebook, feel free to share them with me by tagging @bodylovebytal on Instagram. I’d love to follow along on your herbal journey!
