Recipe: Simple Calendula Salve

I learned about this salve during my visit to Innisfree in June - for their herb workshop. It is my first herbal creation (outside of brewing tea) and has encouraged me to feel confident enough to make many more in the future. Calendula is especially soothing for my skin. And, I added chamomile essential oil - another skin calmer. You can create salves with all sorts of herbs - comfrey, lavender . . .

Expanding, itchy belly? Dry skin? Bug bites, rashes, skin irritations? Bring. It. On.

Pluck calendula flowers and put them in olive oil - in a jar with some cheesecloth over the top. Set in the sun for about two weeks. You will end up with this beautiful honey colored oil.

Strain the oil into a pot. Preferably something non-reactive. Compost your flowers.

Then, add a cube of beeswax to the oil. Heat slowly on medium-low. Until the beeswax has melted.

Pour the mixture back into your jar. Add essential oils, if you like. And that is it. It will harden into a salve within a few hours.

Gosh, I feel like I'm forgetting something. But, it really is *that* simple. Really!