The short answer: to make calendula oil, fill a clean jar loosely with dried calendula flowers and cover them with a carrier oil such as sunflower, olive or sweet almond oil. Leave it for 4 to 6 weeks, or warm it gently for a few hours. Strain it, bottle it in dark glass and keep it cool. Always use dried flowers, never fresh.
Calendula oil is a golden infused oil made from the bright orange flowers of pot marigold, Calendula officinalis. People make it at home as a base for balms, massage oils and soaps, and for its warm colour and soft, hay-like scent. It takes two ingredients: dried flowers and oil. This guide covers the slow cold method, a faster warm method, the ratio, and how to store it well.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Ratio | About 25 g dried flowers per 250 ml oil |
| Cold method | 4 to 6 weeks in a warm spot |
| Warm method | 2 to 3 hours of gentle heat |
| Keeps | About 6 to 12 months, cool and dark |
What you need
- 25 g (about 2 cups loosely packed) dried calendula flowers
- 250 ml carrier oil: sunflower, olive, sweet almond or jojoba
- A clean, completely dry glass jar with a lid
- A fine sieve, muslin or cheesecloth
- A dark glass bottle for storage
Why dried flowers? Fresh petals carry water. Water in oil invites mould and makes the oil go off quickly. If you grow your own calendula, dry the flower heads on a rack for one to two weeks first, until they feel papery.
How to make calendula oil (cold method)
- Fill the jar. Put the dried flowers in the jar. They should fill it about halfway, loosely.
- Cover with oil. Pour in the oil until the flowers are covered by at least 2 cm. Stir with a dry spoon to release air bubbles.
- Close and label. Put on the lid and write the date and the oil on the jar.
- Wait. Leave the jar in a warm place out of direct sun for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake it every few days.
- Strain. Pour the oil through a sieve lined with muslin. Squeeze the cloth to get the last of the oil out.
- Bottle. Pour the oil into a dark glass bottle and close it tightly.
The warm method
If you do not want to wait a month, gentle heat speeds things up.
- Double boiler: put the flowers and oil in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Keep it warm, not hot, for 2 to 3 hours. Top up the water as it boils off. Keep steam and drips out of the oil.
- NOIDS Herb Lab: put the flowers and oil in the Glass of the NOIDS Herb Lab, under the MAX mark. Cover with the Dish Lid and run the Oil function. It holds 100 °C (212 °F) for about 120 to 180 minutes, then cools by itself. Squeeze the oil out through the Filter Set.
The warm method gives a deep golden oil in an afternoon. The Herb Lab runs hotter than a double boiler, so expect a deeper colour and a toastier scent. The cold method takes a month and gives the lightest colour and scent.
Choosing the carrier oil
| Oil | Feel | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | Light, neutral smell | About 6 to 9 months |
| Olive | Rich, green scent | About 12 months |
| Sweet almond | Silky, light | About 6 to 12 months |
| Jojoba | Light, not greasy | A year or more |
For more on how carrier oils differ, see our guide to choosing oils and butters for infusing.
How people use calendula oil
- As the oil in a simple balm: melt about 1 part beeswax into 4 parts calendula oil, then pour into tins.
- As a massage or bath oil, on its own or mixed with plain oil.
- In homemade soap, for its golden colour.
Calendula oil is an infused oil, not an essential oil. It is mild and can be used as it is. Like any plant product, it can cause a reaction in some people. Calendula belongs to the daisy family, so take extra care if you react to daisies, chamomile or ragweed. Test a small amount on the inside of your arm and wait a day before using more.
Storage
- Keep the bottle closed, cool and away from light.
- Use it within the time for your carrier oil, about 6 to 12 months.
- Smell it before use. If it smells sharp, like old crayons, the oil has gone off. Throw it away.
- A few drops of vitamin E oil can help the oil keep a little longer.
The same method works for other dried flowers and herbs. Our step-by-step guide to herbal oil infusions covers more.
Questions
Can I use fresh calendula flowers?
Not straight from the garden. Fresh petals add water, which can turn the oil mouldy. Dry the flowers first until they feel papery.
How long does calendula oil take to make?
About 4 to 6 weeks with the cold method, or 2 to 3 hours with gentle heat.
What is the best oil for calendula oil?
Sunflower and sweet almond oil are light and popular. Olive oil keeps longer but has a stronger smell. Jojoba keeps the longest.
How long does calendula oil last?
About 6 to 12 months, depending on the carrier oil. Keep it cool and dark and throw it away if it smells sharp.
Is calendula oil the same as calendula essential oil?
No. Calendula oil is flowers infused in a carrier oil. An essential oil is a concentrated distilled product, and calendula is rarely sold that way.
