This lovely and easy to make homemade healing calendula soap is a great way to reap the benefits of the calendula plant.

Calendula 

Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold is a beautiful and easy to grow skin-beneficial plant that can be used to make healing salves, skin creams, and soap. When used in soap, these flowers retain a lot of their yellow colour, which not a lot of other flowers do.

Parts of this bushy, annual herb has traditionally be used to heal rough, or damaged skin. In this recipe, the flower petals of this plant are used. 

I used dried calendula petals as they can be added, or scattered on top without introducing any moisture to the soap bars which could create issues with preservation, causing the soap to go moldy or rancid. Learn more about how to grow, harvest and dry calendula here.

Ingredients for Making Calendula Soap

To make this soap, you will need:

Making Calendula Soap

Cut the soap base into cubes that are around 1 inch in size.

Place into a microwave safe measuring cup. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and stir, then heat for additional 30 second increments, until fully melted, stirring well between each heating session.

If using, add mica powder and stir well until colour is fully combined.

Add the infused oil or essential oil, and stir.

Add calendula petals, reserving a bit for the top of the soap. Stir to combine.

Pour soap base into soap mold.

Sprinkle remaining calendula petals on the top, pushing them into the soap.

Allow soap to set overnight.

Remove soap from mold and cut into 1 inch bars.

More Soap Recipes

Storing Calendula Soap 

When set, remove soap from the moulds and store in an airtight container.

DISCLAIMER: THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE IS NOT INTENDED OR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE.

This simple homemade honey lip scrub is great for moisturising the lips while providing a gentle exfoliation.

 

Exfoliating Honey Lip Scrub

A lip scrub is a wonderful way to exfoliate the dead skin off your lips. This natural scrub can be easily made in a matter of minutes and is not meant to be used more than once a week.

Just make sure not to exfoliate too hard, as you can damage your lips, leaving them raw and red.

As always, remember to follow this exfoliation with hydration, using a good lip balm or ointment after rinsing off the scrub. This will help your lips stay soft.

It also makes a fabulous homemade gift for Christmas, Mother’s Day or for that special friends birthday.

 

Ingredients for Making Honey Lip Scrub

To make around 2 to 4 ounces of this scrub, you will need:

• 1 TBSP Honey – I love using Manuka Honey
• 1 TBSP White Sugar (you could also use brown sugar if you wish)
• 1 tsp Coconut Oil ( or another carrier oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed)

Making Honey Lip Scrub

In a small bowl, mix the honey and the sugar together until they are well combined.

Add in the coconut oil (or other carrier oil) and mix until the mixture forms a paste.

Add the mixture to your jars, and screw on lid.

Store in the fridge for one to two weeks. As there are no preservatives, what you don’t use will need to be thrown out and another mixture will need to be made.

To Use

Scoop out a small, pea size amount of the scrub and very gently massage it over your lips while leaning over a sink. Rinse off thoroughly.

Hydrate lips with a good lip balm or ointment.

More Homemade Products

DISCLAIMER: THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE IS NOT INTENDED OR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE.

A baby’s skin is very delicate and sensitive, making it very important to choose products to help soothe, heal and protect it. When your baby gets a diaper rash, you may prefer to use a product that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. Learn how to make a natural herbal diaper salve that is soothing and can help heal your baby from diaper rashes. 

Herbal Diaper Salve

A baby’s bottom is a very sensitive part of their body and one that needs to be looked after correctly. To help prevent reddened skin from rashes in this area, make sure it is completely dry before putting a new diaper on. 

Letting baby move without a diaper on a regular basis allows air to reach the skin in this area which can also help in preventing rashes or redness.

Though, if you find it does end up with some redness, then this natural, homemade herbal diaper salve can help support healing.

Carrier Oils

When making a salve, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the salve as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits. 

With this salve recipe, there are multiple carrier oils that could be used including:

• Avocado Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Rosehip Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Safflower Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Before Using this Balm

Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.

• Don’t use on skin with open wounds or cuts.  
• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils. Do not use again.
• Wash hands well after using.
• Make sure there is no allergic reaction to any of the ingredients before using.

Diaper Salve Notes

• I live in a hot climate, so this is made with extra beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder salve. You may want to decrease the beeswax to only 2 ounces (56 g) if you live in a cooler climate. You can test the consistency of your salve by placing a small amount of mixture into the freezer for 2 minutes. Then take it out and let it come to room temperature before testing its hardness. If it is too soft, add a little more beeswax, if too hard, add a little more oil.
• You can substitute carnauba wax for beeswax, though it is harder than beeswax, so you will probably need to decrease the amount slightly. Cocoa butter could also be used, though again, you will need to test the quantities.
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties.

More Salve Recipes

Ingredients for Infused Oil

This salve recipe is created using an infused oil. For this infusion, you will need:

• 1 Cup Carrier Oil – such as avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil
• ¼ Cup Dried Marshmallow Root
• ¼ Cup Dried Lavender 
• ¼ Cup Dried Calendula 
• ¼ Cup Dried Chamomile Flowers

I prefer to use dry leaves and flowers in my infused oils. If I am using them from plants that I have grown, I dry them completely before using to make infusions.

Note: For those that are allergic to ragweed there is a small chance that you may have an allergic reaction to chamomile as well.  Make sure to spot test any products containing chamomile and avoid if any itching or allergic reaction occurs. 

Making Infused Oil

Place the dry flowers and leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with carrier oil. 

Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for four to six weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.

Strain the leaves with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.

If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.

For more information on making infused oils, check this out.

Ingredients for Diaper Salve

To make about 6 ounces of salve, you will need:

• 1 Cup Infused Oil
• ¼ Cup Beeswax
• 2 oz Containers

Making Diaper Salve

Combine the beeswax and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.

This process could also be done in a double boiler.

Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.

Let the salve cool and set.

The salve is now ready to label, date and store.

Storing This Salve

Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.

Store in a cool, dark place.
When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnose or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website. This is for informational purposes only, you should always check with your medical provider before using anything medicinally.

About the Author

Scott Cooney Scott Cooney is a serial eco-entrepreneur including being the solo founder of Pono Home, HomeEfficiency.com, and CleanTechnica; author of two books; former sustainability consultant with clients including Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Chemical, Wal-Mart, and Duke Energy; former Adjunct teaching the first course in sustainable business in the MBA program at UH Manoa; lover of local, healthy food and especially vegan nachos.
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