What are dried calendula flowers good for? Calendula flowers or more commonly known as marigold flowers are obtained from the Calendula Officinalis plant. The flowers are dried to preserve their beneficial properties. Dried flowers are often used to make infusion oils. Calendula oil infusions are added to balms, creams, lotions and soaps for an added moisturising and nourishing effect. Our calendula flowers have a potent floral and earthy aroma which make them a great addition for potpourri mixes. The yellow and orange petals can also be used to decorate cosmetics such bath bombs and soaps. How to make calendula infused oil To make calendula infused oil, you will need to infuse the calendula flowers into a carrier oil. The most common carrier oils that are used for this infusion are olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil and fractionated coconut oil. Fill a jar with the dried calendula flowers until it is around 3/4 full. The more flowers that are added to the jar, the stronger the infusion will be. However, it will also produce less oil at the end. Pour the carrier oil of your choice over the flowers until they are completely submerged or until the jar is full. Once the jar has been sealed, keep in a warm dry place for around 2 - 6 weeks. The longer the dried flowers are left to infuse the oil, the more potent the oil will be. It is also recommended to shake the jar every 2 days. When you are ready to collect the infused calendula oil, strain the oil into a cheesecloth and sieve. Once the initial oil has been separated from the flowers, make sure to squeeze the calendula flowers using the cloth as they can soak up a lot of the oil. Make sure to store your infused calendula oil in a dark glass container. Keeping it in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. See how we infuse our calendula flowers for soap making here: Calendula Soap Recipe | Blog | The Soapery
