Making marigold ointment is a straightforward process: infuse dried calendula flowers in a carrier oil for several weeks, strain out the plant material, then melt in beeswax to thicken it into a spreadable salve. The whole project requires only three or four ingredients and basic kitchen equipment, though the infusion step takes patience. Here’s how to do it right, from choosing the correct flowers to pouring your finished ointment into jars.
Use the Right Marigold
This is the most common mistake people make. The marigold you want for a healing ointment is calendula (Calendula officinalis), sometimes called pot marigold. It’s a different plant from the French marigolds (Tagetes patula) and African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) sold at most garden centers for bedding displays. Both genera belong to the same broad plant family, but calendula is the species with a long history of use for skin healing. Its flowers contain triterpenoids, flavonoids, and other compounds that give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
You can grow calendula yourself or buy dried flowers from herbal suppliers. If buying, look for whole, dried Calendula officinalis flower heads with bright orange or yellow color and a slightly resinous, sticky feel. That stickiness comes from the medicinal resins you’re trying to extract.
What You’ll Need
- Dried calendula flowers: About 3 cups of loosely packed, fully dried flower heads. Fresh flowers contain moisture that can introduce mold into your oil, so make sure they’re completely dry. If you’ve just harvested them, spread them on a screen or towel for several days until they feel papery and snap rather than bend.
- Carrier oil: 3 to 4 cups of olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. Olive oil is the most traditional choice and has a long shelf life. Jojoba is lighter on the skin and technically a liquid wax, which makes it very shelf-stable.
- Beeswax: Pastilles or grated beeswax, measured by weight. The amount depends on how firm you want the final ointment (more on ratios below).
- Optional additions: A few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil for scent and extra skin-soothing properties. A small amount of vitamin E oil (about half a teaspoon per cup of infused oil) can help slow oxidation.
Step 1: Infuse the Oil
Place your dried calendula flowers in a clean, dry glass jar, such as a quart mason jar. Pour your carrier oil over the flowers until the oil level sits about an inch above the top of the plant material. The flowers will try to float, so press them down and make sure they’re fully submerged to prevent any exposed petals from developing mold.
You have two options from here: a slow cold infusion or a faster warm method.
Cold Infusion (Recommended)
Cap the jar and place it in a warm, sunny windowsill. Let it sit for 3 to 4 weeks, shaking gently every day or two. This slow extraction pulls the medicinal compounds out without any risk of heat damage. The oil will gradually turn a rich golden-orange color. This method produces the best results and is worth the wait if you’re not in a hurry.
Warm Infusion (Faster)
If you need your ointment sooner, you can speed the process using gentle heat. Place the jar (without a sealed lid, just loosely covered) in a pot with a few inches of water to create a makeshift double boiler. Heat on the lowest setting, keeping the oil temperature between 100°F and 140°F. Anything hotter risks degrading the beneficial compounds, and you definitely don’t want the flowers frying. Maintain this low heat for 4 to 8 hours, checking the temperature periodically. Some people use a slow cooker on its lowest setting with a folded towel under the jar for insulation.
Step 2: Strain the Oil
Once your infusion is complete, the oil should be deeply colored and fragrant. Set a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth over a clean bowl or measuring cup. Pour the oil through slowly, then gather the cheesecloth around the spent flowers and squeeze firmly to extract every last bit of infused oil. Discard the flower material (it composts well). What you have now is calendula-infused oil, which is useful on its own but too liquid to work as an ointment.
Step 3: Add Beeswax to Make the Ointment
This is where you turn liquid oil into a scoopable, spreadable ointment. The ratio of beeswax to infused oil determines the final texture, and small changes make a noticeable difference.
- 1 part beeswax to 5 parts oil (by weight): Produces a soft salve that gives easily to finger pressure and melts quickly on skin. This is the best starting point for a general-purpose ointment.
- 1 part beeswax to 4 parts oil: Firmer, more like a traditional hard salve. Good if you want something that holds its shape in warm weather.
- 1 part beeswax to 6 parts oil: Very soft, almost like a thick balm. Nice for dry skin but can feel too loose in summer.
For a practical starting batch, use about 1 ounce of beeswax for every 5 ounces of infused oil. Measure by weight on a kitchen scale for consistency.
Set up a double boiler: a heat-safe glass or metal bowl sitting over a pot of simmering water. Add your infused oil and beeswax to the bowl and stir gently until the beeswax melts completely. This only takes a few minutes. To test the consistency before pouring, dip a spoon in the mixture and place it in the freezer for one minute. If it feels too hard when cooled, add a bit more oil. Too soft, add a bit more beeswax.
Once you’re happy with the consistency, remove from heat. If you’re adding essential oils or vitamin E, stir them in now while the mixture is still liquid but off the heat. Pour immediately into small tins or glass jars. The ointment will begin to set within 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature and will be fully firm within a few hours.
Storage and Shelf Life
Homemade calendula ointment contains no synthetic preservatives, so shelf life depends on the freshness of your ingredients and how you store it. A good general expectation is about one year. Keep jars in a cool, dark place, and use clean, dry fingers when scooping to avoid introducing moisture or bacteria. If the ointment ever smells rancid or changes color significantly, replace it. Making small batches ensures you use it up while it’s still fresh. Vitamin E oil won’t extend the shelf life dramatically, but it acts as a mild antioxidant that slows the oil from going rancid.
How to Use It
Calendula ointment is traditionally applied to minor cuts, scrapes, dry patches, chapped skin, and mild rashes. A thin layer rubbed into the affected area once or twice daily is typical. For something like mild diaper rash, daily application for about a week is a common approach. The ointment melts on contact with warm skin, so a little goes a long way.
Who Should Avoid Calendula
Calendula belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) plant family, which includes ragweed, chamomile, echinacea, and chrysanthemums. If you have known allergies to any of these plants, calendula ointment could trigger a reaction ranging from contact irritation to more serious allergic responses. The European Medicines Agency specifically recommends against using calendula products if you’re allergic to Asteraceae plants. Before applying your ointment to a large area, test a small amount on the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours to check for redness or itching.