Miss Morag, Thank you for generously sharing your vast knowledge with us all. We have learned so very much from your wealth of experience and tips. You play an integral part of our lives. I wished you could hear a random, daily conversation with our family. "Did you see Morag's video on ...?" "Morag said to..." lol :D Much love and appreciation from The Great State of Texas!
That is so wonderful! I really appreciate you writing and telling me. Warm greetings from 'downunder' on a beautifully rainy day. I am listening to the frogs singing, the watertanks filling and delighted as things spring back to life (except for a poor little orange tree that's behind me in this recent film). Morag
Hello Morag. Thanks for posting your video on this gorgeous flower of which I have a lot of at the moment. Something I learned about olive oil, is to buy and keep it in dark glass as it keeps better that way. Cheers.
Calendula has the nutrient Lutein, similar to eggs. I think a high potency calendula oil could help make a more flavorfull egg replacement for vegans (as part of a combined recipe) so they are getting the vitamins needed for healthy eyes.
Hi Morag :) I tried your second method of making calendula oil by picking fresh flowers and popping them into a sterilized jar and used organic olive oil. When I went to check on it a fortnight later I discovered the flowers were moldy. It was the moisture in the flowers that caused the mold, I had not watered them, it was not foggy or dewy when I picked them. But I was disappointed because I had to throw it out and start again. I will try the first method as I reckon I will have better results.
I'm sorry the second method didn't work for you. It can be a bit of trial an error to get it right for your context - there are so many variables in natural systems. From what you are saying, it seems there was just too much moisture in the flowers - the petals or most likely the calyx. For me, calendula grows in winter/dry season and so the flowers aren't really that moist. Now you know that yours have too much moisture - best to either wilt them for a day (not in direct sun) or just use the petals. Working with nature is always a learning process, even when we think we know what is going on :-)
Thank you very much Morag :) I need to consider that you and I live in different climates of the same country. You're up North and I'm in the South, and the flowers will respond and grow in different times. You said that Calendula grows in the winter/dry season where you live. For me its in abundance during spring and possible summer. Ive got some flowers drying in a recycled brown paper bag which sits in the laundry- the warmest part of my house. Yes you are right it is trial and error when it comes to working with nature its also a great learning experience. Thank you for responding :-)
@@rachtipping3507 Do you live in South Australia? just wondering as I'm going to grow Calendula for the first time this year and would like to try this as well. I'm thinking maybe I'll dry my flowers completely first.
Thank you for a lovely video. When using fresh flowers they will expel a certain amount of water which needs to be carefully poured off the oil to avoid spoilage. Could you explain this in a video please?
By some wonderful coincidence, my first jar of infused calendula oil is ready to strain this weekend! I'll be using it (along with plaintain infused oil) to make healing salve as a Holiday gift this year. I look forward to your next video!
Maam what was the effect of the oil on the skin ? I am curious about the oil. I have after pimple scars on my face and have a gut feeling that it might solve my face issues. Thanks in advance.
Fresh plant content in oil can make your oil go rancid or mouldy because fresh plant contains water and any cosmetic formulation that contains water requires a preservative.
I'd love to hear what you do to protect your skin from sun damage. I dont want to use sunscreen that has cancer causing things in it. I'd love to make a good gardening face serum but not sure which carrier oil is best for preventing sun damage or healing sun damaged skin as well as the herbs that are best for that.
I’ve made a great one, so easy. 1 part coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of beeswax , 1part shea butter or tallow, 1/4 cup zinc powder. Melt the oils and wax in double boiler then add the zinc powder. Mix until whipped. I added lavender oil for scent.
what other oil can i use other then olive oil? I like using calendula oil on my face/body. What other oils do you recommend? Jojoba oil? Coconut oil? Sadly i cant get fresh olive oil around, all i have is organic pure olive oil from whole foods.. But is olive oil good for acne/sensitive type skin? I just didnt want the olive oil to clog my pores. I loveeee making my homemade products with calenudla oil.
great vid ,ill try make some , i make the daddy of infused oils......Comfrey , i leave in the dark for 10weeks,makes a good base for a slav ,with beeswax ,shea, etc..1st ones were a disaster, used almond oil. went rancid .yuk.was thinking of infusing yarrow too?
Hi Morag, thank you so much for sharing this video. I was wondering if i could do the same with german chamomile flowers ? Or a combination of both? Thank you xxx
Hi Morag! I love ur channel please tell me can I do this process with borage flowers which I hear are good for pain I have back pain and wish to make an oil with borage would this technique you do with calendula also be good for borage oil? Thankyou!
Hey morag, thank you for sharing your wonderful wisdom. Just wanted to check if you have to strain at all? Have some concoctions that I haven't strained and been using for years.. Blessings, Ashleigh Hart
Hey Morag! I know this is an old video but can you answer a question for me? When making the infused oil, after it sits do I have to strain it all out of the jar and start over with a new batch of flowers? Or can I add more dried flowers to the jar? It would seem best to start over with a new batch since we would need more fresh oil to cover the added flowers and take away from the concentrated oil. Hard to explain what I'm asking. Lol ; ) Can't wait to go watch the next video. Thank you so much...Big ((Hugs)) from Texas!! xx : )
Use fresh flowers after they've been infusing for a while. For the first week I usually keep adding flowers as they settle and make space for more. Good luck with it.
Yes, absolutely! I'm planning to make some with Jojoba and Shea butter! In that case, I'll just whip the Shea butter and drizzle in the infused Jojoba oil as I'm whipping the Shea butter.
I made my own Calendula oil, so I didn’t know that the jar had to be dry. I rinsed it with hot water and I put the flowers in the wet jar. Would you recommend to do it all over again?
Thank you, great video as always... Wouldn't this be good for a hair mask for us curly girls please? 😘 🌹🌈💞🎵🌷🌼🌺💖😆👏👍💫🌟✌ 💛 ☘️ ☘️1 & all please take care of you & for others that need you through these trying times.😘 ~"Love, Hope, Peace, Kindness, Dream, Inspiration, Laughter, Joy, Give, Live & Let Live"~
can i use coconut oil or another kind of oil? i have really oily skin and i think olive oil is not very good for my skin type. I'm from Brazil and loved you video!!!
Hi! I know you wrote that question a really long time ago, but Jojoba oil is really good for oily skin because it doesn’t leave any greasy residue after you apply it! :-) there are others for sure, but I know this type works for me! :-)
You can, but I'd probably just use the petals. Because I've been putting the whole flower in, I usually wilt them a bit first, the green bit is pretty fleshy and too much water can make the mix go bad.
Is there anything I can do with the flowers after the oil has been strained out? Other than putting them in the compost pile? Thank you. I like to use whatever in whatever way, if possible. Thanks in advance.
What's the difference between dried and not dried flowers? Usually with fresh stuff, can it not release bacteria that's harmful into the oil? I tried infusing chillies in olive oil without drying them once, just fresh... later I read an article and realised I could've killed myself.. I'd like more info please.
Hi morag! Thank you for all of the info , I have a quick question about calendula . What is the black dirt that is all over the plant and it is also left over when I dry them?
Thanks for getting in touch. Without seeing a picture, it's hard to say, but it does sound like sooty mould. I would avoid using these for making creams - only use clean and disease-free plant material.
I saw a recipe where someone used a crockpot for super low warming overnight (not boiling), but this was not a respected source so no idea how legit that is.
Hello and thanks sp much for this brilliant video :) I have a question if your able to answer. What is the best method to use out of Fresh or Dried flowers to infuse? Also what is the difference between a fresh infusion compared to dried? Many thanks
I have an answer for you. It all depends on the way the flower was dried and stored. But if done properly, there is almost no difference. The advantage of dried flowers is that you can use them all year long but they must be stored in a cool, dark place and not in contact with air (in bag or jar when they are completely dried out). It also makes incredible medicine for your inner « skin cells ». Your whole digestive tube will thank you if you make regular infusions of the fresh or dried flowers and you drink it. It isnt only good for external application! Hope this helps!
How do you deal with bugs? Our organic calendula attracts a lot of bugs. I had read that you shouldn't wash the flowers before drying as you could wash away pollen or other medicinal properties, but I don't want bugs in my infused oil Any advice?
I was going to ask this same question... as I noticed some really small insects on the flowers and I prefer not to include them in my oil :). I haven't found anything online for prepping the flower to remove any pests, but perhaps they are medicinal/tasty as well. If anyone has suggestions, look forward to hearing!
Miss Morag,
Thank you for generously sharing your vast knowledge with us all. We have learned so very much from your wealth of experience and tips.
You play an integral part of our lives. I wished you could hear a random, daily conversation with our family. "Did you see Morag's video on ...?" "Morag said to..." lol :D
Much love and appreciation from The Great State of Texas!
That is so wonderful! I really appreciate you writing and telling me. Warm greetings from 'downunder' on a beautifully rainy day. I am listening to the frogs singing, the watertanks filling and delighted as things spring back to life (except for a poor little orange tree that's behind me in this recent film). Morag
Wonderful instructions for making calendula infused oil, thanks Morag Gamble.
Thanks for sharing yr video n recipe of making Calendula flower oil for skin care, healing n eating. Have a wonderful day!
Hello Morag. Thanks for posting your video on this gorgeous flower of which I have a lot of at the moment. Something I learned about olive oil, is to buy and keep it in dark glass as it keeps better that way. Cheers.
Calendula has the nutrient Lutein, similar to eggs. I think a high potency calendula oil could help make a more flavorfull egg replacement for vegans (as part of a combined recipe) so they are getting the vitamins needed for healthy eyes.
Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.
Hi Morag :) I tried your second method of making calendula oil by picking fresh flowers and popping them into a sterilized jar and used organic olive oil. When I went to check on it a fortnight later I discovered the flowers were moldy. It was the moisture in the flowers that caused the mold, I had not watered them, it was not foggy or dewy when I picked them. But I was disappointed because I had to throw it out and start again. I will try the first method as I reckon I will have better results.
I'm sorry the second method didn't work for you. It can be a bit of trial an error to get it right for your context - there are so many variables in natural systems. From what you are saying, it seems there was just too much moisture in the flowers - the petals or most likely the calyx. For me, calendula grows in winter/dry season and so the flowers aren't really that moist. Now you know that yours have too much moisture - best to either wilt them for a day (not in direct sun) or just use the petals. Working with nature is always a learning process, even when we think we know what is going on :-)
Thank you very much Morag :) I need to consider that you and I live in different climates of the same country. You're up North and I'm in the South, and the flowers will respond and grow in different times. You said that Calendula grows in the winter/dry season where you live. For me its in abundance during spring and possible summer. Ive got some flowers drying in a recycled brown paper bag which sits in the laundry- the warmest part of my house. Yes you are right it is trial and error when it comes to working with nature its also a great learning experience. Thank you for responding :-)
@@rachtipping3507 Do you live in South Australia? just wondering as I'm going to grow Calendula for the first time this year and would like to try this as well. I'm thinking maybe I'll dry my flowers completely first.
Thank you for a lovely video. When using fresh flowers they will expel a certain amount of water which needs to be carefully poured off the oil to avoid spoilage. Could you explain this in a video please?
By some wonderful coincidence, my first jar of infused calendula oil is ready to strain this weekend! I'll be using it (along with plaintain infused oil) to make healing salve as a Holiday gift this year.
I look forward to your next video!
That sounds lovely. These salves make such wonderful gifts that people appreciate.
Maam what was the effect of the oil on the skin ? I am curious about the oil. I have after pimple scars on my face and have a gut feeling that it might solve my face issues. Thanks in advance.
That a lovely garden.
thank you :-)
Thank you Morag.
I love this.
So glad I ve found you!!! Thank You !!!!!
Thank you SO SO much!!
Until the oil oxidises 🙏
Thanks for a wonderful video Morag !! I have one question. Do you have ratios and measurements for the oil and dried flowers?
Nice 👍 Mam
Fresh plant content in oil can make your oil go rancid or mouldy because fresh plant contains water and any cosmetic formulation that contains water requires a preservative.
bravo, bravo , bravo ! thank you, thank you thank you ! great instructions regarding the calendula flower and making flower oil !
You're welcome
I like that
I'd love to hear what you do to protect your skin from sun damage. I dont want to use sunscreen that has cancer causing things in it. I'd love to make a good gardening face serum but not sure which carrier oil is best for preventing sun damage or healing sun damaged skin as well as the herbs that are best for that.
Good question . I need to make my own sunscreen too , but don’t know if it’s possible 🤷♀️
I’ve made a great one, so easy. 1 part coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of beeswax , 1part shea butter or tallow, 1/4 cup zinc powder. Melt the oils and wax in double boiler then add the zinc powder. Mix until whipped. I added lavender oil for scent.
what other oil can i use other then olive oil? I like using calendula oil on my face/body. What other oils do you recommend? Jojoba oil? Coconut oil? Sadly i cant get fresh olive oil around, all i have is organic pure olive oil from whole foods.. But is olive oil good for acne/sensitive type skin? I just didnt want the olive oil to clog my pores. I loveeee making my homemade products with calenudla oil.
great vid ,ill try make some , i make the daddy of infused oils......Comfrey , i leave in the dark for 10weeks,makes a good base for a slav ,with beeswax ,shea, etc..1st ones were a disaster, used almond oil. went rancid .yuk.was thinking of infusing yarrow too?
Thanks for sharing that - the success and the challenges!
Hi Morag, thank you so much for sharing this video. I was wondering if i could do the same with german chamomile flowers ? Or a combination of both? Thank you xxx
Yes, sure!
Hi Morag! I love ur channel please tell me can I do this process with borage flowers which I hear are good for pain I have back pain and wish to make an oil with borage would this technique you do with calendula also be good for borage oil? Thankyou!
Is there anything that can be done with the flowers after straining the oil?
Hey morag, thank you for sharing your wonderful wisdom. Just wanted to check if you have to strain at all? Have some concoctions that I haven't strained and been using for years.. Blessings, Ashleigh Hart
As long as the oil is clear (not mouldy/cloudy) it is fine
dry is best
Hey Morag! I know this is an old video but can you answer a question for me? When making the infused oil, after it sits do I have to strain it all out of the jar and start over with a new batch of flowers? Or can I add more dried flowers to the jar? It would seem best to start over with a new batch since we would need more fresh oil to cover the added flowers and take away from the concentrated oil. Hard to explain what I'm asking. Lol ; ) Can't wait to go watch the next video. Thank you so much...Big ((Hugs)) from Texas!! xx : )
Use fresh flowers after they've been infusing for a while. For the first week I usually keep adding flowers as they settle and make space for more. Good luck with it.
@@MoragGambleOurPermacultureLife Great...thank you so much Morag!! ((Hugs))
What’s the shelflife?
Do you have to do it with dried flowers can i do it with fresh?
Can other carrier oils be used such as Argan or Moringa to infuse the Calendula flowers?
Yes, absolutely! I'm planning to make some with Jojoba and Shea butter! In that case, I'll just whip the Shea butter and drizzle in the infused Jojoba oil as I'm whipping the Shea butter.
I made my own Calendula oil, so I didn’t know that the jar had to be dry. I rinsed it with hot water and I put the flowers in the wet jar. Would you recommend to do it all over again?
Thank you, great video as always... Wouldn't this be good for a hair mask for us curly girls please? 😘 🌹🌈💞🎵🌷🌼🌺💖😆👏👍💫🌟✌ 💛 ☘️
☘️1 & all please take care of you & for others that need you through these trying times.😘
~"Love, Hope, Peace, Kindness, Dream, Inspiration, Laughter, Joy, Give, Live & Let Live"~
can i use coconut oil or another kind of oil? i have really oily skin and i think olive oil is not very good for my skin type. I'm from Brazil and loved you video!!!
Hi! I know you wrote that question a really long time ago, but Jojoba oil is really good for oily skin because it doesn’t leave any greasy residue after you apply it! :-) there are others for sure, but I know this type works for me! :-)
I have ~6 month old dried calendula flowers, will they still be beneficial to the skin?
I am wondering why you would dry the flowers if its the same to make the oil from fresh cut flowers?
You can, but I'd probably just use the petals. Because I've been putting the whole flower in, I usually wilt them a bit first, the green bit is pretty fleshy and too much water can make the mix go bad.
Is there anything I can do with the flowers after the oil has been strained out? Other than putting them in the compost pile?
Thank you. I like to use whatever in whatever way, if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Do you sell this
Use fresh ones when making oil, any tips to avoid failure?
How much flower do you use? A cup?
Do you use the flowers for anything after you drain off the oil? for anything? How about for a body scrub. Maybe add some salt? Becomes a salt scrub!
There are lot's of possibilities you have just suggested. Wonderful. I'd just put them in compost and back to feed the garden.
So, does it matter what calendula variety I use? I have heirloom variety "orange king" calendula seeds to grow.
The heirloom varieties of calendula are wonderful.
What's the difference between dried and not dried flowers? Usually with fresh stuff, can it not release bacteria that's harmful into the oil? I tried infusing chillies in olive oil without drying them once, just fresh... later I read an article and realised I could've killed myself.. I'd like more info please.
I finally just made my first batch of this salve!! Is there anything I can make with the oil soaked flowers afterward?
Melissa Saenz
That’s a great question
Put in compost, give to chickens to eat or dry them again and save them to make a vinegar
Hi morag! Thank you for all of the info , I have a quick question about calendula . What is the black dirt that is all over the plant and it is also left over when I dry them?
Thanks for getting in touch. Without seeing a picture, it's hard to say, but it does sound like sooty mould. I would avoid using these for making creams - only use clean and disease-free plant material.
@@MoragGambleOurPermacultureLife 0a0
also, is there a quicker way to soak the calendula flowers in the oil? other then waiting 4-6 weeks. like putting it on low boil for 24 hrs?
I saw a recipe where someone used a crockpot for super low warming overnight (not boiling), but this was not a respected source so no idea how legit that is.
Hi Morag, I have French marigolds in the garden. Can that be used for oils?
Unfortunately french marigolds are a different variety. I don't believe they have any of the same properties 😔
So how long is the oil good for?
Depends a bit on where you store it and your ambient temperature - a cool place in the pantry in a dark jar - it should last for months.
I have been told oil goes rancid after a while. Do you have a certain amount of time where if it passes that you discard the oils?
I wouldn't keep it longer than 12 months. And if I am keeping it for longer than a few months, I put it in the fridge
@@MoragGambleOurPermacultureLife thank you for responding! ☺️
What if I don’t want to drain it? And I wish to leave the flowers in ?? Is that bad ?
They can go mould if the flowers are fresh - you can leave dried flowers in longer
I live in tropic island and I can't find calendula. Can I use marigold(african if I'm not wrong) instead of calendula?
Calendula officinalis is the one you want - which is different from Tagetes spp (the African marigolds)
Is there any health benefit of Tagetes spp infused oil?
Hello and thanks sp much for this brilliant video :) I have a question if your able to answer. What is the best method to use out of Fresh or Dried flowers to infuse? Also what is the difference between a fresh infusion compared to dried? Many thanks
I have an answer for you. It all depends on the way the flower was dried and stored. But if done properly, there is almost no difference. The advantage of dried flowers is that you can use them all year long but they must be stored in a cool, dark place and not in contact with air (in bag or jar when they are completely dried out). It also makes incredible medicine for your inner « skin cells ». Your whole digestive tube will thank you if you make regular infusions of the fresh or dried flowers and you drink it. It isnt only good for external application! Hope this helps!
Which method produces the most potent oil?
Would think 🤔, a tincture 🤷♀️
Mam, can be used this oil on cracked dry lips?
Yes, definitely
How do you deal with bugs? Our organic calendula attracts a lot of bugs. I had read that you shouldn't wash the flowers before drying as you could wash away pollen or other medicinal properties, but I don't want bugs in my infused oil Any advice?
I was going to ask this same question... as I noticed some really small insects on the flowers and I prefer not to include them in my oil :). I haven't found anything online for prepping the flower to remove any pests, but perhaps they are medicinal/tasty as well. If anyone has suggestions, look forward to hearing!
Hey! I ve seen some people collect herbs/ flowers and pit it aside for an hour or so and bugs suppose to go away :) you can try that!
I have a question why? Aren't the calendula leaves or stems use for tinture.
In the cool extraction method I use, they have too much moisture and this can create mould which spoils it all
@@MoragGambleOurPermacultureLife Yes I'm aware of that but I am talking about tintures, in oil method dry matter is the one to use.
Maam can we use fresh flowers for making oil
Mrs Ayesha Haseen she stated and showed in the 2nd part of the video that you can.