Sun Medicine: Growing & Using Calendula Resina
Hello my friend!
As the sun reaches its peak on the summer solstice, we celebrate the fire of life, warmth, and growth. In your Summer box, you’ve found seeds of Calendula officinalis ‘Resina’—a sun-soaked healer, known for its incredible skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Unlike ornamental calendula, Resina is bred for its high resin content, making it especially potent for medicinal uses. This post will guide you through growing, harvesting, drying, and transforming your calendula into a nourishing salve—a jar of sunlight you can use all year long.
How to Grow Calendula Resina
Calendula is a very beginner friendly and easy medicinal herb to grow. Let’s go!
When to Plant:
Direct sow after your last frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks prior.
In the PNW, you can succession sow through midsummer for extended blooms.
How to Plant:
Choose a sunny spot (6+ hours of sun).
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, about 6–8 inches apart.
Keep soil moist until germination (7–10 days).
Care Tips:
Calendula isn’t picky—average soil is fine.
Deadhead (harvest flowers) regularly to encourage more blooms.
Water during dry spells, but don’t overdo it.
Harvesting for Medicine
This part is crucial: don’t just pluck the petals. For true healing potency, harvest the entire flower head, including the sticky green base. That’s where the concentrated resin lives.
When to Harvest:
Pick blooms in the late morning after dew has dried, but before the sun is harsh.
Harvest flowers that are fully open but not yet fading.
Drying Calendula Heads
For the most potent medicine, dry the entire flower head, including the sticky green base where the resin lives.
Air Drying:
Lay flower heads face-up in a single layer on a screen or mesh rack.
Keep them in a warm, dark, dry spot with good airflow.
Turn occasionally for even drying.
Fully dry flowers will have crisp petals and a brittle center that breaks easily (usually 7–10 days).
Using a Dehydrator:
If you have a dehydrator, this can speed up the process while preserving the flower’s medicinal properties.
Temperature: 95°F to 105°F (35°C to 40°C) — use the “herbs” or lowest setting.
Time: 8–12 hours, depending on humidity and flower size.
Lay flowers face-up in a single layer on the dehydrator trays with space between each.
They’re ready when the green base snaps easily and there’s no moisture left.
Storage:
Store dried calendula in a glass jar, labeled and dated, out of direct sunlight. Your flowers are now ready to infuse into oil or use in salves, teas, and ritual blends.
How to Make Calendula-Infused Oil
This golden oil is packed with skin-loving properties and serves as the base for salves, lotions, and more.
Traditional Solar Infusion (Slow & Strong):
Let the sun do its work over several weeks.
You’ll need:
Dried calendula flower heads
A clean glass jar with a tight lid
Organic olive oil, sweet almond, or jojoba oil
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Instructions:
Fill your jar about ¾ full with dried calendula heads.
Pour oil over the herbs to fully cover them, leaving about ½ inch of headspace.
Stir to release air bubbles, then cap tightly.
Place in a sunny window or warm cupboard for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every day.
Strain through cheesecloth, pressing out every drop.
Store in a labeled glass bottle in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
Crockpot Method (Fast & Potent):
Perfect for busy folks or if you need your oil ready in a day.
Instructions:
Place dried calendula flower heads in a heat-safe jar or directly in the crockpot.
Cover completely with oil (as above).
Set your crockpot to "warm" or the lowest setting (ideally not above 110°F).
Infuse uncovered or loosely covered for 4–8 hours and up to 3 days.
Tip: Use a thermometer if needed—herbal oils can lose potency if overheated.
Let cool slightly, then strain and bottle as above.
Note: Be sure flowers are fully dry—even slight moisture can cause spoilage in fast infusions.
Calendula Salve Recipe
A sunshine balm for cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, and dry skin.
Ingredients:
1 cup calendula-infused oil
1 oz beeswax (or 1.25 oz for firmer texture) I love these guys for bees wax.
Optional: 10–15 drops lavender or chamomile essential oil
Steps:
Gently heat oil and beeswax in a double boiler until beeswax melts.
Remove from heat, stir in essential oil if using.
Pour into tins or glass jars.
Let cool completely before capping.
Store in a cool place—use freely and often.
Magical & Ritual Uses for Calendula
Calendula is a solar herb, sacred to the sun and to summer.
Use it to:
Dress candles for joy, abundance, or protection
Add to bath teas for solar blessings
Create altar offerings for sun deities or the solstice
It’s also beautiful in flower crowns, sachets, or dried and scattered on your altar to honor the turning of the Wheel.
May your calendula grow strong, your medicine be potent, and your solstice be radiant!
And as always, my friend, take care of you.
— Melody
The Daily Ritual Nursery & Apothecary
