Making balms is a fantastic way to appreciate what nature has to offer and to build that sense (in ourselves and for our children) of being able to look after ourselves and not always have to purchase what we need.

I love Calendula as a plant for home gardens, preschools and schools. They flower pretty much constantly, all year round, so are perfect loose parts for children’s play. They are also edible so great for decorating salads or cupcakes. But my favourite way to use it is to make this beautiful balm which is healing for exczema, nappy rash and dry skin.

You can find lots of different methods and instructions on the internet but I usually just wing it and it always works out.

First I pick the flower heads - if you have a few plants, you should be able to pick them almost daily because they flower profusely. I have a dehydrator, which dries them in a few hours but if you don’t have one then you can dry them in a shady spot on a rack or piece of fabric so they have good airflow around them.

Once you have a small jar full of dried flower heads, you fill the jar with your preferred oil. I tend to use organic olive oil but you could also use coconut oil or sweet almond oil. I tend to just use olive oil because it’s what I have in the cupboard.

Next you add grated beeswax - I have a great source of inexpensive beeswax from a local honey supplier. There are some recipes that will give ratios but I tend to eyeball it. If you want the balm to be firmer use more wax and if you’d like it to be softer (which I usually like) then use less. If, once it sets, you decide you’d like it a little firmer than just re-heat it and add some more. Or, if you’d like it softer, then re-heat it and add a bit more oil. I like just playing around and getting used to making it without measuring.

Infuse the dried flowers into oil for 6 weeks. Keep the jar somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. After six weeks, you can strain the flowers out so you just have the oil. The photo above shows the colour difference the oils will have. The jar on the left has the plain olive oil and the one on the right has had Calendula flowers soaking in it for six weeks. Sometimes I haven’t wanted to wait six weeks to soak the flowers, so I will put the oil and flowers in a jar, pop it into crock pot filled with water and leave it on a low heat overnight for the flowers to infuse. Works well when you are wanting to make it for a quick gift or you’ve run out and need more.

I find it easier to just put the oil and wax into a jar and then put that into a hot water bath. It makes cleaning up easier because your balm is already in the container and you don’t have a pot with waxy residue to clean up. I usually add lavender oil but sometimes use other blends as well - just add whatever scent you like, or leave it plain. As the jar of oil starts heating up, the wax will start melting. Stirring will help dissolve the wax and ensure the essential oils are well blended. Once all the wax has melted then your jar of balm is ready to be carefully lifted out of the hot water bath. It will turn opaque once it sets and then you’re ready to put a lid on it. I’ve made this with young children and they love having something to give as gifts or to sell as a fundraiser. Give it a go - would love to hear how you get on!