How to Make Calendula Body Oil

After I had my second baby and was in the recovery period, my amazing postpartum doula came over and magicked me with her herbal remedies.

At the time, I was still learning the herbs behind what she did but I know my healing time was way less than my last birth, I didn’t have any post partum depression, and I felt incredible after each day she rubbed me down with her homemade infused body oils.

Her herbal knowledge, deep passion for women’s health, plus my own experiences led me deeper on the path of learning and using ancient, herbal remedies like body oiling.

Body oiling is well known in Ayurveda medicine. Traditionally, body oils are a thick, clear liquid (oil) steeped in nourishing plants. They keep skin properly moisturized and well nourished.

You may normally reach for a lotion when your skin feels dry, but not only are lotions often filled with questionable ingredients (click here for an easy homemade one), they generally rub off after a time. And don’t deeply nourish your skin like it needs.

In winter, the air lacks humidity and in summer the sun’s rays (and digging in the soil!) can make it difficult to keep your skin hydrated.

An alternative to lotions is body oiling. With a longstanding history in Ayurveda medicine, body oils hydrate your skin while relaxing the mind and body.

The best body oils are completely organic, infused with flowers, leaves or roots of plants.

While you may think slathering your body with oil will leave you feeling greasy and gross, they actually soak deeply into your skin and leave it feeling soft and supple.

I love to do a lymphatic massage when applying the oil. It is incredibly relaxing both mentally and physically, and helps detox your body.

Lymphatic Massage

You know when you get sick and your doctor feels the side of your throat and up under your ears? They’re looking for swollen lymph nodes. This signifies a blockage and a need to remove waste.

Due to the toxic ingredients found in our foods and products, and the lack of quality nutrients in our soils, our bodies cannot keep up with releasing absorbed and ingested toxins.

Doing lymphatic massage can help remove this waste in times of sickness, but should also be used regularly to keep the lymphatic system working strong.

Lymphatic massage is a simple and effective way to remove this waste and keep your immune system strong.

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system. It’s the body’s drainage system which helps protect us from all kinds of bacteria, viruses, toxins and the byproducts of fighting them.

If our lymphatic system isn’t working properly, you would see illness, inflammation and diseases caused by inflammation (think cancer, gastrointestinal issues, skin issues, thyroid issues).

Your lymphatic system is made up of blood vessels and nodes (known as lymph nodes). The fluid inside is called ‘lymph’ and it funnels back and forth between your tissues and your bloodstream. The spleen, thymus, tonsils, adenoids, lymph nodes and lymph channels are all part of this system.

We all come in contact with millions of viruses, bacteria and toxins every day. All of them enter our body and end up in the lymphatic fluid. This fluid  can get built up in the lymph nodes, where the white blood cells are developed to “attack” these foreign viruses.

You have lymph nodes all over your body but the most prominent ones are on the sides of the throat (remember the doctor prodding you in these locations!), groin, armpits, chest and abdomen.

These lymph nodes locations are quite close to major arteries which is because their prime purpose is to keep the blood and tissues clean of viruses, microbes, bacteria and toxins.

It’s not a surprise that so many women get breast cancer or have fertility issues when we are literally slathering carcinogens and endocrine disruptors our armpits on a daily basis.

Our endocrine systems are more susceptible to these toxins because of the type of hormones we have (higher in estrogen and progesterone), and the fluctuations they undergo with our cycles.

When your lymphatic system gets held up, your body is having a harder time to healing and cleaning out the bad. It is very useful to add supportive lymphatic massage during this time period, and really, at any time to keep your detox pathways moving!

How to Do Lymphatic Massage

The best times to do lymphatic massage is before or after bathing. When doing it before, use a lymphatic brush like this one.

In strong smooth strokes, start at your feet and work upwards towards your heart. Once you reach above your heart, work downwards towards it.

Pay extra attention to you primary node areas which are in your neck and under your armpits. When massaging in your oil, rub three times clockwise around your joints. This will help stimulate and clear any congested energy or debris.

Using Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a wonderful herbal plant to use in a beginner body oil. It has been used medicinally since at least the 12^th century.

It is very supportive to the immune system and endocrine system; often being used in teas, salves, or oils.

Best of all, its so gentle, it can be used topically or internally with babies, the elderly, and those with severe or chronic illnesses!

If you aren’t yet growing Calendula in your garden, there’s no better time to start! >> How to Grow Calendula: From Seed to Harvest & Use

Other Plants to Use

There are many great healing herbs and plants to use in a body oil. Some additional suggestions are:

• Pine: calming, decreases congestion, assists with respiratory issues, opening to the mind and 3^rd eye, relaxing and great for insomnia.

• Spruce: empowering, gives a feeling of inner strength and centered-ness, opening the respiratory system, soothing to the skin

• Chamomile: relaxing, soothing to skin, “clears the heat” from the body, dispels anger and rage

• Wild rose: anti-aging, restores moisture balance, opens the heart chakra for unconditional love

How to Make an Infused Body Oil

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces dried calendula flowers
• 16 ounces organic extra virgin oil or organic sweet almond oil
• 1 glass pint jar
• Small square of archment paper

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the dried calendula flowers in a clean, dry glass jar. Label the jar with the infusion start date.
2. Pour enough oil into the jar to cover the flowers. Shake the jar and let it sit in a dark corner of your kitchen.
3. Check after 1 hour. The oil should cover the calendula flowers by at least half an inch, or if the flowers are floating, there should be a half inch at the bottom with no flowers. Add more oil if needed.
4. Stir well, place the parchment paper over the top of the jar (prevents corrosion), cap the jar tightly and place it a cool, dark place like a dark pantry or cupboard.  *keeping it in the sun will degrade the oil and cause it to go rancid quicker.
5. Shake the jar once a day.
6. Once the oil starts to go yellow and smells nutty, your infusion is ready. This usually happens between 3-6 weeks. Ideally around 4 weeks.
7. Pour the infused calendula oil into smaller glass bottles (or leave in its current container), label with the date and ingredients, and store in a cool dark place.