This evening I made a soothing calendula salve with my daughter. She was very proud to make her first herbal salve and did most of the job herself. Calendula salve can be used to sooth any manner of skin abrasions, rashes, irritation, and/or diaper rash. And if a 5-year-old can do it, so can you!

Soothing Calendula Salve Recipe

3/4 cup base oil: organic olive, almond oil, or calendula oil
(Calendula oil is made by steeping calendula flower petals in olive or almond oil for 6 weeks, then straining out the plant material and reserving the infused oil.  We used organic olive oil to steep ours.)

1/2 oz beeswax (for a thinner, ointment-like consistency, use 1/4oz beeswax)
1/2 oz cacao butter
3 heaping tsps organic coconut oil
30-40 drops essential oil of your choice (optional. tonight we kept ours plain to use for kids sensitive areas but in general I like to add lavender essential oil)
an 8oz jar or tin (or multiple 2oz or 4oz jars if you want to make some to share)

In a double boiler, pour in the base oil. Heat gently and add in the beeswax, cacao butter, and coconut oil.  Let all the ingredients melt together, stirring occasionally.  Add essential oil if desired, and pour into jars. allow to cool with lids off.  Once cool, cap and store for up to 2 years.

enjoy your soothing herbal salve!