I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in some major need of some change in self-care tactics. While long morning walks, nourishing foods and drinks, and plenty of time spent in nature are the veritable bee’s knees, I think I’ve hit a self-care plateau. My usuals just aren’t cutting it on their own right now, and for me, that’s always a good time to turn to the plants. This calendula body oil, ripe with all the flower power of calendula, lavender, jasmine, and chamomile, is an after-bath treat for those in need of a little extra nourishment. Because let’s be honest, rubbing your entire body with a lil’ bit of earth magic is pure bliss medicine for your whole being.
This is how I think of herbal body oiling. It’s like when you watch your dog unabashedly roll around in the grass, or flail about in a massive pile of mud with complete abandon and not a care in the world. There’s not a single F given for the bath you just gave her, just complete and total engagement in creating a wild concoction of earth, body, and pure now-ness. If you watch your dog do this and wish you could be doing the same, you need herbal body oils. It’s a more civilized and much cleaner self-care strategy.
SEARCH THIS POST:
The Art of Herbal Body Oiling
The Medicine In Herbal Infused Oils
Recipe for Flower Infused Herbal Oil
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The Art of Herbal Body Oiling
The magic of herbal body oiling really sunk in after hearing herbalist Amber Magnolia Hill of Mythic Medicine speak of her love for it a few years ago. As a practice that can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, Amber speaks of herbal body oiling as a way to bring back the age-old practice of plant medicine into our daily lives, and it’s in these seemingly little ways that I truly believe we can slowly reconnect to this planet that sustains us.
Moreover, Amber offers a fantastic (and free!) e-book entitled Herbal Body Oiling: Ancient Practice, Modern Necessity that goes into great detail about how to make herbal body oils, how to use them, and the different herbs and oils to use. It’s an invaluable resource should you develop an interest (or obsession) in herbal body oiling. If you’re feeling stressed out or depleted in any way, herbal body oiling is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The combination of touch therapy (lovingly rubbing oils into your skin) and plant medicine is a dream-come-true for an overwhelmed nervous system.
The Medicine in Herbal Infused Oils
Calendula is a dream for the skin. In fact, when I see calendula in more mainstream parts of our culture, like conventional groceries or drug stores, it’s usually in the skin and body care sections. There are all kinds of skin and hair care products you can find that contain calendula, like anti-inflammatory creams for a variety of dermatitises, anti-fungal creams for yeast infections, moisturizing lotions, and hair creams. Calendula is such a powerful and nourishing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic that it’s been able to successfully cross over from folk remedy into mainstream over-the-counter drug store remedy for a variety of skin ailments.
In addition to calendula, I’ve included chamomile, jasmine, and lavender flowers into this body oil as well. It’s added flower power, each with their own medicinal properties, to equally nourish your skin, calm your nerves, and help you slip into a greater state of well-being.
| Ingredient | Medicinal Properties |
| Calendula | Antiseptic Anti-tumor Anti-fungal Antioxidant Antibacterial Anti-inflammatory Promotes wound healing Stimulates menstrual flow Supports & builds immunity Stimulates bile & aids digestion Stimulates the lymphatic system Demulcent (cooling, soothing, healing, relaxing) |
| Chamomile | Antibacterial Antispasmodic Anti-inflammatory Helps to relieve pain Helps to calm the nerves Promotes wound healing Helps to remove excess mucus from the body Supports healthy digestion (carminative & bitter) |
| Jasmine | Aphrodisiac Supports healthy digestion Helps to regulate menstrual cycles Supports women’s reproductive health Helps to relieve painful period symptoms Mild sedative (soothing to the nervous system) Aromatherapeutic (for depression, anxiety, & insomnia) |
| Lavender | Anti-fungal Antibacterial Antispasmodic Anti-inflammatory Helps to relieve pain Promotes wound healing Supports healthy digestion (carminative) Helps to calm the nerves (aromatherapeutic) Helps to remove excess mucus from the body |
| Olive Oil | For skin: Antioxidant Moisturizing Antibacterial Anti-inflammatory |
| Coconut Oil | For skin: Antibacterial Ultra-moisturizing Promotes wound healing |
For more plant magic & herbal wellness in your life, be sure to follow along on ➡️ Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, & snag my herbal 📚 eBooks Nourishing Herbal Gifts & Holiday Pies from the (Un)Bakery. 🌿 And please don’t forget to tag me in your snaps 📸 @_botanyculture_. I love to see all the plant magic you make happen!
Flower Infused Herbal Body Oil with Calendula, Lavender, & Chamomile
Course: RemedyDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutesThis after-bath body oil is an easy-to-make herbal self-care de-stressor that is nourishing to the senses as much as it is to your skin. It’s aromatherapeutic, anti-inflammatory, and ultra-moisturizing. I’ve combined coconut and olive oils here to reap the benefits of both, but you can use pure olive oil if you prefer. This method of making herbal oils is inspired by Kami McBride. Her book The Herbal Kitchen is a great resource for more herbal oil recipes, and so much more.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups olive oil (organic if accessible)
1/2 cup liquified coconut oil, or more olive oil (organic if accessible)
1/2 cup whole calendula flowers, dried & powdered*
1/4 cup rose flowers, dried & powdered
1/4 cup lavender flowers, dried & powdered
2 teaspoons 100-proof vodka (organic if accessible)
Directions
- If not already powdered, use a spice grinder to powder the dried flowers. You should end up with approximately 1 cup of dried, powdered flowers.
- Combine all powdered flowers into a glass jar, add the vodka, and use a wooden spoon to smash the vodka into the dried herbs. Once thoroughly combined, put a lid on the jar, and let sit for about 30 minutes. (Rehydrating the herbs with vodka serves to enhance the extraction of their medicinal biochemicals.)
- After about 30 minutes, combine flowers and oils into a blender. Blend herbs and oil together for about 5-10 minutes.
- Pour mixture into a sterilized glass jar and let sit for about 2 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.
- After about 2 weeks, the oil is ready to use. To strain the powdered herbs from the oil, line a mesh strainer with muslin, an old/clean t-shirt, or several layers of cheesecloth.** Strain flower-infused oil into a bowl or large measuring cup and then pour into a clean glass jar for storage.
- Store your oil in a cool, dark space away from direct sunlight and heat. You can store it in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. If stored properly, your oil could be good for up to one year.
Notes
- *You can also go for the gold and use only calendula flowers in this oil. If you choose to do this, use approximately 1 cup of powdered calendula flowers and skip the other flowers.
- **You actually don’t have to strain the oil to use it. Instead, you can use as an exfoliating, pre-shower moisturizing treatment. Rub all over your body, put on an old robe or loose-fitting clothing you don’t mind getting oil on, and let the oil and herbs penetrate your skin for 5-15 minutes. Then hop in the shower and rinse the oil and herbs off!
Wishing you all whatever time you need to nourish your body with the healing powers of plants. Self care is important and you deserve it. Oil up!
Pssst…. If you want to learn more about the magic of calendula, check this out. In addition to the benefits it provides to the skin, calendula also provides powerful support to the immune system!
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DISCLAIMER: The information given in this article is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before consuming certain herbs & medicinal foods, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking any prescription medications.
