Kin Domain Medicine Chest

When I do herbal presentations to various groups around the country, I generally begin with this plant. The flower you see here is Calendula. Many herbalist call this flower the medicine chest of herbals. The yellow and orange flowers are harvested and contain a very sticky resin. I love plucking these flowers only to return the next day and witness double the amount of blossoms reproduced. Obviously, they like to be picked!

The flowers can be dried using the sun or a dehydrator. They can be put into a vegetable glycerin (use a coconut oil glycerin) to make a lotion. They can be put in coconut oil to make the base for body products like lip balm. See some of my early posts for recipes. Calendula is so human body friendly that it is in almost all baby care products. It can be consumed as a beverage as well as applied to the skin as a topical balm.

Calendula has spirit enough for everyone--from babies to elderly. The yellow-gold flower reminds me of the energy of the sun and the sticky resin reminds me of the healing properties of honey.

Calendula Ointment

Ingredients:
2 oz calendula infused oil (olive oil or coconut oil base)
2 oz extra virgin coconut oil
½ oz beeswax
1 tsp. lanolin

Combine the above ingredients in a Pyrex measuring cup. Place cup in a shallow pan of water and gently heat. When ingredients have assimilated, pour into a 4 oz container with a tight lid. Long shelf life if kept away from heat and light.