How to Make Extract of Calendula

Calendula, also referred to as pot marigold, is an ingredient in herbal skin care products and a remedy for healing wounds. It is often found in salves and lotions, but it is also used in extract form as an astringent. Purchasing the extract can be pricey, but you can make a large amount of it at home for a fraction of the price, and it won't take up a great deal of time. What you meed most to make a good herbal extract is the patience to wait a few weeks for the magic to take place.

Things You'll Need

• 1 quart 100-proof alcohol
• 1 quart fresh calendula flowers
• 2 glass quart jars with lids: canning jars work well
• Colander and pot
• Cheesecloth
• Funnel

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Instructions

• 1

  Gather the flowers you need. If you would like to make one quart of extract, you need one quart of flowers. Calendula grows easily in the home garden or as a potted plant. Use the fresh flowers and stems for your extract. You may also purchase bulk dried flowers from an online distributor.

• 2

  Prepare the flowers for soaking by chopping them up very finely. Use a food processor for this if you like. If using dry herbs you can skip this step.

• 3

  Place the herbs into a clean, glass jar. Fill the herbs all the way to the top.

• 4

  Pour 100-proof alcohol into the jar, and fill it to the top. Make sure it covers all of the flowers. Most people use vodka or brandy, but you can use whatever 100-proof alcohol you prefer. The proof describes the ratio of alcohol to water in a beverage; 100 proof means a ratio of 50 percent alcohol to 50 percent water. Use plain vinegar if you don't want to use alcohol.

• 5

  Close the lid tightly on the jar. Place the jar in on a shelf in a cool, dark location for at least two weeks. Give the tincture a daily shake to prevent the herbs from just sitting at the bottom of the jar. The tincture can sit for as long as you like, but two weeks should be the minimum. The longer it sits, the stronger the extract will be.

• 6

  Put a colander over an empty pot and place a large piece of cheesecloth over the colander.

• 7

  Empty the contents of the jar onto the cheesecloth. When the jar is empty, take the ends of the cheesecloth and pull around the herbs, creating a small bundle.

• 8

  Twist or squeeze the bundle to extract as much liquid as you can out of the herbs, making sure the liquid ends up in the pot under the colander. You can even take the bottom of the jar and push down on the cheesecloth, pressing the liquid out. In the end, the remaining herbs should be as dry as they can be, leaving you with as much extract as possible.

• 9

  Pour the extract into the second glass jar, using a funnel, and cap with a lid.