Most people would probably be familiar with Calendula . With daisy-like flowers ranging in colour from vibrant orange and yellow through to pale apricot they seem to pop up in gardens all over the place. It’s sometimes called pot marigold, but isn’t part of the marigold family.

Calendula officinalis has been traditionally used as both a culinary and medicinal herb. The petals can be added to salad, made into tea and used to colour cheese. For centuries it’s been used to heal wounds and skin irritations such as eczema, nappy rash, insect bites and minor burns.

Made with calendula infused oil and beeswax Calendula Salve utilises the skin-healing properties of the flower to create a treatment for irritated, chapped or sensitive skin which is effective, but still mild enough for children to use. We also use it on our dog when she tangles with the rose bushes.

Calendula petals can make an interesting addition to soap as they're one of the few plant materials that hold their colour through the soap-making process. Unfortunately the same can't be said of lavender - the buds start out purple, but end up an unappealing shade of brown!

Calendula oil is made by steeping fresh or dried petals in a light oil for several weeks. Calendula “tea” can be made easily at home and can then be used as a compress to make a soothing treatment for cuts, scrapes, insect bites and irritated skin.

To make calendula “tea” pour one cup of boiling water over a handful of fresh or dried petals. Cover then allow to cool to room temperature. Strain out the petals. To make a compress soak a clean cloth in the “tea” then place on the skin as required.
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​While I haven’t found any studies exploring the benefits of apple cider vinegar rinse for hair there is plenty of anecdotal evidence .

Apple cider vinegar when diluted with water can help restore the natural pH of the acid mantle of your hair and scalp. It also contains natural AHAs which gently exfoliate the scalp removing build up of skin cells and hair products.

How much you need to use varies from person to person, but start with 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water, adjusting the dilution up or down until your find what works best for you. As a rule of thumb dry hair needs less apple cider vinegar than if you have oily hair or an oily scalp.

You can use a simple dilution of water and apple cider vinegar, but try adding a few drops of essential oils –
Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with one cup distilled or filtered water. Add 5 drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil. 

How to use: You may only need the vinegar rinse once or twice a week. Experiment to see what works best for you.

After shampooing your hair put your head back and pour the rinse over your hair and scalp. Leave for a couple of minutes then rinse. Using a squeezy bottle or similar makes application simple and cuts down on potential spills.
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​Any lingering vinegar smell will go once your hair is dry.​

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​You can view our range of shampoo bars here

This simple two ingredient cleanser can be used with any skin type, but is best suited to dry skin.

I've used calendula for it's anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. Cocoa butter is a great moisturiser, particularly for extremely dry skin, plus it's high in antioxidants.

Calendula Cleanser

In a double boiler combine the following: 

• 175g calendula oil (available here)
• 3 tablespoons cocoa butter

Gently heat until the cocoa butter has melted. Transfer to a non-metallic bowl. Beat until the mixture has cooled and has begun to thicken a little - you want it to be still be pourable. Transfer to a clean pot or jar with a good lid.

To use massage into skin in a circular motion. Remove with a damp cotton pad. Follow with your usual toner and moisturiser.

The cleanser will keep for about 3 months when stored in the refrigerator.

Note: If the mixture thickens too much to be pourable (this can happen in cold temperatures) it can be spooned into the pot or you could soften it a little over a very gentle heat before pouring.

For more recipes like this please visit our "other" Alba Rosa blog.