A pot of gold.
You can buy all kinds of oils and ointments at the store, but it’s much more fun to make them yourself.
Marigold (Calendula) is perfect for this. Plus, it soothes minor cuts and scrapes, and you can also enjoy using it in the bath or as a massage oil.
Materials
- Olive, sunflower, or jojoba oil (available at health food stores or supermarkets)
- Marigolds
- Glass jar
- Old but clean handkerchief or cloth
- Rubber band
- A bottle that seals tightly, preferably with a screw cap
Making Marigold Oil
- Pick the marigolds at the end of a sunny day. They will have dried out a bit by then.
- Place the flower heads in the glass jar and pour enough oil over them so that the flowers are completely submerged.
- Cover the jar with a clean cloth and secure it with a rubber band.
- Place the jar in the sun.
- Shake the jar every day... for three weeks!
- After three weeks, strain the oil through a sieve and store it in a tightly sealed bottle.
Your homemade oil is great for soothing irritated skin (for example, to relieve sunburn and treat minor cuts).
You can also use the marigold oil as a bath oil or massage oil. So it makes a great gift for your mom or grandma.
Caution
Do not confuse marigolds with Tagetes species.
These flowers (including African marigolds) have different properties and should not be taken internally.
Most essential oils cannot be ingested without risk!
Variations
You can’t just make oil from marigolds; there are also many other flowers for which God has intended different benefits. Here are a few examples:
- Roses: for insomnia and fatigue
- Chamomile: soothing and anti-inflammatory
- Rosemary: promotes good blood circulation
Bible Verses
Oil as perfume:
Fragrant oil that makes the face shine
Psalm 104:15
Oil for the sick:
...and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them
Mark 6:13b (Sending Out of the 12 Disciples)
He went to the injured man, poured oil and wine on his wounds, and bandaged them.
Luke 10:34 (The Good Samaritan)
There are many more verses in the Bible that mention oil, so go explore and read your Bible :-)
