Calendula Infusion

[Candybee]

Is it better to infuse your olive oil with calendula or your distilled water? I wanted to infuse it in the water so I went ahead and added it. So when I make my soap this weekend the water should be just like a tea infusion.

Just got to wondering if either way made any difference in the final product? I'd rather not put it in my olive oil but will if its better to do. Thanks.

[ladysj]

I've always infused my oils. I think I did use a tea once just not sure which keeps the properties of the calendula better. I know not much help.

[Candybee]

You know since soap is a wash off product anyway it may not make much of a difference. I just like the idea of infusing my water. I want to make my own rose water too.

[Candybee]

Forgot to ask how much calendula petals to how much oil and or water?

[chuck_35550]

Calendula is supposed to have healing properties. Infuse rice bran, high oleic safflower,high oleic sunflower,almond oil or any other carrier oil you will only use a small amount in the recipe. That being said, I infused a pound of light evoo and use it in my small two pound log mold. I used about 3 or 4 oz of Caledula flower and then strew the top with petals. The whole flower is cheaper than the petals and the petals are pretty kwim?

[Candybee]

3 to 4 oz in your oil? Wow! Thats a buttload of calendula. I bought a half oz and its enough to fill a mug. It would take 6 mugfulls for 3 oz. Is THAT how much you actually put in?

[singleyellowrose]

When I have used calendula, I infused it in my oils. When I was ready to soap it, I strained it out. Once my soap was to light trace, I added about 1T ppo (of the oil infused calendula) back into the batch.

I tried to take out as much as possible because the stick blender chops it up pretty good. I sprinkled a few petals (dry) on top the soap once I was done making it. It turned out nice IMHO.

HTH

Edited February 22, 2012 by singleyellowrose
additional info

[LovelyLathers]

I do both, make a tea with it and also infuse my OO with it. I use about 2 large handfuls in each for a 4 lb batch. I do strain out the petals for both before I make the soap and sprinkle some dry petals on top. It does make a great soap.

[chuck_35550]

I fill a tea strainer full and continue to add as it soaks down. I'll remove that and add fresh as I use oil out of the pot. Its not unusual for people to triple infuse their oils. The light olive is a deep golden color now. I have large bags of just petals and whole flowers. I use the whole flower for the infusion. HTH

Steve

[MoonShadow]

I did both this past weekend. Infused the whole petals in OO three times in a jar on a candle warmer over a 24 hour period, (turned it off to sleep) and then made a tea for the lye solution. Made a very pleasing pale yellow bar.

[Candybee]

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I was wanting to try a recipe that called for calendula infusion in the soap.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Candybee

[soycrazy]

I do both too. I always have a calendula infusion sitting with olive oil and when I make my soap I throw petals in the hot lye water. I think it's one of the best flower/herb to put in soap, because it never browns and you really never get floating petals in your tub they seem to dissolve. Plus the scent coming from them in soap is lovely