Calendula - ointment

Calendula thrived despite the poor weather, and in August, we harvested the petals (and saved seeds for next year) - on a rare dry afternoon.

I removed the petals form the plants, put them in a jar, and covered with olive oil. Was was going to let them infuse gradually in the sun, but no sun was forthcoming, so I put the jar, oil and all in the microwave on low for a bit.

After letting this sit for a few hours, till cool, I strained twice through muslin, and added a little tea tree oil.

Then managed to find some beeswax in the heathfood store, so using a double boiler, metled the beeswak in the oil, and added a little more tea tree and lavendar oil. This was then decanted into jar ( the small ones you get with jam for a scone are good), and it's now in use as an ointment for cuts and scratches.