The flower petals of the calendula plant (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, have been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century. Calendula is native to Mediterranean countries but is now grown as an ornamental plant throughout the world. It is not the same as the annual marigold plant that's often grown in gardens, however.
Calendula has high amounts of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants that protect cells from being damaged by unstable molecules called free radicals. Calendula appears to fight inflammation, viruses, and bacteria.
Traditionally, calendula has been used to treat stomach upset and ulcers, as well relieve menstrual cramps, but there is no scientific evidence that calendula works for these problems. Today, calendula is often used topically, meaning it's applied to the skin.
Calendula has been shown to help wounds heal faster, possibly by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the affected area, which helps the body grow new tissue. The dried petals of the calendula plant are used in tinctures, ointments, and washes to treat burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Calendula also has been shown to help prevent dermatitis or skin inflammation in breast cancer patients during radiation therapy.
Calendula was named by the ancient Romans, who observed that the plant was in bloom on the first day (Latin: kalends) of every month. The regular supply of fresh petals and young leaves contributed to its frequent use.
Acient Egyptians valued it as a rejuvenating herb.
Persians and Greeks garnished and flavoured food with the flower petals.
The Germans added handfuls of the flowers to their soups and broths to add body, colour, and strength, and hence the nickname of "pot marigold". Europeans have also long used it to flavour soups and stews and to colour butter and cheese.
During the American Civil War, doctors on the battlefield used the flowers on a large scale to treat open wounds. It proved effective as an antiseptic, stauching the bleeding, preventing infection, and speeding the healing of wounds. The practice continued by doctors during WWI.
Medieval monks prescribed it for bowel problems, liver complaints, and insect or snake bites.
Aemilius Macer’s 12th century herbal, which was published throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, recommended simply looking at the plant to improve eyesight, clearing the head, and encouraging cheerfulness.
During the 17th century, Culpeper advocated it to “strengthen the heart” and for smallpox and measles.
The Aztec marigold was highly esteemed in pre-Hispanic Mexico for its ability to heal many infirmities. Today, this once-exalted plant has been reduced to feed for chickens, giving a bright yellow colour to the yolks and to the skin of the chickens themselves.
Calendula is an annual plant that thrives in almost any soil but can typically be found in Europe, Western Asia, and the United States. It belongs to the same family as daisies, chrysanthemums, and ragweed. Its branching stems grow to a height of 30 - 60 cm, and it blooms from early spring until frost. The orange-yellow petals of the flowers are used for medicine.
Calendula has been used to treat a variety of skin disorders, ranging from skin ulcerations to eczema. It has also been used to sooth stomach ulcers and inflammation. Today Calendula is still used by many for the medicinal and health related effects it offers. Flavonoids, found in high amounts in calendula, are thought to account for much of its anti-inflammatory activity as well as medicinal effects. Triterpene and caretonoids are two other constituents of calendula that may play an important role in the herbs medicinal applications.
More recently scientists have investigated calendula for possible anticancer and antiviral actions this herb may possess. However, there is not enough evidence at this time to recommend calendula for any type of treatment related to these conditions.
The following are list of calendula's reported medicinal applications:
Wound healing
Anti-inflammatory
Burns (minor, including sunburn)
Conjunctivitis
Eczema
Gastritis
Injuries (minor)
Peptic ulcer
Ulcerative colitis
Sore Throat
The oil extracted from the calendula herb serves many purposes. Externally applied to the ear, it has been reported to alleviate pain and discomfort from an earache. Taken internally, it may aid in eliminating fever, soothing a festering ulcer, and relieving discomfort of menstrual cramps. Calendula provides one of its greatest benefits in relieving eruptive skin disorders such as shingles, a viral infection. Calendula is considered by many to be an effective detoxifying herb that can help with the toxicity associated many severe fevers and infections. Calendula is also widely recognized as a cleanser for the liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
anti-inflammatory
astringent
antiseptic
antibacterial
antiviral
antifungal
detoxifies
heals wounds
mildly estrogenic
menstrual regulator
prevent hemorrhaging
relieve muscle spasms
stimulates bile production
bitter glycosides
carotones
essential oils
flavonoids
mucilage
resins
sterols
triterpenes
volatile oil
Flower heads and petals
The more vivid the colour, the higher is the level of active medicinal ingredients.
A related wild species, C. arvense, seems to have similar therapeutic properties.
many uses for infusions
ointments to heal minor burns and sores
creams for cuts and scrapes, as well as dry eczema and sunburn
infused oil for inflamed, dry skin, chilblains, and hemorrhoids
tinctures for eczema, or taken to stimulate the liver and digestion
fresh petals added to bathwater to leave the skin soft, while healing minor irritants
extracted oil in aromatherapy to soothe inflammations, chilblains, and cracked nipples from breastfeeding
compresses applied to slow-healing wounds
poultices from the leaves for gouty swellings
essential oil suppositories for vaginal yeast infections
gargle for sore throats and to relieve the pressure in congested ears.
Calendula tinctures, ointments, and washes are often applied to the skin to help burns, bruises, and cuts heal faster, and to fight the minor infections they cause. Calendula cream is also used to treat hemorrhoids. Animal studies show that calendula does seem to help wounds heal faster, maybe by increasing blood flow to the wounded area and by helping the body make new tissue. There are no scientific studies looking at whether calendula works in humans, but using it on your skin is considered safe.
Early evidence suggests that calendula may help prevent dermatitis -- skin inflammation -- in breast cancer patients who are undergoing radiation therapy, when compared with another lotion. However, the study wasn't double-blind, meaning the women knew whether they were using calendula or the other lotion.
Ear drops containing calendula are sometimes used to treat ear infections in children. A few scientific studies have found no side effects. But the studies aren't high enough quality to see whether calendula really works or not for ear infections.
Calendula seems to be safe for most people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.
Calendula is generally considered safe to use on your skin. Don't apply it to an open wound without a doctor's supervision. People who are allergic to plants in the daisy or aster family, including chrysanthemums and ragweed, may also have an allergic reaction to calendula (usually a skin rash).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use calendula. In theory, calendula could interfere with conception, so couples trying to get pregnant should not use calendula. There is a concern that it might cause a miscarriage. It’s best to avoid topical use as well until more is known.
If you are breast-feeding, don’t take calendula either. There isn’t enough safety information about use during breast-feeding.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Calendula may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking calendula.
Surgery: Calendula might cause too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop taking calendula at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
There are no known scientific reports of interactions between calendula and conventional or herbal medications. In theory, taking calendula orally may interact with the following medications, so talk to your doctor before combining these drugs with calendula:
Sedatives
Drugs to treat high blood pressure
Medications to treat diabetes
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CALENDULA
Calendula might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking calendula along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
To make calendula tea simply pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and let sit for 15 minutes. Calendula tea may be taken 3 times per day.
Calendula tincture, which can be taken with water or tea, can be taken 3 times a day (in doses of 1-2 ml). To make calendul tincture soak a cup of flowers in .5 quarts of rectified alcohol or whiskey for 5 to 6 weeks. A tincture dose is 5 to 15 drops.
To make calendula juice take 1 tsp of freshly pressed
To create a calendula salve for external application boil 1 oz dried flowers or leaves with 1 oz lard.
As calendula may seal dirt into the body, make sure when using on a wound that the wound is thoroughly cleaned out. Do not use tincture on wounds as the alcohol base will burn the raw tissue. Calendula as a lotion is even less irritating than most over the counter external antiseptics.
Use only topical and homeopathic preparations for children.
Calendula can be applied to the skin using a 2 - 5% ointment.
Calendula is one of the most well-known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Infusions are commonly used to treat such chronic fungal infections as ringworm or oral thrush, as an effective douche for vaginal yeast infections, to aid digestion, menopausal problems, menstrual pain, and esophogeal inflammations, and as a mouthwash, to heal gums after a tooth extraction, mouth ulcers, and gum inflammations.
This plant has a particular affinity for women. Taken regularly, marigold tea is helpful for painful periods, tender ovaries, blocked tubes, and in maintaining equilibrium during menopause. It has a mild estrogenic action often effective in reducing menstrual pain and regulating menstrual bleeding. When taken regularly, calendula will clear up cellulite, especially if used in conjunction with massage.
Taken internally, calendula helps inflammatory digestive system problems, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, regional ileitis, and colitis. It is also useful in expelling amoebas and intestinal worms and such fungal infections as candidiasis.
It is best known as an antiseptic, astringent, and an antimicrobial used on cuts, wounds, skin infections, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It is especially helpful with fungal conditions, including athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and cradle cap. It also helps sore nipples from breasfeeding.
Calendula has long been used as a detoxifying herb and for helping to treat the cause of such conditions characterized by fever and infection. The herb is also effective for cleansing the liver and gallbladder.
If taken as a hot infusion, it promotes sweating, thereby helping to relieve fevers while improving blood and lymphatic circulation, thus enabling the body to expel toxins.
Calendula Cream October 11, 2007, From Wisconsin
This is a great itch reliever that is natural and a good alternative to cortisone based creams. Quite preferable to any conventional drug store available products - truly an excellent product.
love this product! November 06, 2007, From Puerto Rico
Calendula is great for the skin, and I have been using ... cream for several years now, on a daily basis -- face and body. It's my favorite among all others in the market.
Very soothing and nice scent November 18, 2007, From Oregon
Using this for a rash and found it not only helped my rash but healed my skin like new.
For my son December 16, 2007, From Singapore
This cream is for my son whose skin is dry and sensitive. It is creamy and has a pleasant smell. He's been using it for less than a week. He still looks a bit red. But at least it doesn't make him feel itchy right after application. However, I may come back for an update later.
THE best!! December 29, 2009, From New Jersey
I prefer this to my prescription dermatitis cream. It helps the itching and rash just as well and leaves me smelling amazing!
Calendula Cream makes improvement March 17, 2010, From West Virginia
My husband suffers from chronic psorasis. He has been to a dermatologist and several doctors. One prescribed a cream that was 2 oz ... It took 3 weeks to notice any change and by then he was finishing his second tube. After a few months it quit working. We bought the Calendula Cream... After a week the itching and stinging had let up and all crusted nearly raw spots were softening up to feel more like regular skin. Now after 2 weeks of use the part of the rash that was mild has pretty much disappeared. The nearly raw spots on his sides are lightening up in color and no longer itching him. He is still using the first tube so we will continue to use it and hope it makes the remaining rash go away as well.
Great product! September 22, 2008, From Oregon
Very concentrated product that feels great as a day or night moisturizer. It's very good for bug bites-helps reduce redness quickly. I'll surely order more.
Only used this once on an allergic rash February 05, 2010, From Canada
and instantly reacted negatively to it -- terrible itching occurred (instead of relief of itchy I desired!). Hoping it was just a freak accident. Will try again for sunburn, etc.
..., Calendula Cream February 18, 2008, From California
I am using this cream for my normal skin-type face and my very dry hands. It feels light and not greasy in the face, but helps with dry skin on the hands as well. It smells very good. My young kids love the cream too. They use them to treat their dry skin on face and hands. It also helps against inflammation around nose and lips due to a cold. A GREAT cream !!!!
Use of Calendula for shingles pain relief July 09, 2008, From Florida
This had a nice smell but I couldn't see that it made a difference in my situation ( shingles.)
Great results March 07, 2008, By MoonTree From North Carolina
Works!!!
great cream February 15, 2010, From Minnesota
great stuff, cleared a red hive on my neck right away!
great cream March 11, 2010, From New York
I have eczema and this is the only lotion that keeps my dry hands moisturized, even after I've washed my hands...
So soothing December 14, 2010, From Great Britain
I get irritated easily and therefore get skin rashes ... this is incredibly soothing to apply and helps my skin calm down and heal a little quicker. I bought another one already! ... I mix this up with the self-heal cream. I feel I am slowly healing from the inside out...
Calendula Cream - never without it January 30, 2009, From Pennsylvania
Have been using calendula cream for years for chapping and peeling skin as well as for skin irritations. Outstanding and refreshing
Loved it! October 10, 2009, From Louisiana
I have used this in a variety of applications and it is excellent! I recently had oral surgery. I didn't want to take all the drugs that were prescribed, so I used this for a mouth rinse combined with salt water. It worked well and I healed up quickly.
Calendula May 13, 2009, From Arizona
This is a very excellent product, and works well with fungel problems...