Calendula

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Calendula
- Pot Marigold
- Garden Marigold
- Herb of the Sun
- Mary's Gold

Latin Name: Calendula officinalis

Category: Herb

Note: Do not confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds (Tagetes species), which are different plants with different properties.

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Wound healing and skin lesions - European folk medicine, centuries
• Enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes - Western herbal tradition
• Sebaceous cysts - Traditional Western herbalism
• Gastric and duodenal ulcers - Traditional internal use
• Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea - European folk medicine (emmenagogue)
• Fever and chronic suppuration - Traditional Western herbalism
• Varicose veins and hemorrhoids (topical) - Folk medicine
• Conjunctivitis (as eyewash) - Traditional use
• Added to medieval soups, broths, and breads as immune tonic - European culinary tradition

Modern Uses

• Wound healing (topical) | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Stimulates epithelialization, promotes collagen maturation, enhances angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation). A physician in the American Civil War used calendula compresses for healing bullet wounds.

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II; Bone Clinical Guide

• Anti-inflammatory activity (topical) | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Faradiol monoester (a triterpenoid) showed anti-inflammatory activity equal to indomethacin in studies. Triterpene alcohols caused the primary anti-inflammatory effect.

• Source citations: Della Loggia et al. 1994; Encyclopedia of Herbs

• Radiation dermatitis prevention | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Phase III randomized trial showed calendula superior to trolamine for preventing acute dermatitis during breast cancer irradiation.

• Source citations: Pommier et al. 2004, Journal of Clinical Oncology

• Antimicrobial activity | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Extracts demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, and trichomonacidal activity in vitro. Clears infected wounds with offensive discharges in 1-2 days.

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II; Amazing Wellness

• Mood support | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Traditionally used by early European herbalists for depression; modern herbalists note mood-lifting effects, particularly as wintertime tea.
• Source citations: The Healing Garden

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Triterpenoids (faradiol, faradiol monoester, psi-taraxasterol, lupeol, taraxasterol, beta-amyrin) - Primary anti-inflammatory and wound-healing compounds
- Flavonoids - Inhibit lipoxygenase activity, contribute to anti-inflammatory effects
- Polysaccharides - Stimulate phagocytosis of human granulocytes (immune support)
- Carotenoids - Antioxidant compounds (lutein, zeaxanthin)
- Calendasaponins A, B, C, D - Contribute to gastroprotective and hypoglycemic effects

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Liquid extract (1:2): 1.5-4.5 ml per day
- Weekly equivalent: 10-30 ml of 1:2 liquid extract
- Tea/Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons dried flowers per cup, 2-3 times daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Topical: Apply cream, ointment, or oil daily as needed
- Eyewash: 5 drops tincture to 30 ml rose water (for conjunctivitis)
- Sitz bath: Infusion combined with other herbs for perineal healing

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Generally considered safe within recommended ranges
- Acute toxicity studies show calendula is relatively nontoxic both internally and topically

Bioavailability Notes:
- Lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds like faradiol are best extracted with oil or alcohol
- For topical use, oil-based preparations may be more effective than water-based
- Fresh juice extract (succus) particularly useful for burns and broken capillaries

How to Take It

Timing:
- Internal use: Can be taken any time of day
- Topical: Apply to affected area daily or as needed
- As tea: Particularly enjoyable as uplifting wintertime beverage

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Echinacea + Tabebuia (Pau d'Arco) - Combined for fungal and bacterial vaginal infections | Use as sitz bath
2. Chickweed + Comfrey + Violet - Combined in salve form for comprehensive skin healing
3. Plantain + Yarrow - Combined as poultice for chicken pox and similar skin eruptions
4. Lavender or Rose - Combined for mood support and grief | Uplifting tea blend
5. Lemon Balm or Lemon Verbena - Combined for brightening, mood-lifting effects

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
- No significant supplement interactions documented

Drug Interactions:
1. Sedative medications - Calendula has mild sedative properties | May have additive effect with antihistamines, sleep aids | Severity: Mild
2. CNS depressants - Potential additive sedating effect | Severity: Mild

Condition Contraindications:
1. Compositae/Asteraceae family allergy - Those allergic to ragweed, daisies, or chrysanthemums should avoid calendula | Allergic contact reactions and rare anaphylactic shock (from gargling) have been reported
2. Pregnancy (internal use) - Contraindicated internally due to reported emmenagogue activity; topical use appears safe

Safety Information

Long-Term Use:
- Considered safe for long-term topical and internal use within dosage ranges
- Animal studies showed minimal skin irritation, no sensitization, no photo-toxicity
- Rare allergic reactions possible, especially in those with Compositae sensitivity
- Safe for children when applied topically
- Safe during lactation

Important Distinctions:
- For bruising without broken skin: Use Arnica instead
- For open wounds, cuts, burns, lacerations: Use Calendula (safe on broken skin where arnica is NOT)
- Calendula stimulates new skin cell growth rather than destroying or irritating forming cells

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Wound healing (cuts, burns, scrapes), skin inflammation, radiation dermatitis, antimicrobial skin support, conjunctivitis

Secondary: Lymph node swelling, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, mood support, digestive upset, vaginal infections (sitz bath)

Sources

Local Library:
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs (dosage, warnings, traditional uses, pharmacologic research)
- Wild Rose College - Western Materia Medica II (contraindications, safety, medicinal uses, comprehensive citations)
- Connors, Martha - The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies (pediatric safety, sedative properties)
- Blankespoor, Juliet - The Healing Garden (mood support, culinary uses, precautions, recipes)
- DeBaggio, Thomas - The Encyclopedia of Herbs (triterpenoid research, scientific references)
- Amazing Wellness 2015-03 (calendula vs arnica distinction, homeopathic applications)

General Knowledge:
- Etymology and common names; basic botanical description