Spring is the best time to start growing calendula (more on that below), but we recommend keeping some on hand year round for use in tinctures, creams, and more.

First things first:

What Is Calendula?

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold, is an annual flower that blooms regularly through the growing season. Native to the Mediterranean, calendula got its name because it seems to bloom with the calendar.

Its other name, pot marigold, is thought to come from “Mary’s Gold,” a name given to the flower in honor of the Virgin Mary.

Are Calendula and Marigold the Same Things?

Calendula is a kind of marigold. There are two genera of marigold — target and calendula. Target marigolds, also known as French marigolds, are the marigolds many people plant in their flower gardens or kids plant in school. Of the two kinds of marigolds, calendula is the one used internally (and externally) for its health benefits.

Benefits of Calendula

Calendula flowers have many benefits that may surprise you. Traditional herbalists have known the benefits of calendula flowers for centuries and science is beginning to back those claims.

1. Protects Against Inflammation and Cancer

Calendula contains flavonoids and linoleic acid which both help fight inflammation. A 2009 study shows that calendula inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Calendula has also been found to fight cancer. A study published in BMC Cancer found that the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of calendula make it an interesting remedy to explorer for cancer treatment. In the study, calendula inhibited cancer cell proliferation and increased lymphocyte production (white blood cells of the lymph system).


2. Eases Muscle Spasms

Calendula is used traditionally in creams and lotions to ease muscle spasms. One Pakistani study found that calendula relaxed spontaneous muscle contractions.

Because of its ability to relax muscles, calendula is beneficial for menstrual cramping, diarrhea, and spasming or sprained muscles.

3. Aids in Menstruation

Amenorrhea (an abnormal absence of a monthly period) is one ailment that calendula can help with. Calendula has been used traditionally to help induce menstruation. It can also help ease PMS symptoms like cramping.

(Note: Because calendula can induce menstruation, pregnant women should avoid consuming it.)


4. Promotes Skin and Wound Healing

One way in which calendula can help with wound healing is by stimulating tissue and collagen production.

Calendula is used to heal:

  • cuts
  • scrapes
  • burns
  • bruises
  • insect bites

Animals treated with topical calendula in one study published in the journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology had a 90 percent wound closing compared to 51 percent in the control group. The study concluded that there was “potent wound healing” observed.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, calendula may reduce pain and swelling too. A 2004 study found that it can relieve the pain of dermatitis in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation.

5. Acts as an Antiseptic and Antifungal

One of the most interesting benefits of calendula is that it is antiseptic and antifungal. Because of this, calendula oil, tea, and ointment can be used to treat minor skin and eye infections as well as general skin conditions. A 2013 review found that calendula has antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal, and can be used successfully to treat skin conditions.

Topical calendula can be used to treat conjunctivitis, diaper rash, and skin wounds among other uses.

Calendula can also help reduce gingivitis and plaque because of its antiseptic property, according to a 2013 study.

6. For Beauty & Color!

Calendula is an amazing natural remedy but it can (and has for centuries) been used in other ways.

Calendula can be used as a food or fabric dye, to brighten summer salads (yes the petals are edible!), and for spiritual and religious uses. They are also beautiful so they make a wonderful table decor. Since it blooms throughout the summer you’ll never be without flowers!


How to Use Calendula

You can also use calendula essential oil if you don’t have fresh or dried calendula flowers to infuse.

You can use calendula in:

  • homemade lotion
  • homemade lotion bars
  • healing salve
  • baby care recipes like diaper cream and baby powder
  • homemade shampoo and conditioner
  • calendula tea (used topically, internally, or as a mouthwash)
  • sprinkled on a salad (calendula is high in beta-carotene and flavonoids!)
  • in soap (to soothe irritated skin)
  • to get rid of stretch marks
  • as a natural food dye
  • added to skin care products like face wash
  • eaten straight from the garden!
  • in natural herbal hair color recipes

There are infinite ways to use calendula and because it’s so mild you can safely experiment with adding calendula to your favorite personal care products.

Is Calendula Safe?

Calendula is generally considered safe. However, those with allergies to the Asteraceae (daisy) family could have side effects that include rashes and other allergic reactions.

Additionally because calendula can induce menstruation, most medical professionals would advise pregnant, breastfeeding, and trying-to-conceive women to avoid the herb. As always check with your doctor to see if calendula is right for you.

Growing Calendula

Calendula is so easy to grow even those who think they have a black thumb can do it. Calendula has very funny looking seeds that look a little bit like dried up worms ( making them a fun seed to plant with kids). One seed grows a huge plant (about 2 feet tall) and produces many flowers.

To grow: Plant calendula seeds in the spring outside in full sun after the risk of frost. You can also start them inside 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Calendula can also be grown indoors with enough sunlight or a grow lamp.

To harvest: Cut flowers just after they’ve bloomed. Cutting the flowers stimulates the plant to produce more. Because calendula blooms every month, you can get a good supply of calendula from just one or two plants. The seeds are really easy to save too!

Common Names for Calendula

  • Calendule
  • English Garden Marigold
  • Scotch Marigold
  • Fleur de Calendule

Calendula is an annual plant that's easy to grow in average, moderately fertile, well-drained soils that get full sunlight. It can be planted in flower beds, borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, or pots or containers.

In a garden, the fragrant leaves of the plant attract butterflies. The petals are a popular choice for floral displays and potpourri mixes. They can also be cooked and eaten.

Calendula oil is made by infusing the flowers in carrier oils such as olive oil or coconut oil. The oil can be used on its own or as an ingredient in ointments, balms, creams, or lotions. It can also be made in a tincture and tea or put into a capsule.

Do not confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds of the Tagetes genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens.

What Is Calendula Used For?

Calendula has been used to treat a variety of skin conditions. Research has shown that calendula may treat diaper rash, wounds, vaginal yeast infections, and other conditions.

Calendula has also been used as a pain and inflammation reducer, as well as a way to relieve treatment-related side effects for people with cancer.

Some people say that calendula makes a good sunscreen or a skin moisturizer. More research is needed to prove it has these benefits.

While there has been some research suggesting its positive effects, the long-term use of calendula has not been studied and more research is needed. Always ask your provider before you start using any treatment or supplement, even a natural one.

How Does Calendula Work?

Calendula petals are rich in naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids. These compounds are said to:

  • Reduce inflammation (anti-inflammatory)
  • Prevent blood from clotting too much (anti-thrombogenic)
  • Have positive effects on blood sugar levels (antidiabetic)
  • Help fight cancer (anticancer)
  • Protect the brain (neuroprotective effects)

The active ingredients of the calendula flower are naturally occurring chemicals, such as:

  • Triterpene saponins (oleanolic acid glycosides)
  • Triterpene alcohols (α-, β-amyrins, faradiol)
  • Flavonoids (quercetin and isorhamnetin)

Topical gels made from calendula may help with the collagen in the skin, may promote new tissue growth in wound healing, and help decrease skin inflammation.

Wounds and Pressure Ulcers

Studies in animals have shown that calendula might help with wound healing, but what about in humans? Here is what research has shown:

  • A study published in The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care looked at the effectiveness of calendula ointment on Cesarean-section (C-section) scars in 72 women. Compared to getting the standard hospital treatment for the wound, the women who were treated with calendula ointment healed faster and reported that their incisions were less red and swollen.
  • In a 2016 study published in The Journal of Wound Care, researchers used Calendula officinalis extract on people with venous ulcers on their legs. The researchers measured "healing velocity" in a week and found that the people who were treated with calendula had a 7.4% healing velocity, while the people who did not use the extract only had a healing velocity of about 1.7%. The researchers also noted that there weren't any bad side effects of using the extract.
  • Other studies have suggested that using a calendula spray in addition to standard care and hygiene might prevent infection and decrease odor in people with long-term foot ulcers from diabetes.

Eczema, Diaper Rash, and Other Skin Conditions

Calendula is often marketed as a treatment for eczema and dermatitis, but there is not much research supporting its effectiveness for these conditions.

Since the plant has anti-inflammatory properties, putting it on areas affected by skin conditions may reduce inflammation. However, there is no real evidence that doing so works or that it's safe.

The use of calendula could be irritating for children with severe eczema, especially if they have an allergy to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or any other plant in the same family as calendula.

Ask your pediatrician before using calendula on your child's skin.

Using calendula creams on diaper rash could be more helpful than other treatments like aloe vera gel, but research has shown it's not as good as using a bentonite solution.

One study showed that when infants were treated with bentonite, 88% of the lesions got better within the first six hours, but only 54% of the lesions in the group treated with calendula did.

 Bacterial Vaginosis and Vaginal Yeast Infections

In one study, researchers compared calendula ointment to metronidazole in 80 women who had been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. After one week, both groups were cured of bacterial vaginosis and none had any side effects.

The researchers concluded that if people wanted to avoid taking medications to treat bacterial vaginosis, calendula ointment could be an option.

One study published in Women and Health found that calendula cream was effective for treating vaginal yeast infections, but that it did not work as fast as the standard medication (clotrimazole) that's used to treat them.

There have been claims that calendula can be used to treat symptoms related to menstruation or even used to induce a period, but more research is needed.

Sun Protection

Research on using calendula as sunscreen has only been done in the lab, not in people. These studies have suggested that some properties of calendula might help cells rejuvenate, but more research is needed to prove these effects.

Radiation Dermatitis

There is mixed research on using calendula to treat skin irritation from radiation treatment. There is not enough evidence that it's more effective than using other topical products like petroleum jelly.

Possible Side Effects of Calendula

You should not use calendula if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, as it could cause you to have an allergic reaction.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also not use calendula because it can change their hormone levels and may even cause a period.

If you take medications or have to have surgery, ask your provider before you try calendula. It might not be safe for you to use calendula if it could affect your medications or make complications from surgery (like bleeding) more likely to happen.

Summary

Calendula is touted as having anti-inflammatory properties that could help with skin conditions and wound healing. Calendula can be added to lotions and balms, made into teas and oils, and used as a garnish.

You can buy products made with calendula or grow your own at home and dry it yourself.

Calendula is not approved by the FDA. You should always ask your provider before you use any kind of natural supplement, even a "natural" one that comes from plants.

If you're allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, you shouldn't use calendula. You also should not use calendula if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-benefits-of-calendula-4582641#citation-4