8 Amazing Calendula Benefits And Possible Side Effects

Calendula flowers are not only aesthetic but also are valued medicinally. Calendula benefits you in multiple ways with its antibacterial, antiplaque, analgesic, and antiviral properties. They are also rich in antioxidants and exhibit the astringent effect. Many state that this flower is marigold’s doppelganger. Learn more about this flower and how it can be used to treat many chronic ailments. Continue reading.

Know Your Ingredient: Calendula

What Is It?
A flowering plant closely related to the marigold, with orange or yellow flowers.

What Are Its Benefits?
It possesses anti-HIV effects and may relieve menstrual discomfort, heal wounds and burns, and reduce inflammatory skin diseases and pain.

Who Can Use It?
People with sensitive skin can use or consume calendula to reduce any flare-ups and inflammation.

How Often?
For topical applications, 2-5% of calendula can be used 2-3 times daily. If consuming calendula powder, 1-2g per cup a day is recommended.

Caution
Avoid if you are on tranquilizers, pregnant, or allergic to other plants in the same family.

 What Is Calendula? What Is It Known For?

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) or pot marigold belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is closely related to field marigold, and its flowers share a close resemblance too (1).

The flowers and leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine. The medicinal properties of calendula have also been mentioned in Ayurvedic and Unani sciences. In 2008, the European Medicines Agency recognized it as an herbal medicinal product (2).

Folk medicine uses calendula leaves and flowers to treat wounds, rashes, bruises, stomach ulcers, edema, and several other inflammatory conditions. Its mother tincture is used in homeopathy to relieve mental tension and insomnia (1), (3).

Fun Fact

Calendula is also called the “flower of the rains” in folk culture. It is believed that the flower blossoming in the morning will bring rain later in the day.

What Are The Benefits Of Calendula?

Calendula is used to heal skin rashes, deep wounds, and ulcers. It is also said to work as a fever reducer and may help with microbial infections, menstrual irregularities, and varicose veins. Scroll down below to know more about the various calendula benefits and why they are good for your health.

1. Heals Wounds, Burns, And Scars

Calendula contains alkaloids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. These phytochemicals trap the free radicals in your body and accelerate the process of healing of wounds and burns (thermal and sun). The plant controls the levels of compounds that promote inflammation, including nitric oxide and cytokines (4).

Animal studies were conducted to study the effects of oral and topical use of calendula extracts. The percentage of wound closure was about 90% in the group treated with the extract. Almost no skin toxicity was reported in any of the studies (4), (5).

Calendula ointment can also be used by women who have undergone C-section (Cesarean procedure). It considerably speeds up recovery and wound healing and can be used to support post-surgical care/treatment (6).

2. May Relieve Menstrual Discomfort

This flower was used to calm painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and menstrual irregularities in traditional and homeopathic medicine. Calendula oil, combined with other essential oils, is a common remedy (1), (7).

These oils prevent the transmission of nerve signals between the uterus and the brain. They also cause a transmission delay of the pain signal from the brain to the uterus.

Topical calendula lotions can help in controlling excessive menstrual bleeding and other related symptoms (7).

3. Treats Diaper Rashes

Diaper dermatitis or diaper rash is a common inflammatory reaction observed in infants, children, and adults wearing diapers. Painful skin eruptions occur in the areas covered by the diaper (8).

Not changing the diaper when needed and prolonged exposure to urine, feces, and moisture may cause this acute condition. Zinc deficiency and microbial infections may also lead to such rashes (8).

Generally, a mild cream/ointment or oral antibiotics can clear this allergy and soothe the skin. Medications based on calendula and aloe vera have also shown promising results. These herbs have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects (8).

Moreover, no side effects of these herbal preparations have been reported so far (8).

4. May Help In Managing Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins in calendula exert a deep-cleansing effect on your skin. When applied topically, its flower extracts may even heal acne and atopic dermatitis (eczema) (9), (10), (11).

Calendula also reduces radiodermatitis, which is skin damage caused by radiation. Radiodermatitis is one of the side effects of radiation therapy. Patients may develop redness (erythema) and skin toxicity (12).

Thanks to its antioxidant and astringent effects, this plant extract can reduce the levels of free radicals in your system. Using calendula cream/ointment with medical consent is a good option in such cases (9), (12).

However, in rare cases, calendula can induce contact dermatitis in these patients (13).

5. Maintains Dental Health

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant can be employed to treat dental issues as well. Periodontal diseaseⁱ  XA severe gum infection brought by poor oral hygiene that can result in tooth loss and other major health issues. , gingivitisⁱ  XA type of gum disorder resulting in inflamed gums from bad dental hygiene. It can lead to tooth loss. , dental plaque, and other such inflammatory conditions turn chronic and painful in no time (14), (15).

You could use products with herbs like calendula, clove leaf, thyme, and eucalyptus to restore oral health and improve hygiene. These herbs can prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque on the teeth (14).

A mouthwash made of calendula extract significantly reduced gingivitis. Its active molecules could fight throat infections too. This plant extract can treat canker soresⁱ  XA painful, non-contagious, shallow sore that develops inside the mouth or at the gum line, brought on by stress, acidic foods, or injury. , aphthous ulcers (stomatitis), and sore throat (15).

Calendula has almost no side effects if orally consumed. It can be added as a component in candies, beverages, dental chew, toothpaste, lozenges, and whitening molds for better results (14).

6. Reduces Pain And Inflammation

Calendula inhibits the production of pain-inducing chemicals (prostaglandins) in your body. Animal studies show a 33% reduction in swelling/edema when treated with 250 mg/kg of its extract (16).

The plant prevents the release of histamines, which are chemicals known to cause redness, pain, allergies, and inflammation. The flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoids in calendula are responsible for this property (17).

Different calendula formulations are used to treat women who underwent episiotomyⁱ  XA procedure to widen the aperture for the baby to exit by making an incision in the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall. during labor. Muscle spasms and injury can also be managed with them (16), (17).

7. May Fight Cancer

Calendula can be a strong candidate for cancer treatment and palliative care in alternative medicine. Its phytochemicals have cytotoxic (cell-killing) effects on human cancer cells (3), (19).

The roots and flower extracts have shown positive effects on skin cancer (melanoma), breast cancer, and leukemia cells. The active molecules have been identified to be polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and saponins (3), (20).

These molecules inhibit the cell division in cancer cells to prevent metastasis (spreading). Calendula also induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in these cells to ensure 100% growth inhibition (20).

8. Exhibits Anti-HIV Effects

This flower extract has antiviral properties. Researchers have recognized/identified anti-HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) activity, in particular. In a study, about 90% of the target cells were protected from HIV infection in the presence of 10-30 mcg/mL of calendula flower extract (21)

The flavonols in the flowers block the initial-stage interactions between viruses and cells. The extract inactivates several HIV proteins, even when present in small concentrations (21).

Calendula prevents the activity of a crucial viral protein called reverse transcriptase (RT). The RT enzyme allows HIV to survive in human host cells, thereby causing AIDS (21).

Further research would help isolate the principal molecules behind this property (21).

Quick Tip

As an alternative use of calendula, you can make natural dyes from the flowers in shades of oranges, bright yellows, honey, and light browns.

Phytochemical Composition Of Calendula

Calendula officinalis contains high amounts of triterpenes, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, sterols, tannins, quinones, and carbohydrates (1), (22).

These phytochemicals enhance the therapeutic value of calendula flower heads. Using them in the right way and amount will put the molecules to action.

Trivia

The petals of calendula flowers are edible and have a mild peppery taste. In fact they are often called “poor man’s saffron” as it can be used as an inexpensive substitute for saffron in recipes that call for it.

How Much Of Calendula Is Safe?

A recommended dose for calendula has not been framed yet.

However, a 2%-5% calendula ointment can be applied topically to heal wounds. If using a tincture (1:9 in 20% alcohol), 2-4 ml per ¼-½ cup of water can be taken three times a day (22).

Another option could be using 1-2 g of Calendula powder per cup of water (22).

Depending on the condition/ailment, this herbal medicine can be taken in different/multiple ways. The most suitable dose and mode of administration have to be decided by your healthcare provider.

Avoid self-medication.

Calendula may induce acute adverse effects in certain individuals. Find more on this in the next section.

Does Calendula Have Any Side Effects Or Risks?

If you are allergic to plants from the Asteraceae family, calendula may trigger a cross-reaction/hypersensitivity in your body. Keep your doctor informed of such symptoms (22).

There is a >1% chance of developing contact dermatitis if you have frequent skin contact with this herbal preparation (22).

Also, you may be advised against using calendula products if you are on tranquilizers (23).

No herb-drug interactions have been reported with this plant yet (24).

The safety of calendula products in pregnant and lactating women is not clear yet. There is insufficient data to establish dosage in these cases (24).

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of skin is calendula good for?

Calendula is well tolerated by all skin types.

How do you use calendula for healing?

Calendula can be applied externally to heal wounds or ingested to heal problems associated with the digestive issues or the mouth. It has a detoxifying effect that may flush out the toxins.

Can calendula brighten skin?

Calendula is used in skin care to brighten the skin and restore its elasticity, thus exhibiting its anti-aging effects.

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Vd. Naveen SharmaBAMS, Ayurveda Specialist

 

Dr. Naveen Sharma is a renowned Ayurveda specialist with an experience of 10 years. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery(B. A. M. S) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, in 2007. He has a professional membership with AYUSH. Dr. Sharma’s specialties include cancer, liver disorders, autoimmune disorders, lifestyle disorders, migraine, hair fall, PCOD...more

Swathi HandooHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Swathi holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Osmania University and has worked in places where actual science and research happen. She has four years of experience and a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. Blending her love for writing with science, Swathi writes articles on health and wellness and simplifies complex topics for readers from...more