Calendula: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Garden Marigold
Scientific name(s)
Calendula officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
triterpenic saponosides
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Burns, UV Exposure ✪✪✪✪✪
An important study conducted in France on patients with second and third degree burns revealed that Calendula was not only effective, but also better tolerated than other topical treatments. A more recent small clinical trial, conducted on patients hospitalized for second-degree burns, shows that taking 2g of calendula a day for 2 weeks has a significant beneficial effect on wound healing compared to a placebo. Calendula has shown its efficacy in managing the side effects of radiotherapy. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 254 patients demonstrated that topical treatment with Calendula significantly reduced acute dermatitis compared to trolamine, decreasing treatment interruptions and radiation-induced pain.
Posologie
Topical, Oral
2 g
Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer
Effect of oral Calendula officinalis on second-degree burn wound healing
Wound, Skin Healing ✪✪✪✪✪
Calendula is frequently used in herbal medicine to accelerate wound healing. Clinical trials show that the application of Calendula-based ointment can effectively reduce pain and promote healing of episiotomies in postpartum patients, more quickly improving symptoms of inflammation such as redness, swelling, and bruising compared to standard care. In other studies, the use of Calendula on surgical or burn wounds demonstrated significant healing improvement compared to conventional treatments, such as Vaseline or saline solutions. Calendula is often used in combination with other plants to enhance its effects. A study showed that the combination of Calendula oil and St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) improved healing of surgical wounds after a cesarean section. Commission E approves the external use of calendula for poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers.
Posologie
Topical
cream
Synergies
The Impact of Aloe vera and Calendula on Perineal Healing after Episiotomy in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Use of calendula ointment after episiotomy: a randomized clinical trial
Treatment of acute wounds in hand with Calendula officinalis L.: A randomized trial
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Stomatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Calendula is traditionally used for the symptomatic treatment of minor mucosal inflammations, including stomatitis. Preliminary clinical research suggests its efficacy in reducing plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding. A study revealed that a mouthwash containing 25% Calendula tincture reduced these symptoms by 10 to 18% compared to water rinsing. Another trial using a mouthwash combining Calendula, rosemary, and ginger showed similar effects to chlorhexidine mouthwash, suggesting comparable efficacy in reducing gingival inflammation.
Posologie
Oral
mouthwash
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Calendula, combined with licorice root, has shown a modest reduction in inflammatory acne lesions in patients with mild to moderate acne related to mask-wearing. However, there was no significant difference compared to placebo.
Posologie
Topical
Synergies
Dysmenorrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
The traditional use of calendula to treat amenorrhea and menstrual disorders relies on its emmenagogue properties, which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic region and support menstruation. The active compounds in calendula, such as flavonoids and saponins, may also help regulate hormone levels and reduce inflammation, contributing to relieving menstrual symptoms.
Posologie
Oral
1 - 4 g
infusion
Properties
Healing
Calendula is recognized for its remarkable healing properties, widely used in topical preparations such as ointments and gels. These effects are attributed to the stimulation of glycoproteins, nucleoproteins, and collagen proteins metabolism, essential for the regeneration of damaged tissues. Calendula extracts also promote collagen production and enhance angiogenic activity, improving blood supply to injured areas, thus accelerating healing. Studies have shown that applications of Calendula gel at 5% or 10% accelerated healing of oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil. Triterpene esters like faradiol myristate and palmitate are partially responsible for these effects, while water-soluble flavonoids also contribute to Calendula's healing efficacy.
Usages associés
Healing acceleration in hamsters of oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil with topical Calendula officinalis
Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil
A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula
Antioxidant
Calendula has antioxidant properties. Aqueous extracts have greater activity than methanolic extracts. The compounds responsible for this activity are phenolics and flavonoids. Studies on animal models have also shown various antioxidant effects, such as protection against oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes and prevention of lipid peroxidation. These effects are comparable to vitamin E supplementation.
Antimicrobial
Hydroalcoholic extracts of calendula have antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antifungal properties. In vitro studies have shown that calendula flower extract is effective against Campylobacter jejuni, Heligmosomoides bakeri, and Trichomonas, as well as against many species of fungi. Oxygenated terpenes are considered the main active compounds. Calendula extract has also shown virucidal activity against the herpes simplex virus, as well as anti-Epstein-Barr virus properties in vitro.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Calendula has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in several animal models. Hydroalcoholic extracts have reduced carrageenan-induced edema in rats and inhibited experimentally induced inflammation and edema. Triterpenoids such as faradiol, amidiol, and calenduladiol are active compounds. A lyophilized extract of calendula suppressed the inflammatory effect and leukocyte infiltration in an inflammatory model. Ten triterpenoid glycosides have shown anti-inflammatory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoate-induced mouse inflammation. Calendula also reduces edema according to studies on mice.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult: 1 g - 4 g (powder, infusion)
- Infusion: 1 to 2 g per 150 mL. - Powder: 4 g per day. - Externally: 2 to 5 g per 100 g of cream; gel with 20-30% hydroalcoholic extract; gel or cream with 5 to 10% fluid extract.
Precautions
Nursing women: use cautiously
Topical use only.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
The oral use of calendula is strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to its abortifacient effects, while topical use lacks reliable data.
