Calendula is a highly-revered herb that has gained popularity over centuries of use.
Traditionally, calendula was used to support skin conditions, promote wound healing, release tension in the body, and prevent infections.
As an edible herb, calendula flowers and leaves are often used in various cuisines (especially salads) due to their bitter properties.
This article will look at the health benefits of calendula, its safety, and its history.
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What is Calendula?
Calendula is a sunny, annual garden herb in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It’s a self-seeding plant in most climates and is an extremely hardy herb.
The scientific name for calendula is Calendula officinalis. Although its common name is “pot marigold,” it should not be confused with garden marigold (Tagetes spp.) as this species is not medicinal.
The flower blossoms and leaves have been used in ancient medicine systems for millennia. In traditional medicine, the aerial parts are used as an oil or salve to heal wounds and as a tea to encourage digestion and reduce chronic ulcers. It is also distilled in water and used as an eye wash to reduce inflammation and soreness.
Modern research shows that calendula’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulating properties may be attributed to its various phytochemicals. These phytochemicals include flavonoids, triterpene saponins, and carotenoids.
Numerous clinical and traditional accounts, along with animal and lab-based studies, highlight the wide range of calendula’s health benefits.
Health Benefits of Calendula:
Below are the top research-backed studies and expert accounts from professional herbalists that summarize the benefits of calendula and its active constituents.
1. May Reduce Inflammation
Like the herbs boswellia and yellow dock, Calendula is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, although only a small amount of human studies have been conducted.
The body’s immune system triggers the inflammatory response when exposed to internal or external trauma. While short-term inflammation is a fundamental part of the healing process, chronic inflammation indicates a persistent issue and can cause long-term health issues.
A randomized comparative trial observing diaper dermatitis (a moderate skin rash) in infants discovered that calendula ointment was significantly more effective than aloe vera in reducing the rash symptoms. The infants received treatment three times per day for 10 days.
Another clinical trial found that calendula and comfrey eliminated stomach ulcers and reduced painful symptoms in participants with duodenal ulcers. Researchers noted that the reduction in pain was correlated with reduced inflammation.
In an animal study observing rats with skin wounds, researchers observed that calendula extract reduces inflammation during the healing process. The anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to the presence of triterpenes, especially taraxasterol and faradiol esters.
Another animal study found that calendula extract reduced inflammation in rats with induced edemas. Researchers noted that this response might result from calendula’s ability to inhibit certain pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
A recent animal trial observing ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats discovered that two different forms of calendula extract have significantly high treatment rates. Both extract forms eradicated the inflammation and atrophy caused by UC.
In a lab-based study, calendula extract exerted anti-inflammatory effects on stomach lining cells. These results occurred due to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
The government organization German Commission E recommends calendula for throat and mouth inflammation.
Respected herbalists Thomas Easley and Steven Horne mention in their herbal text, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory (2014), that “[c]alendula is a wonderful remedy for gastrointestinal inflammation” and may be used specifically for “[c]rohn’s disease, colitis, and gastritis.”
David Hoffmann, registered herbalist of the American Herbalist Guild, writes in his text, Medical Herbalism (2003), that calendula has “anti-inflammatory actions in the digestive system” and could be helpful in ailments like “gastric and duodenal ulcers.”
Famed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, writes that calendula is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be applied topically or internally. She also states that calendula is a “wonderful herb for babies” as it gently soothes inflammatory skin conditions like cradle cap and diaper rash.
Summary:
Calendula shows evidence of being useful for reducing inflammation, however, additional human clinical research is needed to verify this finding.
2. Antimicrobial Properties
Another benefit of calendula is its antimicrobial properties.
Recent scientific research backs traditional accounts that calendula has antimicrobial effects.
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are all examples of microbes that can cause various diseases. Natural antimicrobial herbs may clean up existing microbial colonies while inhibiting further growth.