Calendula, also known as marigold, garden marigold, pot marigold, or its botanical name, Calendula officinalis, belongs to the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. It is a fragrant annual with simple green leaves and colorful flower petals, usually goldish-yellow but can also be reddish-burgundy. Bright yellow flowers indicate a high level of active ingredients (1). The plant is easy to grow in average, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in lots of sun with some shade (2).

Calendula flowers are gathered in early summer as the buds begin to open. If you plan to forage for calendula, always harvest ethically. Never collect anything from private property without direct permission. When harvesting from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. Due to the uncertainty of surrounding plants, be careful not to disturb them, as they could be endangered or threatened species. Always be kind to the earth and only harvest what you need.

According to one of my favorite herbal resources, the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, calendula’s key constituents are triterpenes, resins, bitter glycosides, volatile oil, phytosterols, flavonoids, mucilage, and carotenes. Some of its key herbal actions include:

• Antihemorrhagic: promotes hemostasis to stop bleeding and prevent hemorrhaging.
• Anti-inflammatory: helps the body control inflammation.
• Antimicrobial: destroys or inhibits microorganisms.
• Antispasmodic: relieves muscle spams 
• Astringent: constricts mucus to reduce discharge and lessens bleeding from minor wounds.
• Detoxifying: Aids in waste and toxin removal from the body.
• Mildly estrogenic: supports and maintains the female reproductive organs.
• Wound-healing: replaces damaged or destroyed tissue with new tissue.

Research-Backed Health Benefits of Calendula

Calendula has been used internally and topically for centuries to heal wounds, burns, and rashes, but it does so much more, including:

Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants can help fight damage from harmful free radicals. The buildup of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease (3). Thankfully, calendula extract possesses several potent antioxidants, including triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids (4,5,6,7). Antioxidants also contain beneficial compounds that neutralize the harmful effects of oxidative stress in your body (8). 

One animal study discovered that rats fed monosodium glutamate (MSG) experienced significantly reduced oxidative stress and the depletion of antioxidant levels by up to 122% after using calendula extract (9). Another study found calendula’s ability to increase the production of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase (10). A final study demonstrated the antioxidant capacity of calendula extract, including scavenging reactive radicals like superoxide and hydroxyl and even inhibiting free radicals that attack the unsaturated fatty acids, known as lipid peroxidation (11).

Antispasmodic Properties

Antispasmodic or spasmolytic properties reduce excessive smooth muscle contractions, which are responsible for cramping and discomfort in the abdominal area, caused by multiple conditions affecting the gastrointestinal, biliary, or genitourinary tract (12). Data from one study showed that the crude extract of calendula flowers relaxed spontaneous muscle contractions and provided a scientific base for its use in abdominal cramps and constipation (13). Herbal sources note that calendula can help reduce menstruation pain and regulate bleeding (1). Although mainstream sources claim the use of calendula for menstrual relief is unfounded, one study found that calendula and mint essential oil in lotion form reduced the severity of dysmenorrhea (cramps) more effectively than placebo (14,15).

Antiviral Properties

An antiviral property is when a substance, or in this case, an herb, can kill a virus or suppress the virus’ ability to replicate, multiply, or reproduce (16). Calendula shows evidence of antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activity (17). For instance, in vitro (test tube) studies have suggested that calendula extracts have antiviral properties (18). One study found that homeopathic calendula possessed antiviral, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antitumoral activity (19). Another study examined calendula’s organic and aqueous (water) extracts but found only the organic variation possessed anti-HIV properties (20). 

Antifungal Properties

An antifungal property is when a substance, or in this case, an herb, can fight the growth of specific pathogens that could harm health, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, tinea versicolor, toenail fungus, and jock itch (21). Studies have found calendula essential oil has antifungal properties (22). In test-tube studies, calendula flower oil was effective against 23 strains of candida yeast, including common fungi that can cause oral, vaginal, and skin infections (23). Another study found that the inhibitory effects of calendula flower extract were similarly compared to standard antibiotic use against fungi like Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus japonicum, Candida albicans, Candida tropicallis, and Rhodotorula glutinis (24). A final study demonstrated that calendula’s wide action spectrum against pathogenic fungi was greater than that of the antifungal medication Nystatin (25).

May Promote Skin Health

Skin health is important. The skin covers the entire external surface of the human body, making it the largest organ (26). It is a protection barrier that fights and prevents germs from entering the body (27). Thanks to calendula’s antioxidant content that reduces skin damage caused by oxidative stress, calendula has anti-aging properties that may improve skin health (28,29). A test-tube study found that calendula oil has an 8.36 sun protection factor or SPF (30). A 10-day study in 66 children with diaper rash determined that calendula ointment may be a safe and effective treatment (31). Another study demonstrated that calendula extract may enhance skin hydration and stimulate its firmness and elasticity, which may delay signs of aging (32). 

May Promote Wound Healing

Wound healing is the complex and dynamic process of restoring damaged tissue structure as closely as possible to its normal state (33). Studies have shown that calendula extract may regulate the expression of certain proteins that promote wound healing (34). For instance, a test-tube study determined that calendula extract increased the amount of collagen in wounds as they healed, which is necessary to form new skin (35). In animal studies, rats treated with topical calendula in an eight-day window had 90 percent wound closure, compared to only 51 percent in the control group (36). 

Thankfully, the research doesn’t end at test tube and animal studies. One study noted that calendula extract led to faster epithelization (the final stage of wound healing) in acute hand and finger wounds (37). In a 12-week human study, 72% of those treated with calendula extract experienced complete healing of venous (vein) leg ulcers, compared with 32% in the control group (38). In another study, 78 percent of adults with diabetes-related foot ulcers experienced complete wound closure after daily calendula spray treatment (39). Other research showcased calendula ointment’s ability to speed up cesarean (c-section) wound healing (40).

May Promote Heart Health

Unfortunately, heart disease is the world’s number 1 cause of death (41). If you read my post, The Importance of Heart Health, you know that due to the incredibly complex determinants of heart disease and various possible contributions, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact way to prevent it. Still, you can at least take steps to lower your overall risk. One study found that calendula can reduce myocardial infarcts’ size, stimulate aortic flow, and modulate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways, thereby protecting from ischemic heart disease (42). Test tube research indicates calendula’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may reduce heart attack risk (43). A study review mentioned calendula extract’s spasmogenic activity may be responsible for its ability to inhibit heart rate contractions completely (44).

May Support Oral Health

Calendula has become a popular additive in toothpaste and mouthwash over the years due to its powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, especially for gingivitis (45). Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum (periodontal) disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums around the base of your teeth, known as gingiva (46). One study found calendula has antibacterial properties that can help eliminate microorganisms that cause gum disease (47). A test-tube study discovered that calendula-based mouthwash reduced the number of microorganisms on suture materials used for tooth extractions (48). In a clinical trial, calendula reduced gingival index, plaque index, and bleeding on probing in patients with established gingivitis (49). 

Anticancer Properties

In 2021, there were 1,777,566 new cases of invasive cancer in the United States, with almost 10 million people who lost their battle with cancer worldwide (50,51). In other words, one out of every six deaths was cancer-related. That is a lot; however, a diagnosis or genetic predisposition doesn’t define your outcome. Genetics may load the gun, but environmental factors and lifestyle choices ultimately pull the trigger. Research indicates that calendula extract activates proteins that kill cancer cells while simultaneously blocking other proteins that would otherwise interfere with cell death (52). Test-tube studies suggest that calendula’s flavonoid and triterpene antioxidants may fight leukemia, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer cells (53,54,55).

Thankfully, calendula’s benefits don’t end at test tube studies. In animal studies, calendula fights carcinogenic activity within tumors and activates lymphocytes, which fight against foreign and infectious invaders (56). Research has found that calendula extracts and isolated compounds have demonstrated a reliable potential in cancer management and palliative care (57). Additionally, calendula appears more effective at reducing and preventing the incidence of dermatitis caused by radiation used for breast cancer treatment than commonly recommended topical agents (58).

Safety Information, Contraindications & Interactions

According to mainstream sources, calendula is safe for most people when taken orally. They recommend not taking calendula orally or topically if you are pregnant, claiming it is likely unsafe, and stating potential miscarriage concerns. Additionally, they state that there isn’t enough reliable information to know if calendula is safe when breastfeeding and recommend staying on the safe side by avoiding use (59).

Conversely, none of my herbal books caution against the use of calendula. The only concern mentioned is that, in rare cases, calendula may cause allergic reactions. Trusted herbalist Richard Whelan also mentions that as a member of the Compositae family, there is a small risk (less than 1%) of an allergic reaction from contact with fresh calendula. He goes on to say calendula is an extremely safe herb that can be used by people of all ages, including the very young and old, even while pregnant or breastfeeding (60).

As for calendula essential oil, I could not find any resources to speak on its safety. However, if you read my post, How to Practice Essential Oil Safety, you know trusted aromatherapist Wendy Robbins recommends never using essential oils internally or undiluted (61). When using calendula essential oil, always follow the dilution recommendations on the bottle. 

How to Use Calendula & Product Recommendations

When I make homemade herbal remedies, I try to buy herbs locally. When buying locally isn’t an option, I typically purchase from one of the following brands:

• Anthony’s Goods (check out their organic dried whole calendula flowers)
• Frontier Co-op (they do not offer calendula flowers at this time)
• Starwest Botanicals (check out their organic dried whole calendula flowers)

Looking for additional herbal suppliers? Check out my post, 3 Ways to Source Herbs.

So far, the only herbal remedy I’ve made with calendula is a simple calendula salve. To my understanding, the best preparation methods for calendula aside from herbal salves include the following:

• Herbal infusions – learn how to make an herbal infusion
• Herbal syrups – learn how to make an herbal syrup
• Herbal tinctures – learn how to make an herbal tincture
• Topical oil infusions – learn how to make a topical oil infusion

If making your home remedies isn’t quite your thing, I recommend a few premade herbal products, including:

• MJ’s Herbals Calendula Salve uses the freshest, chemical-free, and highest-quality ingredients carefully sourced directly from the best U.S. suppliers and farmers. No shortcuts are taken, and every single jar of MJ’s Herbals has been carefully and lovingly handmade and smiled upon by MJ herself.
• Sunset Farm Calendula Salve is made with our farm-grown calendula leaves and flowers. Our herbal salve doesn’t have any artificial scent added. The leaves are steeped in avocado oil to draw out the plant benefits. It is created in small batches to ensure freshness. 

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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