Calendula: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Garden marigold
Scientific name(s)
Calendula officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
triterpenic saponins
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Burns, UV exposure ✪✪✪✪✪
A large study conducted in France on patients with second- and third-degree burns found that Calendula was not only effective but also better tolerated than other topical treatments. A smaller, more recent clinical trial conducted in hospitalized patients with second-degree burns showed that taking 2 g of calendula per day for 2 weeks had a significant beneficial effect on wound healing compared to placebo. Calendula has demonstrated effectiveness in managing the side effects of radiotherapy. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 254 patients showed that topical treatment with Calendula significantly reduced acute dermatitis compared with 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 applying a calendula-based ointment can effectively reduce pain and promote the healing of episiotomies in postpartum patients, more quickly improving inflammatory symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bruising compared with standard care.nnIn other studies, the use of calendula on surgical wounds or burns has demonstrated a significant improvement in healing compared with conventional treatments, such as petroleum jelly or saline solutions.nnCalendula is often used in combination with other plants to enhance its effects. One study showed that the combination of calendula oil and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) improved the healing of surgical wounds after a cesarean section.nnThe Commission E approves the external use of calendula for poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers.
Posologie
Topical application
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 has traditionally been used for the symptomatic treatment of minor mucosal inflammations, including stomatitis. Preliminary clinical research suggests its effectiveness in reducing plaque, gingivitis and bleeding. One study found that a mouthwash based on 25% Calendula tincture reduced these symptoms by 10 to 18% compared with rinsing with water. Another trial using a mouthwash combining Calendula, rosemary and ginger showed effects similar to those of chlorhexidine mouthwash, suggesting comparable effectiveness in reducing gingival inflammation.
Posologie
By mouth
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 with placebo.
Posologie
Topical use
Synergies
Dysmenorrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
The traditional use of Calendula to treat amenorrhea and menstrual disorders is based on its emmenagogue properties, which stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic area and promote menstruation. The active compounds in Calendula, such as flavonoids and saponins, may also help regulate hormone levels and reduce inflammation, contributing to relief of menstrual symptoms.
Posologie
Oral use
1 - 4 g
infusion
Properties
Wound-healing
Calendula is recognized for its remarkable wound-healing properties, widely used in topical preparations such as ointments and gels. These effects are attributed to stimulation of the metabolism of glycoproteins, nucleoproteins and collagen proteins, which are essential to the regeneration of damaged tissues. Calendula extracts also promote collagen production and increase angiogenic activity, which improves blood supply to injured areas, thereby accelerating healing. Studies have shown that applications of 5% or 10% Calendula gel accelerated the healing of oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil. Triterpene esters such as faradiol myristate and palmitate are partly 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 in animal models have also shown various antioxidant effects, such as protection against oxidative damage to lymphocyte DNA and prevention of lipid peroxidation. These effects are comparable to supplementation with vitamin E.
Antimicrobial
Hydroalcoholic extracts of calendula have antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral and antifungal properties. In vitro studies have shown that the 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 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 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 showed anti-inflammatory activity against inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in mice. Calendula also reduces edema according to mouse studies.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 1 g - 4 g (powder, infusion)
- Infusion: 1 to 2 g per 150 mL. - Powder: 4 g per day. - For external use: 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
Breastfeeding woman: use with caution
Topical use only.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: prohibited
Oral use of calendula is strongly discouraged during pregnancy because of its abortifacient effects, while its topical use lacks reliable data.
