Calendula

Common Name(s)

calendula, pot marigold, gold-bloom

Scientific Name(s)

Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae)

General Information

Traditionally, calendula has been used topically for minor wounds, burns, and other skin problems. Calendula has been considered safe to use as a spice, natural seasoning, and flavoring agent in the United States. Powder from calendula petals is sometimes used as an inexpensive alternative to saffron for colouring and flavouring foods.

How is this product usually used?

The flowers of the calendula plant are used medicinally. It is a herb that is used topically (on the skin) and orally (by mouth). In general, the doses are:

Oral

• dried flower: 3 g to 12 g per day
• infusion: 3 g to 12 g dried flower per day
• fluid extract: 1.5 g to 3 g dried equivalent per day (1:1, 1.5–3 mL)
• tincture: 0.70 g to 2.25 g dried equivalent per day (1:2, 1.4 mL to 4.5 mL per day) or 0.18 g to 0.72 g dried equivalent per day (1:5, 0.9 mL to 3.6 mL per day)

Topical

• ointment: 2 to 10% (2 g to 10 g dried flower per 100 g ointment)
• infusion: 1 g to 2 g dried flower (pour 150 mL of boiling water over dried flower and infuse.)
• fluid extract: 2 g to 4 g dried equivalent (1:1, 40% alcohol, 2 mL to 4 mL) (Add to 250 mL water)

Buccal/gargle

• infusion: 1 g to 2 g dried flower (pour 150 mL of boiling water over dried flower and infuse.)
• fluid extract: 2g to 4 g dried equivalent (1:1, 40% alcohol, 2 mL to 4 mL) (Add to 1250 mL water)

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Calendula has been used for:

• inflammation (pain, redness, and swelling) of the digestive system (mouth, stomach, and intestines) – taken orally
• inflammation of the mouth and/or throat – dissolved in mouth and used for gargling
• wound healing, inflammation, and irritation of skin – applied topically

More reliable research is needed to show that calendula is helpful for these uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

Calendula can interact with some medications. It increases the effects of sedative medications including benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, clonazepam), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, thiopental), and opiates (e.g., morphine, methadone, oxycodone). If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor before taking calendula.

You should avoid using calendula if you are allergic to plants of the asteraceae/compositae/daisy family (e.g., chrysanthemums [mums], ragweed, marigolds, daisies).

If your symptoms persist or worsen after taking calendula, you should consult your health care provider.

Do not use calendula if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Consult your health care professional if you have any questions.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Calendula - Oral. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=54&lang=eng.
2. Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Calendula - Topical. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=56&lang=eng.
3. Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Calendula – Buccal. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=55&lang=eng.
4. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Calendula.