Calendula's therapeutic uses
Calendula, commonly known as marigold, is a flowering plant with a long history of therapeutic use, particularly for skin-related conditions. Traditionally, it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including canker sores, eczema, hemorrhoids, minor burns, wounds, and varicose veins. Its healing properties are thought to stem from volatile oils and other compounds within the plant, although the specific active ingredients have yet to be identified.
In practice, calendula cream is typically applied to affected areas two to three times daily, while an infusion of calendula flowers can be used as a mouthwash. Various studies, including some randomized trials, suggest that calendula may be effective in promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation, particularly in patients undergoing radiation therapy. However, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for many of its proposed uses remains limited.
Calendula is generally considered safe for most users, with few reported side effects, although allergic reactions can occur. Caution is advised for individuals on sedative or blood pressure medications, as calendula may enhance their effects. Its potential antioxidant properties also suggest that it could play a role in protecting against long-term health issues. Overall, calendula continues to be a popular natural remedy, especially in European herbal practices.
Calendula's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Canker sores, eczema, hemorrhoids, minor burns, minor wounds, varicose veins, antioxidant
Overview
Calendula, well known as one of the ornamental marigolds, blooms month after month from early spring to first frost. Because calend means “month” in Latin, the plant’s lengthy flowering season is believed to have given calendula its name. The herb has been used to heal wounds and treat inflamed skin since ancient times.
An active ingredient that might be responsible for calendula’s traditional medicinal properties has not been discovered. One theory suggests that volatile oils in the plant act synergistically with other constituents called xanthophylls.
Therapeutic Dosages
Calendula cream is generally applied two or three times daily to the affected area. For oral use as a mouthwash, pour boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and allow to steep for ten to fifteen minutes.
Therapeutic Uses
Experiments on rats and other animals suggest that calendula cream exerts wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects, but double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have not yet been reported. The best study on calendula so far was a controlled trial comparing calendula to the standard treatment trolamine to prevent skin irritation caused by radiation therapy. The researchers used trolamine for comparison not because it has been proven effective but more as an acceptable placebo (trolamine is not thought to do much, even though it is widely used). The study found calendula more effective than trolamine. However, because this was not a double-blind study, the results mean little; mere expectation of benefit will likely cause patients and experimenters to perceive benefit. Still, in another randomized, double-blind, controlled trial showed calendula ointment for the treatment of radiodermatitis was more effective than a standard treatment of essential fatty acids.
Creams made with calendula flowers are nearly ubiquitous in the German medicine chest. They are used for everything from children’s scrapes to eczema, burns, and poorly healing wounds. These same German products are widely available in the United States as well. Other skin conditions believed to benefit from calendula include psoriasis and diaper rash.
Calendula cream is also used to soothe hemorrhoids and varicose veins, and the tea reportedly reduces the discomfort of canker sores. However, there is no scientific evidence for any of these uses yet.
Finally, calendula contains antioxidants that may protect the body from free radicals that can lead to long-term and chronic health conditions.
Safety Issues
Calendula is generally regarded as safe. Neither calendula cream nor calendula taken internally has been associated with any adverse effects other than occasional allergic reactions, and animal studies have found no significant toxic effects However, the same studies found that calendula acts like a sedative in high doses and reduces blood pressure. For this reason, it might not be safe to combine calendula with sedative or blood pressure medications.
Important Interactions
In persons taking sedative drugs, calendula might increase the sedative effect. Also, internal use of calendula might amplify the blood pressure-lowering effect of medications to reduce blood pressure.
Bibliography
"Calendula Information." Mount Sinai, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/calendula. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
Pommier, P., et al. "Phase III Randomized Trial of Calendula Officinalis Compared with Trolamine for the Prevention of Acute Dermatitis During Irradiation for Breast Cancer." Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 22, 2004, pp. 1447-1453.
Schneider, Franciane, et al. "Uso da Calendula Officinalis na Prevenção e Tratamento de Radiodermite em Cabeça e Pescoço: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado Duplo Cego [Usage of Calendula Officinalis in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiodermatitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial]." Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, vol. 49, no. 2, 2015, pp. 221-8, doi: 10.1590/S0080-623420150000200006. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
"7 Potential Benefits of Calendula Tea and Extract." Healthline, 8 Apr. 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/calendula-tea#The-bottom-line. Accessed 12 Dec. 2022.
Silva, Diva. "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Calendula Officinalis L. Flower Extract." Cosmetics, vol. 8, no. 2, p. 31, doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8020031. Accessed 12 Dec. 2022.