Asteraceae
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Mediterranean, Western Europe
Also known as: Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, Garden Marigold
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Flower
Therapeutic Uses
Wound healing, burns, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, oral inflammation (gingivitis), gastric ulcers, pelvic inflammatory disease. One of the premier topical healing herbs.
Herbal Actions
Vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, lymphagogue, emmenagogue, antispasmodic
Active Constituents
Triterpenoids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, calendulosides), flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin), carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin), essential oils, polysaccharides
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture🧴 Salve/Balm💧 Infused Oil🛁 Herbal Bath
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp dried flowers per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily for internal use |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 60% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Topical preparations most effective — infused oil as base for salves and creams. For oral use: mouthwash from strong tea. Infuse flowers in olive oil for 4–6 weeks (cold infusion) for best quality. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid therapeutic internal doses in pregnancy (emmenagogue). Avoid in Asteraceae allergy. Topical use generally safe.
Side Effects: Allergic contact dermatitis in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals. Otherwise extremely safe and well-tolerated.