Calendula officinalis is an annual flowering plant that is frequently found in home gardens and landscapes. Now grown primarily for its ornamental value, calendula has been used for hundreds of years as an herbal remedy for cuts, burns and dermatitis as well as other medical conditions. While calendula is commonly referred to as pot marigold, it is important to know that not all plants called marigold are calendula.
Description
Calendula is native to southern Europe and now widely distributed throughout the United States, growing to about 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading about a foot in width. The leaves of the plant are green and oval-shaped, growing to between 2 and 4 inches in length. The plant is round in form. The flowers are approximately 1 to 2 inches across and are bright yellow or orange in color. Flowers can have either single or double rows of petals. Calendula petals are frequently used as an herbal remedy and also as coloring and flavoring agents.
Uses Based on Tradition
Traditionally, calendula has been used as a treatment for menstrual discomfort, stomach upset, ulcers, varicose veins and even cancer. Currently, however, there is no clinical evidence to support the use of calendula for any of these medical disorders.
Uses Based on Evidence
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, preparations of calendula, including ointments, washes and tinctures, can be used topically to treat burns, cuts and bruises. Calendula can also be used to treat minor infections. The anti-inflammatory properties of calendula can help with the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Other Skin Treatments
Skin irritations and dermatitis can also be treated using preparations of calendula. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center indicates that calendula may help to reduce the inflammation and irritation of dermatitis. This includes the side effects of radiation therapy, which can produce significant swelling and irritation of the skin.
Ear Pain
Calendula can also be used to treat ear pain associated with the common ear infection otitis media. Georgetown University Medical Center states that preparations containing calendula flowers may prove to be as effective as anesthetic eardrops in treating the infection.
Safety
According to the National Institutes of Health, calendula causes few severe reactions. Individuals with allergies to plants in the Aster family, including ragweed, daisies and chrysanthemums, should use calendula with care. Individuals taking anti-spasmodic medications, insulin, antifungal agents, cholesterol-lowering drugs, or drugs that may cause liver or kidney damage should avoid using calendula, as the herb may increase these medicines' effects on the body.
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