From the Guidelines
Calendula is a highly effective and safe treatment for various health issues, including gingivitis, due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as demonstrated by a large-scale randomized controlled clinical trial involving 240 gingivitis patients, where rinsing with a Calendula tincture showed significant reductions in dental plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding on probing scores compared to rinsing with distilled water 1.
Key Findings
- Calendula contains polysaccharides, otenoids, lutein, lycopene, rutin, ubiquinone, xanthophylls, flavonoids, triterpene alcohols, phenol acids, tannins, glycosides, sterols, carotenoids, and saponisides, with quercetin and triterpenoid being the most important molecules due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties 1.
- In vitro calendula extracts have shown antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and wound healing enhancing effects 1.
- Calendula is generally considered safe, but individuals with known sensitivity to the Compositae family may be predisposed to allergic reactions 1.
Recommendations
- For oral use, calendula can be used as a tincture, with a recommended dosage of rinsing with the tincture for six months, as demonstrated in the clinical trial 1.
- Topical application of calendula cream or ointment containing 2-5% calendula extract can be effective for treating minor skin irritations, wounds, and burns.
- Calendula tea can be prepared by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of dried calendula flowers in hot water for 10-15 minutes, and consumed up to 3 cups daily.
Important Considerations
- Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before using calendula, as it may stimulate contractions.
- Individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should avoid calendula.
- Calendula can be used in combination with other herbal products, such as arimedadi oil, triphala, and polyherbal toothpastes/mouthwashes, which have shown comparable effects to chlorhexidine products in reducing gingivitis, plaque, and bleeding on probing indices 1.
From the Research
Calendula Properties and Uses
- Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, has been traditionally used for its wound healing properties 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The plant's extracts have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of minor inflammation of the skin and as an aid in the healing of minor wounds 2
Wound Healing Effects
- Studies have shown that Calendula extracts can influence the inflammatory phase of wound healing by activating the transcription factor NF-κB and increasing the amount of the chemokine IL-8 2
- The extracts have also been found to affect the new tissue formation phase of wound healing, with the ethanolic extract inhibiting the activity of collagenase in vitro and enhancing the amount of collagen in the supernatant of human dermal fibroblasts 2
- A randomized trial found that the use of Calendula officinalis L. extract led to faster epithelization and healing speed in acute wounds of the hand and fingers 4
Radiodermatitis Prevention and Treatment
- An integrative review found that Calendula officinalis was more effective than Trolamine and essential fatty acids and less effective than Ching Wan Hung for prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis 5
- A systematic review found that Calendula officinalis extract may have a beneficial effect in preventing acute post-radiation dermatitis, but more research is needed to confirm this 6
Evidence and Future Research
- While there is some evidence to support the use of Calendula officinalis for wound healing and radiodermatitis prevention and treatment, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and to establish its place in mainstream medical practice 3, 6
- Further studies are necessary to evaluate which constituents of Calendula officinalis are responsible for its wound healing properties, with triterpenes seeming to play only a marginal role 2