Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Herbs & Roots. Western & European.

Also called Pot marigold, Garden marigold, Scotch marigold

Spanish: Caléndula

Allergy risk (daisy family)

Calendula is a bright orange flower whose cream and oil are used on minor skin irritations and scrapes.

Did you know? Medieval cooks used pot marigold petals as a cheaper stand-in for saffron to color soups and cheese.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Skin. Small trials of calendula cream suggest mild healing for minor skin irritation, but results vary.
Early proof
Wounds, burns & bites. Used on cuts and scrapes, mostly from tradition and lab work.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Skin & hair

Traditional use

European herbalists used calendula for wounds, rashes, and skin irritation for centuries. It is a classic salve herb.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial. Energy: cooling.

How people take it

Mostly used as a cream, ointment, or infused oil on the skin. Tea from the petals is occasionally used. Deep or open wounds need medical care, not herbs alone.

Topical, oil, tea and tincture.

Where to get it

Grows as a garden annual in Europe and the Mediterranean, and is widely grown elsewhere. Sold as dried petals, creams, salves, tinctures, and infused oils.

Be careful

Allergic reactions can occur, especially in people sensitive to ragweed or daisy-family plants. It may stimulate the uterus in theory, so it is best avoided in pregnancy.

Avoid if: ragweed allergy; pregnancy.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are used in soothing skin washes and first-aid sprays.
Works well together
Both are common in soothing skin creams.
Works well together
Both are used together in folk salves.
Works well together
Both are used together in folk wound salves.
Works well together
Both are common in folk topical salves.
Works well together
Common in bruise and skin-soothing creams.
Works well together
Both are plant remedies used on minor cuts and scrapes.
Works well together
Both are used in salves for minor cuts, scrapes and skin irritation.

The honest take

Calendula cream is a gentle, low-risk choice for minor skin irritation, and small trials show mild healing benefits. Claims that it clears acne or heals deep wounds are not proven. Most of the data come from small trials of creams.