Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Medicinal Profile of
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold, is a vibrant golden flower revered in European and Ayurvedic traditions for its ability to cleanse, soothe, and restore tissues. Internally, it acts as a gentle lymphatic mover and digestive tonic, supporting detoxification and resilience. Externally, it is one of the most famous skin-healing herbs, used in salves, washes, and compresses for wounds, rashes, and inflammation. Its bright petals not only lift the spirit but also reflect its action: bringing warmth, circulation, and renewal to areas of stagnation or irritation.
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👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a food or herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.
Bitter – Detoxifying, cooling, and mildly stimulating to digestion and liver function.
Acrid (resinous undertone) – Stimulating, disperses stagnation, and promotes circulation.
Slightly Sweet – Restorative and nutritive, grounding to the system.
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👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.
Cooling (Stabilizing) – Reduces heat, irritation, and inflammation.
Drying – Contracts tissues, reduces excess moisture or discharge.
Light – Gentle and easy to digest.
Mobile – Moves lymph and circulation, dispersing stagnation.
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👉 Affinities describe which organ systems or tissues a food most directly influences, showing where its actions are felt most strongly.
Primary Affinities
Integumentary System (Internal & Topical) – Restores inflamed or damaged skin and mucous membranes.
Lymphatic System – Moves sluggish lymph, supporting detoxification and immune balance.
Secondary Affinities
Digestive System – Calms gut inflammation and tones mucosa.
Female Reproductive System – Traditionally used to regulate menses and soothe pelvic congestion.
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👉Terrain patterns describe the body’s functional state, showing when a remedy is most helpful or aggravating.
👉 To learn more about these patterns in depth, read this blog.
Primary Indication
Hyperreactivity in Skin, Gut, or Lymph) – Over-responsiveness showing as redness, irritation, eruptions, or swollen lymph nodes.
Form & Application: Infusion or tincture internally; compresses, washes, or salves topically.
Dose: 1 cup infusion (1–2 tsp dried petals per cup) up to 2x daily; tincture 2–4 mL, 2–3x daily; topical preparations applied as needed.Secondary Indication
Fluid Congestion in Skin and/or Lymph) – Sluggish lymph, boggy tissues, or moist eruptions.
Form & Application: Infusion or tincture internally; lymph-moving compresses or rinses externally.
Dose: 1 cup infusion daily, or topical rinse applied to affected areas. -
👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a food that give rise to its actions in the body.
Triterpenoids (faradiol, calenduladiol) – Strong anti-inflammatory activity.
Flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin) – Antioxidant, tissue-protective.
Carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene) – Skin-supportive, antioxidant.
Resins – Acrid, stimulating, antimicrobial.
Polysaccharides – Immune-modulating, mucosal soothing.
Volatile oils – Antimicrobial, aromatic.
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👉 Nutritional values give the measurable nutrients that a food contributes to the diet.
(per 1 tbsp dried petals, ~2 g)
Calories: ~7, Carbohydrates: ~1.5 g, Protein: ~0.3 g, Fat: ~0.1 g, Carotenoids: Lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene (skin and eye supportive), Trace minerals: Potassium, magnesium, calcium
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👉 Medicinal actions describe the specific ways a food influences organ systems and body functions.
Integumentary System (Internal)
Anti-inflammatory – Reduces redness and irritation in the skin and mucous membranes through systemic cooling.
Alterative (blood purifier/cleanser) – Clears chronic skin eruptions and supports detoxification via the lymph.
Antioxidant – Protects tissues from oxidative stress, aiding repair and renewal.
Integumentary System (Topical Actions)
Wound-healing – Speeds repair of cuts, scrapes, burns, and ulcers by stimulating granulation tissue and epithelialization.
Anti-inflammatory – Calms swelling, redness, and irritation in rashes, eczema, and dermatitis.
Antimicrobial – Resists bacterial, fungal, and viral overgrowth on wounds or infections.
Antipruritic – Reduces itching from eczema, insect bites, or allergic rashes.
Soothing emollient – When infused into oils or creams, hydrates and softens damaged skin.
Lymphatic System
Lymphagogue – Moves stagnant lymph, easing swollen nodes and supporting immune detoxification.
Immune support – Modulates immune function, assisting in chronic low-grade inflammation.
Digestive System
Anti-inflammatory – Calms irritation in the stomach and intestines.
Mucosal healing – Promotes repair of gastric or intestinal lining.
Bitter tonic – Gently stimulates digestion and bile flow.
Female Reproductive System
Emmenagogue (gentle) – Traditionally used to regulate delayed or stagnant menstruation.
Pelvic decongestant – Reduces pelvic stagnation and cramping.
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Second Degree – Reliable systemic and topical actions with notable effects on skin, lymph, and mucous membranes; safe for most constitutions but requires balancing in dry or depleted states.
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Sedatives – Mild calming effect may enhance sedative medications.
Anticoagulants – High flavonoid content may mildly influence clotting; theoretical caution with strong blood thinners.
General – Safe in culinary and topical use; interactions are rare.
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Infusion (tea) – Dried petals steeped in hot water for digestive, lymphatic, and systemic support.
Tincture – Alcohol extract concentrating resins and flavonoids for stronger internal use.
Infused oil – Petals steeped in oil for use in salves, creams, or massage oils.
Compress / wash – Strong infusion applied externally to wounds, rashes, or inflamed skin.
Culinary use – Petals occasionally added as edible garnish or coloring in foods.
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Dry / Atrophy terrain – May worsen dryness in already depleted constitutions if used long term without balancing moistening herbs.
Pregnancy – Avoid high-dose internal use (tinctures, strong teas) due to emmenagogue effect; topical use is safe.
Allergy – Possible sensitivity in individuals allergic to Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies, chamomile).
Children – Safe topically and in mild teas for soothing digestive upset or skin irritation.
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Traditional Sources
Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Penguin. (Calendula noted for wound-healing, skin conditions, and digestive uses.)
Culpeper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal. (Calendula described as cleansing, emmenagogue, and wound-healing herb.)
Weiss, R. F. (1988). Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield Publishers. (German herbalist text highlighting calendula’s alterative and anti-inflammatory uses.)
Modern Sources
Della Loggia, R., Tubaro, A., et al. (1994). “Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Calendula officinalis extracts.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 36(3), 287–292.
Preethi, K. C., Kuttan, G., & Kuttan, R. (2009). “Antioxidant potential of Calendula officinalis flowers in vitro and in vivo.” Phytotherapy Research, 23(4), 539–545.
European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2008). Assessment report on Calendula officinalis L., flos. (Scientific monograph on calendula’s safety and clinical use.)
USDA FoodData Central. (2024). Nutrient data for calendula petals. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
