Calendulae flos

Extract from marigold flowers (see also marigold) which can be used medicinally in various applications.

Ingredients: essential oils, the bitter substance calendulin, saponins (calendulosides), triterpenes, beta-carotene, lycopene, flavonoids

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: mild inflammation of the skin, minor wounds, mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa

ESCOP mon ograph: mild inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, minor wounds.
Commission e-monograph: inflammatory changes of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, wounds with poor healing tendency.

Empirical medicine: Prevention of radiation damage, skin care for post-operative radiation, ulcus cruris

Anti-oedematous, antiphlogistic (flavoinides, saponins). The carotenoid derivatives are attributed a granulation-promoting effect.

Internal: as a choleretic, emmenagogue, for liver and gallbladder disorders

Externally: anti-inflammatory(diaper dermatitis, solar dermatitis, eczema), antimicrobial and granulation-promoting effect in ointment bases; also used for poorly healing wounds(leg ulcers: however, there are no reliable studies on this indication).

Furthermore, for inflammatory changes of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Positive monographs from Commission E, the HMPC, WHO and ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) are available.

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. No data on fertility are available (HMPC).

1-2g drug to 1 cup of water (150ml).

1-2 teaspoons (2-4ml) of tincture to 250 -500ml of water.

As preparations in ointments: 2.0-5.0g drug to 100g ointment.

Contact allergic reactions, especially in patients with known sensitisations against composites.

Allergies to composite plants (Asteraceae)

Pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety studies.

Children under 6 years of age due to insufficient data.

In addition to the traditional infusions for poultices, ready-made Calendula ointments (Calendumed® cream) - creams, essences and skin care oils are available. Calendula cream

1. Aro AA et al.(2014) Effect of Calendula officinalis cream on achilles tendon healing. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 298:428-435.
2. Calendulae flos. Commission-E/BGA comments.
3. Calednulae flos. HMPC comments.
4. D'Ambrosio M et al. (2015) Structure and cytotoxic activity of sesquiterpene glycoside esters from Calendula officinalis L.: Studies on the conformation of viridiflorol. Phytochemistry 117:1-9.
5. Kodiyan J et al. (2015) A Review of the Use of Topical Calendula in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reactions. Antioxidants (Basel) 4:293-303.
6. Mahmoudi M et al. (2015) Comparing the effects of Bentonite & Calendula on the improvement of infantile diaper dermatitis: A randomized controlled trial. Indian J Med Res 142:742-746.
7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/ringelblume.php.
8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-calendula-officinalis-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf
9. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 179-180