Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), pot marigold flowers: traditional skin use, what wound and radiation-skin trials found, and the daisy-family allergy and pregnancy cautions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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What is Calendula good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Traditional use on minor skin irritation and small wounds
Preliminary or mixedCalendula flower preparations are traditionally used on minor skin inflammation, including sunburn, and as an aid in healing minor wounds. This rests on long use, not on strong trials.
Supplements: Traditional use only; trial results are mixed and do not show a clear benefit.
Wound healing
Preliminary or mixedIn animals, calendula extract sped up early wound healing. In people, results were mixed: smaller venous ulcers in two studies, but no improvement in one diabetic ulcer trial and no benefit in one burn trial.
Supplements: Human evidence is limited and mixed; it does not support a confirmed wound-healing benefit.
Preventing skin reactions during breast radiotherapy
Preliminary or mixedOne trial of 254 women found fewer grade 2 or worse skin reactions with calendula ointment than with trolamine (41% vs 63%). A later, smaller trial (81 analysed) found no detectable difference from a standard cream and was underpowered.
Supplements: Mixed; ask the radiation team before applying anything to treated skin.
Mouth and throat soothing
Not enough evidenceCalendula preparations are traditionally used for minor mouth or throat inflammation. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists a calendula rinse for chemotherapy-related mouth sores as a possible benefit needing more study.
Supplements: Not proven; reviews say larger studies are needed.
Laboratory anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
Lab or animal research onlyLab and animal studies suggest calendula has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. These findings have not been shown to translate into benefit in people.
Supplements: Lab and animal findings only.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Healthy SkinPreliminary or mixed
Used on the skin by tradition; trials on wounds and radiation skin reactions are mixed.
Body systems (2)
- Integumentary SystemPreliminary or mixed
Traditionally used on the skin for minor irritation and small wounds; human trials are limited and mixed, so benefit is not confirmed.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyPreliminary or mixed
Traditionally used on the skin for minor irritation and small wounds; human trials are limited and mixed, so benefit is not confirmed.
Body parts (1)
- SkinPreliminary or mixed
Traditionally used on the skin for minor irritation and small wounds; human trials are limited and mixed, so benefit is not confirmed.
Functional actions (2)
- Anti-InflammatoryLab or animal research only
Anti-inflammatory effects are reported in lab and animal studies; human benefit is not established.
- AntioxidantLab or animal research only
Antioxidant activity is reported in lab and animal studies only.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
Calendula can cause allergic contact reactions, especially in people allergic to daisy-family plants.
- Early Radiation DermatitisPreliminary or mixed
Two trials in breast radiotherapy disagree: one found fewer severe skin reactions than trolamine, the other found no detectable difference from a standard cream.
Documented risks and interactions (3)
- Contact allergy to daisy-family plants (documented risk). Calendula is in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. The EU summary says it must not be used by people allergic to plants of that family, and skin sensitisation has been reported. A patch-test study found 2.03% of 443 patients reacted to marigold.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding caution (documented risk). Memorial Sloan Kettering advises avoiding calendula during pregnancy and breastfeeding because its effects have not been studied.
- Age limits for use (documented caution). The EU summary says skin use is for people over 6 and mouth or throat use for people over 12, and to see a doctor if symptoms worsen or last longer than one week.
Calendula is in the daisy family (Asteraceae/Compositae), and the European Union herbal monograph says it must not be used by people allergic to plants of that family. Memorial Sloan Kettering names sunflowers, marigolds and ragweed. [1] [2] The EU summary also says skin sensitization has been reported. [3] Stop use and ask a clinician if a rash, itching or swelling appears. See side effects and reporting.
Overview
Calendula is the flower of Calendula officinalis, also called pot marigold. EMA says "calendula flower (or marigold)" is the flowers of Calendula officinalis L. [3] Memorial Sloan Kettering says it comes as creams and ointments, and also capsules, extracts and teas, and that fresh petals are used in salads. [2] This page covers calendula as a skin and mouth remedy. It gives no preparation instructions.Scientific name, plant part and look-alikes
Calendula officinalis L. is the accepted name, in the daisy family (Asteraceae). [4] The part used is the flower head. The common name "marigold" is shared with other plants: the garden marigolds in the genus Tagetes, such as Tagetes erecta, are a separate genus, also in the daisy family. [5] Studies and monographs about calendula do not automatically apply to Tagetes products, so check the Latin name on a label.Traditional use
This is tradition, not proof. Memorial Sloan Kettering says calendula is used for small cuts and burns and to soothe irritated skin, while many other uses have not been studied. [2] The EU committee accepts calendula flower preparations for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid in healing of minor wounds, and for minor mouth or throat inflammation, based on traditional use of at least 30 years. [3]What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wound healing | A 2019 systematic review of 14 studies (7 animal, 7 human) found faster acute-wound healing in animals, but human results were varied: two venous ulcer studies showed smaller ulcers, one diabetic ulcer trial showed no improvement, and a burn trial showed no benefit. [6] | Mixed | Calendula flower extract, skin |
| Preventing radiation skin reactions, breast cancer | One phase III trial of 254 patients found grade 2 or worse dermatitis in 41% on calendula versus 63% on trolamine. [7] A later 2021 trial of 81 analyzed patients found no detectable difference versus a standard cream, and was underpowered. [8] | Mixed | Calendula ointment or cream, people having breast radiotherapy |
| Minor skin inflammation, minor wounds, mouth and throat inflammation | The EU committee said studies had design problems, so firm conclusions could not be drawn. [3] | Traditional use only | Dried flower, infusions, creams |
| Calendula taken by mouth for any disease | Proper evidence not found. We searched EMA herbal summaries, Memorial Sloan Kettering and PubMed reviews of calendula for wounds and skin. | Insufficient evidence | Oral |
Forms and why the form matters
The EU assessment covers dried and crushed flowers and extracts in solvents such as ethanol or olive oil, as infusions for the mouth or skin, and liquid and semi-solid skin products. [3] Studies tested particular ointments or extracts, so results do not carry over to every cream, oil or tea.Safety
- Allergy: a patch test study of 443 patients found 2.03% reacted to marigold (calendula), and sensitization was often accompanied by reactions to other substances such as fragrance mixes and propolis. [9] Memorial Sloan Kettering also says calendula is known to cause allergic reactions. [2] See herbal allergy and cross-reactivity.
- Medicines: the EU monograph lists interactions as none reported. [1] See how interactions work.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [1] Memorial Sloan Kettering advises against calendula supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding. [2] See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Children: the monograph says use is not established under 6 years for skin use and under 12 years for mouth or throat use. [1]
- Signs of infection: see a clinician if skin infection signs appear or symptoms worsen; EMA says to consult a doctor if symptoms last longer than 1 week. [1] [3]
- During radiotherapy: ask the radiation oncology team before putting anything on treated skin.
- Surgery, liver, kidney, older adults: not described in the sources we read. That is not proof of safety.
Quality notes
Check the Latin name and plant part, and avoid products that only say "marigold". See quality testing and certifications and the skin herbs overview.Official statements
EMA/HMPC (European Union, 2018): traditional herbal medicine for minor skin inflammation, minor wounds and minor mouth or throat inflammation. [3] [1]A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a particular person.
Frequently asked questions
Is calendula the same as marigold?
Calendula is "pot marigold". Garden marigolds (Tagetes) are a different genus. [5] [3]
Does calendula heal wounds?
Human results are mixed and limited. [6]
Can calendula prevent radiation burns?
One trial reported fewer severe reactions than a comparison product; a later trial found no clear difference. Talk to your oncology team. [7] [8]
Who should avoid calendula?
People allergic to daisy-family plants, and pregnant or breastfeeding people. [1]
Is calendula tea safe?
Memorial Sloan Kettering says it is generally safe in food and tea but to talk with a provider before supplements. [2]
References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Calendula officinalis L., flos (revision 1), final, 27 March 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Calendula: purported benefits, side effects and more. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), HMPC. Calendula flower: herbal medicinal product, summary for the public, 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. Calendula officinalis L., GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (accepted name). Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. Tagetes erecta L., GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (accepted name; common name marigold). Read 2026-10-23.
- A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2019. PMID 31145533. Read 2026-10-23.
- Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2004. PMID 15084618. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis on prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis: a randomised controlled trial. Australas J Dermatol. 2021. PMID 32965030. Read 2026-10-23.
- The seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica (Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Contact Dermatitis. 2001. PMID 11722485. Read 2026-10-23.