OriginA garden plant whose wild form is unknown
The marigold has been a staple in every monastery garden since the Middle Ages - but to this day, no one knows for sure where it originally came from.
There is a curious gap in botany: Calendula officinalis It has been growing in European gardens for well over a thousand years, is described in every medieval herbal, is now widespread worldwide – and yet a wild original population has never been found. The best assumption is that it originated in the southern Mediterranean region and descended from the wild field marigold. Calendula arvensis It was bred out over so many generations that the original form disappeared. Like garlic, it is therefore a purely cultivated plant: it arose from humans repeatedly sowing it.
The name comes from Latin. calendae, The marigold blooms on the first day of every month – the plant flowers so continuously that it was once said to bloom on the first of every month. The German name "Ringelblume" (marigold) refers to the curved, ringed fruits, which look like small claws and curl up when drying. These fruits are also the reason why the plant so reliably self-seeds: they anchor themselves in the soil instead of being blown away. Anyone who has had marigolds in their garden once will have them again the following year without having to do anything.
In folk medicine, calendula had two roles. One, which has remained, is that of a wound herb. Calendula ointment was a staple in every household, applied to grazes, chapped hands, and sore nipples, and used to support farmers throughout the winter. Its other role was as an oracular plant – if the blossoms didn't open in the morning, it was said to rain. There's actually some truth to this, as the flower heads do react to humidity and light, and they remain closed longer under overcast skies. However, it's not a reliable barometer.
To useWhat calendula can do for the skin - and what it can't.
The area of application for calendula is the skin, and there especially small, superficial injuries. The European Medicines Agency lists calendula flowers as traditional use For the external treatment of minor wounds and mild skin inflammations. "Traditional use" means that the application has been common for so long and so widely that it is considered sufficiently safe – its effectiveness is supported by experience, not proven by large studies. Commission E went a step further in 1986 and issued a positive monograph for external use in poorly healing wounds and for internal and external use in inflammations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.
The reasons for this are well-researched in the lab. Faradiol monoesters, a group of triterpenes from the ray florets, inhibit edema in animal models as effectively as comparable amounts of indomethacin. The polysaccharides they contain form a film on mucous membranes and wound surfaces. Cell cultures show that calendula extracts stimulate the migration of fibroblasts—precisely the cells that cause wounds. These are solid findings, and they explain why the experience is so consistent. However, these are lab results, not a guarantee of a cure: a cell culture dish won't tell you how quickly your scraped knee will heal.
In humans, the data is less robust than its good reputation might suggest. There are studies on radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients where a calendula preparation performed better than standard care – and others where it did not. There are small studies on episiotomies after childbirth and on diabetic foot syndrome, all with few participants and methodological weaknesses. A Cochrane review of wound dressings for leg ulcers found no conclusive evidence of superiority. The honest conclusion: Calendula is a well-tolerated, useful treatment for small, clean skin injuries. It is not a wound therapy, and a wound that looks worse rather than better after a few days should be examined.
Internally, calendula plays almost no role today. Its old use as a gargle for sore throats is plausible—mucous substances plus mildly anti-inflammatory triterpenes—and harmless. Folk medicine also used it for stomach ailments and menstrual problems; however, there is no reliable research to support these claims. If you like the tea, you can drink it. But don't expect any specific results.
IngredientsYellow color, sticky resin and a pinch of slime
Anyone who touches a fresh calendula flower will have sticky fingers afterward, and this film is chemically the most interesting part of the plant. It consists of triterpenes, primarily faradiol and its esters with myristic and lauric acid. These substances are concentrated in the ray florets, the yellow-orange rays on the outer part of the flower head, and significantly less so in the disc florets in the center. Therefore, if you buy a drug containing only the plucked ray florets, you have the stronger product—you can recognize it by the absence of green bracts.
The color comes from carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin make up the majority, along with lycopene and beta-carotene. Orange-flowering varieties contain more of these than pale yellow ones, which is why the intensely orange cultivars are preferred both as dyes and medicinal herbs. These carotenoids are fat-soluble – this is why an oil infusion takes on an intense color, while a watery tea remains only pale yellow.
In addition, flavonoids, primarily glycosides of quercetin and isorhamnetin, dominate aqueous extracts, as do mucilage polysaccharides, which are responsible for the slightly filmy sensation when gargling. The essential oil is present in small amounts, less than one percent, and has a faint resinous-herbal scent; calendula is not a fragrant plant. Finally, there are sesquiterpene lactones – the same group of substances that trigger contact allergies in members of the Asteraceae family. Their concentration is low in calendula, so the allergy risk is lower than with arnica, for example, but not zero.
Practically speaking, this leads to a clear rule for preparation: If you want to access the triterpenes and carotenoids, you need fat or alcohol. If you want to access the flavonoids and mucilage, water is sufficient. Classic calendula ointment doesn't combine either – it's a pure fat extract, and that's precisely why it's a more beneficial form for the skin than a tea compress.
Enhanced combinationsWhat the marigold goes well with
Calendula is the base plant of skincare – mild enough to form the foundation into which other herbs are added. These combinations are tried and tested.
Two anti-inflammatory members of the daisy family with different strengths: chamomile provides bisabolol and chamazulene, while calendula contains faradiol esters and mucilage. A combined oil extract provides the classic base for irritated, dry skin. Those allergic to either should avoid both, as the triggering substances are related.
Ribwort plantain provides aucubin and tannins and has an astringent effect, while calendula soothes and nourishes. In folk medicine, this is the standard mixture for grazes and insect bites. Both grow along the same roadsides and bloom at the same time.
The choice of fat is crucial for making an oil infusion. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, hardly spoils, and produces a spreadable infusion that can be used without beeswax. This is often more pleasant for the face and dry hands than a hard ointment.
For a lighter, faster-absorbing preparation, use argan oil as the extraction agent. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, which means it doesn't go rancid as quickly and doesn't leave a heavy film – good for the face and décolleté.
When gargling for a sore throat, the two complement each other perfectly: sage provides tannins and essential oil and astringes the mucous membranes, while calendula coats them with a mucous film. Gargle with both as an infusion, lukewarm, several times a day and spit out.
As a coloring agent, calendula needs fat or hot starch to release its color. Add the ray florets to rice cooking broth or melted butter – after a few minutes everything will be golden yellow. There's almost no change in taste, and that's the point.
What contradicts itselfIt's best to avoid these combinations.
Those who react to arnica, chamomile, mugwort, or chrysanthemums have a significantly increased risk of also reacting to calendula—the sesquiterpene lactones are cross-reactive. Combining several members of the Asteraceae family in one ointment further increases this risk without a corresponding increase in benefit.
Applying an ointment to a deep, gaping, or soil-contaminated wound is not helpful; it only traps germs. Such wounds should be cleaned and treated by a doctor – calendula should only be applied afterward, to the dry, clean scar.
Applying greasy extracts to weeping areas often worsens the condition because they trap the moisture. Moist compresses or medically prescribed treatment are indicated here, not oil-based ointments.
If flowers that are not completely dried are infused in oil, water will form in the mixture – creating a breeding ground for mold and, in the worst case, clostridia. Oil infusions should only be made with bone-dry material and discarded if cloudy or bubbling occurs.
There is no sound basis for internal use in treating stomach, liver, or menstrual problems. Therefore, anyone who postpones seeing a doctor is wasting time.
Calendula is considered safe for external use. However, there is no data on its internal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the EMA explicitly advises against it. This isn't a known risk, but rather a gap in the data – and for a plant with no internal benefits, that gap is reason enough to avoid it.
In the kitchenWhere the golden color really makes a difference
- RisottoAdd a few ray florets to the broth – the rice turns saffron yellow, without any saffron being used. The taste remains neutral; the appearance makes all the difference.
- butterAdd blossoms to melted butter, let steep for ten minutes, strain, and chill. This yields the vibrant yellow country butter that was once considered a mark of quality.
- cream cheeseStir the ray florets into quark or cream cheese. After an hour in the refrigerator, the mixture will be colored throughout and speckled with orange.
- Leaf lettuceSprinkle the fresh flower petals directly over the salad. They have a slightly bitter, resinous taste, but it's so subtle that it's only noticeable as a nuance.
- SoupSprinkled into clear broths, the flower petals float to the top and release their color. A classic ingredient in rustic wedding soups.
- Pasta doughFinely chopped dried flowers in the pasta dough - results in yellow ribbon pasta without egg and with a slightly herbaceous flavor.
- Egg dishesIn scrambled eggs or omelets, the blossoms enhance the yellow color and give the mixture a slightly resinous depth.
- Herb vinegarPlace the blossoms in light wine vinegar and let it infuse for two weeks. The vinegar will take on a golden hue, which looks beautiful in vinaigrettes.
- bread doughOne tablespoon of dried flowers per loaf gives the crumb a warm color - especially noticeable in light wheat breads.
- Pickled budsThe still-closed flower buds can be pickled in brine and vinegar, similar to capers. This yields small, tangy-resinous balls for sauces.
As a home remedyThe cold oil infusion - the only preparation you really need.
Calendula oil using the cold method
- Harvest the blossoms on a sunny, dry morning once the dew has evaporated. Either pick the entire flower heads or just the ray florets – the latter contain more active ingredients.
- Spread them out on a cloth and dry for two to three days in a well-ventilated, shady place until they rustle between your fingers. This is the most important step: any residual moisture will spoil the starter later.
- Fill a clean, completely dry screw-top jar two-thirds full with the dried blossoms and completely cover them with oil – olive oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil. All blossoms must be submerged.
- Seal the jar and place it in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight, for three to four weeks. Swirl it every few days and check if anything floats to the surface – push any floating material down.
- Strain through a fine sieve or cloth, squeeze well, pour into a dark bottle, label and date. Store in a cool, dark place.
- To make an ointment, gently warm the extract and stir in approximately 10 to 15 g of beeswax per 100 ml until completely dissolved. A test on a cold spoon will show the final consistency.
For dry, chapped skin, cracked hands and lips, after shaving, for the care of healed abrasions, and as diaper rash cream for babies. Not for open, weeping, or deep wounds – these should be treated cleanly, not with creams or lotions.
A 500ml jar yields approximately 300ml of finished extract, easily lasting a year. It has a shelf life of around 12 months; if the extract smells rancid or has become cloudy, it should be discarded.
Ayurveda & TCMWhat the old systems say
Ayurveda
The calendula is not a classic Ayurvedic plant – it came to India with the Europeans and was primarily adopted as a temple flower, bound in chains and offered to the deities. In modern Indian folk medicine, it has become established as a remedy for wounds and skin conditions, classified as cooling and pitta-soothing, meaning effective against heat and inflammation. This classification is a later addition and is not found in any of the original foundational texts.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Calendula is also an immigrant in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It does not appear in the classical materia medica texts; where it is described in modern Chinese sources, it is described using Western terms. In TCM, its role as a cooling agent for the skin, clearing heat and toxins, is taken over by the chrysanthemum. Ju Hua a - also a member of the daisy family, which is a nice parallel, but does not establish any relationship in terms of application.
Warning noticesWhen you should be careful
Please note
- Asteraceae allergy: Those who react to arnica, chamomile, mugwort, chrysanthemums, or yarrow may also react to calendula. Before applying it to a large area, test a small area in the crook of your elbow and wait 24 hours.
- Do not apply to deep or dirty wounds: Oily preparations applied to deep, gaping, or dirt-contaminated wounds can trap germs. Such wounds should be cleaned and treated by a doctor, with tetanus vaccination if necessary.
- Avoid internal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is no data available regarding internal use during this period. Calendula is considered safe for external use, including on the breasts – wipe before breastfeeding.
- No replacement in case of signs of infection: Redness that spreads, increased warmth, pus, a red streak towards the center of the body, or fever are signs of infection. See a doctor immediately; do not continue applying ointments.
- Homemade extracts made only from dry material: Damp blossoms in the oil pose a risk of mold and bacterial growth. If the oil becomes cloudy, has bubbles, an off-odor, or a film of sediment, discard the entire batch; do not skim it off.
- Avoid eyes: Despite its mild reputation, calendula preparations should not be used in the eyes. For eye problems, there are sterile, approved preparations available.
This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.
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SourcesWhat is this based on?
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC: Community herbal monograph on Calendula officinalis L., flos - traditional use, external application.
- Commission E, Monograph „Calendulae flos“, Federal Gazette No. 50 of 13.03.1986.
- Della Loggia R. et al.: The role of triterpenoids in the topical anti-inflammatory activity of Calendula officinalis flowers. Planta Medica 1994.
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Dressings and topical agents for treating venous leg ulcers - Review of the evidence base for topical preparations.
- Blaschek W. (ed.): Wichtl - Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Chapter Calendulae flos, Scientific Publishing Company.
