FolkKB

Marigold

Calendula

Calendula, including species such as Calendula officinalis and Calendula arvensis, is a genus of flowering plants used across various traditional medicine systems. Historically, it has been applied to address headaches, fever, toothaches, and heart health. Scientific evidence suggests that a 1% Calendula officinalis extract in emollient creams may improve skin hydration and accelerate barrier recovery after irritation. Some studies also indicate that CO2 extracts may show low toxicity and antitussive activity, while marigold lutein shows favorable solubility when microencapsulated. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded.

At a glance
Traditionally for
headaches · fever
Traditions
traditional · Western phytotherapy
Best evidence
B
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

What the science says

  • The addition of 1% Calendula officinalis extract to an emollient cream significantly improved skin hydration and accelerated barrier recovery after irritant exposure. B PMID
  • The study found that Calendula arvensis was among the dominant herb species flourishing during the wet season in Rawdhat Khuraym, Saudi Arabia. D PMID
  • The CO2 extracts of Acorus calamus and Calendula officinalis showed low toxicity and good tolerability with pronounced antitussive activity. D PMID
  • The study found that microencapsulation of marigold lutein using an oil-based approach resulted in favorable solubility and encapsulation efficiency, though flowability was restricted. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Marigold?

Marigold (Calendula) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Marigold traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Marigold for: headaches, fever, toothaches, heart benefit. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Marigold?

Marigold appears in these traditions in our sources: traditional, Western phytotherapy.

What does the scientific evidence say about Marigold?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Marigold; the strongest carries evidence grade B. For example: The addition of 1% Calendula officinalis extract to an emollient cream significantly improved skin hydration and accelerated barrier recovery after irritant exposure.

How strong is the evidence for Marigold?

The strongest finding for Marigold carries evidence grade B — moderate evidence. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Marigold safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Marigold in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Marigold interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Marigold in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Marigold?

Marigold is also known as: календула, Souci.

Is Marigold a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Double-blind randomised controlled trial of an emollient cream with and without 1 % supercritical CO2 extract of Calendula officinalis in contact dermatitis. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Solvent-Free Oil-Based Extraction and Microencapsulation of Lutein from Marigold (Calendula officinalis). literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Assessing the Safety of Carbon Dioxide Extracts of Acorus calamus Rhizomes and Calendula officinalis Flowers and the Antitussive Activity of the Tablet Dosage Form 'Exkair' and Granules 'Zerp-Ak-Broncho' Developed on Their Basis. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Plant diversity, seasonal dynamics, and vegetation-soil relationship of Rawdhat Khuraym, Saudi Arabia: a biodiversity hotspot region within a hyper-arid region. literature abstract metadata
  5. T3 Calendula CC BY-SA 4.0

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