Herb Profile
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited
Use extra caution — Topical use can cause contact dermatitis or allergy, especially in Asteraceae sensitive users. Details
- Evidence
- Limited Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- High caution
- Best for
- Anti Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Skin Support, Inflammatory signaling
- Avoid / review if
- Asteraceae Allergy, Open/Infected Wounds Without Medical Care, Pregnancy For Non Topical Concentrated Preparations.
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Topical use can cause contact dermatitis or allergy, especially in Asteraceae sensitive users. Oral/concentrated use needs pregnancy caution.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Asteraceae Allergy
- Open/Infected Wounds Without Medical Care
- Pregnancy For Non Topical Concentrated Preparations.
- Topical Interaction Risk Is Low
- Avoid Layering With Irritating Actives On Compromised Skin Unless Supervised.
Safety classifications
- Interaction-Aware: Medication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
Full safety note
- Topical use can cause contact dermatitis or allergy, especially in Asteraceae sensitive users. Oral/concentrated use needs pregnancy caution.
Safety labels
- Interaction-Aware
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.
LimitedLimited Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Inflammatory Signaling Modulation · NF KB Modulation
Research maturity: Emerging research — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Topical use can cause contact dermatitis or allergy, especially in Asteraceae sensitive users.
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Grade C: Limited Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Systematic review
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a systematic review, drawn from 3 recorded studies, 1 in people.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)1 human evidence source · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 3 of 3 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 3 structured sources, including 1 human evidence source; 0 are human trials.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing Givol O et al. · Wound Repair Regen · 2019 Background | Systematic review Uses a predefined method to find and evaluate relevant studies, but may or may not pool their results statistically. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Aromatic plants as cosmeceuticals: benefits and applications for skin health Olivero-Verbel J et al. · Planta · 2024 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
PubMed indexed authors · 2006 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
- No standardized dose
- Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Evidence is strongest for topical creams/ointments used for radiation dermatitis and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Calendula works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Calendula Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- Inflammatory Signaling Modulation
- NF KB Modulation
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options
Calendula product picks
Affiliate recommendations for Calendula. Review safety, dose, and product quality before buying.
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Product form & quality guidelines
When sourcing Calendula, verify the label for:
- Standardized extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-party testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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