Calendula Officinalis
- has been in medical use for many decades
- known as “healing agent”
- used in Vaginitis
Active ingredients – Calendula Officinalis
- triterpene saponins
- triterpene alcohols
- flavonoids carotenoids
- coumarins
- essential oils
- polyacetylenes
- phenol-carboxylic acids
- bitter substances
- phytosterols
- polysaccharides
Main characteristics of Calendula Officinalis
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- antiviral
- antitrichomonal
- cellular regeneration
- granulatory action
- coating
- antiarteriosclerotic
Calendula Officinalis is used for:
- skin problems
- insect bites and stings
- sunburn
- vaginitis
- sore throat
- detoxification
- immunostimulation
Preclinical studies revealed various effects:
a) stimulation of wound healing
Studies of Patrick K.F.M. et al. revealed wound healing stimulating effect (Patrick K.F.M. et al. 1996).
b) anti-inflammatory properties
Several studies showed anti-inflammatory effects (Della Logia et al. 1994, Akihisa et al. 1996, Zitterl-Eglseer et al. 1997). The study by Della Logia in 2000 revealed as active principle of the antiinflammatory properties the content of faradiol esters (Della Logia 2000).
c) antimicrobial, antifungal and virucide properties
Terpene alcohols and terpene lactones of the essential o il show antimicrobial , antifungal and virucidal activities, revealed by different studies (Kasi ram K. et al. 2000; Kalvatchev Z. et al. 1997; De Tommasi N. et al. 1990).
Calendula is a well known herb and has been used in medicinal and cosmetic applications for many centuries.
Due to this fact the German Commission E strongly recommends in their monographs, the external use of Calendula. Also the ESCOP (The European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy) recommends Calendula especially in the skin care. The ESCOP monographs highlights in detail the stimulation effect of wound healing.