What is Calendula: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage

Calendula is an herb popular in India, Western Asia, North America, and Europe. You may have known this herb as Pot Marigold, primarily seen in ornamental use. However, Calendula is also used as a medicinal herb. The extracts from different parts of the Calendula, such as flowers, seeds, petals, and leaves, are generally used in ayurvedic treatment. It is mainly because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties. Calendula benefits your health in many ways. 

Calendula herb benefits your immune system because of the bioactive compounds present in it. These compounds are phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and quinones mainly. They help cure skin inflammation, eczema, muscle spasm, and joint pain. Read on to know more about how Calendula benefits your health.

Five Amazing Benefits of Calendula

1. Improves Your Skin Health 

Calendula has anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat skin conditions such as allergies, inflammation, and pain. Flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoids are the three most important factors of Calendula that contribute to this property. It can be used to treat skin problems like eczema and dermatitis. Calendula also prevents histamine secretion in your body. This often causes redness, high pigmentation, and free radical activity in your skin.

Antioxidants from flavonoids in Calendula improve hydration in your skin too. These antioxidants help reduce aging signs that can occur at an early stage. You can use Calendula oil to protect your skin against exposure to harmful UV radiations from the sun. The antioxidants in the herb act as SPF, which prevents oxidative stress in your skin. Calendula also nourishes your skin, helping it absorb nutrients and moisture better. It provides natural nutrients like vitamin E, which is why Calendula for skin care is quite popular [1].

2. Boosts Your Immunity 

Calendula has anti-microbial properties that protect your body from bacterial infections. Calendula prevents diseases from spreading and kills pathogens. Additionally, the antioxidants present in Calendula reduce oxidative stress in your body by preventing free radical activity.

Calendula stimulates blood circulation and detoxifies your body as well. This helps your body to fight against toxins and treat infections. Calendula also helps with varicose veins, capillary engorgement, and a congested liver.

3. Lowers Risk of Cancer 

Calendula has anti-tumor properties. It activates proteins in your body that kill tumor cells. This reduces your risk of cancer by blocking other proteins that promote cell death [2]. Calendula tea and dried flowers are beneficial for their antioxidant components that treat dermatitis from radiation therapy in cancer patients.

4. Stimulates Your Oral Health 

Calendula can be used as a mouthwash for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities. Calendula herb benefits the mouth by promoting healing. The active compounds can provide you relief against sore throat and swelling from infections. You can use Calendula tea to treat tonsillitis and provide relief from toothache pain. Calendula can also cure gingivitis and dental plaque.

5. Promotes Wound Healing 

Calendula benefits also extend to healing muscle spasms and joint pains such as arthritis and gout. It regulates a few proteins in your body that help in healing wounds. It increases collagen in your body that forms new skin to heal cuts. Calendula can act as a sedative due to its bioactive compounds and can give you relief from body pain. It also helps with gastric ulcers and inflammation.

Side Effects of Calendula 

Besides its health benefits, it can have side effects. These occur due to incorrect use of Calendula extracts. Calendula belongs to the Asteraceae family, which can affect people who are allergic to other plants from this family. Calendula herb benefits menstruation by regulating hormones but can also cause hormonal imbalance in your body. It can also pose risks of miscarriage in pregnant women as it stimulates hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Calendula acts as a sedative that can cause breathing problems and sleeping disorders. This can lead to certain physical and mental health issues.

The Ideal Dosage of Calendula 

Calendula benefits are obtained from its plant extracts, suggesting that its optimal dosage is not specific. The plant extracts that are used for treatments are commonly found in 5 forms, which are: 

• Oil 
• Ointments 
• Tincture 
• Tea leaves  
• Balms

If you use these natural products correctly, they can treat diseases and infections, giving the best results. For example, 2-5% of Calendula ointment is commonly used to heal wounds and skin swelling. Except for Calendula tea and oil, you should use extracts as prescribed by doctors.

Calendula has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. Its rich profile of bioactive components improves your physical and mental health. You can use Calendula extracts, such as powders, oils, ointments, and tea leaves. You can use its tea leaves to make tea to help you gain the various Calendula benefits. This way, you can add the herb to your daily diet. To know the right way to use substances like Calendula, manjistha powder, and Withania somnifera, consult top ayurvedic specialists on Bajaj Finserv Health. Get a doctor consultation online and learn all about these herbs. You can also find insights into the different ayurvedic remedies for acne and other skin issues. Take this small step to ensure your health and well-being and enjoy a happy life ahead!