The Herbarium · Herbs & flowers
Calendula
Calendula officinalis · flower
A golden flower for the apothecary shelf.
Plant wisdom · evidence at a glance
Potential benefits
What researchers have found, how strong the evidence is, and where questions remain. Findings apply to the preparation studied—not automatically to products on our shelves.
Traditional use and mixed human evidence
Minor skin irritation & wound-care research
Calendula-flower preparations have traditional use for minor skin inflammation and as an aid in healing minor wounds. A review found mixed clinical results, so this does not establish calendula as a reliable wound treatment or a substitute for appropriate wound care.
Human research · conflicting findings
Radiotherapy-related skin care
Some trials reported benefit, while another found no detectable advantage over standard skin care. People receiving radiotherapy should use only products approved by their treatment team.
Open the field notes
Calendula refers to Calendula officinalis, known for its orange and yellow flowers. The botanical name matters: plants called marigold are not all the same species. A familiar common name is only part of the identification.
On the apothecary shelf
You may find calendula in oils, balms, and other skin-care preparations. Read the full formula, including fragrances and carrier ingredients. A topical preparation should be used as labeled; its floral ingredient does not make it suitable for every route of use.
Into the research library
Follow the scholarship behind the curiosity. These peer-reviewed papers examine specific ingredients or preparations—not TOP products. Human trials, research reviews, and preclinical studies answer different questions. A link is not a promise of benefit or a recommendation to treat a condition.
Systematic review of animal and human studies
Calendula and wound healing: mixed findings ↗Givol O et al. · Wound Repair Regen · 2019 Sep · PMID 31145533
Systematic review
Calendula wound studies: weak evidence ↗Leach MJ · Wounds · 2008 Aug · PMID 25941793
Human randomized trial
Calendula versus standard care for radiation dermatitis ↗Siddiquee S et al. · Australas J Dermatol · 2021 Feb · PMID 32965030
Human randomized trial
Calendula in a head-and-neck radiotherapy skin-care trial ↗Schneider F et al. · Rev Esc Enferm USP · 2015 Apr · PMID 25992820
Read each paper's methods, limitations, funding, and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Animal and cell findings do not establish benefits in people; a review may include the same trials as another review. PubMed links provide abstracts and full-text links where available.
Sources & further reading
EMA: Calendula flower ↗These independent references inform our educational notes. They are not endorsements of TOP or of any product. Notes reviewed October 31, 2026.
For adults 21+. Educational information, not medical advice. Our team can help you read labels and locate lab reports. A qualified health professional should advise on medicines, health conditions, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Ask a veterinarian before using any product with a pet. Availability varies; an educational page does not mean an ingredient is currently in stock.