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Garden Marigold Scientific Name: Calendula Other Names: Calendula officinalis, Gold Bloom, Golden Marigold, Holligold, Marybud, Pot Marigold Who is this for? Uses Even though oral forms of calendula have not been proven effective in studies, they have been used historically to treat stomach irritation and ulcers. It is believed that calendula may have some antispasmodic action, so it has also been used to relieve menstrual cramps. Calendula does have a high content of flavonoids, chemicals that act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. Oxidation produces oxygen free radicals, natural chemicals that may suppress immune function. This effect may enhance immune function in general, but more studies are needed for all the possible oral uses of calendula. Currently, topical forms of calendula are more commonly used than oral forms – especially in Europe. Calendula contains chemicals, which have been shown in animal studies to speed up wound-healing by several actions that include increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the production of collagen proteins. Calendula also possesses antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects due to its flavonoid content. In mouthwashes and gargles, calendula soothes sore throat or mouth tissue; in solutions, it treats hemorrhoids; in lotions and ointments it relieves acne, burns, diaper rash, insect bites, razor burns, scrapes and other relatively minor conditions of the skin or mucous membranes. In one small study of about 250 women undergoing radiation therapy after surgery for breast cancer, a commercial calendula ointment reduced the amount of skin irritation better than another commonly-used commercial preparation. Women who used the calendula ointment also reported less pain from the radiation. Results from recent animal and laboratory studies show that calendula may also have some anti-infective properties – particularly against fungal infections and against viruses, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. |