You might not have heard of calendula essential oil, but you will most probably be familiar with marigolds. Calendula is essentially part of the marigolds family and it often has another name called “pot marigold”. The flower was later associated with the Virgin Mary since the 14th century and it has been in use since ancient times, since at least the 12th century to be exact.

For example, the calendula flowers are considered to be highly sacred in India, as it was used to adorn the statues of the religious gods/goddesses. It was also widely used by the ancient Egyptians for their rejuvenating properties.

Calendula essential oil is derived from the orangey-yellowish flower tops of the calendula (Calendula officinalis) plant, which grows around western Europe, southeastern Asia and the Mediterranean. It has a range of health benefits and uses! Read on to find out more about its benefits, and you just might be convinced to get a bottle for yourself!

Health Benefits of Calendula Essential Oil:

1. It is a Powerful Antiseptic with Antimicrobial Properties

Calendula essential oil contains potent antibacterial and antiviral components, making it extremely effective to promote healing and it cleans out bacteria that is festering on the skin as well as also in the body. It has been found that the oil and the acids found inside the oil are useful agents to fight pathogens, combat candida symptoms and some of the most persistent bacteria which are antibiotic-resistant. As such, calendula essential oil is one of the top ingredients used in many antiseptic topical products!

2. Promotes Healing

Thus, because of its antiseptic attribute, it ultimately promotes healing of ulcers, wounds and even hemorrhoids. It kills off the bacteria lingering on the skin and combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to soothe and calm the inflamed skin. The presence of antioxidants also makes it effective to protect yourself against infections and other complications as they accelerate the healing times of such wounds, open ulcers and cuts, hence preventing the wounds from getting septic.

A 2009 study published in the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology found that when calendula flower extracts were used on excision wounds made in rats, they had a 90.0% of wound closure as compared to the control group which only showed a 51.1% of wound closure.

Because of its ability to increase blood flow and oxygen to the wounds, it promotes tissue and cells regeneration at the infected area and thus, it can be used to battle hemorrhoids even.

How to Use it: By mixing calendula oil with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, almond or coconut oil), you can gently apply it topically to the infected area, making sure to avoid applying it on open wounds.

3. Contains Potent Anti-Inflammatory Abilities

Calendula also contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that are contained inside the flavonoids of the oil extract. A 2009 study published in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology found that the presence of these plant-based antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds help to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines and the C-reactive proteins to prevent inflammation and to protect cells from free radical damage.

As such, calendula oil is a useful remedy for all kinds of inflammatory ailments and it can be used to deal with diaper rash issues, dermatitis, ear infections, ulcers, arthritis and gout. In fact, it has been found that some ear drops contain calendula oil to treat ear infections in children!

How to Use it: Blended with a carrier oil, you can apply calendula oil topically onto the infected areas, making sure to avoid severe open wounds. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the oil to warm, bathing water to relieve aching joints and muscles.

4. Helps Relieve Menstrual Pains

Calendula essential oil can also help to regulate and induce menstrual flow, thus helping to promote regular menstruation in women. This is important because obstructed menstrual flow can lead to a variety of health problems and it can potentially be harmful to the health of the uterus, with increased risks of cancer, fibroids and cysts.

Furthermore, it helps to relieve some of the pains that come along with menstruation, such as menstrual cramps due to its antispasmodic qualities. It helps to relax muscles and stimulate blood flow, thus promoting an ease in menstrual flows.

How to Use it: Blended with a carrier oil, gently create a massage rub and rub it onto your lower abdominal area.

5. Calms Muscle Spasms

As mentioned earlier, calendula oil also contains antispasmodic qualities as it is a muscle relaxant and helps to soothe convulsions and cramps as well as contractions. Research done in 2006 from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan found that calendula flower extracts has spasmolytic and spasmogenic effects which explains why it was traditionally used to alleviate abdominal cramps and relieve constipation.

How to Use it: Blended with a carrier oil, gently create a massage rub and rub it onto your lower abdominal area. Alternatively, you can also add a few drops to warm, bathing water and let the oil soothe your irritated muscles.

6. Improves Oral Health

Oral hygiene and oral care is an extremely important habit to cultivate, and it pays to keep your mouth clean and disease-free as it boosts your confidence to communicate with people better. Calendula oil, with its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, helps to ward off bacteria that can potentially lead to various mouth-related diseases. This include gingivitis, cavities, plaque, gum disease and many more. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps to soothe inflamed gums.

How to Use it: You can add about 1-2 drops of calendula oil on your toothpaste and toothbrush. Alternatively, you can add a few drops to water to create a gargle mixture, but be careful not to ingest the mixture.

7. Exhibits Anticancer Potential

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, calendula oil can potentially fight against cancer and irritation from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. A 2006 study published in BMC Cancer found that the calendula extract exhibited strong in vitro inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, particularly against the tumor growth of Ando-2 melanoma cells. Additionally, it exhibited lymphocyte activation, guarding the body against harmful foreign and infectious invaders.

Such results seem promising but no doubt more research needs to be done to find out how specifically can calendula oil be incorporated in cancer management treatment plans. But this initial discovery can potentially revolutionize cancer treatments everywhere!

Safety Precautions:

• Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid using calendula essential oil since it promotes menstruation.

• When applying calendula oil topically, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and do a skin patch test first to ensure no sensitive or allergic reactions result.

• Calendula oil can possibly interact negatively with sedatives, diabetes and blood pressure medications, so consult your doctor first for professional health advice before proceeding to use the oil as an alternative form of treatment.

• If you are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as chamomile and echinacea, then avoid using calendula essential oil.

Calendula oil blends well with cypress, lavender, lemon and frankincense essential oils.

References:

Preethi KC, Kuttan R, “Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis”, Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology (2009); 20(1)

Preethi KC, Kuttan G, Kuttan R, “Anti-inflammatory activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis Linn. and its possible mechanism of action”, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (2009); 47(2)

Bashir S, et al., “Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers”, Pubmed (2006); 20(10)

Jimenez-Medina E, et al., “A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation”, Pubmed (2006); 5(6)