Calendula is an herbaceous plant that can reach up to 50 cm in height and flowers during the period from spring until the first winter frosts.
Some of its most well-known traditional benefits:
Healing capacity
It strengthens the skin, protecting it from external aggressions and increasing collagen production thanks to its rich content of carotenes and flavonoids. It also helps with internal healing processes, such as in cases of ulcers.
Antiseptic, antibacterial, and fungicidal power
It strengthens the skin, protecting it from external aggressions and increasing collagen production thanks to its rich content of carotenes and flavonoids. It also helps with internal healing processes, such as in cases of ulcers.
Anti-inflammatory capacity
It can be indicated for any inflammation or pain in the body, whether internal or external; for example, we could recommend it after surgery to accelerate the recovery process.
Cosmetic use
It helps maintain the health and hydration of thinner, more delicate skin, thereby reducing the risk of irritation.
Digestive and menstrual problems
Other traditional uses of calendula include the reduction of digestive problems and the pain associated with the menstrual cycle. Its consumption can help prevent and treat menstrual cramps in women thanks to the presence of flavonoids, while it also reduces digestive problems such as indigestion and vomiting.
New properties for Calendula
In addition to these pharmacological activities already cited by popular use, recent studies have discovered new properties for Calendula. Scientist Wojeicki demonstrated that daily application of saponins from C. officinalis flowers for 12 weeks to rats with experimental hyperlipemia at doses of 10-50 mg/kg normalized cholesterol, free fatty acids, phospholipids, β-lipoproteins, total lipids, and triglycerides in the blood.
Scientist Samochowiec also confirmed that saponins isolated from C. officinalis decrease the content of cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lipids in rats fed an atherogenic (high-fat) diet.