A golden flower that packs a healthy punch, Calendula has a rich history and a sweet taste. Read on to get to know its many benefits, history, uses, and side effects, and maybe even start growing your own calendula flower at home!

While you're at it, don’t forget to check out our other ultimate ingredient guides for more of a peek inside our flavor-packed soda can:

• Marshmallow Root
• Chicory Root
• Prebiotic Fiber
• Cassava Root
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Stevia

What Is Calendula?

Calendula flower is a bright orange flower used as a herbal remedy for a wide variety of ailments due to its healing properties and soothing effects. Also known as marigolds, the calendula flower belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family. It is originally native to Europe and northern Africa, although today, it has spread far beyond those areas. [1]

The medicinal part of the plant is its beautiful golden flower petals, which are edible and taste mildly sweet and peppery. [2] You can use the petals as a natural dye or culinary garnish. You can also apply them to the skin for wound healing and other ailments. Calendula is also an ingredient in beauty products and perfumes. [2]

History of Calendula

Although it’s unknown exactly where or when the flower originated, there's no doubt that calendula flowers are some of the oldest cultivated flowers. [3] As far back as the ancient Romans, Aztecs, Mayan, and other ancient civilizations, people have been using the plant for various reasons: from a natural dye to culinary and medicinal purposes. [4] The plant also played a role in Hindu culture as part of their food, fabrics, and beauty products. It also has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many centuries as a way to promote healthy skin.

There are also several myths and stories about calendula flowers. One folktale about the flower reveals that its name came from a young girl named Mary-Gold who spent her time watching the sun until she disappeared one day. A small golden flower appeared in the spot where she always used to sit, resulting in the flower receiving her name. [3] Other folk tales and traditions mention the plant offering magical qualities as a good luck charm or a symbol of protection. [4] Marigolds might even be the original plant for the famous "he loves me, he loves me not" petal-pulling rhyme. [4]

When the European settlers landed in the New World, they brought calendula flowers, nicknamed “pot-marigold”, with them — and not just for settling the score on whether a crush loves you or not! In those early days of America, the petals of the flower were often used for culinary purposes to add flavor or a golden yellow coloring. The flowers were often found in soups, broths, butter, cheese, puddings, and wine. [3] [4]

It wasn’t until the 1800s that doctors discovered the plant’s medicinal properties. They used the dried petals to help stop bleeding and heal wounds during the Civil War and World War I. [3]

Ways to Use Calendula

As mentioned, the calendula flower has a history of use for various purposes. The flower has a natural golden dye and a sweet taste, making it a popular choice for coloring fabrics, adding scent to cosmetics, and flavoring food throughout history and into today.

However, the flower is primarily known for its medicinal properties, some more grounded in research than others. The flower of the plant is rich in lutein, beta-carotene, and flavonoids (or naturally occurring substances found in fruits and vegetables). These nutrients play a role in our eye health and brain health, among other potential health impacts.

The natural chemicals in the plant could also help support new tissue growth, which helps with healing wounds and decreasing inflammation. [2] These natural chemicals and their healing properties are what made the calendula flower a go-to medicinal plant throughout history.

Over the years, calendula flowers have had a lot of uses, including: [2] [5]

• Healing wounds, burns, and ulcers
• Reducing swelling, inflammation, infection, and irritation
• Preventing muscle spasms
• Treating sore throat and mouth
• Alleviating menstrual cramps
• Treating vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis
• Aiding in treatment-related side effects of cancer

A study published in The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found that calendula ointment helped speed up the healing of cesarean scars for 72 women. [6] In another study published in The Journal of Wound Care, researchers found that calendula treatment resulted in greater healing for those with venous leg ulcers compared to a control group. [7]

While there are a few human studies such as these, keep in mind that most of the above uses have only been thoroughly researched through in vitro or animal studies. This means we need more research on the calendula flower’s long-term effects on the human body to fully understand its health-boosting properties. [2]

Regardless, the flower’s rich history and early human research show that there is something special about this golden plant, even if we haven’t fully grasped its capabilities.

How to Grow Calendula

Given all the amazing benefits of the calendula flower, it’s no surprise that these marigolds are frequently found in home gardens. Even if you have a brown thumb, you can grow your own calendula flower right at home without too much effort!

Here's how you can grow your own calendula flower: [3]

1. After purchasing the seeds from your local garden shop, plant them in a flower bed, garden, or small pot or container in the springtime. Aim for right after the last frost when the weather starts to warm up.
2. Look for an area that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day.
3. Place the seeds about a foot apart, and cover them in about ½ inch of soil.
4. Once you have a mature calendula plant, clip the whole flower (not just the petals). Use the fresh petals as a garnish in your cooking or dry the whole flower to add to your tea or to make homemade oil infusions. [2]
5. To dry the flower, wrap it in a paper towel and store it in an airtight container away from the sunlight in a dry, dark place. To make a homemade oil infusion, add your dried flowers to a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil.

The flower’s name comes from the Latin word “kalendae” which means “little calendar” or “the first day of every month”. This is due to the flower’s timely blooming schedule. [3] In less than two weeks after planting the flower, it should be right on schedule and starting to bloom! As an annual plant in most climates, they should continue to bloom and grow until the first frost starts in the fall or winter. [3]

Products With Calendula

The beauty industry has picked up on the benefits of calendula flowers, resulting in many different beauty products and cosmetics that feature this ingredient. If you prefer not to make a homemade oil infusion, you can go out and buy calendula oil on its own or as an ingredient in any number of products including:

• Lotions
• Moisturizers
• Facial or foot creams
• Healing balms
• Floral scents or perfumes
• Ointments
• Soaps
• Oils (cuticles, hair, etc.)
• OLIPOP! (more on that later...)

The healing and soothing properties of the flower are not just topical but you can consume them directly as well. This is why you'll find calendula in tinctures, teas, and capsules. [2] The healing and calming properties of the plant could help the skin resist signs of aging, calm irritated skin, and promote a “radiant or dewy-fresh” look.

Risks or Potential Side Effects of Calendula

Claims surrounding the use of calendula flowers are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means you should first clear any use of the product for medical purposes by a medical professional first. This is especially important if you are taking any kind of medication, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you're scheduled for surgery. [2]

However, most experts say that the plant is likely safe for most people to consume or apply directly to the skin. [5] The only major side effects reported from plant use are the result of allergic reactions. If you are someone who is allergic to daisies, ragweed, or any other plant in the Asteraceae family, consult your primary care doctor before consuming the flower to avoid a potential allergic reaction. [2]

Why Is Calendula Flower in OLIPOP?

Our team has spent years searching for research-backed ingredients like calendula flowers that have historical evidence of working to fuel our healthiest selves. That’s why we use calendula flowers in our OLIPOP sparkling tonics!

They’re added for their sweet taste, vibrant coloring, soothing effects, and healing properties. The natural chemicals in the plant promote healthy skin and help to decrease inflammation. Plus we’re always learning more about the health benefits and the science behind this amazing golden flower!

Interested in exploring our other ingredients? Head to our blog for more research, uses, and benefits in our ultimate ingredient guides. 

Sources

1. United States Department of Agriculture. (2016, May). Weed Risk Assessment for Calendula arvensis L. (Asteraceae) – Field marigold. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/wra/Calendula-arvensis.pdf
2. Cervoni, B. (2020, June 14). The Health Benefits of Calendula. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-benefits-of-calendula-4582641
3. Calendula – A Little History and Some Growing Instructions. (2016, March 1). Harvesting History. https://harvesting-history.com/calendula/
4. Rose, M. (2020, January 18). Calendula officinalis History and Uses. Dave’s Garden. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/calendula-officinalis-history-and-uses
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2020, August 25). Calendula. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/calendula
6. Jahdi, F., Haghighi Khabbaz, A., Kashian, M., Taghizadeh, M., & Haghani, H. (2018). The impact of calendula ointment on cesarean wound healing: A randomized controlled clinical trial. The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 7(5).
7. Buzzi, M., de Freitas, F., & de Barros Winter, M. (2016). Therapeutic effectiveness of a Calendula officinalis extract in venous leg ulcer healing. Journal of Wound Care, 25(12), 732–739. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2016.25.12.732

Meet our Expert This article is reviewed by Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD. Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian, book author, and freelance writer. Her work can be found in many major media outlets and on her women’s health nutrition-focused Instagram account @LaurenLovesNutrition. Raised in sunny South Florida and now living in Charleston, South Carolina, she has a love for the ocean and would be living on a houseboat if she had her way. She currently lives with her husband, young daughter, and 70-pound rescue pup.