Calendula officinalis
Bright, resinous, and easy to recognize, calendula is one of the most useful plants to become familiar with when beginning herbal study. Often called pot marigold, calendula has a long history of traditional use in topical herbal preparations and remains especially popular in herbal skin care.
Plant at a Glance
Common Name: Calendula, Pot Marigold
Latin Name: Calendula officinalis L.
Family: Asteraceae
Part Used: Flower heads and petals
Calendula should not be confused with ornamental marigolds from the Tagetes genus. When purchasing calendula for herbal preparations, look specifically for Calendula officinalis.
Key Herbal Actions
Calendula is commonly described in herbal practice as:
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Anti-inflammatory
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Vulnerary — traditionally used to support the normal healing of minor skin injuries
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Lymphatic
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Antimicrobial
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Astringent
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Soothing to irritated tissues
Its traditional topical use is particularly well established. The European Medicines Agency recognizes calendula flower preparations for traditional use with minor skin inflammation and as an aid in the healing of minor wounds.
Research into calendula and wound healing is promising, although the strength of clinical evidence varies and more high-quality human studies are still needed.
Traditional Uses
Calendula has traditionally been incorporated into preparations for:
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Dry or irritated skin
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Minor cuts and scrapes
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Chapped skin
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Minor inflammatory skin conditions
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Herbal salves and balms
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Infused oils
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Compresses and washes
Its affinity for the skin makes calendula an especially useful herb for learning basic topical herbal preparation.
Organoleptic Profile
Learning an herb involves more than reading about it. Take some time to experience calendula with your senses.
Color: Golden yellow to deep orange
Aroma: Mildly herbal, earthy, and somewhat resinous
Texture: Dried petals are light and papery, while the flower base can feel slightly sticky or resinous
Taste: Mildly bitter and herbaceous
Try placing a dried flower in your herbal journal and recording what you notice before reading someone else's description.
Common Preparations
Calendula can be incorporated into several preparations, including:
Infused Oil
Dried calendula flowers are infused into a carrier oil for later use alone or as the base of balms and salves.
Balms and Salves
Calendula-infused oil can be combined with wax to create a semisolid topical preparation.
Compresses and Washes
A water-based preparation may be used externally as part of traditional skin care.
Tea or Infusion
Calendula is also used in some herbal tea preparations, although topical applications are among its best-known traditional uses.
Simple Calendula-Infused Oil
You Will Need
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Dried Calendula officinalis flowers
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A clean, completely dry glass jar
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A carrier oil such as olive, sunflower, or jojoba oil
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Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
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Clean storage bottle
Method
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Fill the jar loosely with dried calendula flowers.
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Completely cover the plant material with your carrier oil.
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Make sure all of the dried herb remains beneath the oil.
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Close the jar and allow it to infuse according to your preferred herbal oil-infusion method.
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Strain the plant material thoroughly.
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Transfer the finished oil to a clean, dry container and label it with the herb, carrier oil, and preparation date.
The finished infused oil can be used as a simple body oil or incorporated into future balm and salve formulations.
Safety & Contraindications
Calendula is generally considered well tolerated when used appropriately, but people with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family may also react to calendula. The EMA specifically lists hypersensitivity to plants in this family as a contraindication for calendula preparations.
For significant wounds, infection, persistent inflammation, unexplained skin changes, or symptoms that worsen rather than improve, seek appropriate medical care rather than relying on home herbal treatment.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, and anyone using herbs therapeutically alongside medications should use preparations appropriate to their circumstances and seek qualified guidance when needed.
Why Calendula Belongs in the Home Herbalist's Materia Medica
Calendula is a wonderful plant for learning how one herb can move from garden → identification → sensory study → preparation → practical use.
It is accessible enough for beginners while offering plenty to explore as herbal knowledge deepens.
That is exactly what we want to encourage through the Learning Lab: don't simply memorize an herb's uses.
Meet the plant. Learn its name. Experience it. Understand its safety. Then learn what you can make with it.
Continue Learning
Explore more Herb Profiles, free recipes, preparation guides, and Learning Lab resources through Soil Rooted Remedies.
Sources & References
Deligiannidou, G. E., et al. (2025). An update of phytotherapeutic advances of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) in wound healing. Pharmaceuticals. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12656484/
European Medicines Agency. (2023). European Union herbal monographs: Overview of recommendations for the uses of herbal medicinal products in the paediatric population. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/european-union-herbal-monographs-overview-recommendations-uses-herbal-medicinal-products-paediatric-population_en.pdf
European Medicines Agency. (n.d.). Calendulae flos: Herbal medicinal product. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/calendulae-flos
Ejiohuo, O., et al. (2024). Calendula in modern medicine: Advancements in wound healing and therapeutic applications. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.
Shahane, K., et al. (2023). An updated review on the multifaceted therapeutic potential of Calendula officinalis L. Pharmaceuticals, 16(4), 611. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10142266/
University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. (2025). Calendula, Calendula officinalis. Wisconsin Horticulture. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/calendula-calendula-officinalis/
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