Calendula









Calendula


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
This product is used topically to help with wound healing and other skin problems such as mild burns and sunburn. It is also used orally for some digestive problems such as ulcers. It is also used to lower fever and help with cancer.
How does it work?
Calendula may work by the flower portion of the plant stimulating the immune system. This helps the body heal.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Topical:
  • Do not take this product by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and pain medicine.
  • Use with caution if you have an allergy to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants (ragweed, daisy, aster, chrysanthemum) and/or other pollens.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this product affects you.
What should I monitor?
  • Length/severity of menstrual cycles.
  • Degree of drowsiness/sedation. Adjust amount of natural product as needed. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Flower
Dosage forms
Topical, oral
Drug interactions
Barbiturates, medicines with sedative or hypnotic properties.
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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