Marigold

Calendula/Drug Interactions:

  • NoteNote: Calendula may compound the hepatic and renal toxicity of some other drugs, as high doses of calendula extract (up to 5.0g/kg) have led to hepatotoxicity in rodents (30).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In vitro, hydroacetonic extract from fresh plants inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (51) but did not demonstrate antimicrobial effects against A. viscosus, C. albicans, L. casei, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. oralis, S. sanguis, or S. sobrinus on biofilms of infant dentifrices (52).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In laboratory research, calendula had hypoglycemic effects (28).
  • Antigout agentsAntigout agents: Theoretically, calendula may interact with antigout agents.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In early animal studies, high doses of calendula preparations were reported to possess hypotensive effects (27). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In laboratory research, calendula had anti-inflammatory effects (53; 54; 55; 5; 56).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: According to secondary sources, calendula may decrease lipids and triglycerides.
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In laboratory and animal research, calendula had anticancer effects (57; 58; 59; 43).
  • AntiprotozoalsAntiprotozoals: In laboratory research, oxygenated terpene alcohols and terpene lactones from calendula have been observed to possess trichomonacidal activity (60).
  • AntispasmodicsAntispasmodics: In animal research, crude extracts of Calendula officinalis flowers were found to contain both spasmolytic and spasmogenic constituents (61).
  • Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: In laboratory research, calendula has been shown to have activity against HIV (62), vesicular stomatitis virus, and rhinovirus (63), as well as the Epstein-Barr virus (64).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In animal research, crude extracts of Calendula officinalis flowers were found to contain both spasmolytic and spasmogenic constituents (61).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In human research, Calendula officinalis extract has been proposed to aid in wound healing by promoting epithelial growth and by enhancing immune responses (33; 29).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In early animal studies, high doses of ingested calendula preparations were reported to act as sedatives (27), and calendula was shown to increase hexobarbital sleeping time (48). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.
  • SedativesSedatives: In early animal studies, high doses of ingested calendula preparations were reported to act as sedatives (27). In rats, calendula was shown to increase hexobarbital sleeping time (48). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.

    • Calendula/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • NoteNote: Calendula may compound the hepatic and renal toxicity of some other herbs and supplements, as high doses of calendula extract (up to 5.0g/kg) have led to hepatotoxicity in rodents (30).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In vitro, hydroacetonic extract from fresh plants inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (51) but did not demonstrate antimicrobial effects against A. viscosus, C. albicans, L. casei, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. oralis, S. sanguis, or S. sobrinus on biofilms of infant dentifrices (52).
  • Antigout herbs and supplementsAntigout herbs and supplements: Theoretically, calendula may interact with antigout herbs and supplements.
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In laboratory research, calendula had anti-inflammatory effects (53; 54; 55; 5; 56).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: According to secondary sources, calendula may decrease lipids and triglycerides.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In laboratory and animal research, calendula had anticancer effects (57; 58; 59; 43).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In laboratory research, extracts of Calendula officinalis had anti-oxidant activity and demonstrated strong abilities to scavenge reactive oxygen species (65).
  • AntiparasiticsAntiparasitics: In laboratory research, oxygenated terpene alcohols and terpene lactones from calendula have been observed to possess trichomonacidal activity (60).
  • AntispasmodicAntispasmodic: In animal research, crude extracts of Calendula officinalis flowers were found to contain both spasmolytic and spasmogenic constituents (61).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Calendula has been shown to have activity against HIV (62), vesicular stomatitis virus, and rhinovirus (63), as well as the Epstein-Barr virus (64).
  • Beta-caroteneBeta-carotene: Theoretically, since the stem and leaves of calendula contains beta-carotene, a possible supplement interaction exists with products that contain this ingredient.
  • Gastrointestinal herbs and supplementsGastrointestinal herbs and supplements: In animal research, crude extracts of Calendula officinalis flowers were found to contain both spasmolytic and spasmogenic constituents (61).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In laboratory research, calendula had hypoglycemic effects (28).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In early animal studies, high doses of calendula preparations were reported to possess hypotensive effects (27). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: In human research, Calendula officinalis extract has been proposed to aid in wound healing by promoting epithelial growth and by enhancing immune responses (33; 29).
  • LuteinLutein: Theoretically, since the stem and leaves of calendula contains lutein, a possible supplement interaction exists with products that contain this ingredient.
  • Neurologic herbs and supplementsNeurologic herbs and supplements: In early animal studies, high doses of ingested calendula preparations were reported to act as sedatives (27), and calendula was shown to increase hexobarbital sleeping time (48). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.
  • SedativesSedatives: In early animal studies, high doses of ingested calendula preparations were reported to act as sedatives (27). In rats, calendula was shown to increase hexobarbital sleeping time (48). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.

    • Calendula/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Calendula/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In laboratory research, calendula had hypoglycemic effects (28). In one small animal study, calendula was associated with a fatal reduction in blood glucose accompanied by decreased serum lipids and protein.
  • Blood lipidsBlood lipids: According to secondary sources, calendula may decrease lipids and triglycerides.
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In early animal studies, high doses of calendula preparations were reported to possess hypotensive effects (27). It is unclear whether topical calendula use causes systemic effects in humans.
  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Calendula has been shown to increase BUN levels in rodent studies (30).
  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: Based on the potential hepatoxicity demonstrated in rodent studies (30), calendula may alter liver enzyme activity.