Calendula officinalis / Goudsbloem

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. / Goudsbloem

Familie: Asteraceae (Compositae) - Samengesteldbloemigen. Naam: Souci (Fr.), Ringelblumen (D.), Marigold (E.). Soorten: Calendula arvensis L. - Akkergoudsbloem, C. officinalis e.a. cultivars. 

Ecologie: Theofiet (eenjarige plant), geteeld - soms verwilderd. Inheems in Midden-, Oost- en Zuid-Europa. 

Materia medica, gebruikte delen van Calendula

Calendula flos of Flos sine calycibus, De gehele bloem, de hele bovengrondse bloeiende plant, maar vooral de bloemblaadjes van Calendula of­ficinalis L. en variëteiten 

Samenstelling; Inhoudstoffen

Farmacologie, fysiologische werking

Indicaties, Medicinaal gebruik

Huid en slijmvliezen (vooral uitwendig)

Genitaal stelsel

Kanker

* Vooral van baarmoeder en maag (?)

Ander gebruik

Receptuur en gereidingswijzen

Infuus: 10', 2g (1 eetlepel) per kopje (150ml)

Decoct: flos et fol. 3', 30 g/1 liter Dos.: 5 kopjes daags

Ind.: maagzweer, kanker?

Tinctuur: 1:5 (g/ml): 10ml daags (Com.E)

Species: R./

Hydrolaat als lotion om de huid te reinigen

Als mondspoeling, gorgelmiddel met Echte salie of Echte kamille

Compres hydrolaat of aftreksel samen met lijnzaad of smeerwortel: rijping acessen

Zalf / Cosmetica: Veel gebruikt in combinatie met Echte kamille, Rode zonnehoed...

Geschiedenis en wetenschappelijk onderzoek

In de Oudheid was er veel verwarring over de naam. Is ‘klymenon’ van Dioscorides onze goudsbloem of de Akkergoudsbloem?

Ook in de M-E werd de latijnse benaming Calendula vaak gebruikt voor Chicorei of Paardebloem. Ze werden allen ‘heliotropium’ (zonnevolger) genoemd.

Pas in de 12de eeuw werd de Goudsbloem met zekerheid geteeld en gebruikt bij o.a. brandwonden en zweren.

Matthiolus (1500 - 1577) gebruikt de bladeren voor wonden en andere kwetsuren.

Dodonaeus (1554): “ de bloeme.... doen den vrouwen huer natuerlijcke crankheyt comen.” ........dat cruyt ghedroocht ende op gloeyende colen geleyt treckt die secondine ende doode vruchten sterckelijck af / als de roock daer af comende van onder ontfanghen wordt.

Referenties

Andere referenties

Abstracts

Algemene literatuur, overzichten

Wetenschappelijk onderzoek abstracts

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;20(1):73-9. Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis. Preethi KC1, Kuttan R.

The effects of oral and topical application of Calendula officinalis flower extract on excision wounds made in rats were checked. The parameters assessed were the days needed for re-epithelization and percentage of wound closure. The hydroxy proline and hexosamine content in the granuloma tissue of the wound was also measured. The percentage of wound closure was 90.0% in the extract-treated group, whereas the control group showed only 51.1% on the eighth day of wounding (p < .01). The days needed for re-epithelization were 17.7 for the control animals; extract treatment at a dose of 20 or 100 mg/kg b.wt reduced the period to 14 and 13 days, respectively. A significant increase was observed in the hydroxy proline and hexosamine content in the extract-treated group compared with the untreated animals. The data indicate potent wound healing activity of C. officinalis extract


Indian J Exp Biol. 2009 Feb;47(2):113-20. Anti-inflammatory activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis Linn. and its possible mechanism of action. Preethi KC1, Kuttan G, Kuttan R.

Calendula officinalis flower extract possessed significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan and dextran-induced acute paw edema. Oral administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight Calendula extract produced significant inhibition (50.6 and 65.9% respectively) in paw edema of animals induced by carrageenan and 41.9 and 42.4% respectively with inflammation produced by dextran. In chronic anti-inflammatory model using formalin, administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight Calendula extract produced an inhibition of 32.9 and 62.3% respectively compared to controls. TNF-alpha production by macrophage culture treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be significantly inhibited by Calendula extract. Moreover, increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL- 1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and acute phase protein, C- reactive protein (CRP) in mice produced by LPS injection were inhibited significantly by the extract. LPS induced cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) levels in mice spleen were also found to be inhibited by extract treatment. The results showed that potent anti-inflammatory response of C. officinalis extract may be mediated by the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and Cox-2 and subsequent prostaglandin synthesis.


Acta Cir Bras. 2011 Feb;26(1):19-24. Angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis flowers L. in rats. Parente LM1, Andrade MA, Brito LA, Moura VM, Miguel MP, Lino-Júnior Rde S, Tresvenzol LF, Paula JR, Paulo NM.

In this work, angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) ethanolic extract and dichloromethane and hexanic fractions were evaluated, considering medicinal properties, especially healing activity, are attributed to this plant.

METHODS:

Models using 36 rats and 90 embryonated eggs were used to evaluate healing and angiogenic activities of extracts and fractions of the plant, through the induction of skin wounds and the chorioallantoic membrane, respectively. The effect of vascular proliferation was also tested from the study to verify the intensity of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cutaneous wounds in rats.

RESULTS:

The angiogenic activity of the extract and the fractions was evidenced in both experimental models. It was verified that this effect is not directly related to the expression of VEGF and it could be associated to other pro-angiogenic factors.

CONCLUSION:

The healing activity referred to C. officinalis is related, among other factors, to its positive effect on angiogenesis, characterized by the induction of neovascularization.


Int J Tissue React. 2005;27(3):101-6. Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

Duran V1, Matic M, Jovanovć M, Mimica N, Gajinov Z, Poljacki M, Boza P.

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract on the epithelialization of lower leg venous ulcers. The experiment was carried out in 34 patients with venous leg ulcers. The patients were divided into two groups. In the first (experimental) group, patients were treated with an ointment containing marigold extract, which was prepared in an apparatus devised by Soxleth and was incorporated into a neutral base. Twenty-one patients with 33 venous ulcers were treated. Therapy was applied twice a day for 3 weeks. The second group was a control group that consisted of 13 patients with 22 venous ulcers. In the control group, saline solution dressings were applied to ulcers for 3 weeks. In the experimental group the total surface of all the ulcers at the beginning of the therapy was 67,544 mm2. After the third week the total surface of all the ulcers was 39,373 mm2 (a decrease of 41.71%). In seven patients, complete epithelialization was achieved. In the control group the total surface of all the ulcers at the beginning of the therapy was 69,722 mm2. After the third week the total surface of all the ulcers was 58,743 mm2 (a decrease of 14.52%). In four patients, complete epithelialization was achieved. There was a statistically significant acceleration of wound healing in the experimental group (p < 0.05). The results obtained are preliminary, but they suggest the positive effects of the ointment with marigold extract on venous ulcer epithelialization.


Calendula History and Cultural Significance

Historically, calendula was known as “poor man’s saffron” as it was used to color and flavor foods, specifically butter, cheese, custard, bread, cookies, soups, and rice dishes.2,7,9 Calendula petals are also added to salads and used as a dye for fabric and hair.2 Currently, the pigment of the bright orange calendula is used in the pharmaceutical industry to give a pleasant color to some medicinal preparations.7

British herbalists John Gerard (1545-1612) and Nicholas Culpepper (1616-1654) both mention “marigold,” and 20th century British author Maud Grieve states that it is primarily a local (topical) remedy and that applying the petals to insect stings will reduce pain and swelling.10 She also recommends a lotion made of the flowers for sprains and wounds and a water distillation of the flowers for sore and inflamed eyes. While the flowers are the part most often used medicinally, Mrs. Grieve also mentions that the juice from the leaves would remove warts and that eating the raw leaves in salad was useful in the treatment of childhood scrofula, a tubercular degeneration of the lymph glands.10

Folk medicine healers in Europe prepared infusions, extracts, and ointments with the petals to induce menstrual flow, to produce sweat during fevers, and to cure jaundice. In 19th century America, the Eclectic physicians used calendula internally to treat liver problems, stomach ulcers, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the eyelids, commonly called pink eye), and externally for superficial burns, bruises, and wounds.9 Traditionally, the flower was also used externally as an antiseptic and to help stop bleeding.11

Calendula flowers demonstrate both astringent and anti-inflammatory activity and calendula infusions, ointments, and tinctures have been employed to heal bruises, burns, cuts, and the minor infections that they cause.12,13 Calendula preparations are used for skin and mucous membrane inflammations, such as pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), leg ulcers, boils, bed sores, gum inflammation, and rashes.4,7 Lotions, poultices, and compresses made with calendula flowers may also be used, based on which preparation is most suitable.14 Some herbalists recommend the plant’s essential oil for treating vaginal yeast infections.7

The German Commission E has approved the use of calendula flower internally and topically for treating inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, and externally for poorly healing wounds and foot ulcers.9 In the United Kingdom, calendula is approved as an herbal medicine for external use only in the General Sale List.4 In Canada, since the Natural Health Product (NHP) regulations went into effect in 2004, calendula is an active ingredient in NHPs requiring pre-marketing authorization and product licensing.15 Calendula flower ingredients are available in the United States for use in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and homeopathic remedies, and they are generally recognized as safe for food use (GRAS § 182.10) at 11 to 44 ppm (parts per million).2,4

Modern Research

Calendula’s healing properties, while established over centuries of use, are not well understood. Various activities have been shown for the essential oil and extracts of the flowers including the following: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, cytotoxic, anti-HIV, and wound healing.4,9 Recent studies investigating the calendic acid content of the calendula seed have found it to have antioxidant properties.16

While there are not many clinical studies to support the various uses of calendula, a few stand out. Loggia et al (1994) found that an ointment made with calendula flowers is effective in relieving the pain associated with cracked or tender nipples.17 In 2005, Duran et al obtained positive preliminary results for the use of calendula ointment in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.18 Another 2005 study (Fuchs et al) showed the protective effect of a calendula/rosemary cream preparation against irritant contact dermatitis caused by exposure to sodium laurel sulfate.19 A 1999 study suggested that a Romanian product containing calendula, burdock (Arctium lappa, Asteraceae), and herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum, Geraniaceae) was more successful than acyclovir (a common antiviral pharmaceutical medication) at resolving complaints and healing ulceration caused by herpetic keratitis (inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by herpes virus type I).20 (Note: The article cited is in Romanian and the plant parts were not specified in the English abstract.)

There are very few safety concerns regarding calendula. However, internal use of calendula preparations should be avoided during early pregnancy due to its ability to stimulate menstrual activity.21 Also, allergic hypersensitivity may be an issue for persons sensitive to other members of the plant family Asteraceae.21

Future Outlook

Most of the field trials and cultivation studies on calendula are evaluating its potential as a seed oil crop. According to a Kansas State University Research and Extension article from 2004, market potential for calendula is moderate to high, and the dried flowers can be sold for $4.80 to $39.00 per pound (dry weight).22 Estimated marketable yield of flowers, based on 43,560 plants per acre, is 1483 dry pounds/acre.22 Another report, from the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries in 2002, estimates that a grower could produce 175 pounds per quarter acre of organically-grown calendula flowers, which could be sold at an average price of $13.00 per pound.23

—Gayle Engels

References