A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing.
Givol O, Kornhaber R, Visentin D, et al. A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen 2019;27(5):548-561.
Study type: Systematic review (14 studies) · Added to this library August 23, 2026
What the researchers did
All the calendula wound-healing evidence, weighed.
What they found
Consistent acceleration of the inflammatory phase and more granulation tissue in acute wounds; evidence for chronic wounds and burns mixed.
Why it matters
Calendula's lane is the acute, inflamed, healing lesion — which is exactly where we deploy it.
Relates to the pattern: General (all patterns)
This summary is educational and does not replace care from your child's pediatrician. Evidence tiers matter: a finding in cells or animals is a reason a treatment could work, not proof that it does.
More in Calendula
A Randomized Comparative Trial on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Topical Aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on Diaper Dermatitis in Children.
Panahi Y, Sharif MR, Sharif A, et al. A Randomized Comparative Trial on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Topical Aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on Diaper Dermatitis in Children. ScientificWorldJournal 2012;2012:810234.
Study type: RCT — in infants (n=66, under 3 years)
What: Calendula ointment vs aloe vera for diaper dermatitis in babies, ten days.
Found: Both improved rash significantly; calendula left significantly fewer rash sites (p=0.001); no adverse effects in either group.
Why it matters: The best infant-safety trial data of any herbal topical we use — a randomized trial, in babies, with zero adverse events.
Phase III Randomized Trial of Calendula Officinalis Compared With Trolamine for the Prevention of Acute Dermatitis During Irradiation for Breast Cancer.
Pommier P, Gomez F, Sunyach MP, et al. Phase III Randomized Trial of Calendula Officinalis Compared With Trolamine for the Prevention of Acute Dermatitis During Irradiation for Breast Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2004;22(8):1447-1453.
Study type: RCT (phase III, n=254)
What: Calendula vs the standard cream for radiation skin damage during breast-cancer treatment.
Found: Severe dermatitis in 41% on calendula vs 63% on the comparator (p<0.001), with less pain and fewer treatment interruptions.
Why it matters: Published in oncology's flagship journal: the humble marigold salve protected skin under literal radiation better than the pharmaceutical standard.
Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.
Parente LML, Lino Júnior RdS, Tresvenzol LMF, et al. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:375671.
Study type: Animal
What: Calendula extract in rat wounds and a blood-vessel-growth assay.
Found: More new blood vessels, less fibrin, more collagen by day 7 — and direct antibacterial activity against S. aureus.
Why it matters: The European vulnerary ("wound herb") tradition, decomposed into angiogenesis, collagen and antisepsis.
Calendula officinalis stimulate proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts via expression of growth factors TGF-β1 and bFGF.
Calendula officinalis stimulate proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts via expression of growth factors TGF-β1 and bFGF. Inflamm Regen 2019.
Study type: In vitro
What: Calendula's effect on fibroblasts, the skin's builder cells.
Found: Proliferation up ~65%, driven by the repair growth factors TGF-β1 and bFGF.
Why it matters: The same TGF-β repair signal Purple Cloud Ointment drives — Europe's wound herb and China's, converging on one growth factor.