Calendula officinalis Vs. NSAIDs (ibuprofen)

 Anti-inflammatory activity of Calendula:
Plant common name is: Marigold.
Plant scientific name is Calendula officinalis.

Calendula is well-know herb and uplifting ornamental garden plan that has been used topically, in ceremonies and as a dye and food plant for centuries.
Calendula flower is used to prevent muscle spasms, start menstrual periods, and reduce fever. It is also used for treating sore throat and mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer, and stomach and duodenal ulcers. Calendula has also been used for measles, smallpox, and jaundice. (1).

It is used well diluted for the chafing and excoriations of infants, ulcers, after surgery to induce healing, to wash abscess cavities, to prevent cicatrization from burns and scalps, in eczematous and ulcerative skin diseases, and vaginitis. It is also used for mild conjunctivitis in the portion of 5 drops to the once of the rose water. In vaginitis, endometritis, all uterine and vaginal abrasions, and non-malignant ulcerations, leucorrhoea, intra-uterine wash; for congestion: of the nasal membranes, otitis media, skin infections and long-standing inflammation (2).
Locally, is used to wounds and injuries to prevent suppuration and promote healing. Internally, is used in chronic suppuration, capillary engorgement, varicose veins, old ulcers, splenic and hepatic congestion.  Calendula is a plant. The flower is used to make medicine (2).
Calendula can be use medically for many things but I am going to point out Calendula’s anti-inflammatory activities and mechanism.
Calendula officinalis flower extract possessed significant anti-inflammatory activity. Pharmacological studies reveal that C. officinalis exhibits antibacterial, antiviral, anti- inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties.

Calendula compared to NSAIDs a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use to treat inflammatory conditions, such as aspirin, Celebrex, Diclofenac, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil they produce their effect by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX 1 & 2).

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As illustrated above Cox-1 and 2 inhibitors may increase the risk of serious even fatal stomach and intestinal reactions, such as ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestine; compared to Calendula officinalis flower anti-inflammatory properties with no side effects or adverse events listed on clinical studies.
1. Arora D, Rani A, Sharma A. A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2013;7(14):179-187. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120520.

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

Süleyman H, Demircan B, Karagöz Y. Pharmacol Rep. 2007 May-Jun;59(3):247-58. Review.

Monica Medina-Dobbs, MSCN

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