Evidence supporting the use of: Calendula
For the health condition: Bites and Stings
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Calendula officinalis (marigold) has a long history of traditional use for treating minor skin irritations, including bites and stings. Folk medicine practitioners have applied calendula preparations topically for centuries to soothe inflamed or damaged skin. The rationale is based largely on its reputed anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, likely due to the presence of triterpenoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids in the flowers.
While there is scientific evidence supporting calendula's general wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in animal studies, there is limited direct clinical research specifically addressing its efficacy for insect bites or stings. Some small studies and case reports have shown that calendula ointments can reduce inflammation, promote healing, and ease discomfort in various minor skin conditions. However, these studies often focus on wounds, burns, or dermatitis rather than specifically on bites or stings.
Overall, calendula's use for bites and stings is justified by traditional usage rather than robust scientific validation. More rigorous, targeted clinical studies would be required to confirm its specific benefits for this indication. Nevertheless, its favorable safety profile and history of use make it a common ingredient in over-the-counter products aimed at soothing skin irritations, including insect bites and stings.
Other ingredients used for Bites and Stings
AbrusAbuta
Achyranthes
Aconite
Adrenergic amines
Alchornea
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Angelica
angel\'s trumpet
Aquilegia formosa
Arani
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
ash
Asteraceae
avens
babchi
Baccharoides anthelmintica
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
betel
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
borneol
boxthorne
Brazilian peppertree
buckthorn
bасора
cajuput
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
camphor oil
capillary artemisia
castile soap
cedar
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese raisintree
cinquefoil
citronella
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
cowherb
curcumen
curcumin
devil\'s club
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
emu oil
Erodium cicutarium
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
eugenol
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
European Elder
European five-finger grass
fang-feng
fern
Ficus religiosa
fir
fleabane
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
geranium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goldenseal
green tea
Guazuma ulmifolia
hairy arnica
heal-all
Helicteres isora
hemp
hemp oil
henna
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
Homalomena
honey
honeysuckle
Horsemint
horseradish
hound\'s tongue
Huang hua
Hyaluronidase
Hydrocolloid
Ilex
impatiens
Indian coraltree
isobutylamides
Jessica\'s sticktight
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Lantana camara
lavender
lemongrass
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
Lewis's monkey flower
lime
Litsea
lodhtree
Lysimachia
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Melia
Menthol oil
Milkweed
Monoterpenes
Morning glory
Mountain horopito
Mugwort
Mustard
mustard seed
Nasturtium
Neem tree
Nimbidin
nut grass
oregano
Osha
Oxystelma
p-menthane-3,8-diol
paederia foetida
papaya
Papayotin
paw paw
Pellitory
Petiveria
Peucedanum
phenolic compounds
Phyllanthus
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Portulaca
prepared aconite tuber
Propolis
purple Tephrosia
Quisqualis
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
rosemary
Rubia yunnanensis
rue
sage
Sapindus mukorossi
schizonepeta
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
shen-chu
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
siler root
Sinapis arvensis
Smartweed
Smooth Alder
Soapberry
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Storax
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
Tagetes
Tansy
Tea Tree Oil
Terpenoids
Terpinen-4-ol
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Trumpet Vine
turmeric
Vervain
vitamin C
vitamin E
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Calendula
AbrasionsAbscesses
Acne
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Oral Surgery
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Poison Ivy or Oak
