Calendula (Calendula officinalis) vs Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Cleavers (Galium aparine)

About

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), with its bright orange daisy-like flowers, is among the most versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Its petals contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary properties, making it excellent for speeding tissue repair in wounds, burns, bruises, and various skin irritations. Calendula is also used internally for gastrointestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn’s disease, colitis, gastritis).

Cleavers is a straggling, square-stemmed annual growing to 4 feet with whorls of lance-shaped leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and small round green fruits covered with hooked prickles. The name refers to the plant's ability to cling (or cleave) to fur or clothing. Common throughout Europe and North America and found in many other temperate regions including Australia, it grows prolifically in gardens and along roadsides. The Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century CE considered it useful for countering weariness and noted that shepherds used the stems to make sieves for straining milk.

Safety & precautions

Internal Use & Pregnancy: Not advised during pregnancy when taken internally. Topical Use: Generally safe; rare cases of allergic skin reactions may occur. General Note: Calendula has a mild estrogenic effect and may influence menstruation.

No known warnings. Generally safe for internal and external use.

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