Plant Comparison
Pot marigold vs Field scabious
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Pot marigold and Field scabious: they share 5 indicated uses (eczema, infection (general), inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Pot marigold | Field scabious | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eczema | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Infection (general) | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Field scabious |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Principal wound-healing and anti-inflammatory constituents of the flower.
Antioxidant flavonoids and carotenoids give the flower its orange-yellow colour and contribute to its antioxidant activity.
Minor aromatic and resinous constituents of the flower head.
Chlorogenic, cryptochlorogenic and dicaffeoylquinic acids and caffeoylhydrocitric acid (antioxidant).
C-glycosidic flavones such as isovitexin and related flavonoids.
Saponin glycosides (knautiosides) characteristic of the plant and the Caprifoliaceae family.
Pharmacological Actions
Calendula officinalis extracts show cytotoxic antitumor, pro-apoptotic and antimetastatic activity across many cancer cell lines and in animal models (preclinical).
Traditional 'blood purifier' (depurative) for skin complaints; the classic use of field scabious.
Knautia and related Caprifoliaceae extracts inhibit inflammatory mediators (COX/LOX).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
A Calendula officinalis (LACE) aqueous extract inhibits proliferation (70-100%) of leukemia, melanoma, breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer cell lines via G0/G1 arrest and caspase-3 apoptosis and inhibits melanoma growth in nude mice; a systematic review documents its cytotoxic and antimetastatic antitumour activity (preclinical).
inferred from antifungal action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional remedy for eczema, itching and skin complaints; anti-acne activity of Knautia extracts.
Anti-acne activity of Knautia species extracts (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory).
inferred from traditional external use on cuts and sores
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very safe for topical use. May cause contact dermatitis in rare cases (Asteraceae family allergy). Internal use is safe in normal doses. Avoid during pregnancy at therapeutic doses (uterine stimulant potential). Generally safe during breastfeeding for topical use.
Duke (2002) rates calendula (Calendula officinalis) and notes anti-inflammatory, wound-healing (vulnerary), antifungal, and antispasmodic activities at experimental levels. Commission E (KOM) approves calendula flower for wound healing and anti-inflammatory uses, both topically and as a gargle. The plant contains flavonoids, triterpene saponins (oleanolic acid glycosides), and essential oils. Dose: 1–2 g dried flower as tea (for mouth rinse/gargle); or as cream/ointment containing 2–5% calendula extract for topical use. Duke notes that calendula is generally very well-tolerated, though Asteraceae sensitivity can occasionally cause allergic reactions (Duke, 2002).
Very little is known about the safety of field scabious and there are no clinical data; avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding and use only modest amounts.
Most pharmacological data come from closely related Caprifoliaceae (genus Knautia, Scabiosa, Dipsacus) rather than Knautia arvensis itself; apply to field scabious with caution.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic annual or short-lived perennial herb with soft, hairy, oblong leaves and branching, slightly sticky stems. The flower heads are bright orange to yellow, daisy-like, with numerous narrow ray florets surrounding a darker central disc, opening in sunlight and closing at dusk.[1]
A hairy perennial herb of the honeysuckle family (formerly Dipsacaceae), 25-100 cm tall, growing from a stout rootstock. The stems are roughly hairy and bear opposite leaves that are variable - the lower ones often lyre-shaped or pinnately lobed, the upper deeply cut. The flowers are massed into flat, domed pincushion heads about 3-4 cm across, lilac to bluish-violet, with the outer florets enlarged; the heads are carried on long stalks and, unlike true scabious (Scabiosa), the receptacle is hairy rather than scaly. It flowers through summer and is a favourite of bees and butterflies.[1]
Habitat
Widely cultivated as a garden and medicinal plant; believed native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, now naturalised in gardens and waste ground worldwide.[1]
Dry grassland, meadows, pastures, dry hills, roadside banks, field margins and open woods, on well-drained and often calcareous soils across Europe and into western Asia and parts of Africa. A characteristic plant of unimproved dry meadows.[1]
Harvesting
The flower heads (or just the ray-floret petals) are picked by hand as they open, through the flowering season, and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place to preserve colour and resin content.[1]
The flowering aerial parts (leaves, stems, flower heads) are gathered in summer while in flower and dried; the root is also used. Best cut from established plants in dry grassland.[1]
Traditional Uses
Calendula flower is one of the most widely used topical wound-healing and skin-soothing herbs in Western herbal medicine, applied to cuts, grazes, minor burns and skin inflammation, and used internally as a gentle anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial remedy and as a gargle for mouth and throat irritation.[1]
Field scabious has a European folk-medicine reputation chiefly as a remedy for skin complaints - eczema, itching, scabies (the name 'scabious' comes from its use against 'the scab'), cuts and sores - taken internally as a 'blood purifier' (alterative/depurative) and applied externally as a wash or poultice. It has also been used for coughs and sore throats. The plant is rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids and saponins; the closely related genera Knautia, Scabiosa and Dipsacus in the honeysuckle family share this chemistry and a tradition of use in skin disease and inflammation.[3, 4]
Preparations
Dried petals infused in a carrier oil, used as a soothing base for topical creams and balms for skin healing.
Standardised flower extract formulated into a cream or ointment for topical wound and skin care; the best-studied modern form.
Dried flower infused in hot water, 1-2 g in 150 ml, used still warm as a mouth rinse or gargle 2-4 times daily. The EU herbal monograph's posology for this preparation is OROMUCOSAL only - it does not support taking the infusion internally. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives semi-solid preparations containing the equivalent of 2-10% herbal substance, applied as a thin layer to the affected area 2 to 4 times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives 1-2 g of the flower in 150 mL water as an infusion, used still warm for rinsing and gargling 2 to 4 times daily, or to prepare impregnated dressings for the skin. This is an oromucosal and cutaneous preparation, not an oral tea. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
Synonyms
Not documented
References & Sources
- Givol, O., Kornhaber, R., Visentin, D., Cleary, M. et al (2019) 'A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing', Wound Repair and Regeneration, 27(5), pp. 548-561. doi:10.1111/wrr.12737 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12737 - Shahane, K., Kshirsagar, M., Tambe, S., Jain, D. et al (2023) 'An Updated Review on the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Calendula officinalis L', Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 16(4), pp. 611. doi:10.3390/ph16040611 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040611 - Saffari, E., Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, S., Adibpour, M., Mirghafourvand, M. et al (2016) 'Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial', Women & Health, 57(10), pp. 1145-1160. doi:10.1080/03630242.2016.1263272 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2016.1263272 - Cruceriu, D., Balacescu, O. and Rakosy, E (2018) 'Calendula officinalis: potential roles in cancer treatment and palliative care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 17(4), pp. 1068-1078. doi:10.1177/1534735418803766 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735418803766 - Rezai, S., Rahzani, K., Hekmatpou, D. and Rostami, A (2023) 'Effect of oral Calendula officinalis on second-degree burn wound healing', Scars, Burns & Healing, 9, pp. 20595131221134053. doi:10.1177/20595131221134053 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1177/20595131221134053 - Kadowaki, W., Miyata, R., Mizuno, S., Fujinami, M., Sato, Y. and Kumazawa, S (2023) 'Prenylated acetophenones from the roots of Calendula officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activity', Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 87(7), pp. 683-687. doi:10.1093/bbb/zbad042 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbad042 - Samra, R.M., Maatooq, G.T. and Zaki, A.A (2022) 'A new antiprotozoal compound from Calendula officinalis', Natural Product Research, 36(22), pp. 5747-5752. doi:10.1080/14786419.2021.2023868 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2021.2023868 - Kaur, J., Sidhu, S., Chopra, K. and Khan, M.U (2016) 'Calendula officinalis ameliorates l-arginine-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats', Pharmaceutical Biology, 54(12), pp. 2951-2959. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1195848 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1195848 - Aro, A.A., Perez, M.O., Vieira, C.P., Esquisatto, M.A.M., Rodrigues, R.A.F., Gomes, L. and Pimentel, E.R (2014) 'Effect of Calendula officinalis cream on achilles tendon healing', Anatomical Record, 298(2), pp. 428-435. doi:10.1002/ar.23057 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23057 - Zhang, X., Wang, R., Finiuk, N., Stoika, R., Lin, H., Wang, X. and Jin, M (2023) 'Active compounds from Calendula officinalis flowers act via PI3K and ERK signaling pathways to offer neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's disease', Food Science & Nutrition, 12(1), pp. 450-458. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3792 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3792 - Kadowaki, W., Miyata, R., Fujinami, M., Sato, Y. and Kumazawa, S (2023) 'Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors from Calendula officinalis leaf', Molecules, 28(3), pp. 1333. doi:10.3390/molecules28031333 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031333 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Calendula officinalis L., flos, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-calendula-officinalis-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-calendula-officinalis-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Nicolaus, C. et al (2017) 'A double-blind, randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of a monograph-based Calendula cream versus a comparator cream', 35(1), pp. 81--89. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20double-blind%2C%20randomized%20controlled%20trial%20to%20investigate%20the%20efficacy%20and%20safety%20of%20a%20monograph-based%20Calendula%20cream%20versus%20a%20comparator%20cream - Preethi, K.C. and Kuttan, R (2009) 'Wound healing activity of flower extract of Calendula officinalis', 20(1), pp. 73--79. doi:10.1515/jbcpp.2009.20.1.73 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp.2009.20.1.73 - Jimenez-Medina, E. and Garcia-Lora, A. and Paco, L. and Algarra, I. and Collado, A. and Garrido, F (2006) 'A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation', BMC Cancer, 6, pp. 119. doi:10.1186/1471-2407-6-119 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-6-119 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Karalija, E. and Muratovic, E. and Tarkowski, P. and Zeljkovic, S.C (2017) 'Variation in Phenolic Composition of Knautia arvensis in Correlation with Geographic Area and Plant Organ', Natural Product Communications, 12(4), pp. 545-548. doi:10.1177/1934578x1701200421 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1701200421 - Moldoch, J. and Szajwaj, B. and Masullo, M. and Pecio, L. and Oleszek, W. and Piacente, S. and Stochmal, A (2011) 'Phenolic constituents of Knautia arvensis aerial parts', Natural Product Communications, 6(11), pp. 1627-1630. doi:10.1177/1934578x1100601117 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1100601117 - Plouvier, V (1971) 'Research on heterosides: knautioside and saponosides from Knautia arvensis and related glycosides', Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, Serie D, 272(10), pp. 1443-1446. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Research%20on%20heterosides%3A%20knautioside%20and%20saponosides%20from%20Knautia%20arvensis%20and%20related%20glycosides - Chrzaszcz, M. and Miazga-Karska, M. and Klimek, K. and Dybowski, M.P. and Typek, R. and Tchorzewska, D. and Dos Santos Szewczyk, K (2023) 'The Anti-Acne Potential and Chemical Composition of Knautia Species (Caprifoliaceae) Extracts', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(11), pp. 9188. doi:10.3390/ijms24119188 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119188 - Skala, E. and Szopa, A (2023) 'Dipsacus and Scabiosa Species - The Source of Specialized Metabolites with High Biological Relevance: A Review', Molecules, 28(9), pp. 3754. doi:10.3390/molecules28093754 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093754 - Pinto, D.C.G.A. and Rahmouni, N. and Beghidja, N. and Silva, A.M.S (2018) 'Scabiosa Genus: A Rich Source of Bioactive Metabolites', Medicines (Basel), 5(4), pp. 110. doi:10.3390/medicines5040110 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5040110 - Albayrak, S. and Aksoy, A. and Yilmaz, M.A. and Beyzi, E (2024) 'Investigation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potentials of Scabiosa L. (Caprifoliaceae) Species with Chemometric Methods', Chemistry and Biodiversity, 21(2), pp. e202301652. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301652 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301652 - Saar-Reismaa, P. and Koel, M. and Tarto, R. and Vaher, M (2022) 'Extraction of bioactive compounds from Dipsacus fullonum leaves using deep eutectic solvents', Journal of Chromatography A, 1677, pp. 463330. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463330 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463330
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.