Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Pot marigold vs Bay Leaf
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 Bay Leaf: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bruising, cancer (anticancer research), …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Pot marigold | Bay Leaf | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Bruising | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 7/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Infection (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Pot marigold |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 1/10 | 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.
Leaf essential oil dominated by 1,8-cineole and eugenol, giving the characteristic aroma and much of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Contribute to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Calendula officinalis extracts show cytotoxic antitumor, pro-apoptotic and antimetastatic activity across many cancer cell lines and in animal models (preclinical).
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from vulnerary action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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).
Generally safe when used in food amounts. Not toxic to people and safe to cook with. Leaves are very rigid and leathery - should be removed before eating as they don't soften with cooking and edges can be sharp. Insufficient reliable information about safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding - stick to food amounts. Large amounts of bay leaf tea may cause vomiting (emetic properties) and drowsiness (sedative properties). In high doses, bay laurel has cytotoxic activity. Some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis from bay laurel oil.
Duke (2002) notes antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities for bay laurel, primarily at the experimental level. The essential oil contains eugenol and 1,8-cineole as principal bioactive components. Traditional dosages in European phytotherapy include 1–3 g of dried leaf as a tea. Caution is advised as the essential oil may cause allergic contact dermatitis, and bay berries should not be confused with the less toxic leaves (Duke, 2002).
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]
Evergreen shrub or small tree with dark green, glossy, aromatic leaves, smooth-edged and slightly wavy at the margin. Small, pale yellow-green flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils in spring, followed by small, dark purple-black berries on female trees.[11]
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]
Native to the Mediterranean region; widely cultivated as a culinary herb and ornamental tree in warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates worldwide.[11]
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]
Leaves are picked year-round from established plants and used fresh or dried; berries/seed are collected once ripe in autumn.
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]
Bay leaf has an ancient Mediterranean culinary and medicinal history, used as a digestive carminative for indigestion and bloating, and topically and traditionally for muscle and joint pain and minor wounds; it remains one of the most widely used culinary herbs worldwide.[11]
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.
Dried leaf infused in hot water as a traditional digestive tea.
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.
Two clinical studies in healthy volunteers used an infusion prepared from 5 g of dried Laurus nobilis leaves in 100 mL of boiled water, taken once daily for 10 days. Traditional references suggest a smaller 1-3 g per cup up to three times daily; no EMA or WHO monograph exists for bay leaf. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
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
- Hammoodi, O.T., Alkhilani, M.A., Alhayani, W.A., Al-Nuaimy, W. and Tala'a, A.A (2024) 'Effects of Laurus nobilis Leaf Extract on Healing of Experimentally Induced Wounds in Rabbits', Veterinary Medicine International, 2024, pp. 2889480. doi:10.1155/2024/2889480 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2889480 - Caputo, L., Nazzaro, F., Souza, L.F., Aliberti, L., De Martino, L. and Fratianni, F (2017) 'Laurus nobilis: Composition of Essential Oil and Its Biological Activities', Molecules, 22(6), pp. 930. doi:10.3390/molecules22060930 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22060930 - Bourebaba, N., Kornicka-Garbowska, K., Marycz, K., Bourebaba, L. and Kowalczuk, A (2021) 'Laurus nobilis ethanolic extract attenuates hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cell line through the reduction of oxidative stress and improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis', Mitochondrion, 59, pp. 190-213. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2021.06.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2021.06.003 - Dobroslavic, E., Repajic, M., Dragovic-Uzelac, V. and Elez Garofulic, I (2022) 'Isolation of Laurus nobilis Leaf Polyphenols: A Review on Current Techniques and Future Perspectives', Foods, 11(2), pp. 235. doi:10.3390/foods11020235 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11020235 - Chbili, C., Maoua, M., Zaouali, M., Selmi, M., Kacem, I. and Mrizek, N (2022) 'Evaluation of daily Laurus nobilis tea consumption on anxiety and stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers', Archives Italiennes de Biologie, 160(3-4), pp. 136-146. doi:10.12871/000398292022343 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.12871/000398292022343 - Chbili, C., Maoua, M., Selmi, M., Mrad, S., Khairi, H. and Limem, K (2020) 'Evaluation of Daily Laurus nobilis Tea Consumption on Lipid Profile Biomarkers in Healthy Volunteers', Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 39(8), pp. 733-738. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1727787 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2020.1727787 - Bouadid, I., Amssayef, A. and Eddouks, M (2023) 'Study of the Antihypertensive Effect of Laurus nobilis in Rats', Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 21(1), pp. 42-54. doi:10.2174/1871525720666220512154041 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871525720666220512154041 - Mohammed, R.R., Omer, A.K., Yener, Z., Uyar, A. and Ahmed, A.K (2020) 'Biomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research', Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 61, pp. 188-197. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.051 - Uchiyama, N., Matsunaga, K., Kiuchi, F., Honda, G., Tsubouchi, A. and Nakajima-Shimada, J (2002) 'Trypanocidal terpenoids from Laurus nobilis L', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 50(11), pp. 1514-1516. doi:10.1248/cpb.50.1514 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.50.1514 - Saab, A.M., Guerrini, A., Zeino, M., Wiench, B., Rossi, D. and Gambari, R (2015) 'Laurus nobilis L. Seed Extract Reveals Collateral Sensitivity in Multidrug-Resistant P-Glycoprotein-Expressing Tumor Cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 67(4), pp. 664-675. doi:10.1080/01635581.2015.1019632 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2015.1019632 - Elansary HO, et al. Laurus nobilis: Composition of Essential Oil and Its Biological Activities. Biomolecules. 2018;8 (2018) ';8(3):98', 8(3). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6152719/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6152719/ - Fernandes F, et al. Laurus nobilis Leaves and Fruits: A Review of Metabolite Composition and Interest in Human Health. Applied Sciences. 2023;13 (2023) ';13(7):4606', 13(7). Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/7/4606 Traditional / reference
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/7/4606 - Ramos C, et al. Bay Leaf. In: Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements. Academic Press; 2019:269-276. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152419/ (2019) ':269-276'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152419/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152419/ - Singletary KW. Bay Leaf: Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today. 2021;55 (2021) ';55(4):184-193', 55(4). Available at: https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2021/07000/bay_leaf__potential_health_benefits.8.aspx Traditional / reference
https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2021/07000/bay_leaf__potential_health_benefits.8.aspx - University of Arizona Campus Arboretum. Medicinal Plant Virtual Tour - Bay Laurel. https://arboretum.arizona.edu/medicinal-plant-virtual-tour-bay-laurel. Available at: https://arboretum.arizona.edu/medicinal-plant-virtual-tour-bay-laurel Traditional / reference
https://arboretum.arizona.edu/medicinal-plant-virtual-tour-bay-laurel - 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 - Malaspina, P. and Betuzzi, F. and Ingegneri, M. and Smeriglio, A. and Cornara, L. and Trombetta, D (2022) 'Risk of Poisoning from Garden Plants: Misidentification between Laurel and Cherry Laurel', Toxins, 14(11), pp. 726. doi:10.3390/toxins14110726 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14110726 - Henriet, M. and Auquiere, J.P. and Moens, P (1974) 'Analysis and content of hydrocyanic acid by cutting, row and organographic zone of leaves of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L)', Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique, 29(5), pp. 437-43. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4377277/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4377277/
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.