Calendula and oral health

Calendula (or Pot Marigold)

The fancy name: Calendula Officinalis. The latin translation isn’t clear. It could mean “little clock” or, and this makes sense in modern English, “Little Calendar”. It can also mean “Little weather glass”, which we think is rather lovely. As part of the Daisy or Sunflower family, it’s most commonly associated with the Marigold and is often referred to as “Pot Marigold”

Where to find it: Generally speaking, this genius little flower can be found in Western Europe, many parts of the Mediterranean and In South Asia. We source our calendula oil from the UK and it’s naturally infused with sunflower oil.

Oral health benefits of Calendula Oil

Why do we use this carrier oil in Truthpaste? To answer this, it’s helpful to look at other ways that calendula is used. You can find it in many skincare products and recommended as a natural remedy for skin conditions like sunburn or dermatitis. Not only does calendula have soothing properties, but also antiseptic properties which can be beneficial to healing.

In Ayurvedic practice, Calendula is used for oil pulling in much the same way that you would with coconut oil. The antiseptic properties work to prevent gingivitis and plaque build up. Studies suggest calendula can help to repair the soft tissue of the gums whilst actively fighting plaque.

With its delicate flavour and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties it seemed a natural choice to include in a natural toothpaste.

Calendula: Fun facts

We know that many of the natural products in Truthpaste have multiple uses but this one really does cover everything. It’s been known to be used back in the days of yore, by Greeks and Romans as an important part of ceremonies and rituals. It’s unclear as to what these rituals were supposed to invoke but the common belief is that they represented purity.
A nickname for calendula is ‘Mary’s Gold’. It’s used in Catholic ceremonies around the world
In India, Calendula flowers are considered sacred. They have historically been used to decorate statues of Buddha.
In France at one time one time the belief was that if you stared at the flowers for a period of time each day then your eyesight would improve.

Whilst we love Calendula for it’s benefits, we’re not sure the science supports that last one. What we do know is that it’s part of the magical mixture that makes Truthpaste a brilliant brushing experience!

Sources

B. Amoian, A.A. Moghadamnia, M. Mazandarani, M.M. Amoian and S. Mehrmanesh, 2010. The Effect of Calendula Extract Toothpaste on the Plaque Index and Bleeding in Gingivitis. Research Journal of Medicinal Plants, 4: 132-140.

Farideh Eghdampour et al.2013 Nov 2013 Dec.The Impact of Aloe vera and Calendula on Perineal Healing after Episiotomy in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial eCollection 30;2(4):279-86. doi: 10.5681/jcs.2013.033.

Mayur Sudhakar Khairnar et al. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013 Nov-Dec; 17(6):741–747. Evaluation of Calendula officinalis as an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent
Doctor, Vikram (20 October 2017). "Marigold: The Mexican flower that has become a part of Indian festivals". Economic Times Blog.