Calendula extract 100 mg, 60 capsules

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), often called pot marigold, is a flowering plant with orange or yellow blooms. In Latvia it is a common sight in gardens and flower beds. It belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), like chamomile and sunflowers.

Plant product descriptions often use the words “drug” and “extract”. Here “drug” has nothing to do with narcotics: it means dried plant raw material, from which you can brew a tea or make an extract. The label of this product does not say which part of the plant is used, so we do not name it either.

The label says that one capsule contains 100 mg of calendula extract 4:1, equivalent to 400 mg of plant material. A ratio of 4:1 usually means that about four parts of dried raw material were used to make one part of extract. So 100 mg of extract and 400 mg of plant material are the same amount written in two ways.

This is a capsule, not a tea and not an oil. The shell is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a cellulose derivative. Besides the extract, the ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose and calcium hydrogen phosphate as bulking agents, plus magnesium salts of fatty acids and silicon dioxide as anti-caking agents. These are carrier substances, and the label gives no amount for them.

Calendula petals are edible. People scatter them over salads and add them to dough and rice dishes, because they give food a yellow or orange colour. In some cuisines the petals serve as a cheaper stand-in for saffron when colouring a dish. The taste is light and slightly bitter. Dried petals also turn up in herbal tea blends.

The capsule in this product is a different thing: on the label it is one capsule a day, not a cooking ingredient. If you want petals for the kitchen, buy them separately as a food product.

The label says 1 capsule a day for adults, for 30 days. It says nothing about time of day or meals. Pick one fixed moment, for example breakfast, and keep the pack where you can see it.

The pack holds 60 capsules, which makes two 30-day courses. The label does not provide for longer continuous use. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you take several products containing the same substance, add up the total amount and stay within the dose recommended on the label.

Not recommended in case of individual intolerance to the ingredients, or for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Keep out of the reach of children, in the original packaging, in a dry place at room temperature. Do not use a food supplement as a substitute for a complete and balanced diet.

The key figure is 100 mg: that is the amount of extract in one capsule, not the weight of the whole capsule. The capsule also holds carrier substances, so the extract is only one of the ingredients. The label lists no nutrients with a percentage of NRV, so there is nothing to compare with reference values here.

The product is made in Latvia. In the ingredient list, microcrystalline cellulose comes first, then calendula extract, the capsule shell, calcium hydrogen phosphate and the anti-caking agents.

All three products are built on a plant extract, but the plants are different. When comparing, look at pack size and price per day: the calendula pack holds 60 units, the others 30.

Are the calendula capsules suitable for vegetarians?

The shell of the calendula extract capsules is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and no ingredients of animal origin are listed. The label, however, is not marked vegetarian or vegan. If your rules are strict, ask the seller about the origin of the ingredients before you buy.

Why does the capsule contain calcium hydrogen phosphate and magnesium salts?

They are carrier substances: calcium hydrogen phosphate is a bulking agent, while magnesium salts of fatty acids and silicon dioxide keep the powder from caking. The label gives no amount for them, and this product is not a source of calcium or magnesium. Focus on the amount of calendula extract: 100 mg per capsule.

How long should I take calendula extract?

The label states a duration of 30 days. The pack holds 60 capsules, which makes two 30-day courses. The label does not provide for longer continuous use. If you are unsure how to plan the courses, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take the capsules during pregnancy?

No, the label says the calendula extract capsules are not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement.

What if I miss a capsule?

If you miss a capsule, carry on with the usual dose the next day, which is one capsule. Do not take two capsules in one day to make up for it. The daily dose must not be exceeded.

Do the capsules need to be kept in the fridge?

No, the label has no requirement to refrigerate. It says to keep the capsules in the original packaging, in a dry place at room temperature, out of the reach of children. The label gives no separate period of use after opening, so go by the expiry date printed on the pack.