What Is the Difference Between Calendula and Chamomile? A Quick Guide to Telling Them Apart

Calendula is one of the most common herbaceous flowers in early spring gardens and cities. The chamomile essential oil extracted from chamomile is also a very popular health care and medicinal product. So, what is the difference between calendula and chamomile?

1. What is the difference between calendula and chamomile?

Calendula is a biennial herb and a double-flowered plant, with the whole plant reaching about 20-75 cm tall; its flowers are yellow or orange-yellow, and the whole plant is covered in hairs. Chamomile is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant and a single-flowered plant, with the plant reaching about 30-40 cm tall; the center of the flower is yellow, the petals are white, the leaves feel slightly fuzzy, and the stems are smooth and hairless.

2. The main uses of calendula

1. The flowers have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, especially against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus; their antibacterial components are soluble in alcohol but not in water, and work better in an alkaline environment.

2. Blood lipid-lowering effect: the saponins in calendula can reduce serum cholesterol, free fatty acids, phospholipids, β-lipoproteins, total lipids and triglycerides in rats with experimental hyperlipidemia, and also have a lowering effect on total liver lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides.

3. The polysaccharide components in calendula have a strong immunostimulatory effect.

4. Calendula flower extract has a sedative effect on the central nervous system and can reduce reflex excitability; intravenous injection can lower blood pressure, enhance cardiac activity, increase heartbeat amplitude and slow the heart rate.

5. It can promote bile secretion and accelerate wound healing. In European folk tradition there is a custom of taking calendula flowers internally to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, and liver and gallbladder disorders. When used for digestive tract cancer, it can reduce toxic symptoms, improve appetite and sleep, and it is also used for irregular menstruation.

3. The main uses of chamomile

1. Relaxing body and mind

The essential oil extracted from chamomile has psychological benefits and an excellent soothing effect; it can relieve anxiety, tension, anger and fear, making people relaxed, patient and calm. It reduces worry, calms the mind, and is very helpful for insomnia.

2. Medicinal pain relief

Chamomile has pain-relieving properties. It can ease dull muscle pain, especially pain caused by nervous tension, and is also very helpful for lower back pain. It can also reduce burns, blisters, inflamed wounds, ulcers and sores. It helps improve eczema, facial blemishes, herpes, psoriasis, highly sensitive skin, and general allergic reactions. It repairs broken capillaries, improves elasticity, and is excellent for dry, itchy skin. It reduces puffiness and strengthens tissue, making it a very good skin-purifying care product.