Use of complementary and alternative medicine for wound healing is influencing mainstream medical practice.

This systematic review evaluates the role of Calendula officinalis flower extract as monotherapy compared to control for wound healing in vivo.

Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Scopus (up to April 2018) with 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, comprising 7 animal experiments and 7 clinical trials.

Findings from the review on acute wound healing showed faster resolution of the inflammation phase with increased production of granulation tissue in the test groups treated with extract.

These findings were consistent in five animal studies and one randomized clinical trial. Chronic wound healing studies were varied.