Cornflower is a common herbal raw material. Although it is commonly considered a weed, it has healing properties. It shows, inter alia, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effect. Learn how to grow cornflower seeds and what are their uses?

Contents:

  1. Cornflower - what does it look like?
  2. Cornflower - cultivation
  3. Cornflower - properties and application
  4. Cornflower on the urinary system
  5. Cornflower and oral diseases
  6. Cornflower and acne
  7. Cornflower - effect on the skin
  8. Cornflower and eye diseases
  9. Cornflower and scalp diseases
  10. Cornflower tea
  11. Cornflower tincture

Cornflower( Centaurea cyanusL. 1753) belongs to the herbaceous species of the Asteraceae family. It occurs throughout Europe and Western Siberia.

In Poland, cornflower is considered a common field weed. Its healing properties have been known for hundreds of years. Cornflower is used in the treatment of various ailments.

Cornflower - what does it look like?

Cornflower has very little foliage, it forms fields. Reaches a height of 30-90 cm. Its stem is thin, hairy and branched. The flowers are tubular. Flower baskets are 2-3 cm in diameter. The crown consists of 5 petals.

The flowers of the cornflower are dark blue in color, but are also found in red, pink or white. The cornflower flower is a herbal raw material (Flos Cyani).

Cornflower flowers are a source of a natural blue dye.

Cornflower - cultivation

Cornflower cornflower in Poland often grows wild in fields, among cereals. For this reason, it is considered a weed.

However, it exhibits many healing properties, which is why it is sometimes cultivated for this purpose.

Cornflower is sown directly into the ground from March to April. It is recommended to grow it at a distance of 20x15 cm.

The flowering period is June, July, August and September.

The cornflower needs a sunny position and a fairly dry, moderate soil. 1 g of seeds can grow about 200 seeds.

Cornflower - properties and application

Cornflower cornflowerhas diuretic, antibacterial, choleretic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

All this is due to the content of ingredients such as: flavonoids (especially anthocyanins), vegetable tannins, mineral s alts and organic acids.

Thanks to this, cornflower is used in the case of:

  • urinary tract diseases
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • eye diseases
  • skin diseases

It is also used in cosmetics and in the kitchen.

Worth knowing

The cornflower is a honey plant. Up to 300 kg of honey can be produced from 1 ha. Cornflower honey has the highest lysozyme content (greater than honeydew honey and buckwheat honey). Lysozyme is one of the components of the immune system in animals and humans, which is why cornflower honey helps fight various types of infections. It strengthens immunity, has anti-inflammatory properties and supports diseases of the kidneys and urinary system.

Cornflower on the urinary system

Cornflower has diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains anthocyanin glycosides. For this reason, it is recommended for people struggling with ailments from the urinary system.

Helps fight cystitis. It is also used in the case of chronic kidney diseases.

Cornflower tea supports diseases such as:

  • urolithiasis
  • glomerulonephritis
  • pyelonephritis

Cornflower and oral diseases

Cornflower, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helps fight infections in the oral cavity. Supports the treatment of diseases such as:

  • pharyngitis
  • oral mycosis
  • stomatitis

It is used to treat the oral cavity in the form of rinses and compresses.

Cornflower and acne

Cornflower is also used in cosmetics.

It has been used in anti-acne cosmetics thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Perfect for combination skin or oily skin prone to acne lesions.

Cornflower - effect on the skin

Cornflower infusion is also used under the eyes. It soothes the skin, redness and brightens dark circles under the eyes.

In the case of fungal and inflammatory skin conditions, a therapeutic cornflower bath can also be helpful.

It is enough to add a handful of dried cornflower petals to the boiling water and set aside for about 20 minutes undercover.

The infusion prepared in this way should be added to a bathtub filled with water and take a bath for at least 20 minutes.

Cornflower and eye diseases

Cornflower flower infusion is used externally in some eye diseases.

It will bring relief especially in eyelid margin inflammation and conjunctivitis.

In addition, it will soothe eyes hypersensitive to radiation from monitors and TV screens.

Cornflower cornflower is also commonly known as: bullhead, blueberry, bluebird, jasmine, cardy, wallflower, stepmother, sampler, wasilek, wawer.

Cornflower and scalp diseases

Cornflower rinses are great for scalp problems.

Thanks to their antibacterial properties, they will help in the treatment of dandruff and mycosis of the scalp.

It is also great for seborrheic dermatitis.

Cornflower tea

Cornflower can be used not only externally as an infusion, but also internally.

You can make tea from dried cornflower flowers.

Pour boiling water over the flowers, cover with a plate and leave to infuse for about 15 minutes.

Cornflower tincture

You can also make a medicinal tincture from cornflower.

Place five tablespoons of fresh cornflower flakes in a glass dish and pour 500 ml of pure vodka.

The mixture should be tightly closed and set aside in a shaded place for about 10 days.

After this time, the liquid must be drained and poured into a clean bottle.

The tincture prepared in this way is ready for consumption.

About the authorWeronika RumińskaA graduate of Polish philology with an editorial and publishing specialization at the University of Warsaw. She developed her interests related to the editor's work already during her master's studies, actively cooperating with Poradnikzdrowie.pl on the editorial path and social media. Privately, a lover of good crime fiction and horse riding.

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