Physical ailments can be treated not only by drugs from traditional medicine. There are also numerous herbal remedies that are capable of relieving pain and illness to a certain degree. Among these is the cornflower.
Occurrence and cultivation of cornflower
Moreover, because the cornflower is a protected species, collecting the flower is not allowed. In the past, the cornflower had become known as a weed in fields. Accordingly, it was treated like a pest and fought until it fell under nature protection. The name cornflower comes from the fact that the plant had spread especially on lands where corn had been sown. Nowadays, the cornflower can be found in normal gardens, because numerous garden owners strive to prevent the extinction of the plant. Moreover, because the cornflower is a protected species, collecting the flower is not allowed. Hippocrates already knew the effect of the plant and used it for certain purposes. The Latin name of the plant is Centaurea, a name given to the plant by the Greek physician. The flowers of the cornflower have a light blue hue. In the past, it was believed that the plant has a positive effect on vision, especially on blue eyes. During its life it can grow about 30 to 80 centimeters high. The stems are gray, covered with soft hairs and narrow leaves. Further breeding has resulted in species in which the cornflower produces white or pink flowers. The plant prefers sandy and calcareous soils. Overall, the cornflower can be found in Europe. It blooms in the period between May and October.
Effect and application
Crucial for the healing effect of the cornflower are its ingredients. These are anthocyanins, bitter substances, blue dye, centaurocyanin, flavone glycosides, tannin, glycoside, resin, salicylic acid, salts, mucilage, succinylcanin and wax. On the one hand, there are products in which some of the ingredients are already contained, on the other hand, a tea can be made from the dried components. In this case, the plants should not be picked independently. For a tea, about a tablespoon of the flowers is used. The grated ingredients can be poured over with about 250 milliliters of hot water. Then, the liquid must infuse for at least 10 minutes before the remaining flowers can be removed. To stimulate the appetite as well as digestion, it is recommended to drink a cup before each meal. In most cases, however, cornflower is only added to tea blends. Externally, cornflower can be used in the form of compresses and baths. First, a tea is prepared from the plant. Sitz baths help with itchy skin and irritation, as well as with edema in the area of the feet. Compresses, on the other hand, are used mainly for puffy eyes. The tea should first be cooled before it comes into contact with the skin. Other uses can be found in tinctures, wine, facial tonic or a porridge. For mouthwash and to strengthen against fever, a bottle of wine is boiled with the flowers of cornflower. The ingredients can be removed before drinking. In salads, on the other hand, the flowers are partially eaten. Here they not only provide a graceful decoration, but at the same time have a stimulating effect on digestion. To soothe wounds and ulcers, the fresh flowers can be made into a paste. To do this, the plant is pounded until a thick consistency is obtained. Finally, the paste can be applied to the affected areas of the skin.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The main uses of cornflower are in digestive problems, eye diseases and problems of the skin. Due to the bitter substances, the work of the stomach and intestines is stimulated. In this way it is possible to regulate intestinal disorders and stimulate appetite. Furthermore, cornflower is suitable for constipation, indigestion and complaints of the gall bladder. Eye inflammations, conjunctivitis and poorly healing wounds are also included in the plant’s spectrum of action. Externally, it is used for edema, bruises, itching, dandruff or spider bites. The ingredients of the cornflower can have a treating effect on the one hand and a preventive effect on the other. However, the plant is mainly used for therapeutic measures.However, people who suffer from increased digestive problems and loss of appetite can regulate the occurring disorders before symptoms manifest themselves by taking it regularly. Cornflower is generally considered to be well tolerated. Nevertheless, an allergic reaction cannot be excluded, but it occurs in only a few cases. Furthermore, pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised not to ingest the active ingredients of cornflower. Otherwise, no interactions with other medications have been found so far. In case of doubt, however, it is advisable to first discuss the treatment with a doctor or pharmacist. Apart from rare hypersensitivity reactions, there are no other side effects. Accordingly, the various components of the plant are suitable as a mild remedy to get the intestines and digestion going, to soothe skin irritations or to alleviate diseases of the eyes. While drugs of conventional medicine are often accompanied by undesirable effects or are not compatible with the intake of other drugs, the cornflower can benefit here. If you want to grow the plant in your garden, you should reach for seeds of the blue kind. Cornflowers with white or pink flowers often represent only ornamental flowers without medicinal properties. Growing freely, the collection of the plant is prohibited.
