What are the properties of cornflower flowers
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is a plant from the Compositae family, which is a very common grass weed in Europe. Apart from Europe, it is also found in Asia and North America. There are also many cultivars. In the people, a blue cornflower is called a hair.
Note! Voloski grow mainly in meadows and fields, so they were treated like weeds. Recently, it has been highly praised for its medicinal properties and ornamental value and has been transferred to the group of ornamental plants.
Cornflower: flower description
Forms thin, delicate, slightly pubescent, branched stems up to 80 cm high. Flowers are collected in single baskets, which are placed at the ends of branching shoots. Usually they are bright blue, but sometimes they are white or pink.
After flowering, the flowers form fruits, which contain a huge number of seeds. One plant is able to produce from 700 to 1600 seeds that remain viable even for 5-10 years.
Raw cornflower is a rich source of anthocyanins and flavonoids, which have a positive effect on health.
Additional information! From flower baskets that bloom in June, tongues are torn off and dried as soon as possible so that they do not lose their color and healing properties. Properly dried flowers do not change their color, thereby retaining their valuable properties. They can then be used for infusions in home cosmetics.
How to prepare an infusion of cornflowers?
1 st. pour a spoonful of dried flowers with one glass of boiling water. Cover and leave for a quarter of an hour. Drink infusion between meals for half a glass. It will help with diseases of the urinary tract and improve the process of digestion.
Decorative varieties of cornflowers
Based on this species, a number of ornamental cultivars have been developed, the inflorescences of which are usually full and come in a variety of interesting colors.
- White Weisser Ball “- double flowers.
- Pink “Rose Ball” with double flowers.
- Red “Red Boy” – full-flowered, plant height approx. 90 cm
- Blue “Blue Boy” – compact, have a small height of about 30-40 cm.)
The flowering of cornflowers is not long, and the faded inflorescences do not look very attractive, so you need to plan plantings in your gardens so that other flowering species come to the place of the faded cornflowers – then the beds will remain beautiful.
Growing hairs at home
Cornflowers are unpretentious species, so growing them is relatively simple. They thrive best in full sun, on light, permeable, fertile and moderately moist soils. Can cope with light penumbra. They usually do not withstand heavy, waterlogged clay soils.
The healing properties of cornflower
In addition to decorative qualities, cornflower has other advantages. First of all, it is a valuable medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
Apply:
- to relieve the symptoms of many skin diseases;
- eye diseases (conjunctivitis);
- diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Cornflower contains valuable flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and mineral salts. Mineral salts, especially a large amount of manganese, have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system.
Organic acids in the composition of the plant have antibacterial, choleretic properties, stimulate the production of gastric juice.
Beneficial effect in diseases of the urinary tract. Cornflower broth is used orally for diseases of the urinary system with swelling of the extremities caused by water retention in the body.
For many years, cornflowers have been used as an eye medicine. The properties of cornflower are mainly due to the presence of cyanine, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces the permeability of capillary walls. Anthocyanins improve blood circulation in the iris of the eye, and thus have a positive effect on visual acuity.
Due to its anti-inflammatory action, it is used externally for ulcers or difficult-to-heal wounds on the skin.
How to use raw cornflowers during ailments?
Infusion: 1 tbsp. l raw materials pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave covered for 15 minutes. Drink half a glass between meals.
Herbal honey infusion:
4 tbsp. spoons of cornflower petals pour 1/2 cup boiling water. Steep covered for 20 minutes. Strain and add a glass of honey, close in a glass jar. For diseases of the mouth or throat, use as a rinse.
With inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctivitis, compresses are made. They will help with eye fatigue, and reduce dark circles under the eyes.
- 4 tbsp. spoons of cornflower petals;
- 3 art. spoons of eyebright grass;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of chamomile
Pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes under the lid. Wait until it cools down, then moisten cotton pads and put them on your eyes for about 15-20 minutes.
The use of cornflower in cosmetology
Cornflower is a valuable plant that is used in natural cosmetics for health and beauty.
Note! This flower contains valuable plant substances with antioxidant properties, thereby slowing down the aging process.
The plant improves the condition of the skin: reduces its redness, strengthens capillaries, and also helps to reduce acne. In skin care, it slightly brightens it, moisturizes and soothes any inflammation and irritation. The cyanine contained in the infusion of cornflower evens out the tone of the skin and hair.
Especially useful in the care of oily and acne skin, with couperose skin, strengthens blood vessels. In cosmetics, it is found in creams designed for oily and problem skin.
An infusion of cornflower can be used as a hair rinse for dandruff. Cornflower hair rinses reduce unwanted yellow tones. It gives gray hair a pleasant ashy shade.
Cornflower field – this is sometimes called this plant because of its germination in the fields. The edible flower is used in herbal medicine, as well as in the preparation of dishes and desserts. Cornflower extracts should not be used if you are allergic to any plants in the Compositae family. It can cause an allergic reaction of varying severity.
