Cornflower hydrosol, is mild sufficient to make use of for infants and is certainly one of solely 4 hydrosols advisable to make use of as an eyewash. In her ebook A Trendy Natural (botanical.com) Mrs. Grieve says that “a water distilled from cornflower petals was previously in reputation as a treatment for weak eyes. The well-known French eyewash, ‘Eau de Casselunetes’, was once constructed from them. Culpepper tells us that the powder or dried leaves of the bluebottle is given with good success to those who a bruised by a fall or have damaged a vein inwardly.”
(Centaurea cyanus)
Household: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Plant Description: Cornflower, also referred to as bachelor’s button, bluebottle, bluebow and Bluet (French), is an annual flowering plant that’s native to Europe. Cornflower is now endangered in its native habitat due to agricultural intensification, significantly the over-use of herbicides. It is going to develop between 40 – 50 cm tall and has grey-green branched stems. Its lanceolate leaves are round 1 – Four cm lengthy and its flowers are produced in flowerheads. A lot admired as an decoration plant you will see it in lots of gardens. Its flowers are historically a crisp intense blue, nevertheless different varieties have been cultivated with white, pink, lavender and darkish maroon flowers. This is among the few true blue flowers which are additionally edible. Apparently, they’ve a candy cucumber like style.
Historical past/Folklore: Folklore says a cornflower was worn within the buttonhole of a person’s go well with to point that he was in love, or able to courtroom. The cornflower has grow to be a logo in various completely different international locations. It’s the nationwide flower in Estonia, in addition to having a connection to Prussia (apparently Queen Luis of Prussia hid her kids in a area of cornflowers when she fled Berlin), to France (the place it’s a widespread image for veterans to put on as a reminder of the 1918 Armistice). Additionally it is the image for motor neurone illness and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Aroma and Style: Suzanne Catty describes cornflower hydrosol as having a particularly delicate scent, which is nearly undetectable when the hydrosol is chilly. It turns into vaguely floral when heat. Undiluted the flavour can also be delicate, slightly inexperienced with a barely bitter aftertaste.
Stability and Shelf Life: Unstable to reasonably steady; shelf life twelve months.
pH: 4.7-5.0
Makes use of
Cornflower has anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericidal, calming, circulatory, decongestant, febrifuge, stimulating and tonic properties. Cornflower hydrosol is taken into account to be useful in anti-aging, anti-wrinkle formulation. It may be used to appease minor acute pores and skin points in addition to being a wonderful pores and skin and hair toner.
Naturesgift.com says that cornflower hydrosol is mild for pores and skin blotchiness and as a sunburn spray. It’s non-drying to the pores and skin and a beautiful toner for delicate pores and skin. It will also be used as a cleanser for child’s pores and skin.
Jeanne Rose says that this hydrosol is stress-free and calming and useful for decent flashes. It may be used as an eyewash, pores and skin toner (for dry or mature pores and skin) and bruising.
Suzanne Catty recommends utilizing this hydrosol, certainly one of solely 4 hydrosols, as an eyewash. She additionally recommends utilizing cornflower hydrosol in a compress for drained, swollen or itchy eyes. Additionally useful towards the consequences of air pollution or lengthy hours on the pc. She additionally recommends utilizing it, particularly mixed with cistus hydrosol, in a compress to assist diminish tremendous strains and tone tissue across the eye space.
I personally discover that by their very nature, hydrosols are significantly useful when used energetically. I like to incorporate them in misters and sprays and discover that they will make a delicate and efficient distinction.
Reference Suzanne Catty, Hydrosols, The Subsequent Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Arts Press, 2001 Ernst Guenther, The Important Oil, Vol V, 1948 reprinted 1972 Len and Shirley Worth, Understanding Hydrolats Churchill Livingstone, 2004 Jeanne Rose, 374 Important Oils and Hydrosols, Frog Ltd, 1999
