Other Names: Bleuet (French); Kornblume (German); fioraliso (Italian); azulejo (Spanish).
Description: An annual, widely branched herb of up to 0.5 m in height and width. The lower leaves are lobed and stalked; the upper ones simple, oblong to linear and sessile. The attractive flower heads are usually bright blue, but white, purple or pink forms (mainly ornamental varieties) also occur.
Origin: Europe and the Near East. It is well known as a weed of cornfields (introduced with cereal seeds around the world) but is no longer common as a result of modern weed control methods. Plants are collected in the wild.
Parts Used: The flowers; the pharmacopoeas distinguish between drugs prepared from ligulate flowers and those with complete flowers (Cyani flos), rarely the leaves. When produced for use as a natural colorant, the flower heads should be dried in the dark to prevent fading.
Therapeutic Category: General tonic, stomachic, diuretic.
Uses and Properties: The main uses of cornflower flowers are as a colouring ingredient in herbal teas and traditionally as a lotion to soothe irritation of the eyes. A wide range of traditional uses have been recorded, including the use of infusions to improve digestion, regulate the gall bladder, liver and kidneys, menstrual disorders, and to increase resistance to infections. Externally, it has been used to clean infected wounds and as a hair wash. Leaf decoctions were once used to treat rheumatism.
Active Ingredients: The active ingredients are thought to be anthocyanins (anthocyanidin glycosides), and sesquiterpene lactones, including cnicin. Also present are polyacetylenes and flavonoids.
Pharmacological Effects: The anthocyanins are mainly used as natural colorants but are known to have some antibacterial and antioxidant effects. There is no documented scientific support for the various traditional uses. See also Centaurea benedicta.
Notes: One of the most common purple pigments in flowers is called cyanidin because it was first extracted from the flowers of Centaurea cyanus.
Status: Traditional medicine.
Preparation and Dosage: Infusions of one or two teaspoons (1 g) in a cup of boiling water are taken or applied externally. Dried flowers are incorporated in herbal teas.
Product Notes
Shipping Port: Rotterdam
Cup Characteristics: Lovely blue petals carry a neutral flavor. (Commonly used to provide color in tea blends)
Infusion: Tending blue infusion
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
