Blue cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus) is a small plant from the asteraceae family with sky-blue flowers, which are traditionally used as a natural dye for teas. The beautiful blue color of their flowers is due to the natural component cyanine, which is also contained in the flower of the fragrant violet. Related species of blue cornflower may surprise you with a pink-purple and even yellow color. Although it is an important honey and pollen plant, it is actually classified as a weed. It should be noted that it is a weed, which is a rare medicinal herb. You can commonly find it growing in rows between fields of cereals and other agricultural crops, thereby increasing biodiversity. At one point, however, thanks to massive herbicide protection, its occurrence on arable lands decreased, until it almost disappeared from Czech fields. As one of the plants widely used in the cosmetics industry, we will take a closer look at it today.
Tea in the Time of Plagues
This very delicate plant is one of the traditionally dried medicinal herbs (flower only), which are mixed into teas for colds, flu, stomach ulcers, urinary tract infections and also for eye rinses. You can also use the dried flowers for decoctions or you can make an alcohol tincture (40% alcohol) from freshly picked and dried flowers the next day. Susanne Catty points out: “that during the plague, (cornflower) was used in the form of tea as a remedy against this infection.” (S. Catty – Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy) It is not known exactly why. Most likely, desperate infected people were willing to try almost anything to get better :-)
Cornflower for luck
The historical perception of this plant is truly diverse and it is worth noting that “People used to believe that whoever saw a cornflower first should rub their eyes with it, and then they would not be sick for a whole year.” (P. Kourková – Duše květů: To nejkrásnější z našich luk a zahrad, Mladá fronta, 2022, p.32). By the way, it is also the national flower of Estonia and a symbol of war victims, widows and orphans in France. In the language of flowers, giving a cornflower means that the giver is happy, which is why a cornflower wreath was previously hung in cottages to maintain family happiness.
From drugstores to pharmacies
In the cosmetics industry, it is associated with the care of sensitive skin and the eye area. In France, it even has an overlap with pharmacology. In pharmacies, cornflower water is sold in mini packages, intended for rinsing irritated eyes. This is how it is commonly used in clinics dedicated to palliative care and also treatment with hydrolates, which R. Lewis mentioned in her online lecture from March 15.3, 2023 – Hydrolates in Clinical Practice for Aroma Summit 2023.
Relieves “bags” under the eyes
But let's get back to cosmetic care for the eye area. Due to its anti-inflammatory, soothing and cooling effects, it is 100% floral water suitable for compresses for tired, swollen and itchy eyes. It stimulates the outflow of accumulated fluid under the eye contours. Its cooling powers are used in various cosmetic products such as creams, masks, tonics and make-up removers. Did you know that cornflower water is also great for firming mature and delicate skin in the décolleté?!
Use in hair care
And finally, I can't forget its effects on hair. When applied in the last phase of washing (we don't rinse anymore), it adds shine to hair. If you have drier blonde hair and chamomile water dries you out, try cornflower water instead.
Why is it almost odorless?
And what does Cornflower flower water smell like? Its aroma is almost imperceptible. It does not contain any essential oils that could be captured in the distillation process. If you keep the bottle of this water in the cold, you will not feel the aroma. On the contrary, in warmer conditions, a very delicate floral aroma is released.
Cornflower, with its delicate scent, suggests its focus on sensitive skin and its needs. But don't be fooled, it's a very powerful herbal helper!
Sources:
P. Kourková – The Soul of Flowers: The Most Beautiful of Our Meadows and Gardens, Mladá fronta, 2022
R. Lewis online lecture from March 15.3, 2023 – Hydrolates in Clinical Practice for Aroma Summit 2023.
S. Catty - Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy, Healing Art Press, 2001
Job encyclopedia on herbs, Millenium 2022.
