Cornflower, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we will consider in the article, is an annual plant, a representative of the Astrov family. The homeland is considered the Mediterranean. It grows in Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan. The plant is often found on forest edges and roadsides.
Legends
Many legends are associated with the origin of the cornflower. According to one of them, the centaur healed the wound inflicted by Hercules with the juice of the plant. According to the legends of the Romans, a young man named Cyanus wore dark blue clothes. The goddess Flora did not like it, and she turned it into a flower. And in Ukraine they say that once a peasant named Vasily mowed rye. He liked the mermaid, who decided to cast a spell on him. Vasily followed her spellbound. And she, not wanting to let go, turned it into a cornflower (photo of flowers in front of you), which resembles water in color.
Magic
This plant is credited with magical properties. They say that flowers can protect people from unkind spirits. For example, on the day of Ivan Kupala, girls wash themselves with infusion of this flower, so that the evil spells could not overcome them. And on the wedding day, the bride and groom were baptized with a bunch of cornflowers. It is customary to hallow them on August 14, on the day of Makovei or the First Savior. And from them weave wreaths and store at home for a year. They also mention cornflower in folk songs. The therapeutic properties and contraindications have long been known in traditional medicine. Even Hippocrates knew about this flower. It is used today in the treatment of many ailments.
Science has about 700 plant species . Flowers are not only blue, but also white, black, yellow and purple. However, the classic cornflower has exactly the blue color.
Collection, preparation of raw materials and storage
Flowers are harvested all summer while they bloom. Best of them are those that are completely bloomed. The raw materials are blue flowers, which are separated from the tubular bases in order to achieve the best quality of the drug.
The plucked flowers are aired by spreading in a dark, cool place. If the raw material is prepared correctly, it will turn blue, will not have a smell, and if you taste it, the cornflower will be bitter. Flowers are stored in glass containers or paper bags for two years.
If, during drying, the rays of the sun fall, the cornflower flowers will lose their healing properties and become useless for traditional medicine. This, by the way, is visible in color - it will turn white.
Composition
The fact that cornflower has healing properties and contraindications is due to its composition. It includes the following trace elements and substances:
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- copper;
- iron;
- vanadium;
- chromium;
- cobalt;
- boron;
- luteilin;
- selenium;
- pelargonin chloride.
The plant has a lot:
- vitamin C, normalizing the central nervous system, activating the activity of the endocrine glands and normalizing blood formation;
- carotene, an immunostimulating substance, as well as an excellent antioxidant;
- resins that have antibacterial, disinfecting and immunomodulating effects;
- coumarins, which reduce blood coagulability, as well as astringent, antiseptic and diuretic properties.
Useful properties of blue cornflower
In folk medicine, the healing properties of the plant have long been used. On its basis, antipyretic and diuretics are prepared. Even an ancient Roman doctor named Galen treated the kidneys with a plant in patients. Until now, cornflower is used for problems in the genitourinary system, for example, with neuritis or cystitis.
Other medicinal properties of cornflower include choleretic and cleansing. Thanks to the first, the plant treats liver diseases. Cornflower protects the body from viruses and infections. A cleansing property is actively used in diets. Removing unnecessary water, cornflower contributes to the speedy burning of fats. Decoctions from it normalize digestion and help remove toxins and toxins, eliminating harmful substances.
The positive effect of the flower on vision is known. So, with blepharitis, cotton pads dipped in infusion of cornflowers are applied to the eyelids. The same tool will relieve fatigue after a long work at the computer.
Contraindications
First of all, do not deduct individual intolerance. Some trace elements make the plant toxic. We are talking about cyanically dangerous components that cornflower contains. The healing properties and contraindications are very different in percentage terms, nevertheless, you need to keep in mind that the plant is slightly poisonous. Therefore, its use is prohibited to pregnant women, as well as women during lactation and children. It is also known that folk remedies for uterine bleeding do not. Moreover, in the presence of such a problem, it can not be used in any form. The coumarins that are part of the cornflower are very strong anticoagulants, they inhibit blood coagulation.
Application
It is useful for those who want to normalize the digestive process, improve appetite or recover from colds, drink tea brewed with cornflower. Flowers are added to black or green tea, drink a drink twenty minutes before a meal. It actively removes toxins. Healing medicine is also prepared from various components. To do this, take bearberry and licorice root per teaspoon, pour 500 milliliters of boiling water and leave it on fire for 3-4 minutes, then add the same cornflower, cool the solution and leave for several hours. Take the medicine three times a day according to Art. spoon.
Recipes
The following tincture will have an excellent effect as a diuretic for edema and to increase appetite. Take one part of the flowers and pour ten parts of vodka. The medicine is insisted for two weeks, after which it is filtered. Drink twenty drops before meals, which are diluted in a tablespoon of room temperature water.
Broth is good to make lotions for the eyes from inflammation and fatigue. Take a teaspoon of flowers, add boiling water to a glass and keep on fire for several minutes. Then they insist an hour, filter, moisten cotton pads in a cool broth and apply to the eyelids. Also, it is taken orally by two tbsp. tablespoons three times a day an hour before meals with angina, bronchitis and laryngitis.
Prepare another infusion for colds. The same recipes are folk remedies for diarrhea in children and adults, stomach pain and kidney disease. The recipe is as follows. Three teaspoons of cornflowers are poured with 400 milliliters of boiling water, insisted for a couple of hours, and then filtered. Take the drug 4 times a day 15 minutes before meals.
Cornflower for beauty
Look at the cornflower! A photo of flowers shows how beautiful these plants are. Not surprisingly, they are widely used in the beauty industry. The flower has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face, eyelids and hair.
Plant extract is part of many cleansing lotions sold in stores. But it is prepared on its own. For this, two tbsp. spoons pour two glasses of boiling water and insist hour. It is useful to wash your face in the morning or wipe your face. It is also frozen and wiped with an ice cube. It perfectly tones the skin and tightens pores. Cornflower is especially suitable for oily and combination skin, as it reduces the secretion of fat and the appearance of acne. If you use it constantly, the face will acquire a matte shade and freshness.
With long work at the computer, the cornflower infusion becomes an indispensable tool. They make compresses for him forever. They also wash the skin around the eyes after removing makeup and before applying cosmetics to the face.
The infusion will help to breathe strength into weakened and lifeless hair. It is rubbed into the roots after washing the head. It is also good to just rinse the curls. Cornflower will help stop their loss and get rid of dandruff.
Phytotherapists recommend making flower baths. They relieve fatigue. This is facilitated by the essential oils that make up the plant. It’s easy to make a bath. A glass of flowers is poured with boiling water, insisted for an hour and poured into the bath. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Cooking use
Cornflower seeds are used as seasoning. They are added to gravy, sauces, salads, hot dishes. Leaves are used for salting and added to paste and sausages. All dishes with cornflower acquire a special refined taste.
Conclusion
These flowers of cornflower have medicinal properties and contraindications. Of course, a plant should try to be treated. But before you start taking inside, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications, as well as consult a doctor.