Cornflower
OTHER NAME(S): Audifoin, Bachelor's Buttons, Barbeau, Bleuet, Bleuet des Champs, Bluebonnet, Bluebottle, Bluebow, Blue Cap, Blue Centaury, Casse-Lunettes, Centaurée Bleue, Centaurée Bleuet, Corn Flower, Cyani Blossoms, Cyani Flos, Cyani Flowers, Cyani Petals, Flor Celeste, Hurtsickle, Centaurea cyanus, Centaurea segetum, Batchelor's Buttons, Aciano, Centaurée bleuet
Overview
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is a plant native to Europe and Asia with intense blue flowers. The extracts of these flowers are used in traditional medicine.
The dried flower of cornflower contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling.
People sometimes use cornflower for menstrual cramps, yeast infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse cornflower with buttercup or feverfew. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Cornflower overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Cornflower is likely safe when used to color herbal teas. But there isn't enough information to know if cornflower is safe for use in larger amounts as a medicine or what the side effects might be. Some people might be allergic to cornflower.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Cornflower is likely safe when used to color herbal teas. But there isn't enough information to know if cornflower is safe for use in larger amounts as a medicine or what the side effects might be. Some people might be allergic to cornflower.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cornflower is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy to ragweed, daisies, and related plants: Cornflower may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Cornflower overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of cornflower might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- Medicinal Plants. Springer Verlag: Lavoisier, NY, 1995.
- Sifton D, ed. The PDR family guide to natural medicines & healing therapies. New York, NY:Three Rivers Press, 1999.
- Garbacki, N., Gloaguen, V., Damas, J., Bodart, P., Tits, M., and Angenot, L. Anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of Centaurea cyanus flower-heads. J Ethnopharmacol 12-15-1999;68(1-3):235-241.
- Bablumian, IuA. [Antirelapse action of the flowers of the blue cornflower in urolithiasis]. Zh.Eksp.Klin.Med. 1978;18(6):110-114.
- Escher GB, Santos JS, Rosso ND, et al. Chemical study, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and cytotoxic/cytoprotective activities of Centaurea cyanus L. petals aqueous extract. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018;118:439-453.
- Teixeira M, De Luca L, Faria A, et al. First Insights on the Bioaccessibility and Absorption of Anthocyanins from Edible Flowers: Wild Pansy, Cosmos, and Cornflower. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024;17(2):191.