02/09/2026
Good morning everyone 🥰
It looks like it's going to be a rather damp start to my day. The rain is not heavy and is going to be intermittent, so I am definitely going out gardening and will put the parasol to good use 😁
Yesterday I showed you a lovely display of chickweed, dock seeds, cornflower seeds and black nightshade berries.
I promised I would get back to you with what I was going to do with this little collection. And then I forgot 😁
So let us start with cornflower
Not many people consider cornflower a food or even a medicine, but it is both.
Centaurea cyanus flowers are edible and where often used in salads.
The petals where also once used as an eye wash to relieve tired and strained eyes.
The extracts of cornflower are frequently used in skin care. If you make a warm infusion and use as a toner it is said to tone the skin, balance the Ph and reduce redness.
Tone the skin 😮
I need a bucket load 🤣😅
Extracts have been used for many years in makeup removers.
If you create a nice almond oil infusion, then add this to some coconut oil and aloe gel, you will have a nice homemade makeup remover, and you can always use a bit of the infusion to clear off any excess cornflower lotion 🥰🌿
Now let us get to the seeds.
The seeds are usually added to bird feed. And I believe they are loved by goldfinch.
But traditionally, cornflower seeds where used as a mild laxative and it was children who where given these in cases of mild constipation.
As we all know, laxatives can cause awful griping and cramping in the stomach. And, it is not particularly nice for kiddies to take laxatives, especially some of the pharmaceutical products. (I am speaking from experience here, after watching Ed from age 4 to 6 years being given all kinds of laxatives, instead of just assigning him.a dietician 🤷♀️, and seeing him curled up in a ball with the cramping that follwed each dose).
But cornflower seeds are soft and gentle on the stomach.
So how does this work?
What makes these little seeds work?
Time to get all chemically interesting 😁
The seeds have bitter compounds and glycosides.
These act as mild digestive stimulants. They trigger bitter receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, promoting bile secretion and increasing smooth muscle motility to naturally ease digestion. So it is soothing and gentle.
You will find indole alkaloids present in these seeds. But don't panic over the word 'alkaloid' as all plants have them,
These indole alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds, and they are the primary chemical group linked to the seed's specific purgative qualities.
Now here is the lovely bit 🤗
They contain soluble carbohydrates. The seeds also contain complex sugars and mucilage-like structures that naturally attract water into the bowel, softening the stool.
Isn't this amazing 🥰🌿
So now you know why I am going to be collecting the cornflower seeds from my garden 🥰
They will be added to my apothecary once fully dried and some will be sprinkled in my garden for next year, so I can harvest some petals 😊
Now remember folks, don't try this at home. No, seriously, always speak to a qualified herbalist or research thoroughly before using any plant medicine.
Ps research thoroughly doesn't mean googel AI and check a few sites. It means understanding the chemical compounds, how they effect certain medications and health conditions..
Thank you for reading, following and supporting my page everyone.
Look out for the posts for the rest of my little garden forage.
Take care and get outside 🤗🌿🥰
Tatty bye for now everyone 👋😁
