Folk names: cornflower, sinky, blavat.
BLUE cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.)An annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family (Compositae), with a thin taproot. Stem up to 100 cm in height, erect, branched, ragged-webbed. The lower leaves die early, pinnately lobed, on petioles, the middle and upper leaves are linear, entire, sessile. Flower baskets are large, solitary, sitting at the top of the stem and branches. Marginal flowers in baskets are bright blue (very rarely white or pink), oblique funnel-shaped, barren, median – tubular, blue-violet, bisexual. The fruit is a gray or yellowish-gray, slightly pubescent achene, with a multi-row tuft. Each plant produces up to 2500 seeds. Blossoms in June – September, fruits ripen in August – October. Propagated only by seeds. It is distributed mainly in the middle and northern parts of the European territory of the CIS and in Western Siberia. It grows very often as a weed in crops, especially in winter rye, in forests in glades, on fallows and poorly cultivated fallows. It prefers sandy and sandy loamy soils, but it also grows on heavy clay soils. The flower received the name “centaurea” from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. especially in winter rye, in forests in glades, on fallows and poorly cultivated fallows. It prefers sandy and sandy loamy soils, but it also grows on heavy clay soils. The flower received the name “centaurea” from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. especially in winter rye, in forests in glades, on fallows and poorly cultivated fallows. It prefers sandy and sandy loamy soils, but it also grows on heavy clay soils. The flower received the name “centaurea” from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. It prefers sandy and sandy loamy soils, but it also grows on heavy clay soils. The flower received the name “centaurea” from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. It prefers sandy and sandy loamy soils, but it also grows on heavy clay soils. The flower received the name “centaurea” from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. The name “centaurea” the flower received from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. The name “centaurea” the flower received from the mythical centaur of the ancient Greeks – Chiron. The centaur was famous for healing herbs. When Chiron was wounded by the arrow of Hercules, he quickly healed his wound with a blue cornflower. Chiron taught the art of healing to many sons of the gods, among whom was the son of Apollo Asclepius, who later became the god of medicine. In Russia there was a legend according to which the beautiful young man Vasily was killed by a mermaid and turned into an azure flower – a cornflower, reminiscent of blue water in color. Healing properties blue cornflower were described in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle.
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
Medicinal raw materials are blue marginal flowers of blue cornflower. Fully blooming flowers are harvested. For this purpose, flower baskets are cut or torn off, and then marginal funnel-shaped blue flowers are plucked from them, trying not to capture the inner tubular ones. The less it turns out to be in the aftermath, the better the quality of the raw materials will be. The collected raw materials are sorted out, the receptacle, inner tubular and faded marginal flowers, as well as other impurities are removed and immediately dried in a warm, shaded room (the flowers fade quickly in the light and the raw materials are of poor quality). It is recommended to dry under awnings, laying it out in a thin layer on clean paper, or in dryers at a temperature of 40-50°C. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years. Dry raw materials are odorless, retain a bright blue color, and have a bitter-astringent taste. Raw materials are exported abroad.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Galenic products of blue cornflower flowers have diuretic properties, which are due to the anicyans they contain. In addition, blue cornflower flowers have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and minor choleretic properties. The bitterness present in the plant improves the functions of digestion. Also, blue cornflower flowers have antispasmodic, diaphoretic, general tonic and astringent properties.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Flowers. Infusions and decoctions – in complex therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, for edema associated with diseases of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system. As part of diuretic fees – with urolithiasis, pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis, nephrosis. In addition, cornflower flowers are used for conjunctivitis, blepharitis, with increased fatigue of the visual apparatus, as well as an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant. It is also possible to use them in diseases of the liver and biliary tract, accompanied by a violation of bile secretion. It is part of various fees used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In folk medicine, infusion – for cough, whooping cough, nephritis, uterine bleeding, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, night blindness.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
Infusion of blue cornflower flowers (Infusum florum Centaureae cyani): 1 tablespoon of the raw material is placed in an enamel bowl, poured into 200 ml of hot boiled water, covered with a lid and heated in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes. Cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter, squeeze out the remaining raw material. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. It is taken warm, 1 tablespoon 3 times every day as a mild diuretic, choleretic and antimicrobial agent. Blue cornflower flowers (Flores Centaureae cyani) are available in packs of 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: due to the plant’s highly active compounds with a cyanic component, care must be taken in its use.* Animals do not traditionally eat this plant. High levels of it in hay can cause respiratory problems in horses and cattle. The coarse fibers of blue cornflower are the cause of intestinal catarrh in horses.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
The flowers can be used to make dyes – blue and blue (for woolen fabrics), as well as to make cornflower blue vinegar. They are used to color vermouth and champagne wines in pink. Flowers are added to the first, second courses, gravies, sauces. The seed powder serves as a seasoning for soups, borscht, gravy for meat and fish. Honey plant. Gives bees a lot of pollen and nectar. Nectar is released even in drought. The honey is thick, greenish-yellow, with an almond smell, sometimes bitter at first. Decorative.
ELEMENTS OF AGROTECHNICAL CULTIVATION
Seeds are sown in spring – in April or in autumn – in September on sowing beds. Seedlings dive and planted at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other in the fall or spring of the next year. Seeds remain viable for up to 3-5 years.
TASTY TIPS
Cornflower seed powder.
Clean the seeds from impurities, dry, grind in a coffee grinder. Add the powder to salads, first and second courses, sauces, gravies.
Cornflower salad.
Cucumber herb (100 g), hare cabbage (50 g), dandelion leaves (50 g) blanched, chopped, add cornflower seed powder (10 g), salt (to taste). Dress the salad with sour cream (mayonnaise, vegetable oil) (25 g), sprinkle with parsley and dill.
Borscht with cornflower.
In meat broth (500 ml), boil chopped beets (50 g), carrots (30 g), potatoes (50 g), cabbage (100 g). 5 minutes before readiness, add browned onions (75 g) with tomato sauce, dried cornflower flowers (20 g), salt (to taste). Before serving, put hard-boiled egg slices, sour cream (25 g), dill and parsley in bowls.
Shchi with cornflower.
In meat broth (500 ml), boil chopped potatoes (50 g), parsley root (15 g), carrots (50 g), onions (25 g), sorrel (150 g). 5 minutes before readiness, add dried cornflower flowers (20 g), salt (to taste). Before serving, put slices of hard-boiled eggs, sour cream (50 g), parsley and dill in bowls before serving.
Cornflower sauce.
Grind dried wheat flour (25 g), pour into boiling sour cream (250 g) with broth (250 ml), mix thoroughly, add salt and pepper (to taste), browned tomato sauce (40 g butter, 50 g tomato puree ), crushed dried cornflower flowers (20 g). Boil 3-5 min.
Pork in sauce with cornflower.
Sprinkle pieces of low-fat pork (500 g) with pepper, salt, fry in heated fat (30 g), add browned onion (75 g), cornflower sauce, bring to a boil and keep covered for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with dill and parsley before serving.
Fish stewed with cornflower.
Salt prepared pieces of fresh fish (250 g), breaded in flour (30 g), fry in vegetable oil (75 g), put dried cornflower flowers (20 g), onions (50 g), bay leaf, pepper, mayonnaise or sour cream (150 g) and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle the fish with parsley and dill before serving.
Beetroot stewed with cornflower.
Boil beets (250 g) until tender, peel, chop on a coarse grater. Fry flour (50 g) in oil (30 g) until golden brown, add prepared beets, dried cornflower flowers (20 g), citric acid, salt (to taste), a little water, mix and simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes .