Uses for flowers

'There are so many types of flowers!!' I was crying by the seed rack in the garden centre last winter. So in order to rationalize some selection process I decided to focus on those flowers that come with alternative uses, and are also easy to grow.


Cornflower
These are really easy to grow directly from seed. They have been historically used in homemade cosmetics for their anti-inflammatory proprieties (preliminary clinical trial here), much in the same way as chamomile (see how to use flowers here)

Also, they dry really well and can be used decoratively in potpourris.

Apparently, the flowers are also edible and can be added to salads and desserts, haven't gone so far experimenting yet.















Chamomile

This is my favorite! Again, it's easy to grow directly from seed and I love the infusion!
Chamomile tea (prepared with one teaspoon dried flowers and hot water) is very relaxing and helps de-stress (clinical study on anxiolytic effects of this tea). It also great for topical application through steaming or using the cold tea as a very mild skin toner, reliving skin inflammation (e.g. clinical trial for chamomile effectiveness in treating eczema). Here are the flowers in the garden and the drying flower heads for later use.










Roses

They smell divine! This year, I am drying the petals to use in potpourris and in blends of tea. Last year I've made rose petal conserve, it was wonderfully fragrant, and got almost three jars from the roses of one garden shrub. If you want to try this, you'll find plenty of recipes on the web. You will also need to use specific types of roses, the very fragrant ones.

Two other types of pretty and useful flowers I have been reading about are lavender and marigold, both edible, with cosmetic and decorative uses. Looking forward to having them in the garden next year!