The word Flower immediately brings a smile on every face. Flowers are a symbol of happiness, brightness and they lend color and warmth to our world. It would be hard to imagine a glowing and shining world without these flowers which are not only used as fragrance enhancers, for decorations, composts but also as expression of our feelings.
Are you aware that flowers are also used as food item and as disease curers? Yes it's true; the flowers which are eaten are known as Edible Flowers.
Edible flowers are organically produced, non-toxic flowers containing certain specific properties through which they enrich our meals and also simultaneously cure us of our diseases. These flowers are fairly inexpensive, devoid of side-effects, act in tune with our body's natural response system and are used in treating ailments across the world. These flowers have become a suitable alternative to drugs such as anti-depressants, cholesterol lowering statins, antihistamines and their likes.
The medicinal properties of edible flowers fairly fight off diseases that befall us; besides they also play a significant role in making our food wholesome and appetizing. Edible flowers are the most preferred form of natural food as they are derived straight from the nature. They are a part of organic food which has presently become a suitable means of escape from the chemically synthesized, processed and flavored food. They sufficiently add nutrient value as well as flavor and color to dishes like desserts, cakes, salads and beverages; are used frequently in flavored oils, marinades and jellies. Generally the petals of edible flowers are eaten but in some flowers like safflower and crocus their stigma is preferred for its herbal properties. Among the whole range of edible flowers there are some which are eaten by themselves while others like squash blossoms are first deeply fried and then used for consumption.
On tracing down the historical use of edible flowers we are pushed far back to the ancient Roman civilization where flowers like mallow, rose and violets were significantly used to lend aroma and flavor to the different kinds of eatables. The Chinese, Greeks, mid-eastern and Indian cultures have been consuming edible flowers from a very early period. In England particularly during the reign of Queen Victoria edible flowers like roses were used in a wide array of dishes.
Herbsncures.com lists some of these edible flowers along with detailed information on the cures that they offer against different diseases:
Achillea: Achillea is primarily known for its antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic properties. Generally, Achillea is used to treat a wide array of diseases but specifically utilized in curing cold, fevers, kidney diseases and menstrual pain. It is also used in treating toothache, pneumonia, nephritis, and Bright's disease. The leaves of Achillea are edible and are mixed with salad before consumption. Teas and condiments prepared through the proper utilization of this herb should be made a part of our daily lifestyle.
Rose: The rose flower is therapeutically valuable in removing headache, strengthening the heart; as a cooling agent, as an astringent and also in providing relief to haggard eyes. To add to the efficacy of rose, it is also a superb blood purifier. The edible parts are hips, petals and shoots. Petals are consumed in raw form while hips are taken in combination with other food. They are first grounded and then applied to baked food. Different types of syrups, jams and marmalades prepared from rose hips are also extensively available in markets.
Lotus: Generally known as an effective cardio tonic, lotus is used in treating sunstroke, insomnia; liver, urinary troubles. In the Ayurvedic natural treatment it is particularly used for curing mild troubles like cough, cold and serious diseases like dysentery and diarrhea. Leaves, petioles, flowers, rhizomes and seeds of Lotus are consumed raw as well as in the form of different compounds formed by them. Lotus leaves, petioles, flowers and rhizomes are cooked and taken in vegetable form. Lotus rhizomes are also used in the preparation of wide range of pickles while lotus seeds are deliciously tasty and so frequently eaten raw. Sometimes seeds are even roasted, boiled, and used in sweetened candy preparation.
Borage: The Borage flower considerably fights against diseases like osteoarthritis, circulatory heart diseases and pulmonary troubles. It is also a proper swelling and stress reliever. The Borage parts mostly consumed are the leaves, flowers and stems. Fresh leaves are taken by themselves as well as in salad form. The various fruit drinks and salads prepared by borage flowers are as much important to us as the beverages properly flavored by the stems of this plant. The allopathic treatment prescribes borage capsules to patients suffering from a diverse range of ailments.
Dandelion: The medicinal properties of this flower are extensively used in treating various liver, gall bladder and urinary disorders; against gallstones, jaundice, and cirrhosis and also in treating dyspepsia. Therapeutically, Dandelion is a diuretic and also reduces the cholesterol level in the body. For better functioning of the healing properties of Dandelion, its leaves, flowers, roots are consumed in fairly effective ways. Flowers and leaves are eaten raw and at times cooked. Roots are roasted and also used in tea preparation. Leaves and roots of this plant are mostly used to flavor herbal beer and soft drinks.
Angelica: Various diseases like fever, cold, cough, flatulent colic and other stomach problems are successfully treated through Angelica. Along with providing proper cure for these diseases, Angelica protects the kidney against ischemia and reperfusion injury. The roots and shoots of Angelica are wildly consumed: Roots are taken only through tea made out of them while shoots are the perfect combination with a variety of salads. The shoots of Angelica are also boiled and taken as a pot herb.
Artichoke: As a traditional remedy, Artichoke works against sluggish liver, poor digestion and atherosclerosis. It also efficaciously wards off diseases like hypertension, anemia, diarrhea, fevers , ulcers and gout. The edible portions include the heart, petals and stem which are consumed in their natural form as well as by mixing them with butter, mayonnaise and salad.
