Cornflour, Mustard & Olive Oil
Cornflower - Research
One in vitro (laboratory) study has shown cornflower to have potential anti-inflammatory properties.8 However, no clinical studies have been published on the usefulness of the plant’s constituents.
Cornflower has become increasingly scarce due to the use of herbicides and fertilizers, converting more land to pasture and agriculture, the lack of crop rotation, and the development of competitive crop varieties.9 It is considered endangered in Great Britain and a plan is being implemented to reintroduce cornflower.9 Limited cultivation of cornflower is also being done by Palestinian farmers in the West Bank.10
Traditionally, cornflower blossoms have been used externally to soothe irritated eyes and skin, and internally to improve digestion, regulate menstrual disorders, and to increase resistance to infections.3 Preparations of the leaf were once used to treat rheumatism.3
Reference:
2 Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.; 1995.
3 van Wyk BE, Wink M. Medicinal Plants of the World. 1st edition. Portland, OR: Timber Press; 2004.
4 Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 5th edition. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2003.
5 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol I. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.; 1971.
6 Williamson EM. Potter’s Herbal Cyclopaedia. Saffron, Walden: C.W.Daniel Company Ltd.; 2003.
7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Vista, CA: Kampong Publications; 1990.
8 Garbacki N, Gloaguen V, Damas J, Bodart P, Tits M, Angenot L. Anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of Centaurea cyanus flower-heads. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1999;68:235-241.
9 Species action plan. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). Available at: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=198. Accessed March 18, 2005.
10 PARC: Organic farms achieved big success in Tulkarem. Farming in Palestine: An Agricultural Update. Available at: http://www.eurosur.org/PARC/eng/farming/farming16.html. Accessed March 18, 2005.
