White petaled cornflower – Centaurea cyanus

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, the white cornflower is a horticultural mutation of the field cornflower. Its pure white petals retain the calming properties of the classic cornflower, while offering a rare aesthetic. Historically used in eye care and sensitive skin, its internal or cosmetic use is now regulated.

Description

Dried, fine, ivory-white petals, light and delicately scented. Silky texture. Use for decoration, cosmetics or as a sweet floral infusion.

Nomenclature

• Common names: White cornflower, white barbel
• Latin name: Centaurea cyanus
• Family: Asteraceae
• Part used: Petals
• Form: Whole, dried
• Origin: Europe, controlled horticulture
• English name: White cornflower
• German name: Weiße Kornblume
• Name in Spanish: Aciano blanco
• Name in Italian: Fiordaliso bianco
• Name in Arabic: أزهر القنطريون الأبيض (Azhar al-Qantarion al-Abyad)

Main virtues

In cosmetics, cornflower is used for its soothing properties in eye and skin care. As an infusion, it can be combined with other flowers for a visual and floral herbal tea. It is also highly prized for its decorative function in teas or bath salts.

Main constituents

Anthocyanins, flavonoids, mucilages, phenolic acids, aromatic compounds.

Use and dosage

• Decorative infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup, mixed with other mild herbs.
• Cosmetic: in aqueous macerate or in steam bath for eye contour care.
• Decoration: in flower mixes, bath salts, artisanal confectionery.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Regulated product – reserved for professionals for therapeutic use.
• Do not ingest in large quantities without specialist advice.
• May cause reactions in people allergic to Asteraceae.

History and origin

The cornflower is a symbol of the European countryside. Once found in grain fields, it was also cultivated for its medicinal properties. The rarer white cornflower is mainly grown from crops bred for its ornamental and sweet qualities.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: glass jar, lined kraft bag or opaque box.
• Appearance: dry, white, fine, light petals.
• Smell: sweet, slightly herbaceous and floral.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• French Pharmacopoeia – list of regulated plants
• Corpus of medicinal and decorative plants
• Botanical history of medicinal flowers in Europe

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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