As far as their edibility, bachelor’s buttons are best used fresh, though they can be cut and dried for use as a decorative bouquet. Most often, they are used as an edible garnish for their light fragrance and minimal flavor. They can therefore either be eaten raw alone or added to soups, stews, and salads. They also can be used to beautify desserts, such as pies and cakes. Moreover, eating the blooms will actually benefit the plant because this will encourage it to make even more blooms and it will continue to bloom until the first frost of the year.
Medicinally, bachelor’s buttons are diuretic (remove fluids), tonic (good for general health), anti-inflammatory, and stimulant. The main chemical constituents of bachelor’s buttons are flavonoids (antioxidants), coumarins (which help reduce bleeding), acetylenes, and sesquiterpene lactones, of which cnicin contains some antibiotic activity. The flowers can be used to make an eyewash and made into compresses to use on the eyes for its ability to reduce swelling. Bachelor’s buttons have also been said to enhance digestion, support liver health, augment one’s resistance to certain infections by strengthening the immune system, reduce anxiety, soothe skin irritations, and reduce pain in the joints. It also has calming and curative effects, for instance, when used in a bath because of its ability to ease joints, stiff muscles, and irritated skin. Steaming the face by adding a few tablespoons of fresh or dried flowers helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and soften skin. And finally, bachelor’s buttons make a wonderful herbal tea. Simply add one teaspoon of fresh or dried cornflower petals to one cup of boiling water. When fighting an infection one can even allow the tea to steep for upwards of 20 minutes. It is recommended to drink this tea half an hour before eating for maximum absorption, drinking three cups a day for at least two weeks, as this tea will boost functioning of the immune system, calm anxiety, and soothe stomach upset.
So, remember to try and eat one wild food every day! If you have any questions or comments or ideas for wild food articles or recipes, please email [email protected].