Edible Flowers You Can Eat For Better Health

Hello everyone…. Today’s post is being reposted for its interesting content value. Nowadays we are all into using natural products in almost every sphere of life so I thought of posting this old post of 2014 again for your knowledge and info value. (Kanan)

Once upon a time when I was traveling by train, I happened to see a lady eating the petals of an Indian rose. I was too small to understand things on my own so I pestered daddy dear and asked him whether we can eat a rose. He said, yes you can eat the petals of an Indian rose. I was left wondering why that lady was munching on the rose. Very recently, I came to know that flowers have their own health benefits and here I am to share that with you Edible Flowers For Health.

Lotus

This flower enjoys a divine status. It is a sign of prosperity, purity, and peace. All parts of this flower are edible namely its petals, flowers, flower stamens, seeds, and stems. I really relish the lotus stem sabji!!

Now, the health benefits are as follows:

• Being an antioxidant it reduces the damaging free radicals in the body.

• It protects the liver.

• Manages fever.

• Helps cure sunstroke.

• Provides relief from insomnia.

• Helps to treat urinary problems.

• Manages diarrhea and dysentery.

• Effective in treating cough and cold.

Dandelion

In the Hindi language, dandelion is known by the name dudhi. This flower is rich in elements like potassium, calcium, zinc, and iron as well as it also contains a variety of vitamins as vitamins A, B complex, C, and D that give so many benefits.

Now, which of the parts of dandelions are useful/edible? It is known that the flowers are used to make Dandelion wine, honey syrups, and jams, while its leaves and roots serve as a diuretic, and a blood purifier.

People from all around the world use Dandelion to treat various ailments be it us Indians, Chinese, or Europeans.

The flower is used traditionally by the Europeans for the treatment of

• fevers,

• eye diseases,

• diarrhea,

• boils,

• liver problems,

• acidity,

• skin diseases.

Coming to the Indians and Chinese, they have used this flower in the treatment of :

• liver and digestive ailments

• Inflammations of the appendix, bile duct, and gallstones.

Generally, Dandelions have been as a digestive aid as it stimulates the salivary and gastric juices.

Rose

Image by Josch13 via Pixabay

Rose has a lot of popularity and has a variety of colors. Apart from other uses, this flower is also known for its medicinal benefits.

How does rose promote and maintain good health?

Rose hips (the swollen bases of the flower that develop into seed pod) contain vitamin C, malic and citric acids, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. They are used in the management of:

• Arthritis

• Constipation and indigestion

• Fever, cold, and flu

• Urinary trouble

• Bladder stones

• Cancers

Rose petals are a rich source of vitamin A, B3, C, D, E, volatile oils, tannic acid, malic acid, pectin, and antioxidants. They are known to

• eliminate stress and headaches

• Treat depression, insomnia, and other nervous disorders

You would have heard of Gulkand, which is an ayurvedic tonic. It is prepared from rose petals and is used to treat disorders varying from fatigue to intestinal worms to hyperacidity.

Rose is also known to be used as the following:

• blood purifier,

• laxative (increases bowel movements)

• diuretic (promotes urine production)

• cardio-tonic,

• an anti-infective agent for the digestive system and the respiratory system.

• Regulatory aid for infertility and menstrual problems. So apart from being a beautiful flower, it is also wonderful medicine.

Saffron

Image by cocolate66 via Pixabay

Saffron is in whenever there is an auspicious function in India. Kesar, as it is known in Hindi is a very loved ingredient in cooking too (Kesar badam kulfi anyone?). It is basically the female reproductive part of the flower that is used. In spite of being pretty expensive, it is used a lot in our households. Saffron has many antioxidant and medicinal properties too. It is rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, zinc, and magnesium, as well as vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and vitamin C. Wow!!!

It is an antioxidant, antiseptic, antidepressant, digestive, carminative (prevents the formation of gas in the digestive tract), anti-convulsant, and anti-carcinogenic (cancer-preventing) agent.

So that is it, guys. This was a list of a few edible flowers. But I would add a word of caution. There are many other flowers or parts of the plant, which are inedible or even poisonous. Therefore, extreme caution and expert opinion is strongly recommended before you decide to consume them.

Which one will you try from this list of Edible Flowers For Health?

Featured Image by Pixabay via Pexels