Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.) - Dried aerial parts and flower heads

Cornflower is an annual, sometimes winter-annual, herbaceous plant from the daisy family (Asteraceae). The species is botanically accepted as Centaurea cyanus L. and is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Bulgaria.

The plant develops an upright, branched stem and narrow linear to lanceolate leaves. The flower heads are bright blue, although white, pink or violet forms may occur in cultivation. The blue colour is due to anthocyanin pigments, and the flowers are valued as raw material for herbal blends, decorative dried blends, cosmetic products and natural colouring applications.

Basic Information

• Latin name: Centaurea cyanus L.
• Parts used: flowers (Flos Cyani), aerial parts / herb (Herba Cyani)
• Origin: Bulgaria
• Raw material type: wild-harvested and cultivated
• Flower harvest period: May – August, during flowering
• Drying: in well-ventilated rooms or at low temperature

Raw Material Characteristics

The flowers are collected when fresh and with a well-developed blue colour. The aerial parts are harvested during summer. The raw material is dried carefully to preserve its natural colour, structure and overall botanical quality.

Chemical Composition

Cornflower contains mainly anthocyanins, including cyanin / protocyanin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, mucilage compounds, minerals and volatile aromatic components.

Suitable for the Production of

• herbal teas
• herbal blends
• decorative dried blends
• botanical extracts
• cosmetic formulations
• eye-area and skin-care products
• natural colouring applications
• herbal powders

Medicinal Properties and Effects on the Body

Cornflower has the following properties:

• soothing
• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant
• mildly diuretic
• beneficial effect on the skin
• supportive role in eye-area care products

Forms Available

• cornflower herb and flower heads (Herba et Flores Cyani) – whole dried, crushed, cut to custom size upon request, or powdered

Quality and Documentation

Upon request, a Certificate of Analysis (COA), technical documentation and additional documents may be provided.

Inquiry

Contact us for availability, samples and a quotation based on the required quantities and raw material specifications.