Can cornflower floral water assist in cases of conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the ocular envelope, the transparent membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It manifests as swelling around the eyes, as well as tingling, redness, itching, and discharge. Conjunctivitis can also cause visual discomfort and increase light sensitivity. Its causes are numerous. It can notably be of allergic origin, following contact with an allergen or the use of contact lenses. Conjunctivitis can also be induced by viruses such as the cold sore virus and is then called viral conjunctivitis. Finally, in rarer cases, this condition can have a bacterial origin and be due to a Streptococcus or a Staphylococcus.

The treatment of conjunctivitis relies on the administration of eye drops, the composition of which varies depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis. To date, there is no evidence of the effect of cornflower hydrosol on this disease.

Nevertheless, this cosmetic active ingredient could exhibit various properties that might prove relevant in cases of conjunctivitis.

• The cornflower hydrosol is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

  The cornflower hydrosol is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which are attributed to its flavonoids. These compounds could potentially help to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the activity of anaphylatoxins, compounds that are thought to play a role in triggering inflammatory reactions. Anaphylatoxins could potentially cause the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine or pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and interleukins-1α and 6. However, while these potential anti-inflammatory effects of the cornflower hydrosol have been demonstrated in mice, no studies have yet confirmed them in humans. Therefore, it is not certain whether this ingredient could reduce ocular inflammation in cases of conjunctivitis.

• The floral water of cornflower has an antibacterial action.

  It can also be hypothesised that cornflower hydrosol could aid in combating bacterial conjunctivitis. Indeed, research has highlighted the antibacterial effects of this ingredient on cultures of Esherischia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and compared them to those of penicillin. The results showed that at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, the cornflower extract placed at the centre of a disc achieved a circular inhibition of 12 mm for E. coli , compared to 8 mm for 5 mg/mL of penicillin. Regarding, S. aureus, the diameters of the inhibition zones recorded were similar for cornflower and penicillin, with a measured value of 10 mm.

  Thus, cornflower hydrosol could potentially prevent and limit bacterial proliferation at the ocular level, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial conjunctivitis. However, further studies are still necessary to confirm this.

• The decongesting effects of cornflower hydrosol?

  Besides its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, the cornflower hydrosol also reportedly acts at the ocular level, exerting decongestant benefits that could help to reduce eyelid swelling following conjunctivitis. However, studies regarding this potential effect of cornflower floral water remain limited and no action mechanism is known to date.

While some properties of cornflower hydrosol could potentially be beneficial for conjunctivitis, no studies have so far demonstrated the efficacy of this extract on this eye condition. In case of conjunctivitis, it is advisable to consult a doctor.