Cornflower hydrosol as a mouthwash?

The cornflower hydrosol is extracted from the distillation of the flowers of the Centaurea cyanus. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, this annual herbaceous plant mainly grows in cereal fields in Europe. The cornflower hydrosol is particularly acclaimed for its soothing properties that can provide a sense of relief to sensitive skin prone to irritations. It can also be used as a toning lotion for its refreshing effect on the skin. However, while cornflower hydrosol is mainly appreciated for calming redness and decongesting tired eyes, some sources also attribute benefits to its use as a mouthwash.

• Using cornflower hydrosol to soothe mouth ulcers?

  The anti-inflammatory properties of cornflower hydrosol could make its use as a mouthwash relevant and could help to relieve mouth ulcers and irritations in the oral cavity. A study conducted on mice showed that the aqueous extract of cornflower, applied topically at different doses, was able to reduce inflammatory oedema generated following the topical application of croton oil (40 mg diluted in 10 ml of acetone) on the inner surface of the mice's ears. This extract even had an efficacy comparable to that of indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Despite possible differences between the aqueous extract of cornflower and cornflower hydrosol in terms of extraction techniques, these results are relatively promising.

  The anti-inflammatory activity of cornflower hydrosol is believed to be linked to the presence of flavonoids in its biochemical composition. These are thought to be capable of acting by inhibiting certain kinases involved in inflammatory mechanisms. Thus, cornflower hydrosol could potentially help to reduce inflammation in the oral mucosa and alleviate pain associated with inflammation.

• Can cornflower hydrosol promote the healing of oral wounds?

  The cornflower hydrosol also contains coumarins, compounds suspected of having a healing effect. Indeed, although the mechanism of action of these molecules is still poorly understood, research conducted on mouse wounds has shown that the topical application of a coumarin-based ointment could accelerate wound healing. Although the concentration of coumarins in the cornflower hydrosol is relatively low, it can be assumed that this hydrosol could promote the healing of minor oral lesions.

• Can cornflower hydrosol maintain good oral hygiene?

  In addition to its anti-inflammatory and healing benefits, cornflower hydrosol is also believed to have antibacterial properties that could prove beneficial in maintaining good oral hygiene. Studies conducted on bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus aureus have highlighted the antibacterial effects of a water extract of cornflower, which appears to have induced the inhibition of bacterial growth within the cultures. This potential antibacterial effect could help prevent the formation of cavities linked to the presence of bacteria in the oral mucosa and also reduce dental plaque. Cornflower hydrosol would thus promote the maintenance of a healthy mouth.

The cornflower hydrosol used as a mouthwash could potentially alleviate mouth ulcers, prevent cavities, limit dental plaque, and promote fresh breath. However, scientific studies are required to confirm these effects.

If you still wish to use cornflower hydrosol as a mouthwash, it is recommended to perform a gargle for a few minutes. Cornflower hydrosol can also be mixed with peppermint hydrosol for an even more refreshing effect. To do this, simply take a 50 ml tinted glass bottle for example, the opacity of the bottle being important to protect the hydrosols from light. Within this bottle, you then just need to pour 25 ml of cornflower hydrosol and 25 ml of peppermint hydrosol, and then mix everything by shaking the bottle.

• ANGENOT L. & al. Anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of Centaurea cyanus flower-heads. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1999).

• VAN LEEUWEN P. & al. Flavonoids : a review of probable mechanisms of action and potential applications. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001).

• MOTORI D. & al. Antibacterial activity of different extracts of Centaurea cyanus (L.) growing wild in Kosovo. Oriental Journal of Chemistry (2017). 

• FAUCON M. Traité d'aromathérapie scientifique et médicale - Les hydrolats. Sang de la Terre (2018).

• FERNANDES I. & al. Anthocyanin-Related Pigments : Natural Allies for Skin Health maintenance and protection. Antioxidants (2021).