The cornflower, known by its Latin name Centaurea cyanus, is a plant from the Asteraceae family, native to Europe, recognised for its blue flowers which are harvested between May and July. Similar to the poppy, the cornflower grows wild, specifically in wheat fields. However, it is increasingly less common in this state due to the intensive use of herbicides.
Thecornflower floral water is the result of the condensation of steam obtained after distillation of dried flowers, a technique used to extract essential oils. However, in the case of cornflower, this extraction method does not yield an essential oil but only a hydrosol with a density close to that of water. This extraction process allows the properties and benefits of the hydrosol to be preserved. The flowers used are not harvested from fields treated with pesticides, but are grown in France using organic farming.
Thecornflower floral water is known for its decongestant, soothing, toning, antiseptic, healing, and anti-inflammatory virtues. Indeed, rich in alpha-terpineol, anthocyanosides, and polyines, which are potent anti-infective agents, cornflower floral water has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. It also contains linalool , which has analgesic, calming, and anaesthetic properties, as well as acetophenone, an analgesic, giving the cornflower hydrosol its soothing and healing virtues.