Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe, where its dried flowers have been used topically for a variety of minor skin conditions, including itching and irritation. The use of cornflower water or infusions as a soothing agent for the skin is well documented in traditional herbal texts. Folk remedies often recommend cornflower compresses or washes for inflamed or itchy eyes and skin, attributing its effects to its purported anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

However, scientific research specifically investigating the efficacy of cornflower for treating itching (pruritus) is extremely limited. While the plant contains flavonoids and other phenolic compounds with potential antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory effects, robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies confirming its effectiveness for relieving itching are lacking. As such, its continued use for this purpose is primarily justified by tradition rather than scientific validation. The strength of evidence is therefore rated low, reflecting the absence of modern clinical support despite a legacy of folk application.

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