4 Common Flowers You Can Eat With Great Health Benefits

1. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

Nasturtium with its peppery aroma is a colorful and spicy addition to any meal. Actually, the entire winding, trailing part of the plant that is above ground is edible. The buds can be pickled and used like capers. Nasturtium leaves have a high concentration of Vitamin C and are also a natural antibiotic. Eating a couple of the peppery leaves at the onset of a cold can stop it dead in its tracks. The gentle antibiotic action of the leaves makes them ideal for treating minor colds and flu.

2. Violets ( Viola )

Candied violets, a beautiful extra on cakes and desserts, spring to mind immediately when it comes to edible buds. The petals are delicate to the taste, and can also lend their aroma to salads and soups. Traditional uses of this plant were many, also known as “hearts-ease”, it was said to “comfort and strengthen the heart” and was often prescribed for emotional upset. Its most famous use was as a cough syrup,

3. Roses (Rosa)

Raid your vase of its fragrant roses: Rose petals enhance many a dish, particularly cakes and desserts. In Middle Eastern cuisine, the petals are distilled into rose water for concentrated flavor.

The antioxidants in rose water protect the cells in the skin against damage.

Rose water also has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can be put on the skin to soothe the irritation caused by conditions, such as eczema and rosacea.

4. Calendula (Asteraceae)

Calendula is also called "poor man's saffron." Our ancestors used the petals to give soups, gravies and butter a yellowish hue. The bright yellow or orange flower is also well known for its medicinal use. One of the best reasons to keep calendula handy is due to its healing abilities. If you apply this flower oil to your cuts, scrapes, bruises, and insect bites, you can quickly speed the healing process, partially due to its anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to the unique antioxidant compounds found in this miraculous plant. By protecting against infections, it keeps wounds and scrapes safe, allowing them to heal rapidly.