Can adding edible flowers to your dishes provide any health benefits?

Using edible flowers in your cooking is usually something done for purely decorative purposes, as bright blooms will really help to make salads and desserts pop. Whether or not you have investigated the potential of edible flowers before, you might be in the dark about the nutritional benefits that they can offer. To bring you up to speed, here is a quick look at how snackable petals can be in health benefits.

The advantages of hibiscus

Of the many types of flowers used in cooking, hibiscus might be the most widely known for its health-improving properties. It is also a very versatile flower, just as capable of being harnessed for herbal teas as it is when added to jams or used as a garnish in savory.

In terms of its nutritional perks, hibiscus has been shown to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, as well as more generally promoting good heart health. There are also studies which suggest it can bring down your blood pressure.

The surprising upside of dandelions

Throughout human history, weeds have often been able to shock us by providing medical benefits that are not always obvious given how widespread and prevalent these pesky plants can become. While keen gardeners may want to do away with any dandelions that pop up, for example, there is actually a lot to love about these entirely edible flowers.

The leaves and stem are great in stews, and they are packed with vitamins including A, C and K. Meanwhile the roots are a good source of fiber, and there are also plenty of antioxidants throughout the plant, which are great for all-round health.

The helping hand of honeysuckle

Another beautiful and fragrant flower which has been associated with a number of health-related claims, honeysuckle is thought to be capable of dealing with inflammation either when eaten or after being applied to the affected area of the skin as a poultice.

Bear in mind that these claims have yet to be thoroughly investigated in a scientific setting, so do not rely on honeysuckle alone to treat any of your ailments. Whatever the case, it is still a tasty and eye-catching edible flower; just steer clear of the berries and stick to the petals and nectar instead.

The natural appeal of nasturtium

While the efficacy of honeysuckle’s medical properties has not been proven, the same is thankfully not true of nasturtium. With its pepper-like flavor, you might think that it is good for your sinuses, but in actual fact it is more aligned with dandelions thanks to the presence of antioxidants, and can even boast anti-inflammatory abilities.

Sprinkling the leaves across a salad, dotting them on the top of a cake as decoration or eating them on their own will let you unlock the potential of nasturtium flowers.

Purslane

Another wonder-weed, purslane, is rapidly rising in popularity after nutritionists discovered that it is rich in all sorts of goodies, including being high in omega-3 fat, which is incredibly unusual for a plant like this. You also get a good mix of essential vitamins and antioxidants from purslane, so whether you just nibble on the flowers or include the stems and leaves in a casserole, the positive effects will be available to you.

So as you can see, flowers are far better for you than you might imagine, so long as you choose the edible ones and steer clear of the similar looking but potentially unpleasant or outright toxic examples. Prettifying your meal times has never come with so many health benefits!