Edible flowers finding a place on our plates: how interest in wellness is feeding a demand for florals that offer bioactive compounds such as vitamins, flavonoids, antioxidants and antimicrobials

We’ve been consuming plants to help us stay healthy for millennia, eating them or using them in drinks, tinctures and salves to provide health benefits over and above their culinary value. The flowers of many plants have long been put to use too, and today, with increasing interest in functional health – staying well rather than just treating problems as they arise – there are ever more ways to make use of them.

The resurgence of florals is rooted in their array of medicinal properties. “Extracts derived from flowers contain bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and essential oils, which contribute to their therapeutic effects,” says Irina Turcan, co-founder of Erbology, a brand creating organic health foods, drinks and adaptogenic powders based on plants and mushrooms. “These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and calming properties, making flower extracts, such as lavender hydrolate or lavender essential oil, valuable additions to skincare, aromatherapy and culinary practices.”

Across cultures and centuries, some blooms have long been celebrated for their ability to soothe, rejuvenate and protect the skin, addressing concerns from dryness to ageing. “In skincare, flower extracts like rose water and lavender water are renowned for their soothing and rejuvenating effects. They help alleviate inflammation, reduce redness and promote cell regeneration, resulting in healthier-looking, more radiant skin,” Turcan says.

Some make much wider claims for the effects flowers may have on our well-being, though not all these claims are yet well supported by scientific evidence.

“Aromatic flowers offer us the quintessential opportunity to harness and activate our own innate healing nature. These allies of emotional healing, radiant beauty and spiritual connection offer us the ability to elevate holistic well-being,” says Adora Winquist, founder of High Vibe Aromatics.

One flower that has definitely found a place in our food and culture is the ancient drink of tea, a blend of flavour and wellness in a cup. Today, however, other flowers are finding a place on our plates. “Culinarily, flowers or hydrolates add not only flavour but also nutritional value to dishes. Edible flowers like rose petals and lavender buds contain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, enhancing the nutritional profile of meals while imparting delicate floral notes,” Turcan says, noting that, additionally, their aromatic compounds can stimulate the senses, contributing to a heightened culinary experience.

While rose and lavender might be the first flowers to come to mind for their edible and aromatic qualities, many more options exist. Carnations have a spicy punch with immune-boosting properties, while elderflower, beyond flavouring drinks, is celebrated for its fever-reducing, antioxidant qualities. Hibiscus is recognised for its heart-supporting antioxidants, marigold shines as an antiseptic and healer, and nasturtiums offer a peppery flavour rich in vitamins and minerals. In this context, flowers hold much more than just aesthetic allure, boosting health in an appealingly natural way.

“Many flowers exhibit soothing effects,” adds Turcan. “Additionally, their antimicrobial properties make them effective against pathogens, promoting wound healing and supporting the immune system.

Such plants are renowned for their calming and mood-enhancing effects too. “Compounds like linalool and terpenes found in flowers such as lavender and rosemary have been shown to help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and improve sleep quality,” she adds. “Flowers are rich sources of antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress and help prevent cellular damage. These antioxidants help protect against chronic diseases and support overall health and well-being.”

Beyond their physical health benefits, flowers can impact emotional and psychological well-being. This therapeutic effect stems from their ability to engage our senses, evoke memories, and stimulate feelings of joy and tranquillity.

Bach flowers in particular are said to help balance emotional states and foster inner harmony. Not the product of any one plant, they are rather a collection of 38 flower essences, developed by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s. Ranging from mimulus for reassurance to water violet for calm, the set is designed to encourage self-healing and all-round psychological well-being, treating emotional disturbances to promote the body’s natural healing.

“The aroma of flowers can evoke powerful emotional responses, triggering memories and eliciting feelings of comfort and happiness,” adds Turcan. “This phenomenon is the basis of aromatherapy, where the inhalation of flower essences promotes relaxation, reduces stress and uplifts mood.”

As consumers increasingly seek natural, health-boosting ingredients, flowers offer a winning combination of flavour and wellness as well as beauty, making them part of a sustainable way to integrate more of the healing power of nature into our diets.