Centaurea

Centaurea

The beautiful Centaurea plant, which we will talk about today, is named after the famous Centaur Chiron, teacher of Asclepius, but also of Apollo, Achilles and Jason. In the Titanomachy, Chiron sided with Heracles against the Centaurs, but he accidentally wounded him with an arrow laced with the poison of the Lernaean Hydra. Then Chiron used the Centaur as a healing agent and healed his wound.

Centaurea is a herbaceous resistant plant endemic to many countries in Europe and North America and belongs to the daisy family.

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Since then, centaury has been used in folk medicine. In the 16th century various herbalists included it in the list of medicinal herbs. It is considered to fight diseases and pains of the eyes, intestines, liver and bile ducts. In addition, it is used against skin diseases, eczema and itching,
The beneficial properties of centaury include the regulation of glandular function, good mental function and weight regulation. Centaurea has tonic and stimulating properties and fights period pains. The decoction from its leaves is said to act against rheumatism and chronic kidney diseases while at the same time showing no side effects!

It is found among grain crops and fallow fields. But some varieties are also cultivated in gardens. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by bees and other insects.
There are about 500 species of Centaurea, of which 70 in Greece, with the most well-known species being Centaurea cyanus, which the Ancient Greeks called Cyanos.
The flowers are often used as an additive to decoctions, to which they give a pleasant appearance, as their blue pigment is used to color sugar and confectionery. Even the young shoots of the plant are edible. The flowers can be used in salads raw or cooked.

Centaurea flowers are edible and used in dishes either raw or cooked, but also as decorative elements in teas and drinks.

For best results, combine it with one of our fertilizers