FolkKB

Bachelor's Button

Centaurea cyanus

Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower, is a plant featured in various traditional medicinal practices. Historically, it has been utilized as a stimulant, astringent, and diuretic, with applications for fever, eye complaints, and pectoral issues. Scientific evidence regarding its therapeutic properties remains limited, though studies have explored its anthocyanin stability in food matrices and the role of specific genes in its coloration. Research has also examined its relationship with certain bacterial genera and the effects of electromagnetic radiation on its pollen. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded in the available data.

At a glance
Traditionally for
stimulant · astringent
Traditions
traditional · Unani · Western phytotherapy
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

  • stimulant traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • astringent traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • diuretic Unani T3 DRDUKE
  • fever Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • eye complaints traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • pectoral traditional T3 DRDUKE

What the science says

  • The study found that CcVIT1a and CcFers genes collaboratively regulate intracellular iron homeostasis, influencing the blue coloration in cornflower. D PMID
  • Food matrices significantly affected anthocyanin stability, digestion, and absorption in wild pansy, cosmos, and cornflower. D PMID
  • Some bacterial genera, such as Rothia, were more abundant in resistant cornflower plants compared to susceptible ones. D PMID
  • The study found that electromagnetic radiation exposure varied pollen viability differently among plant species, with Aceto-orcein showing the highest viability in most cases. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Bachelor's Button?

Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Bachelor's Button traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Bachelor's Button for: stimulant, astringent, diuretic, fever, eye complaints, pectoral. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Bachelor's Button?

Bachelor's Button appears in these traditions in our sources: traditional, Unani, Western phytotherapy.

What does the scientific evidence say about Bachelor's Button?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Bachelor's Button; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that CcVIT1a and CcFers genes collaboratively regulate intracellular iron homeostasis, influencing the blue coloration in cornflower.

How strong is the evidence for Bachelor's Button?

The strongest finding for Bachelor's Button carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Bachelor's Button safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Bachelor's Button in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Bachelor's Button interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Bachelor's Button in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Bachelor's Button?

Bachelor's Button is also known as: Василёк синий, bleuet des champs.

Is Bachelor's Button a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
  2. T2 Study on evaluation of effects of electromagnetic radiation on pollen viability in some commonly occurring plant species following different staining methods. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Insights Into Sequences of Viral and Bacterial Origin in the Metatranscriptome of Centaurea cyanus L. Susceptible and Resistant to Acetolactate Synthase (ALS)-Inhibiting Herbicides. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Anthocyanin-rich edible flowers - Impact of food matrix on anthocyanin stability, digestion and absorption: the case of wild pansy, cosmos and cornflower. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Fe3+-Mediated Blue Pigment Formation via Collaborative Regulation of Iron Homeostasis by VIT1 and Ferritin: Insights for Blue Flower Breeding. literature abstract metadata

More Centaurea plants