Reading about how much impact the smell of a hibiscus flower had on Dallas Wiens, the first full face transplant recipient, recently I was reminded of just how valuable our senses are, and how we can often take them for granted.  I love how a simple whiff or taste of something can take you right back to a time or place and really bring that memory to life.

It got me wondering… what tastes and smells do that for you?

From talking about this in the office, I've just been reminded of a post we did a while back on Edible Flowers.  The number and variety of flowers and flavours is incredible and sure to offer something for everyone's tastes!  I'm also left feeling quite excited thinking about the new smells we have to look forward to as more and more Summer flowers­ are coming into season.  I can't wait to get a whiff of the lovely arrangements that could soon be on their way out to you!

We all know how wonderful flowers are; as gifts, to brighten a room, to celebrate a certain occasion, to evoke a special memory and even to eat - by jazzing up a plate of food.

For hundreds of years the healing proprieties of flowers and plants have been exploited in herbalism, naturopathy and homoeopathic remedies.

These medicinal properties of flowers and plants are usually consumed in the form of a flower tea, or mixed and made into a compress or poultice (applied externally) or are made into an essence or oil which can be heated for it's vapour or used externally. 

Here are a few examples of flower types and their medicinal benifits:

Chrysanthemum - Can be used to cure colds, fevers, headaches, eye inflammations and hypertensions.   Good to drink in hot summer weather. 

Rose -  The petals can be used for cooling, blood circulating and anti-depressive.

Tiger Lily - The bulbs are used to treat insomnia. 

For some more information on medicinal flowers then take a look here:

http://www.clareflorist.co.uk/medicinal-flowers.aspx

When utilising flowers or plants as natural remedy's it is always very important to seek professional advice before use especially if the remedy is to be consumed orally.

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The annual Taste festival is doing it's rounds around the country. We went at the weekend and had a fabulous day out in the glorious sunshine.
There were loads of mouth watering dishes to choose from and I noticed lots of the chefs were using edible flowers as garnish.
Here we have compiled a list of flowers that are available just now either in the garden, forrest or even amongst our own bouquets.
So once you have looked at the flowers you can eat them!
Aliums - The flowers are stronger flavoured than the leaves, great in egg dishes such as omelette's.

Carnations - sweetish spice flavour suitable for desserts and salads.

Chervil - Anise flavour, suitable for fish dishes.

Chrysanthemums - slightly bitter, peppery flavour. Suitable for salads and infusions. Blanch petals before use.

Gladiolus - Very bland flavour. Suitable for sweet and savoury stuffing's and petals in salads.

Honeysuckle - Sweet honey flavour suitable as a garnish for desserts.

Lavender - Sweet flavour as a garnish with custards and cakes.

Lilac - Highly floral, slightly bitter lemony flavour suitable for salads.

Nasturtiums - Sweet, peppery flavour great for salads.

Roses - The flavour depends on the type and colour, but generally fruity. All roses are edible. Suitable for garnishing desserts and salads, excellent in syrups and jellies.
 
Sunflower - Bitter-sweet flavour. Use like chrysanthemums. Can also be picked before the flower bud opens and steamed when they are reminiscent of artichokes.