Did you know that flowers can be used as a significant ingredient in a recipe, or as a part of the seasoning in your cooking? The best part is, flowers aren’t just embellishments or elements that only beautify. Flowers are known to enhance the flavour of your food, while also helping augment the health. Here are a bunch of flowers you should consider adding into your everyday eating!
1. Roses: Commonly associated with love, Roses actually do a great deal for your heart. They come in with anti-inflammatory properties which are a result of phenolics, and are integral to Indian and Chinese medicine. They are also rich source of vitamins and help reduce the risk of heart diseases, cancer and diabetes.

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2. Hibiscuses: Perfect for salad garnish, hibiscus works great with tea. Because of its heightened anthocyanin and antioxidant content, they also help to keep the blood pressure and cholesterol much lower.

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– Mint flowers: While mint leaves are a value addition in cooking, the power of the mint flower still remains largely undiscovered. Brilliant for digestion, nausea and headaches, mint flowers also enable weight loss.

– Banana flowers, also called banana hearts, are a fantastic source of fibre, protein and minerals, and they work very well for vegetarians who don’t otherwise get minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and magnesium.

– Cilantro flowers are a delight when taken afresh. Rich in vitamins and iron content, the little flowers are very good for digestion.

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– Ginger flowers are a great ingredient to keep digestion, blood purity and muscular strength in fully functioning order. They are very commonly used in aromatherapy oils and can be eaten raw or cooked.

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– Fennel flowers are extremely useful, since they come in with high antioxidant content, and are very good for weight loss. They also help purify the blood s tream.

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– Pumpkin flowers: Although more commonly associated with festivities and celebrations, pumpkin flowers have a mild flavour but are very rich in calcium, iron and Vitamins A and C.

– Sunflowers are a great source of Vitamin E, and bring your body the energy that the sun’s rays offer you – but in generous doses!

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– Jasmine flowers maybe delightful means to adorn yourself, but they are exceptional in health efforts, particularly for their anti-carcinogenic and antiviral properties.
While eating flowers, it is important to understand that they are not like fruits, to be eaten raw or straight after being picked. Make sure to clean it, especially of little insects, insect eggs and stings of insects that may be left behind. Also, be sure that they have been grown without the use of pesticides. It is important to eat only the petals and not the stamens or filaments.

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References:
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/25-edible-flowers-that-will-add-colour-flavour-and-nutrition-to-your-food-249224.html