Can cornflower floral water help in cases of conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the ocular envelope, the transparent membrane that covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It manifests as swelling around the eyes, as well as tingling, redness, itching, and discharge. Conjunctivitis can also cause visual discomfort and increase sensitivity to light. Its causes are numerous. It can be of allergic origin, following contact with an allergen or the use of contact lenses. Conjunctivitis can also be induced by viruses such as the one causing oral herpes, and is then referred to as viral conjunctivitis. Finally, in rarer cases, this condition can have a bacterial origin and be due to a Streptococcus or a Staphylococcus.

The treatment of conjunctivitis relies on the administration of eye drops, the composition of which varies depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis. To date, there is no evidence of the effect of cornflower hydrosol on this disease.

Nevertheless, this cosmetic ingredient would exhibit various properties that could prove relevant in cases of conjunctivitis.

• The cornflower hydrosol is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

  The cornflower hydrosol is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which are attributed to its flavonoids. These compounds could potentially limit inflammation by inhibiting the activity of anaphylatoxins, compounds that play a role in the onset of inflammatory reactions. Anaphylatoxins could trigger the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine or pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and interleukins-1α and 6. However, while these potential anti-inflammatory effects of the cornflower hydrosol have been demonstrated in mice, no studies have yet confirmed them in humans. Therefore, it is not certain that this ingredient could limit ocular inflammation in cases of conjunctivitis.

• The floral water of cornflower has an antibacterial action.

  It can also be hypothesized that cornflower hydrosol could aid in combating bacterial conjunctivitis. Indeed, research has highlighted the antibacterial effects of this ingredient on cultures of Esherischia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and compared them to those of penicillin. The results showed that at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, the cornflower extract placed at the center of a disk allowed for a circular inhibition of 12 mm for E. coli , versus 8 mm for 5 mg/mL of penicillin. Regarding, S. aureus, the diameters of the inhibition zones recorded were similar for cornflower and penicillin, with a measured value of 10 mm.

  Cornflower hydrosol could thus prevent and limit bacterial proliferation at the ocular level, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial conjunctivitis onset. However, additional studies are still necessary to confirm this.

• The decongesting effects of cornflower hydrosol?

  Beyond its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the cornflower hydrosol also reportedly acts at the ocular level, providing decongestant benefits that could help to reduce eyelid swelling following conjunctivitis. However, studies on this potential effect of cornflower floral water remain limited, and no mechanism of action is currently known.

While some properties of cornflower hydrosol could potentially be beneficial for conjunctivitis, no studies have yet demonstrated the effectiveness of this extract on this eye condition. In case of conjunctivitis, it is better to consult a doctor.