Lilac - Home Remedies & Edible Art

Lilac shrubs have always been one of my favourite signs of spring, adding colour and elegance to the landscape, but its their fragrance I always love to bring into the house. Unfortunately though, they don't last long in vases, only three of four days at the most if they are clipped when its still cool outside and the stems are spit up the middle to soak in water. Luckily being both edible and medicinal, there are other ways in which this showy plant can be worked with, to capture its fragrance and beauty.

Lilac or Syringa spp. (the common species is vulgaris) is in the olive family and is native to the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. People emigrating from Europe brought the shrub to plant in their gardens in order to savour a piece of home. Lilacs bloom in a range of colours depending on variety, from deep purple to pale blue, light purple, and white. Butterflies, bees, birds and other pollinators love the blooms too, so its also a great choice for a pollinator garden.

Syringa vulgaris has a number of legends and customs associated with its iconic blooms. First and foremost is the story behind its botanical name. Syringa was a beautiful wood nymph in Greek mythology. The god Pan spied her one day, lusted for her and took chase. Depending on the version of the story, to get away from him, she either transformed herself into a reed or a Lilac bush, both of which make great flutes. Ultimately, Pan won because he made a flute from her disguise and it never left his side from then on.

Various parts of the plant can create dyes, the flowers produce a green dye and the twigs produce orange. Lilac wood has been a favourite for engraving and making musical instruments and its dense, hard consistency makes it a good choice for knife handles.

The Lilac is traditionally a funeral flower in Eastern Europe, and were placed in the caskets with the deceased. In England it used to be considered bad luck to bring lilac blooms into the home and if a young lady wore a lilac blossom, she was destined to be single forever. They were also sent to someone if you wished to break an engagement.

The Lilac overcame these unfortunate associations, thanks to the Victorian Language of Flowers, where lilacs were a symbol of joy, youth and first love. White Lilacs symbolized innocence and new beginnings, blue shades stood for happiness and tranquillity and magenta hues symbolized love and passion. In many regions of the world, Lilacs symbolize Easter or the changing of the season to spring. Now ranked as a beloved flower its scent has proven difficult to distill, so most lilac-scented soaps and perfumes have been made with synthesized fragrance.

The flowers are edible and is a flavour exploding experience; being astringent, bitter, and very floral. Best for garnishes and edible flower displays on pastries, you can crystallize them and have them as candied flowers on cookies, pies and cakes. Add them to brown rice dishes and fresh green salads, or mix fresh blossoms with honey and Greek yogurt for an aromatic, yet elegant dessert.

MEDICINAL INDICATIONS

Lilac is considered to be bitter, acrid, and cold energetically. In European folk medicine traditions, common lilac was worked with to treat a number of ailments, including:

gout, rheumatism, and joint pain

cold

cough

fever

toothache

gastrointestinal issues

wound

TOPICAL ASTRINGENT

Lilac makes a lovely astringent for the skin, soothing inflammation and toning irritated tissues. Make a tea of Lilac, strain it, store it in a spray bottle and apply it to rashes, acne, minor burns, and any similar affliction. Even without these issues, Lilac may be applied as a daily tonic to refresh the skin. Lilac tea also makes a lovely, clarifying hair rinse–simply rinse hair with ample infusion.

DIGESTIVE SUPPORT

Due to its bitter properties, Lilac stimulates the digestive juices, relaxes smooth muscle, and gets bile flowing, which aids overall digestion and reduces gas and bloating. Tonics were taken in the 1500s in England to help improve the digestion of rich, fatty foods. Think of this flower in cases of abdominal bloating or discomfort. Herbalist Michael Moore writes that it is, “An excellent home remedy for menstrual cramps, bleeding hemorrhoids, and old ulcers as well as capillary ruptures from coughing or vomiting.”

FEVER REDUCTION

In early American herbalism, this plant has helped to bring down a fever by promoting sweating. This reduces core temperature, assists the body in releasing its viral load, and calms the immune system. This flower has also been successful as an anti-periodic, or an herb that prevents the recurrence of fever-inducing disease, especially in cases of malaria.

RECIPES

Lilac Syrup: Capture the pretty purple colour and floral notes of Lilac in a lovely syrup.

Preparing this flower as a syrup concentrates the flower’s bitter, floral flavour and balances it with some sweetness. To make syrup, bring equal parts sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan, then add twice the volume of flowers, removed from the stem. Cover and simmer at reduced heat for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and allow mixture to infuse at room temperature for several hours, tasting occasionally, until desired intensity of flavour is achieved. Strain, bottle, and store in the fridge for 2-6 weeks. Add a spoonful to sparkling water or cocktails or enjoy it straight up!

Lilac Tea: Lilac tea is a straightforward preparation that can be made by pouring desired amount of just boiled water over desired amount of fresh Lilac flowers, covering, and letting steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain, and savour the unadulterated flavour and scent of Lilac in your cup! This tea makes a wonderful after-dinner digestive.

Infused Oil: Start with about a cup of dried flowers (freshly picked ones can go rancid if you use them in an oil), and fill a large jar 3/4 of the way up. Cover with a neutral carrier oil like grapeseed, sunflower, or jojoba oil, and place a lid on the jar. Allow the blend to infuse for six to eight weeks–once it’s done, strain out the flowers and pour into a sealed jar to use on inflamed skin, rashes or sores. Melted beeswax can be added to the oil to make a salve.

Facial Toner: Lilac blossoms are natural astringents–they dry things out. Place a cup or two of slightly wilted flowers in a jar 3/4 of the way up, and fill with witch hazel. Allow it to steep for a few days, and then strain out the flowers. Use the lilac and witch hazel blend as a facial toner, to keep your skin looking healthy and fresh all summer.

Lilac Flower Essence: Lilac flower essence is stimulating and cleansing, providing us with the new, vital energy of Spring. It helps us to release old patterns and emotions, allowing us to welcome in the magic of the present. Flower essences are best made early in the morning on a clear day. To make a flower essence, add pure spring water to an unmarked glass bowl or vessel. Calmly and intentionally harvest blossoms in full bloom (asking permission of the plant first!). Using a twig and/or leaf (not your fingers), place the flowers on the surface of the water so they float. Place the glass vessel on the ground in a peaceful place that gets full sun. Let the sun fix the vibrational qualities of the flowers into the water for several hours (meditating nearby is recommended). Next, strain the flowers out of the water and add an equal part of Brandy or alcohol preservative of choice. This mixture is the “mother essence” (do not dose directly from this mixture! First make a stock, then a dosage bottle). To make a stock bottle, add 10 drops of the mother essence to a 60 mL bottle filled with 50:50 spring water and alcohol. To make a dosage bottle, add one drop of essence from the stock bottle to a 15 mL bottle filled with 50:50 water and alcohol. Take a few drops from the dosage bottle to experience the vibrational medicine.

CONTRATICATIONS

Do not take Lilac with medicines that alter blood coagulation, discontinue use two weeks before surgery, and avoid during pregnancy. Lilac bark can be poisonous; so work with only the flowers. As with any herb or supplement, consult an informed herbalist or trusted healthcare practitioner before use.