When most people think of flowers, they imagine their beauty, fragrance, and decorative charm. But Michigan’s native and naturalized flora hold a secret: many of our most beautiful blooms are also powerfully medicinal and completely edible! From calming chamomile to detoxifying red clover, each flower carries its own set of healing benefits.
In this in-depth guide, you’ll discover 30 edible flowers found in Michigan, their medicinal uses, parts you can consume, and—best of all—unique, non-tea recipes that are both functional and flavorful. Whether you’re a forager, herbalist, or home chef, this post will empower you to use nature’s blooms in new and exciting ways.
Why Use Edible Flowers Medicinally?
Edible flowers have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems across the globe. Their vibrant colors indicate the presence of powerful antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential oils that aid digestion, improve skin health, calm the nervous system, and support detoxification.
Unlike typical tea preparations, this guide focuses on alternative applications—think vinegars, syrups, oils, and culinary infusions—to get the most from each plant without steeping a single cup.
30 Edible Flowers, Their Healing Properties, and Unique Recipes
Below is your comprehensive guide to 30 of Michigan’s edible flowers, how to use them medicinally, and ways to incorporate them into your daily rituals and meals.
1. Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Medicinal Properties: Antioxidant, digestive aid
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers
Recipe: Strawberry Leaf Oxymel — Combine 1 cup chopped leaves, 1 cup raw honey, and 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Shake daily for 2 weeks. Strain. Dosage: 1 tbsp/day.
Eat: Use oxymel as salad dressing; sprinkle flowers on salads.
2. Apple Blossom (Malus spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Sedative, mild astringent
Parts Used: Flowers
Recipe: Apple Blossom Glycerite — Macerate 1 cup petals in 1 cup vegetable glycerin for 4 weeks. Strain. Dosage: 1/2 tsp for anxiety.
Eat: Candied petals; fruit salad garnish.
3. Arugula Blossom (Eruca sativa)
Medicinal Properties: Rich in vitamins A/C, supports digestion
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Arugula Blossom Pesto — Blend 1 cup blossoms, 1/2 cup nuts, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup parmesan. Use on pasta or toast.
Eat: Peppery flower garnish on salads.
4. Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Medicinal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Cornflower Infused Oil — Infuse 1 cup dried petals in 1 cup olive oil for 2 weeks. Apply topically to inflamed skin.
Eat: Salad or cake decoration.
5. Basil Blossom (Ocimum spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Antibacterial, digestive
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Basil Blossom Vinegar — Infuse 1 cup blossoms in 2 cups white wine vinegar for 2 weeks. Use 1 tbsp in water before meals.
Eat: Salad or pasta garnish.
6. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Medicinal Properties: Liver tonic, digestive
Parts Used: Flowers, roots
Recipe: Roasted Chicory Root Spread — Roast roots, grind, mix with ghee. Dosage: 1 tsp before meals.
Eat: Sprinkle petals in salads.
7. Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium)
Medicinal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, eye soother
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Chrysanthemum Compress — Simmer 1 cup petals in water. Soak cloth. Apply to eyes 10 min.
Eat: Add to soups/dumplings.
8. Cilantro Blossom (Coriandrum sativum)
Medicinal Properties: Antioxidant, digestion
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Cilantro Blossom Oil — Infuse 1 cup blossoms in 1 cup olive oil. Use in cooking or massage for digestive aid.
Eat: Add to salads, salsas.
9. Dill Blossom (Anethum graveolens)
Medicinal Properties: Carminative, digestive
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Dill Blossom Vinegar — Infuse 1 cup flowers in 1.5 cups vinegar. Dosage: 1 tbsp in water before meals.
Eat: Add to pickles or dressings.
10. Fennel Blossom (Foeniculum vulgare)
Medicinal Properties: Carminative, lactation
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Fennel Blossom Honey — Infuse 1 cup blossoms in 1 cup honey. Dosage: 1 tsp before meals.
Eat: Add to salads, soups.
11. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Medicinal Properties: Heart tonic, lowers blood pressure
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Hibiscus Syrup — Simmer 1 cup petals in 2 cups water + 1 cup sugar. Reduce. Dosage: 1 tbsp/day.
Eat: In cocktails or over desserts.
12. Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Medicinal Properties: Demulcent, skin-soothing
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Hollyhock Skin Salve — Infuse petals in oil, combine with beeswax. Apply as needed.
Eat: Use in soups or grain bowls.
13. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Medicinal Properties: Mild sedative, cooling
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Impatiens Jelly — Simmer 1 cup petals with 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar. Add pectin.
Eat: Use as a calming spread.
14. Johnny-Jump-Up (Viola tricolor)
Medicinal Properties: Skin healing, anti-inflammatory
Parts Used: Whole flower
Recipe: Flower Vinegar Rinse — Infuse flowers in vinegar. Use 2 tbsp in bath or on skin.
Eat: Top desserts; freeze in ice.
15. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Medicinal Properties: Calming, antiviral
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers
Recipe: Lemon Balm Tincture — Macerate in vodka. Dosage: 30 drops up to 3x/day.
Eat: Flowers in jellies and desserts.
16. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Medicinal Properties: Antipyretic, uplifting
Parts Used: Flowers
Recipe: Lilac Cordial — Steep 1 cup lilac flowers in 2 cups water overnight. Strain, mix with sugar and lemon. Use 1 tbsp in drinks.
Eat: Garnish or infused in syrups.
17. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Antiseptic, skin healing
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Marigold Ointment — Infuse petals in olive oil. Mix with beeswax. Use on wounds and insect bites.
Eat: Sprinkle petals in salads.
18. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Medicinal Properties: Antibacterial, immune support
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Nasturtium Capers — Pickle green seed pods with vinegar, salt, and garlic. Use in place of capers.
Eat: Peppery flowers in wraps or tacos.
19. Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Medicinal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, respiratory aid
Parts Used: Whole flower
Recipe: Pansy Ice Cubes — Freeze blossoms in ice cube trays with water. Use in drinks for soothing effect.
Eat: Use as cake toppers or in salads.
20. Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Muscle relaxant, women’s health
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Peony Bath Soak — Add dried petals to muslin bag and soak in hot bath for 20 min.
Eat: Candied petals in desserts.
21. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Medicinal Properties: Blood purifier, hormonal balance
Parts Used: Flower heads
Recipe: Red Clover Vinegar — Infuse flower heads in ACV. Dosage: 1 tbsp/day.
Eat: Add to fritters or sprinkle on salads.
22. Rose (Rosa spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Astringent, heart soothing
Parts Used: Petals
Recipe: Rose Petal Syrup — Simmer petals in sugar water. Store in fridge. Dosage: 1 tsp/day.
Eat: Drizzle on pancakes or yogurt.
23. Sage Blossom (Salvia officinalis)
Medicinal Properties: Antibacterial, throat soothing
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Sage Blossom Honey — Infuse flowers in honey for 2 weeks. Dosage: 1 tsp for sore throat.
Eat: Add to cheese boards.
24. Squash Blossom (Cucurbita pepo)
Medicinal Properties: Nutrient rich, anti-inflammatory
Parts Used: Flowers
Recipe: Stuffed Blossoms — Fill with goat cheese and herbs, lightly fry.
Eat: Fresh or fried in dishes.
25. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Medicinal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, heart health
Parts Used: Petals, seeds
Recipe: Sunflower Petal Oil — Infuse petals in sunflower oil. Use on skin or in cooking.
Eat: Sprinkle petals on plates.
26. Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
Medicinal Properties: Cooling, antimicrobial
Parts Used: Petals (only select types!)
Recipe: Tulip Wraps — Fill petals with soft cheese and herbs.
Eat: Use as elegant appetizer.
27. Violets (Viola odorata)
Medicinal Properties: Lymphatic tonic, soothing
Parts Used: Whole flower
Recipe: Violet Syrup — Steep flowers in hot water, strain, add sugar.
Eat: Add to sparkling water.
28. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Medicinal Properties: Antimicrobial, expectorant
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Herbal Steam Bowl — Add blossoms to bowl of hot water, inhale for congestion.
Eat: Add to pesto or salads.
29. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Medicinal Properties: Wound healing, anti-inflammatory
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Recipe: Yarrow Poultice — Crush fresh flowers and apply to wounds.
Eat: Use sparingly in salads.
30. Zucchini Blossom (Cucurbita pepo)
Medicinal Properties: Digestive aid, anti-inflammatory
Parts Used: Blossoms
Recipe: Blossom Quesadillas — Sautee blossoms with cheese inside tortillas.
Eat: Pan-fried or baked.
How to Harvest and Use Edible Flowers Safely
- Always identify correctly. Use a trusted foraging guide.
- Harvest responsibly. Take only what you need.
- Avoid pesticides. Only harvest from clean areas.
- Use fresh or dry appropriately. Fresh for immediate use, dry for infusions or salves.
- Test for allergies. Start with small quantities.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Ready to get started? Choose one flower and try its remedy this week! Your body—and your spirit—will thank you.
The content in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any new herbal or dietary regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. Wild plants can be easily misidentified and some may have toxic lookalikes. If you are unsure about a plant, do not ingest it. Always use caution and proper identification methods when foraging. The author and publisher are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions described herein.
Final Thoughts
These medicinal flower recipes go beyond the teacup to bring beauty, healing, and nourishment into your daily life. Whether you drizzle oxymel on your greens or soothe a rash with calendula salve, you’re continuing a rich tradition of botanical wellness rooted in the land.
wow! who knew!? thanks for this… off to look at my local plants more closely! Linda 🙂
Yes, So many Local plants that we can use. I’m glad you liked this post. Thank You.
No, thank YOU 🤩