Getting to Know Lilacs: Exploring How They Benefit You As Food and Medicine

Harvesting the blossoms at my favorite Lilac spot to infuse all their goodness into skincare products and teas.

Lilacs, with their sweet aroma and delicate blossoms, have been loved by humanity for centuries. Beyond their ornamental appeal, these flowers provide a variety of edible and medicinal properties and have been used topically to soothe the skin, in a similar way to aloe. We’ll dive into the rich history, medicinal uses, skincare benefits, harvesting tips, and precautions associated with these fragrant plants. 

I remember as a young girl, always loving the lilacs that would bloom in my neighborhood. It was like a fresh awakening that spring was here. I often associate Lilacs with Mother’s day and I think that is likely because it is a flower I would pick for my mom knowing I didn’t have any money to buy her anything. I would give them to her for mother’s day, in hopes she would like them. I always loved the smell that would permeate the air while picking the pretty, fragrant flowers. It’s said that certain smells can trigger memories and Lilacs are definitely a smell that does that for me. 

History of Lilac Use & Botanical Background: Lilacs belong to the genus Syringa spp. and are members of the Oleaceae family, which also includes olives and jasmine. Originating from Southeastern Europe and Asia, these flowering shrubs have spread in many other areas across the globe, gracing gardens and landscapes with their beauty since ancient times. In folklore and tradition, lilacs symbolize love, renewal, and protection. 

Lilac variations

Early Canadian settlers were given Lilacs by the government, which is why they are often found flourishing on abandoned homesteads. In the 1920’s Isabella Preston, who worked at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa, produced over 50 crosses and introduced 47 varieties. It’s also said that the Iroquois chewed on the bark and leaves for sore mouths. The gentle actions of Lilac, made it effective and useful for children as well (Rogers, 2017). 

Use as Food: While primarily renowned for their ornamental appeal, lilacs offer culinary uses as well. The blossoms, leaves, and even the bark can be incorporated into various creations, but most commonly the flowers are used. Lilac flowers impart a subtle floral flavor, making them ideal for infusing syrups, jams, and baked goods. The petals are also added to things like ice cream or yogurt, providing a lemony, floral scent and taste (Rogers, 2017). The leaves, when young and tender, can be steeped to make tea, adding a refreshing twist.

My kids and I have wanted to experiment with making Lilac Lemonade for some time but just never got around to testing it out. This spring we scored an awesome harvest of Lilacs and went straight to preparing the lemonade when we got home and it was definitely worth it. Fusing Lilacs and lemons together gives such a fresh and sweet flavor, perfect for enjoying the beauty of spring.

Below, I’ve shared a recipe to make your own simple Lilac Lemonade:

• 1 bag of lemons. You’ll need about 7 for squeezing.

• ⅔ cup of sugar 

• 1 & ¼  cup of fresh lilac blooms

• 10-11 Cups of water (adjust to taste)

1. First start by making a simple Lilac syrup. Essentially you’ll start by making a Lilac tea. Boil 2 cups of water, remove from heat and add 1 cup of the fresh lilac flowers. Cover and allow to steep for 5 - 7 minutes. After the steeping time, strain the tea and mix in ⅔ cup - 1 cup of sugar to make it into a syrup. 

2. Squeeze out the juice of 7 - 8 lemons into a pitcher. Add your cooled lilac syrup and 7-8 cups of water. Stir well. 

3. Finish it off by adding a few slices of fresh lemon and a ¼ cup of fresh lilac blossoms to the pitcher. Make sure it's nice and cold before serving!

Use as Medicine: Lilacs, like many plants, are packed with bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, and essential oils, which contribute to their medicinal actions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lilac flowers are valued for their cooling properties, believed to soothe and relieve heat-related ailments and promote detoxification. Scientific research also highlights the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of lilac extracts.

Syringin, found in mostly the leaves and bark of Lilacs has neuroprotective, tonic, adaptogenic and immune-modulating properties. Syringin has also been found to increase acetylcholine and enhance insulin secretion in the pancreas (Rogers, 2017).

Skincare Benefits: The skincare benefits of lilacs are partially from their rich variety of chemical constituents. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds present in lilacs exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a natural remedy for various skin conditions (Li et al., 2017).

Acteoside, also known as Verbascoside, isolated from Lilac flowers, has shown wound-healing and anti-inflammatory activity. Verbascoside has shown it provides antioxidant protection and in a human study on keratinocytes (skin cells found in the epidermis or outermost layer of the skin) and tumor cells, it exhibited photoprotection of human skin (Rodgers, 2017). 

Research shows that Lilac flowers have the bioactive compound Oleuropein (Su et al., 2015). A study from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that Oleuropein was identified to have various medical properties. It was also found to inhibit the effects of both acute and chronic UVB-induced skin damage as well as accelerate wound healing activity, while reducing trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) (Wanitphakdeedecha et al., 2020). 

This explains why Lilacs are loved for use in skincare products like lotions, creams, infused oils and used in a similar way as aloe to help soothe irritation, reduce redness, and promote overall skin health.

Harvesting Tips: When harvesting lilacs for culinary or medicinal purposes, it's crucial to select blooms that are fully open and free from pesticides or pollutants. Opt for flowers with vibrant colors and a strong fragrance, indicating optimal potency. Harvest in the morning when the blooms are at their freshest, gently plucking the clusters of blooms to preserve their delicate structure and fragrance (Chen et al., 2018). Remember to ensure proper plant ID and only take what you need. Is there something you can offer the plant in return? Maybe spend a few moments just appreciating its beauty and expressing gratitude for the wonders it has to offer.

Contraindications: Despite their many benefits, lilacs may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with allergies to pollen or sensitive to the olive family should exercise caution when using lilac-based products. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult healthcare professionals before incorporating lilacs into their regimens to ensure safety and efficacy.

From culinary delicacies to therapeutic remedies, Lilacs offer a number of possibilities for holistic well-being. By understanding their rich history, diverse uses, and harvesting techniques, we can fully appreciate the abundant gifts of these sweet-smelling, flowering trees. 

Sources:

• Li, Y., Li, S., Lin, S., Ho, C., Liu, J., & Tsai, Y. (2017). Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of eight fragrant herbs from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Industrial Crops and Products, 107, 191-198.

• Chen, X., Zheng, Y., Shen, Y., & Lin, S. (2018). Chemical constituents, bioactivity and quality control of Lilac Daphne flower. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, 49(15), 3726-3732.

• Grieve, M. (1971). A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications.

• Rogers, R. D. (2017). Herbal allies: My journey with medicinal plants. North Atlantic Books. 

• Wanitphakdeedecha, R., Ng, J. N. C., Junsuwan, N., Phaitoonwattanakij, S., Phothong, W., Eimpunth, S., & Manuskiatti, W. (2020). Efficacy of olive leaf extract-containing cream for facial rejuvenation: A pilot study. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 19(7), 1662–1666. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13457