Editing Blossom (section)

==Herbal use==
[[File:Orange Blossom.JPG|thumb|left|[[Orange blossom]]]]
The ancient [[Phoenicia]]ns used almond blossoms with [[honey]] and [[urine]] as a [[Herbal tonic|tonic]], and sprinkled them into stews and gruels to give muscular strength. Crushed petals were also used as a [[poultice]] on skin spots and mixed with banana oil, for dry skin and [[sunburn]].<ref>{{cite book | author=Margaret Roberts | date=2000 | title=Edible & Medicinal Flowers | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0864864671 | publisher=Interpak Books | isbn=978-0-86486-467-3 | page=2 }}</ref>

In herbalism the [[crab apple]] was used as treatment for [[boils]], [[abscess]]es, [[splinter]]s, wounds, coughs, colds and a host of other ailments ranging from acne to kidney ailments. Many dishes made with apples and apple blossom are of [[medieval]] origin. In the spring, monks and physicians would gather the blossoms and preserve them in vinegar for drawing poultices and for [[bee sting]]s and other insect bites.<ref>{{cite book | author=Margaret Roberts | date=2000 | title=Edible & Medicinal Flowers | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0864864671 | publisher=Interpak Books | isbn=978-0-86486-467-3 | page=24 }}</ref> [[File:MeihuaShan 1.jpg|thumb|[[Plum blossom]]]] Descending from [[Silk Road|China and south east Asia]], the earliest orange species moved westwards via the trade routes.<ref>{{cite book | author=Margaret Roberts | date=2000 | title=Edible & Medicinal Flowers | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0864864671 | publisher=Interpak Books | isbn=978-0-86486-467-3 | page=57 }}</ref>
In [[Seicento|17th century Italy]] peach blossoms were made into a poultice for [[bruise]]s, [[rash]]es, eczema, grazes and [[Stinger|stings]].<ref>{{cite book | author=Margaret Roberts | date=2000 | title=Edible & Medicinal Flowers | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0864864671 | publisher=Interpak Books | isbn=978-0-86486-467-3 | page=59 }}</ref>

In [[ancient Greek medicine]] plum blossoms were used to treat [[Bleeding on probing|bleeding gums]], [[mouth ulcer]]s and tighten [[loose teeth]]. Plum blossoms mixed with [[Salvia officinalis|sage]] leaves and flowers were used in plum wine or plum brandy as a [[mouthwash]] to soothe sore throats and mouth ailments and sweeten bad breath.<ref>{{cite book | author=Margaret Roberts | date=2000 | title=Edible & Medicinal Flowers | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0864864671 | publisher=Interpak Books | isbn=978-0-86486-467-3 | page=62 }}</ref>