The ancient
Phoenicians used almond blossoms with
honey and
urine as a
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. In herbalism the
crab apple was used as treatment for
boils,
abscesses,
splinters, 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 stings and other insect bites. Descending from
China and south east Asia, the earliest orange species moved westwards via the trade routes. In
17th century Italy peach blossoms were made into a poultice for
bruises,
rashes, eczema, grazes and
stings. In
ancient Greek medicine plum blossoms were used to treat
bleeding gums,
mouth ulcers and tighten
loose teeth. Plum blossoms mixed with
sage leaves and flowers were used in plum wine or plum brandy as a
mouthwash to sooth sore throats and mouth ailments and sweeten bad breath. == Blossom festivals ==