Lilac has historical folk uses, but isn’t a core modern Western medicinal herb and doesn’t need to become a tincture simply because it’s edible. Best used as an edible flower garnish, infused sugar, or culinary syrup.
Medicinal plant
Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
A fragrant edible flower, not a tincture herb.
Similar herbs: Anise Hyssop, Basil, Bee Balm
Growing and using it
Life cycle
Deciduous perennial shrub.
Hardiness
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is hardy in USDA Zones 3–7.
How to start
Nursery shrub or rooted sucker.
Starting from seed
Seed is slow and variable; nursery stock is much easier.
Harvesting
Harvest fresh flowers during the spring bloom.
Grow in zone
Plant out — Move a started plant into its final spot outdoorsPlant out: AprilPlant out: MayPlant out: SeptemberPlant out: OctoberHarvest flowers — Gather flowers in these monthsHarvest flowers: MayHarvest flowers: June
Prune after flowering if needed so you do not remove next year's buds.
Gardening tools
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Use lilac as food, seasoning, garnish, or an ingredient in everyday cooking.
Parts used
FlowerPrepare
- Separate clean, unsprayed florets from green stems
- Layer lightly with sugar in a jar
- Allow the aroma to infuse
- Sift out spent flowers as needed