As pretty as they are, flowers have therapeutic powers too! Medical practitioners and therapists have, for centuries, acknowledged the role flowers can have in healing. When we say healing, we mean in clinical ways, to both the body and the mind. We already know the effect flowers can have on the heart! This is why stopping to smell roses isn’t limited to just a saying to unwind. It’s a well-proved remedy that helps reduce mental strain and release endorphins. In today’s times of a lockdown where we are faced with a rising pandemic, being stressed, being uneasy, or simply just feeling ‘bleh’ and ‘meh’ is the general vibe, all with valid reasons ofcourse. Healing with the help of nature is something we can all use.
Researchers found that flowers can make one feel less difficult, less agitated, less anxious and less depressed. Flowers can encourage high quality work during long isolated hours of working from home, and help with giving us a clear state of mind. Here is a list of healing flowers whose presence can help you a great deal:
Chrysanthemum: When steeped in hot water, they make for fragrant tea that helps relieve head ache, fever and common cold. When cooled, they help soothe tired eyes. Much needed for long hours of screen staring!
Carnations: The petals of this pretty flower can be boiled in water to make tea that reduced fatigue, anxiety, stress and agitation. The decoction of the flower when applied on skin, makes it smooth and even reduces swellings.
Lotus: Extremely popular in Eastern cultures, this sweet blossom is effective in healing fever, diarrhoea and bronchitis. The syrup made from lotuses helps relieve coughs.
Jasmine: The most popular of tea flavours, the Jasmine helps relieve cramps and body aches. It also helps ease digestion and ulcers along with sleep issues and anxiety.
Calendula: A queen among flower healers, the Calendula is the most popular healer. Used since eons to heal burns, wounds and cuts, the Calendula is also called a pot marigold. The flower has strong antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory glycosides. The Calendula also helps heal all kinds of skin problems like acne, rashes and athlete’s foot.
Dandelion: A natural blood purifier, this lovely flower also helps fight anemia. In Red-Indian culture, the flower is also used as a tonic for overall health.
Rose: Common as gifting flowers, but also common for medicinal reasons, the rose is a rich source of Vitamin C. The flower is known to have properties to fight serious health conditions like heart diseases and stroke. The petals reduce anxiety, depression and increases blood circulation. It also helps fight a number of infections and viruses. They are great mood lifters too!
How to use the power of flowers?
Make Tea –
Boil petals of these flowers in water for a minimum of fifteen minutes.
Make Sachets –
Treat yourself to aromatherapy with flowers and herbs. Make sachets with a open-weave fabric little bags with drawstrings. Fill them us with dried petals of the flowers of your choice, add drops of essential oil of your chosen flower. Use them under pillows, drawers or simply place them on your work desk.
Make Tinctures –
A Tincture is a concentrated extract that has alcohol as a solvent. They can be consumed internally with a dropper or dissolved to make tea. Fill up your favourite mason jar about 3/4th with dried petals, fill the rest of the jar with alcohol of your choice. Allow the mixture to sit for 6-8 weeks.
Let us know in the comments below of what flower you would like to use and how?