Flower Powers

It is undeniable that flowers not only beautify the wild, our gardens and our living rooms but their allure has been woven into the fabric of society, influencing fashion, elevating youthfulness, and captivating partners with dappled floral essence on our skin.

Since the beginning of our human existence, we have given floral tributes as gifts to lift spirits or provide comfort when words are not enough, to symbolise our love and devotion, and in divine ceremony for the gods. Flowers are embedded as symbols and metaphors throughout religious scripture, and storybooks, used by love-struck poets, with artists taking to the brush with many a posy painted.

Why? Because flowers heal us and raise human vibration.

They prove this by revealing their studied medicinal qualities through naturopathy, their vibrational healing through homeopathy, and their aesthetic sensual influence through aromatherapy and flower essences.

Flowers in fact heal the planet through healing themselves. They possess an intricate network of communication, connecting with each other through their roots. A plant can change its vibration from detecting the subtle tremor of a bee’s wing, stimulating the production of its sweetest nectar to entice a bee, butterfly or bird when they feel it close. Scientific studies show flowers emit audio acoustic emissions between 10–240 Hz as well as ultrasonic acoustic emissions (UAE) within 20–320 kHz, which is much higher than the human brain.

We only need to look at the most universally beloved flowers across the globe, rose, lavender, tulip, daisy, lily, orchid, violet and jasmine, to know which ones are the most magnetic and therefore carry the most potent vibrational power.

ROSE

Origin: Persia

Gift for: divine connection

There is no question, the rose is the world’s most popular and acclaimed flower. Given in bouquets of love and used at special ceremonies, the rose is said to be the highest vibrational flower on Earth. The rose heals hearts and brings us closer to the divine. According to fossil evidence, it is 35 million years old and its presence is written in many scriptures.

The rosary, meaning "crown of roses", involves offering a group of prayers to Mary as a spiritual bouquet. People hold or wear a string of beads (itself called a "rosary") using the beads as physical tools to focus their minds on prayers. People believe roses symbolise God's love infusing the world, and particular rose colours symbolise different spiritual concepts.

Uses: blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac. Rose oil is taken from the rose hips and petals. It can be used internally and topically. It is said to increase sex drive, relieve menstrual cramps, and decrease anxiety and stress.

LAVENDER

Origin: Mediterranean, Middle East and India

Gift for: healing and relaxation

Lavender's history goes back some 2500 years. As part of the mint family, “lavender” derives from the Latin verb “lavare” meaning “to wash” or “to bathe.” This extremely fragrant herb has multiple household uses,

popular since ancient times. The ancient Egyptian, Greeks and Romans indulged in this evocative flower using it in bathing, perfume and incense. During the Middle Ages, lavender was considered the herb of love and used as an aphrodisiac. It was believed that a sprinkle of lavender water on the head of a loved one would keep the wearer from cheating. Due to its insecticidal properties, lavender was put over castle floors and used as a bacterial wash in war times to prevent infection.

Uses: Aromatic, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, medicinal, antibacterial, and antiseptic. Lavender is effective as a skin anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent for acne and healing wounds. It is known to improve skin and hair condition and digestion and relax the mind for sleep.

TULIP

Origin: Central Asia

Gift for: deep unconditional love and forgiveness

The tulip was originally a wildflower growing in Central Asia. It was first cultivated by the Turks as early as 1000AD. The name 'tulip' came from the Turkish word for turban. The tulip became so popular that there were even tulip festivals and it was a crime (punishable by exile) to buy or sell tulips outside of Constantinople.

In the 1590s the beautiful tulip flowers were seen growing in the palace gardens and were given as a gift to the manager of a garden in Holland, this was the start of the bulb fields in Holland that can be seen today, making it now the Netherlands’ national flower. In 1624 the tulip bulb was more valuable than the price of gold, which set many people investing in the flower.

Uses: has diuretic and antiseptic properties. Remedy for cough and cold symptoms, used for sinus pain, hay fever, and headaches. Soothes insect bites, bee stings, burns, and rashes on the skin. Tulip flower oil is potent in healing and relieving many skin-related diseases. The bark of the tulip plant is used as a tonic and stimulant helping to alleviate joint pain, loosen the bowels, and other ailments.

DAISY

Origin: Europe

Gift for: new beginnings

It is believed that the daisy gets its name from the Old English phrase “daes eage,” or “day’s eye,” because of the way the flower blossoms at the first sign of dawn. Daisies have been around since 2,200 B.C. The most popular is the Gerbera which was discovered in South Africa and distributed to the Netherlands.

The daisy is symbolic of purity and innocence and stems from the Celtic legend Freya the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Daisies were often given to new mothers for good luck and to celebrate other new beginnings. The slang for a daisy chain, however, it is not so pure and innocent.

Uses: Wild daisy flowers are used to make a medicinal tea. People take wild daisy tea for coughs, disorders of the liver and kidneys, and swelling (inflammation). They also use it as a drying agent (astringent) and as a blood purifier. Wild daisy is sometimes applied directly to the skin to aid in healing wounds and skin diseases.

LILY

Origins: Europe, North America, and Asia

Gift for: abundance, peace

In mythology and folklore, the metaphor of the lily spoke of innocence and purity and became associated with spiritual and philosophical meanings. The most famous is the Lotus water lily, which Buddhists and Yogi the world over use in their teachings. When used at weddings, the lily represents the devotion of the couple toward one another. At a funeral, however, it announces the departure of a young soul being restored to its innocence after an untimely death.

Uses: The medical texts from Elizabethan-era recommend that lily was used to treat fever, wounds, and arthritis. For a long time, lily bulbs have been used in cooking in China. They are also the most commonly used ingredient in cooking in Shanghai. The essential oil of a lily flower can be used in aromatherapy for individuals who are feeling stressed, anxious or tense. It can also be used to alleviate depression or feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem.

ORCHID

Origin: Asia

Gift for: elegance, and purity

The orchid is one of the world’s most graceful flowers. Orchids are very old plants. According to fossil evidence, orchids are believed to have been on Earth for up to 200 million years. In ancient Greece, pregnant women fed their husbands orchids in the hopes that their unborn babies would be boys.

In tropical climates, orchids tend to grow on tree branches and between rocks, usually near a source of water for moisture. Aside from rainforest climate, they also grow in grassland areas such as pastures. These orchids adapt to many different types of environments which is one of the reasons they are so easy to maintain. Believe it or not, orchids make up the planet’s largest group of blooming flowers.

Uses: The medicinal properties of orchids were first discovered by the Chinese. The Chinese continue to use orchids for medicinal purposes until today, most commonly in the form of medicinal tea. Dried dendrobium, an orchid variant, is believed to possess medicinal properties that can help treat cancer, strengthen the immune system, and improve eyesight. Orchid leaves contain anthocyanins that help fight UV radiation, temperature extremes, and environmental stressors that negatively affect skin and hair. Vanilla is one of the best known and widely used flavours. It is extracted from the pod of Vanilla planifolia, which is a species of orchid.

VIOLET

Origin: Europe and Asia

Gift for: goodluck and faith

Violets are one of the most popular flowers for gardens, known for their delicate fragrant blooms and heart-shaped leaves. They were the very first flower given for Saint Valentine’s Day before the rose became dominant in the 17th century. In the Middle Ages, monks called violets the “Herb of the Trinity” due to their three colours, purple, yellow and green.

In Christianity, violet symbolizes the Virgin Mary’s humility. It is believed that these flowers blossomed when the angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be her baby.

Uses: The violet flower helps to cure a cold and flu. A syrup of violet flower maybe all that is required to soothe a hot and irritated throat. It is also used to relieve a swollen lymph gland and congestion. Violet flowers help relieve ear infections, and treat a dry cough. Violet flowers are traditionally used to dissolve lumps, fibrotic tissue, and cysts in the breast. It is also used by some to treat minor skin irritations, swollen glands, sores and abscesses. Violet is anti-inflammatory and is commonly used by herbalists internally and externally to relieve pain caused by arthritis. As a food, violet leaves are used in salads, and the flowers can also be steamed and consumed. Violets are rich in vitamins A and C, which help to build the body’s resistance against diseases when ingested.

JASMINE

Origin: Asia

Gift for: kindness, femininity, motherhood

The word jasmine is derived from the Arabic word “Yasmin,” which means fragrant flower. It is part of the Oleaceae, or olive family. For centuries, jasmine has been popular for its sweet, romantic fragrance and has been used in some of the world’s best-known perfumes, including Chanel No. 5. It’s also a common ingredient in alcohol, sweets, and desserts. The emperors of China's Sung Dynasty (960 to 1279 A.D.) found the fragrance of jasmine immensely enjoyable. In the 1400s, the kings of Afghanistan, Nepal and Persia ordered jasmine planted around their residences.

Uses: Jasmine promotes optimal blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Jasmine oil inhalation supports a calm central nervous system and balances mood. When inhaled, jasmine oil supports healthy brain activity aiding in positivity, elevated energetic levels, and enhanced romantic feelings. Jasmine oil may be effective in treating and prevent

Words by Justine Jamieson