Flowers And Their Meaning | The Healing Power Of Flowers

Here at LULLY & ROSE Floral Studio, we are always in awe of the natural beauty of the fresh fragrant flowers and their meaning, that we have the pleasure of working with every day. Flowers and their meanings are more than just beauty and aesthetics though, many of the florals we work with also have powerful healing properties when used correctly in natural medicine. The main way that flowers are used in herbal remedies are through essential oils, teas, edible flowers and in vitamins.

We’d like to highlight some of the incredible properties of these flowers and their meaning in relation to healing, though we always recommend consulting with your own doctor or accredited naturopath before trying any new supplements or remedies. This article is our opinion and perspective only and is not intended as medical advice or recommendations. Always consult your medical professionals first, especially if you are currently taking any medication.

It might surprise you to know that Western doctors are increasingly recommending natural remedies. This is a positive development for preserving our link to the natural world and engaging with flowers and their meaning.

For example, floral remedies can be helpful in the treatment of cognitive conditions like memory loss, speech issues and dyslexia, or in the treatment of psychological distress that manifests itself in physical symptoms like hypertension, asthma, insomnia, eating disorders, migraines and allergies.

Floral remedies like teas and essential oils can also have a wonderful impact on our emotional wellbeing and can aid in healthy, restful sleep. Natural remedies that include flowers and their meanings have long been used in the management of stress or other difficult emotions like fear, grief, and anger. Since we give florals to express our emotions with those flowers and their meaning, it also makes sense that we can use them to impact our emotions and wellbeing in different ways – nature is incredible that way!

FLOWER TEA

Florals added into teas can have a wide range of benefits from boosting immunity and aiding digestion to improving mood or assisting sleep. Even if you weren’t really thinking of it, it’s likely you’ve had flower teas plenty of times before, like a classic chamomile tea to wind down at the end of the day.

Other floral teas that have a calming effect on feelings of anxiety and stress are jasmine, lavender, rose and chrysanthemum. Jasmine is flavourful in a floral tea and is often combined with a green tea. As well as being relaxing, jasmine can also help to lower blood pressure. Lavender, another classic option, blends well with other teas and florals such as delicate rose to create a blend, or enjoyed alone either hot or iced – we prefer it with a touch of honey and lemon.

A traditional floral used in Chinese medicine and culture, the chrysanthemum makes for a light and sweet tasting flower tea. For boosting immunity or helping to relieve the symptoms of the common cold, turn to linden flower, dandelion or echinacea teas. You can combined with lemon and honey for a soothing and warming drink with added health benefits like assisting with weight loss, helping to manage cholesterol levels and benefiting your skin’s natural glow. If iced tea is your favourite, try making some with hibiscus! Hibiscus has a delicious flavour that pairs perfectly with fruits and is full of antioxidants and all kinds of other good stuff.

EDIBLE FLOWERS

Edible flowers are flowers that you can safely consume, either by themselves or when used in cooking. Such flowers are certainly growing in popularity in the culinary industry, for both their holistic benefits and their beautiful aesthetics.

Traditionally, flowers and herbs have adorned cooking for centuries, gracing Asian, European, and Middle Eastern cuisines worldwide. If you’d like to try your hand at including edible flowers in your cooking for decoration, flavour and health benefits, there are some wonderful resources available for you to get creative with!

Lavender is a popular one for its sweet, citrusy flavour and can be sprinkled on desserts or used in baking. Nasturtium flowers, while perhaps not as widely known, are full of vitamin C and can be eaten in their entirety as a garnish in salads. Their sweet and spicy flavour is a delight for the senses, and they get bonus points for being very easy to grow. Some other popular edible flowers are: hibiscus, echinacea, dandelion, honeysuckle, rose, primrose, pansy, chamomile, cornflower, marigold, elderflower, calendula and dianthus.

ESSENTIAL OILS

While currently booming in popularity, essential oils have their roots in ancient cultures worldwide. The distillation method, used today, dates back as early as the 11th to the 13th centuries. By around 1500, recognisable essential oils like cedarwood, rose, rosemary, sage, cinnamon and myrrh had already been formulated.

Essential oils are named for the plants from which they are extracted, though many modern companies have created their own blends and named them for their benefits or intended use. This is great for taking the guesswork out of which oils to use for what benefits. You might even discover that your favorite skincare products already incorporate essential oils for their numerous benefits. Essential oils can be diffused into the air, or by applying them topically after dilution. Not all essential oils are safe to use in the same way, so it’s worth doing your research and talking to an aromatherapist before diving in too deep! Oils generally known for their gentleness, however, are chamomile, rose, jasmine and lavender.

A little research will boost your confidence on how and when to use these little bottles of floral goodness, keeping in mind that they are very concentrated, which is why caution is always used when trying something new.

Essential oils find extensive use in aromatherapy, elevating mood, calming anxiety, and aiding sleep. However, they have a multitude of conditions they can be used I the treatment of. When you visit your doctor or naturopath, inquire about their potential uses. Always ensure to acquire essential oils from a reputable and trusted supplier.

Some of the most commonly used flowers and their meaning in the wellness and holistic health industry are:

Cornflower:

Eucalyptus:

An Australian native, eucalyptus oil derived from the crushed leaves of this iconic tree has a wide variety of uses. Some of the healing uses of eucalyptus oil are to remedy a cough and clear congestion. Also known as a natural disinfectant, freshening breath and easing joint pain.

Gardenia:

Gardenia has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, and is still a popular choice in herbal medicine. As a herbal tea, Gardenia promotes healthy digestion. Recognised as a therapeutic essential oil, it elevates mood and assists in relieving feelings of depression. This multipurpose floral has a plethora of other benefits too!

Geranium:

Used in alternative medicine for centuries, geranium essential oil has a calming and grounding effect, believed to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a popular choice for natural skincare.

Jasmine:

In addition to the benefits of jasmine tea mentioned earlier, jasmine essential oil, effectively combats symptoms of depression. It also finds usage in skincare to enhance and promote beautiful, radiant skin while reducing imperfections and signs of aging.

Lavender:

Is there anything lavender can’t do? From calming tea to sleep aids, lavender used in essential oil form is beautiful for assisting sleep and promoting a calming environment. Also used to treat acne, skin infections and to soothe minor burns.

Peony:

Popular in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, one of the medicinal uses of peonies is to assist with menstrual and hormonal health. It can be taken in a tonic from a naturopath and is thought to be a natural muscle relaxant.

Primrose:

Primrose is a popular ingredient for treating acne and is thought to assist with inflammation in the skin, as well as promoting moisture retention in the skin.

Sunflower:

Researchers believe that sunflowers enhance cardiovascular health, aid digestion, and boost brain function. Their nutrient-rich seeds, which contain magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron, as a health food. Additionally, when taken as herbal tea, this beautiful flower can brighten your day by alleviating menstrual cramp symptoms.

So, which flower will you be looking at incorporating into your routine?

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