Flowers not only uplift our spirits with their beauty and scent, but they have also been used as a powerful medicine for thousands of years. It contains the secrets of medicine on everything from broken bones to heart failure.
Rebecca Wallersteiner discusses the properties of flowers with Royal Botanic Gardens’ Kew plant expert, Professor Monique Simmons, Nelson’s registered homeopath, Liliana Bellini, and Dr Sarah Brewer, a general practitioner who practices both traditional and complementary medicine. Masu.
amazing flora
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Scientists are increasingly turning to old wives’ tales in search of hidden health benefits, returning to forests, swamps and meadows in search of new medicines from flowers and herbs.
“Nature is a great chemist,” says Professor Simmons. “Currently, my work at Kew involves looking into herbal remedies and what are sometimes called old women’s tales, but over the centuries we have learned from digitalis, from digitalis to willow and meadowsweet. We have provided a variety of powerful treatments, ranging from aspirin derived from
For generations, herbs and flowers were used as medicine when needed, as the nearest hospital was several miles away. Knowledge about their medicinal properties was passed down by word of mouth from parents to children.
Today, flowers still play an important role in traditional Chinese medicine and complementary therapies such as Bach Flower Therapy, Jan de Vries Flower Remedies, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.
Bach flower preparation
In the 1930s, Dr. Edward Buck left his Harley Street practice and began experimenting with preparations using flower essences.
He believed that all flowers had a vibrational pattern of healing energy that could dissolve negative emotions.
Liliana Bellini of Nelson’s Homeopathic Pharmacy in London continues Dr. Bach’s philosophy, customizing cocktails of distilled flowers to suit her patients’ problems.
“About 60 to 70 percent of patients show signs of improvement after taking this formulation for several weeks,” she says. “Bach Flower Her remedies also help me focus and balance. Flowers work by vibrating and dissolving negative emotions such as anger, self-doubt, and fear.”
There are several important flowers in Bach Remedies. “Some of the important ones are walnut flower to treat nervousness, clematis to improve concentration, star of Bethlehem to relieve shock, larch to increase confidence, cherry plum to relieve fear, and white chestnut to encourage positive thinking. ” added Bellini.
Dr. Sarah Brewer also believes in the restorative properties of flowers and often takes Bach Rescue Remedy, which is a combination of rock rose, clematis, impatiens, star of Bethlehem, and cherry plum dissolved in brandy-type alcohol. “A few drops on her tongue can help her deal with tension and anxiety,” she says.
Homeopaths, on the other hand, give oral solutions of diluted flower essences such as arnica, pulsatilla, aconite, and calendula to address emotional issues.
In contrast, aromatherapy involves dissolving flower essences in oils and applying them externally to calm or stimulate the mind and body. “Aromatherapy involves using specific flowers externally to stimulate specific functions in the body,” says Liliana Bellini.
Another complementary therapy is the Jean de Vries flower remedy (available from chemists), which is thought to reduce symptoms such as anxiety.
So which flowers have healing properties?
Foxglove (digitalis purpurea)
Digitalis was mentioned as an effective treatment for cardiovascular disease as early as the 17th century in Nicholas Culpepper’s comprehensive guide to herbal medicine, The Complete Herb.
It is still used by doctors and emergency personnel to treat heart problems such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Digitalis is very powerful and should only be used with a prescription.
lily of the valley
The ancient Greeks used lily of the valley to treat heart disease and dropsy. Later, Elizabethan physician John Gerrard buried a vial of white flowers in an ant nest and applied it to his gouty feet.
It was used during World War I to help soldiers recover from the effects of gas poisoning. Lily of the valley also provides a similar but milder medicinal effect to digitalis, which is used as a heart stimulant and diuretic.
Rose
Rose hips have a variety of uses. During World War II, they were collected and processed into rosehip syrup, a healthy tonic rich in vitamin C.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve joint pain.
This syrup is also administered to patients to treat coughs and colds. Since the days of Culpepper, wine made from rose hips and confetti made from rose flowers thrown at weddings have enlivened rural life.
lavender
In 15th century France, glove makers used lavender oil to scent leather. This helped them escape the plague.
Dried lavender has been used for centuries to aid sleep by sewing it onto your pillow or placing it in a vase in your bedroom. It also serves as an insect repellent.
Medicines made from lavender aid digestion, relieve flatulence, and act as an antiseptic. Meanwhile, lavender water can be used as a skin tonic and acne disinfectant.
It is also used in household products to mask chemical odors.
chamomile
Ancient Egyptians inhaled chamomile flower powder as snuff and used it for healing purposes. Nicholas Culpepper called it “a medicine that relieves many ailments.”
When taken in tea or capsule form, it relieves anxiety and headaches, aids sleep and digestion, and acts as an antispasmodic for problems such as stomach cramps and indigestion.
Chamomile treats many common ailments, and its usefulness is supported by scientific research.
evening primrose
Studies have shown that evening primrose can relieve depression, balance hormones, and reduce prostate swelling.
Seed oil contains fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which balances female hormones and improves blood circulation.
Native North Americans even made poultices from the plant’s leaves to treat bruises and hemorrhoids.
flower medicine
Digitalis is a powerful medicine for treating heart problems and is made from digitalis flower extract.
The painkillers morphine and codeine are extracted from the opium poppy.
Aspirin is a derivative of meadowsweet.
St. John’s Wortis is used to treat mild depression. Lily of the valley contains crystalline glycosides used in heart medicine. Red clover contains cancer-fighting biochanin.
Rose hips are the best source of vitamin C.
Further information
Nelson’s Homeopathic Pharmacy
royal botanic gardens
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