Flowers have long been loved for their beauty and fragrance, but their importance goes far beyond mere aesthetic value: across cultures and civilizations, flowers have been widely used for their medicinal properties in traditional herbal medicine.
With their attractive colours and pleasant aromatic oils, flowers have played an important role in human beliefs, health and wellness throughout history. The practice of using flowers for therapeutic and medicinal purposes dates back centuries and remains relevant today, forming an important part of traditional herbal healing systems around the world.
Historical perspective of flower medicine
By now we all know that flowers have been used as medicines for thousands of years, with evidence of the medicinal properties of flowers dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese.
For example, the ancient Egyptians recorded flower remedies in their medical papyri, emphasizing the use of flowers such as marigolds and lilies for their healing powers. Similarly, traditional Chinese medicine, which dates back more than 2,500 years, continues to deeply value the therapeutic properties of flowers such as the chrysanthemum and lotus.
Today, flower-based therapies continue to be an integral part of traditional medical systems and practices, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Native American healing practices. These ancient practices recognized the therapeutic properties of various flowers and developed broad frameworks for their use.
For example, Ayurveda, which originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago, emphasizes balance between the mind, body and spirit. The practice has incorporated the use of various flowers within its pharmacopoeia. In Ayurvedic medicine, known as “Vanaushadhi,” flowers like rose, jasmine, lotus and marigold are just a few of the flowers highly valued for their medicinal properties. They are used in the form of extracts, essential oils, teas and ointments to combat a variety of ailments.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, flowers are considered to be energetically balancing and are classified according to their heat qualities, taste and affinity with meridians. Chrysanthemum, honeysuckle and magnolia are some of the flowers commonly used in TCM practice. These flowers are believed to have cooling properties and are used to clear heat, reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
Meanwhile, Native American tribes have a deep connection to nature and use flowers for healing purposes – for example, the Cherokee use passionflower for its sedative and anxiety-relieving properties, and the Navajo use yarrow for its antiseptic and wound-healing properties – these traditions reflect a deep respect for the healing powers of the natural world.
The science of flower medicine
Although traditional knowledge passed down through generations has long recognized the healing powers of flowers, modern science is only just beginning to unravel the mechanisms behind their efficacy.
Science has shown that various flowers contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, and essential oils, that contribute to their therapeutic effects. These compounds are found in plants such as:
Calendula
Also known as marigold, this flower has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and wound-healing properties. The petals are used in ointments, creams and oils to soothe skin inflammation, promote tissue repair and relieve conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
lavender
Lavender flowers are known for their calming scent. They contain sedative essential oils that can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and relieve headaches. Lavender is often used in aromatherapy, bath salts, and herbal teas.
chamomile
These flowers are prized for their calming and sleep-inducing properties, and contain compounds such as chamazulene and apigenin that have anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. Chamomile tea is a popular remedy for relaxation, easing indigestion, and treating skin conditions.
Elderflower
This flower has long been used as a natural remedy for colds, flu, and respiratory illnesses. The flower contains flavonoids and antioxidants that boost immune function and reduce inflammation. Elderflower extracts and teas are often drunk to boost the body’s defenses when sick.
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Medicinal and therapeutic properties of flowers
Flowers are known to have certain properties that give them therapeutic and medicinal properties. These properties form the basis of the flowers’ therapeutic properties. These include:
Anti-inflammatory properties
One important property of many flowers used in traditional medicine is their anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile, extracted from the daisy-like flowers of the Asteraceae family, contains bisabolol and chamazulene, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile tea, for example, is widely consumed due to its many benefits for health and wellbeing.
Stress reduction and mental health
Flowers have also been shown to have a profound effect on mental health: the scent of lavender flowers, for example, has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality, and studies have even shown that inhaling the scent of lavender can adjust brainwave patterns, putting you in a more relaxed state.
Cardiovascular Health
Hawthorn flowers and berries have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to support cardiovascular health, and recent scientific studies have confirmed that hawthorn contains flavonoids that have vasodilatory properties and help regulate blood pressure.
Skincare and Beauty
Flowers are often used in skin care products because of their nourishing and rejuvenating properties. Rose petals, for example, are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and help keep skin looking youthful. Many natural beauty products harness the power of flowers to provide gentle, yet effective skin care solutions.
Modern Applications of Flower Medicine
In today’s world, the medicinal properties of flowers are becoming more widely recognized as a mainstream health practice, blending traditional wisdom with modern healthcare – for example, integrative medicine and aromatherapy recognize the therapeutic properties of flowers.
Aromatherapy, which uses essential oils extracted from flowers and plants, is gaining widespread popularity. Essential oils such as lavender, rose and eucalyptus are used in diffusers, massage oils and bath salts to promote relaxation, relieve stress and address a variety of health concerns.
Flower-based herbal teas and tinctures are now readily available in health food stores and online markets. These products offer a convenient way to enjoy the healing properties of flowers like hibiscus, chamomile, and elderflower. They are often used to ease digestive issues, support immune function, and improve sleep.
Flower essences are made from flowers steeped in water and preserved in alcohol and are used to address emotional and psychological imbalances. A well-known example is the Bach Flower Remedies, developed in the 1930s by British homeopath Dr Edward Bach. These are highly diluted solutions of flower material in brandy and water. Dr Bach believed that the dew from the flower petals had healing properties.
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There are currently around 38 Bach flower remedies, each corresponding to a different emotional state, such as depression, despair, guilt, fear, indecision, etc. Each flower essence is thought to correspond to a particular emotional state, such as Rescue Remedy for stress relief.
The latest research on flower medicine and its future potential
As traditional practices gained recognition, scientific research began to investigate the therapeutic properties of flowers used in herbal medicine. Research confirmed that the flowers contained bioactive compounds, validating their traditional use.
However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action and potential interactions with modern medicines.Tapping into the ancient wisdom of flower-based remedies, modern herbalists and researchers are increasingly exploring innovative applications.
Nevertheless, from developing standardized herbal extracts to formulating natural skin care products, the future holds promising opportunities for integrating traditional flower medicines into modern healthcare practice.
Sustainability and ethical considerations
As flower medicines grow in popularity, it is essential to consider sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. Over-harvesting of certain flowers can lead to ecosystem imbalances and threaten biodiversity.
Ethical and sustainable harvesting methods and cultivation of medicinal flowers are therefore a key step to ensuring the long-term availability of these valuable resources.
Either way, by tapping into the ancient wisdom of flower-based remedies, we can harness nature’s medicinal properties and explore the incredible potential of flowers to promote modern health.
However, you should always seek to consult with a qualified medical professional or herbalist before using any flower-based remedies in your routine health care.
Feature image by Herbal Academy, header image by Lisa Hobbs on Unsplash
