Flowers have long been associated with healing, peace, and tranquility. Certain flowers are thought to promote relaxation, relieve anxiety, and uplift the spirit. In this article, we’ll explore the history behind flowers as natural healers, look at some of the flowers most associated with healing and inner peace, and examine the scientific evidence behind their soothing effects. Read on to learn more about how flowers can be used to find greater calmness and serenity.
The History of Flowers as Natural Healers
The use of flowers as natural healers dates back thousands of years and across many cultures. In ancient Egypt, flowers like the lotus and papyrus were revered as symbols of health and spiritual renewal. Chinese medicine has relied on healing herbs and flowers like peony, chrysanthemum, and honeysuckle for centuries. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures made medicinal teas and balms from violets, roses, and chamomile.
In the Victorian era, the meaning of flowers became a popular way for people to communicate feelings and desires. Different flowers were used to express sentiments like love, friendship, condolences, and encouragement. It was also believed that the simple act of giving someone flowers could lift their spirits.
Today, flowers are still seen as natural mood enhancers. Studies have shown that looking at and smelling flowers can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Let’s look at some of the top flowers associated with healing and inner tranquility.
Lavender
Lavender is a purple flower that comes from the mint family. It has a sweet, floral scent that is known for its calming, relaxing effects. For centuries, lavender has been used to help relieve insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
Historical Use
The ancient Romans infused lavender in their baths and used the oil to perfume their skin. In the Middle Ages, lavender was dried and placed on floors to mask unpleasant odors and freshen the air in homes and hospitals.
Scientific Evidence
Modern research has confirmed lavender’s soothing properties. Lavender oil has been found to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, lower skin temperature (indicating relaxation), and increase alpha brain waves which are related to wakeful relaxation.
Studies on patients undergoing medical procedures show lavender can significantly reduce anxiety and pain levels when inhaled. Lavender aromatherapy has also been shown to reduce aggression in Alzheimer’s patients.
How to Use for Healing
There are many ways to benefit from lavender’s healing properties:
- Infuse bath water with lavender oil or bath salts
- Use lavender essential oil in aromatherapy diffusers
- Drink lavender tea to promote relaxation
- Inhale the scent from potpourri made with dried lavender
- Apply lavender oil on skin or put drops on pillows/bedding
- Take lavender supplements like capsules
Jasmine
Jasmine is a shrub with small white or yellow flowers and an intoxicating floral scent. In many cultures, jasmine represents beauty, love, and sensuality. This mystic flower is also believed to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Historical Use
In ancient China, jasmine was a symbol of feminine sweetness and used to adorn the hair of imperial women. In Indonesia, jasmine garlands are used in wedding ceremonies. Across Asia, jasmine is woven into celebratory coronets or neck garlands.
Scientific Evidence
Research on jasmine aromatherapy found the scent has a stimulating yet calming effect. Brain imaging studies show jasmine fragrance increases beta waves, helping to sharpen focus and lift mood. At the same time, jasmine reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
Inhalation of jasmine oil has also been shown to reduce anxiety and uplift mood for postpartum women. It also enhances quality of sleep.
How to Use for Healing
You can benefit from jasmine’s soothing properties in these ways:
- Diffuse jasmine essential oil in your home
- Add drops of jasmine oil to bathwater
- Place fresh jasmine flowers around your room
- Make a relaxing jasmine tea
- Apply jasmine body lotion after showering
Chamomile
Chamomile is a daisy-like flower that comes in German and Roman varieties. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal cure-all. Today it is one of the most popular herbal teas thanks to its mild, refreshing flavor and abundance of healing properties.
Historical Use
The ancient Egyptians revered chamomile for its healing qualities and dedicated it to their sun god Ra. Greek physicians prescribed chamomile preparations for ailments like asthma, skin conditions, and menstrual disorders. Chamomile was also spread along the ground as a disinfectant.
Scientific Evidence
The compounds in chamomile flowers, namely the flavonoids chrysin and apigenin, have anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and sleep-inducing effects. A systematic review found chamomile can significantly reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Other studies show it improves sleep quality and duration for those with chronic insomnia.
Topical application of chamomile lotion has also been found to accelerate wound healing. The anti-inflammatory action helps soothe skin rashes, burns, and underlying redness.
How to Use for Healing
Chamomile can be used in many forms:
- Drink chamomile tea
- Use chamomile essential oil for aromatherapy
- Apply chamomile creams, ointments, or rinses
- Take chamomile extract or capsules
- Use dried flowers in sachets or baths
Rose
Rose is known as the flower of love but it offers therapeutic benefits too. All types of roses impart a sense of well-being but the Damask rose is considered especially healing. Rose infused remedies help balance, open, and soothe the heart physically and emotionally.
Historical Use
In ancient Egypt, roses decorated the drinking goblets of pharaohs. Persian rugs and paintings depict opulent bouquets of roses. In Greek mythology, roses adorned the head of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Roses were also grown in medieval monastery gardens for their healing properties.
Scientific Evidence
Rose oil contains phenolic compounds like citronellol and geraniol that have antidepressant activities. Research shows rose oil inhalation significantly reduces breathing rate and blood pressure, promoting relaxation.
One study found giving postpartum women rose water to drink helped reduce feelings of postnatal depression and improved sleep quality. Roses also have therapeutic antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and analgesic effects.
How to Use for Healing
Roses impart their soothing magic in these ways:
- Prepare and drink rose tea
- Inhale essential oil from fresh Damask roses
- Use rose water as a relaxing facial mist
- Add rosewater or rose hydrosol to bath water
- Apply rose essential oil diluted with a carrier oil
Other Healing Flowers
There are many other flowers with therapeutic properties that can promote inner peace:
| Flower | Benefits | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lily | Uplifts mood, anti-anxiety | Place flowers around home, extract oil |
| Gardenia | Relieves insomnia, headache | Aromatherapy, flower infusions |
| Cherry Blossom | Boosts immune system | Drink tea, use in bath |
| Lotus | Reduces stress, anxiety | Extract oils, make tea |
| Peony | Blood tonic, antidepressant | Medicinal teas, flower essence |
| Orange Blossom | Uplifts mood and energy | Aromatherapy, culinary |
How Do Flowers Promote Healing?
Flowers impart their therapeutic benefits in several ways:
- Fragrance – Inhaling the unique scent of flowers like lavender stimulates the limbic system which controls emotions and the “relaxation response.”
- Phytochemicals – Flowers contain plant compounds like polyphenols that can induce relaxation, lower inflammation, fight bacteria, and exert other healthful effects.
- Color Therapy – The vibrant colors and elegant forms of flowers are thought to balance energy according to color psychology and principles of Ayurveda.
- Homeopathy – Extremely diluted extracts taken from the flowers can help restore emotional balance according to homeopathic medicine.
- Flower Essences – Infusions distilled from flowers are said to contain the plant’s healing vibration and energetic properties.
The aromatherapy, phytochemistry, energetic signature, and beauty of flowers synergize to shift energy and promote mind-body healing.
Choosing Flowers for Healing
Here are some tips for selecting flowers to enhance your sense of well-being:
- Choose flowers with a scent that appeals to you and makes you feel more relaxed and positive when you smell them.
- Consider the color of the petals and what they represent – blue for tranquility, purple for spirituality, yellow for optimism.
- Look for flowers with proven therapeutic benefits like chamomile or lavender.
- Choose flowers with personal symbolic meaning or that are used in ceremonies in your culture.
- Select flowers in season and locally grown for the highest energetic vibration.
- Combine flowers known to have synergistic benefits like lavender and rose.
- Get organic or pesticide-free flowers whenever possible.
Let your senses, preferences, and needs guide you to the most healing flowers.
Conclusion
Flowers have been prized across cultures and for thousands of years for their ability to uplift the spirit and promote health and well-being. Many different flowers impart a sense of tranquility and inner peace. Some of the most time-honored include lavender, jasmine, chamomile, rose, lily, and gardenia.
Flowers can heal through their exquisite fragrance, soothing colors, energizing plant compounds, and even homeopathic vibrations. Sipping healing flower teas, inhaling essential oils, and surrounding yourself with blossoms are simple, enjoyable ways to incorporate the benefits of flowers for optimal health. Keep these ancient flower remedies in mind as natural aids to find greater relaxation and peace of mind.
