Exotic Flowers in Boston

The cosmetic industry makes millions upon millions of dollars a year concocting potions and elixirs that are meant to beautify and euthanize their female demographic.  How many women out there start their day by applying foundation to cheeks, a swab of lipstick to mouths or a dab of moisturizer to cheeks?  I’m betting quite a few of you which is why we should know more about these products we’ve come to depend on.  Did you know that many creams are being tested on animals and some actually contain low-grade poisonous additives like strychnine?  Those aren’t exactly the kinds of components I want contacting my skin or any other part of my body, do you?  

Photo credit via L'Occitane

When engaging in a little research, you’ll be able to find out what a corporation is really putting in their makeup so you can avoid harmful additives or unwanted components.  One area I pay close attention to is if the items possess natural elements-particularly floral elements.  Some varieties of flowers have known to have beautification properties and can actually smooth away years when implementing concentrated oils from petals, buds and in some cases, foliage.  

Potential properties that flowers contain which are beneficial to beauty are:

• Hair Growth
• Acne Prevention
• Purifier
• Reduction of Skin Redness
• Medicinal for eczema and other sensitive skin issues

When you get right down to it, flowers can do AMAZING things for our bodies, which is why it’s important to purchase products containing these essential qualities.  Be on the watch for cosmetics using flowers such as violets, roses, jasmine, calendula, hibiscus, sunflowers and chamomile since they are the best blossoms to boost elasticity, shine and other desirable reactions.  You’ll be surprised what these pretty blooms can do for you and your beauty ritual!

Sunflowers: Vitamin E helps build strong hair molecules so that it can increase resistance against breakage and lucky for sunflowers, they contain a lot of it!

Roses:  Rose buds have several benefits when it comes to health but makeup containing this flower will help reduce inflammation such as puffy eyes.

Hibiscus:  Another great hair strengthener is the hibiscus, which also promotes healthy shine and encourages growth.  

Lavender: This herb flower is an excellent cleanser and is useful for eliminating dead skin cells.  

I’ll admit it.  This time of year is certainly not one of my favorites and there are several reasons why…

A).  I’m a warm-blooded soul who despises snow and ice.

B).  Traveling becomes tricky with bad road conditions forcing us to become  hermits for most of the season- another personality trait I’m missing.

C).  THERE ARE NO OUTDOOR FLOWERS!!

This last one is enough to depress any blossom lover because the fact remains that there are no wild flowers looming outside in the gardens.  Everything is frozen, stuck to the ground with no life signs what so ever.  I miss the days of carrying bundles of stems with petals scented with pure sweetness and arranging them in vases throughout my home. Did they make my house look pretty and smell good?  Absolutely, but there’s more to this than mere home decorating…

It is a scientific fact that flowers have the power to elevate our moods, particularly when we are feeling at our lowest.  All of the senses play a part, including the way a flower smells, its texture, color and arrangement with other species.  Our minds are positively enhanced the moment we set eyes on a bouquet and eventually we learn to connect this sensation of happiness with flowers in general.  So when the weather turns chillier and we lose our stimulation from outdoor gardening and growing, we have to make a conscious effort to seek them out elsewhere.  Contacting your local florist is the best way to solve this problem or you can even begin with indoor seeds such as marigolds and nasturtiums.   They’ll be fun to watch sprout and you’ll have pretty blooms flowering through the coldest months of the year.

Scientific Facts Supporting the Psychological Benefits of Flowers

1. Flowers arranged in areas such as entryways and foyers are symbolic of the meaning of sharing.  Guests who enter a building and are greeted by a fresh bouquet of flowers on the table react to this by feeling welcomed. 

2. Flowers are a wonderful gift to a loved one because it actually works as an aphrodisiac.  The gesture can build strong emotions of intimacy and likely bring two people physically closer together.

   

Photo credit via aboutflowers.com

Flowers open windows to creativity and often encourage a person’s imagination when exposed to flowers on a regular basis.  Some of our greatest artists of all time like Van Gogh surrounded him self regularly with flowers in order to find inspiration for his work.

I bet you didn’t know this but orchids are known to do a lot more than just provide a stunning floral décor for plant enthusiasts.  Particularly in regions of Asia and Australia, some believe that they can also induce beneficial health aspects to patients facing Alzheimer’s and Heart Disease.  Dating back to hundreds of thousands of years ago, orchids have been used to alleviate symptoms as well as cure sickness in ailments that otherwise had limited alternative medicine for.  Across the world in a multitude of different cultures, medical professionals and horticulturalists have experimented with the use of this tropical species and have found some amazing possibilities that extend outside of the floral industry.

Recently, I became extremely interested in learning more about their special properties after starting a new writing project based on this concept.  Can orchids really heal the ill?  Can they really fight disease or remedy sickness?  Well, judging from my research, there is a strong account of documented material, which reports this as a true statement.  While certain orchids are more beneficial than others, parts of the plants including their tubers, roots and petals have been utilized in elixirs that are then added to teas and powders.  Although modern medicine relies primarily on manufactured drug treatments to assist patients, there is a whole philosophy, which surrounds itself around a more “natural” philosophy.  Does this mean we should start eating the orchids we buy from our florists?  Heck no!  In most cases, these tropical beauties can be quite harmful and in some cases deadly so its best to either ask your doctor or visit a reputable health food store outlet.

But if you’re curious about this area of science, here are a few of the most interesting orchids that I’ve found possessing medicinal healing properties.

Dendrobium Orchids

Strengthens Eyesight

Increases the Immune System Function

Alleviates Symptoms of Cancer

Ant-Inflammatory Properties

Cymbidium Orchids

Assists fertility in both Men and Women

Vanda Orchids

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Reduces Fevers

Treats arthritis

Remedy for Bronchitis

Plants are far more useful than we think. Beyond visual aesthetics, plants continually shape the world around us. They serve as the font for most of our oxygen, and adorn every building, sidewalk, home, and office. Whatsmore, plants are known to improve the environments where they exist, purifying the air, and giving boons related to their metaphysical properties of the old.

Folk tales abound surround plant species, detailing what their uses were- and are still used for in New Age practices today.

Plant Intelligence

Charles Darwin first elucidated plant intelligence in Power of Movement in Plants, and subsequent findings of plant intelligence have been asserted by neurologist Stefano Mancuso in a Ted Talk.

Ten Magical Plants for Happiness

Returning to the allure of the olden days, where herbs and plant life were readily used to treat both physical and mental ailments, try these ten beautiful flowering plants to promote happiness wherever you are!

1.Azalea

Spriety, flowering azaleas are known to attract benevolent energy, put a pep in your step, and brighten up any garden or room they’re in. Azaleas make wonderful flowering houseplants.

2. Beech

Long revered for casting hopeful wishes upon, Beech is purported to increase literacy skills (hear that bookworms?) and illuminates happiness in every soul that passes. Dr. Edward Bach elucidated Beech is ideal “for those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them. . . to be able to be more tolerant, lenient and understanding of the different way each individual all all things are working to their own final perfection.”

3. Geranium:

Turn to the bloom of Geraniums to relieve negative thoughts to fonts of happiness. The essential oil of Geranium is said to prompt happiness while balancing the mind and body.

4. Hawthorn:

Sacred to peoples of the past, Hawthorn carried elicit happiness, invites benevolent spirits, and banishes negativity from your person and home.

5. Lily:

A lasting fan favorite, all varieties of Lily promote happiness and invite prosperity- making them a perfect addition to any home or office.

6. Lily of the Valley:

If you want a different spin on Lilies, Lily of the Valley dispels negativity, exudes happy energy, and has a measurable calming effect to those in its presence.

7. Neroli:

Feeling down, or know somebody that is? Invite Neroli into your space! The lovely plant promotes joy, happiness, and confidence. If you’re in inner conflict Neroli can help lift emotional blockages and uplift your spirit to make the best decisions going forward.

8. Quince:

Perhaps somewhat obscure, Quince is a bloom promoting love, happiness, and prosperity! People of old believed Quince protected from evil and negative energies.

9. Rose:

Of course the supreme flower of love and friendship also permeates all who surround it with peace and happiness.

10. Saffron:

Much loved my New Age practitioners, Saffron is believed to promote healing, happiness, and strength. The dried petals are sometimes used in sachets of herbs and oil to promote happiness.

Jessica Rae Pulver-Adell is the author of Holistic Healing: Enlivening Body, Mind and Spirit to Remedy Depression, Anxiety and Self Hate. She is currently writing her second book on Natural Medicine for Mind & Body. You can follow her work on Harbor Village.  

Over the weekend, I was fortunate to visit an orchid show in Winchester, Massachusetts and boy was I blown away by the impressive presentation!  So much so that when I returned home, I began researching the exotic plants to learn further about their history and purposes beyond home décor.  I was amazed at what I found!  Not only are there millions upon millions of varieties in existence but orchids are actually used for medicinal purposes as well!  

Emperor Shen Nung was the official “Father of Medicine” who discovered the flower’s healing properties, which include everything from curing sore throats to potentially lessening some of the symptoms commonly experienced by cancer patients.  Holding most of powers within their root systems, tubers and stems, orchids continue to be studied by scientists and herbalists in order to get a better understanding of potential benefits that can be used by the medical industry.  

After surfing a few of the web’s top agricultural websites, I found many examples of the stunning bloom’s incredible attributes beyond their obvious rare beauty.  Take a peek at some of these spectacular species that could quite honestly be life changing for all of us!

Dendrobium

These beautiful plants are some of the most common and affordable in the orchid family.  Along with being used predominantly for making Hawaiian leis and funeral casket sprays, dendrobiums have also been known to assist cancer patients with alleviating radiation side affects such as strengthening the immune system and improving eyesight.  Like several of the species, it’s not the flowers that are used as the main ingredient for elixirs but the stems, which are dried and ground for making tea.  

Orchis Mascula

This is another “orchid wonder” and maybe the most utilized for creating medicine and vitamins in countries around the world.  Orchis Mascula was the plant of choice during the Ottoman Empire where beverages were derived to help cure digestive problems, diarrhea and even gum disease.  Today, the orchid is still used in areas of Saudia Arabia, Syria and Iran.

Calanthe Liukiuensis

This is another find for the medical world and has contributed to making major changes for those who experience hair loss and other low protein associated illnesses.  The orchid is also known to increase skin blood flow by drying and grinding the plant into flour when it can then be transformed into pill format or sold as an ingredient for cooking.  

 The cold weather has fallen upon us and Boston is getting colder by the second!  Not only do we have to be mindful to wear extra clothing, bring extra safety precautions when traveling and be vigilant abut approaching storms, New Englanders also know that this is the time of year that we must protect our skin.  Ailments in this area arise from exposure to frigid outer elements that attack the surface and create sores, blemishes and painful chaffing.  Dermatologists recommend loading up on lotions, which heavily moisturize to prevent these serious medical conditions.   As a lover of flowers, how many of you know of the amazing healing properties that many blooms carry within their biological make up?  There are hundreds of flowers that are not only adequate but superior in proactive remedies for dry skin inflammations.  Derived from the powerful extracts of both the petals and stems, here are a few of the top flowers that might save you a trip to the doctor’s office this winter. 

Lavender

Lavender is one of the widest used flowers for healing purposes because it contains a multitude of soothing and relaxing qualities.  Sometimes referred to as an herb, the stem is long and slender with small pods that look similar to a grape vine.  Lavender can be found in shades of dark purple to light blue and often grow wild in the New England area.  Having over 150 compounds, lavender can heal skin problems including eczema, burns, dry skin, eczema, sunburn, seborrhea and dry skin.

Calendula

This traditional but stunning flower has a long history of protective and curing powers because of anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and antifungal features. It has been used for generations to mend severe burns, scrapes, insect bites and yes, dry skin.  Grown in colors ranging from orange to yellow, the calendula is sometimes affectionately called the “marigold” in some parts of the country.  The petals are also transient of the particular variety where they can be either flat or succulent.  The properties of the flower are so strong that extracts can either be made into lotions or ingested directly by boiling water and mixing in the petals.  One word to the wise, the safe approach is to buy the oil from a licensed herbologist instead of direct ingestion since there could be unforeseen insecticides or poisons used to grow the flowers.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a favorite amongst dermatologists for several reasons including its low rate of allergic reactions in patients, it’s anti-inflammatory agents and high product availability since it is grown widely in Asia, Europe and North America.  The flower’s appearance is delicate and natural, resembling the white daisy.   Although chamomile is white with a yellow center, the extract is tinted in a dark blue, which is easily mixed to provide cooling lotions.  The most popular types are German Chamomile and Russian Chamomile, the German being more astringent and more effective for healing skin irritations.  The flower contains the compound Azulene, the component that makes chamomile one of the top suggested medicinal extracts for those who suffer winter skin ailments. 

 Suzie and Lance Canale, Westwood, MA 2014

Suzie grows many of her own herbs and flowers in her garden in Westwood.