It is undeniable that flowers not only beautify the wild, our gardens, and our living rooms, but their allure has been woven into the fabric of society, influencing fashion, elevating youthfulness, and captivating partners with the dappled floral essence on our skin.
Since the beginning of human existence, we have given floral tributes as gifts to lift spirits or provide comfort when words are not enough, to symbolise our love and devotion, and in divine ceremony for the gods. Flowers are embedded as symbols and metaphors throughout religious scripture, storybooks, and poems, with artists taking to the brush, painting many a posy.
Why? Because flowers heal us and raise human vibration.
They prove this by revealing their well-studied medicinal qualities through naturopathy, their vibrational healing through homeopathy, and their aesthetic sensual influence through aromatherapy and flower essences.
Flowers, in fact, heal the planet through healing themselves. They possess an intricate network of communication, connecting with each other through their roots. A plant can change its vibration from detecting the subtle tremor of a bee’s wing, stimulating the production of its sweetest nectar to entice a bee, butterfly, or bird when they feel it close. Scientific studies show flowers emit audio acoustic emissions between 10–240 Hz as well as ultrasonic acoustic emissions (UAE) within 20–320 kHz, which is much higher than the human brain.
We only need to look at the most universally beloved flowers across the globe—rose, lavender, tulip, daisy, lily, orchid, violet and lotus—to know which ones are the most magnetic and therefore carry the most potent vibrational power.
Rose
Origin: Persia
Gift for: divine connection
There is no question, the rose is the world’s most popular and acclaimed flower. Given in bouquets of love and used at special ceremonies, the rose is said to be the highest vibrational flower on Earth. The rose heals hearts and brings us closer to the divine. According to fossil evidence, it is 35 million years old and its presence is written in many scriptures.
The rosary, meaning “crown of roses”, involves offering a group of prayers to Mary as a spiritual bouquet. Catholic people hold or wear a string of beads (itself called a “rosary”) using the beads as physical tools to focus their minds on prayers. They believe roses symbolise God’s love infusing the world, and particular rose colours symbolise different spiritual concepts.
Uses: Blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac. Rose oil is taken from the rose hips and petals. It can be used internally and topically. It is said to increase sex drive, relieve menstrual cramps, and help decrease anxiety and stress.
Lavender
Origin: Mediterranean, Middle East, and India
Gift for: healing and relaxation
Lavender’s history goes back some 2500 years. As part of the mint family, “lavender” derives from the Latin verb “lavare,” meaning “to wash” or “to bathe.” This extremely fragrant herb has multiple household uses, popular since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans indulged in this evocative flower, using it in bathing, perfume, and incense. During the Middle Ages, lavender was considered the herb of love and used as an aphrodisiac. It was believed that a sprinkle of lavender water on the head of a loved one would keep the wearer from cheating. Due to its insecticidal properties, lavender was put over castle floors and used as bacterial wash in wartime to prevent infection.
Uses: Aromatic, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, medicinal, antibacterial, and antiseptic. Lavender is effective as a skin anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent for acne and healing wounds. It is known to improve skin and hair condition, aid digestion, and relax the mind for sleep.
Tulip
Origin: Central Asia
Gift for: deep unconditional love and forgiveness
The tulip was originally a wildflower growing in Central Asia. It was first cultivated by the Turks as early as 1000 AD. The name ‘tulip’ came from the Turkish word for turban. The tulip became so popular that there were even tulip festivals, and it was a crime (punishable by exile) to buy or sell tulips outside of Constantinople.
In the 1590s, the beautiful tulip flowers were seen growing in the palace gardens and were given as a gift to the manager of a garden in Holland. This was the start of the bulb fields in Holland that can be seen today, making it now the Netherlands’ national flower. In 1624, the tulip bulb was more valuable than gold, which led many people to invest in the flower.
Uses: Diuretic and antiseptic properties. Remedy for cough and cold symptoms, used for sinus pain, hay fever, and headaches. Soothes insect bites, bee stings, burns, and rashes on the skin. Tulip flower oil is potent in healing and relieving many skin-related diseases. The bark of the tulip plant is used as a tonic and stimulant, helping to alleviate joint pain, loosen the bowels, and treat other ailments.
Daisy
Origin: Europe
Gift for: new beginnings
It is believed that the daisy gets its name from the Old English phrase “daes eage,” or “day’s eye,” because of the way the flower blossoms at the first sign of dawn. Daisies have been around since 2,200 B.C. The most popular is the Gerbera, which was discovered in South Africa and distributed to the Netherlands.
The daisy is symbolic of purity and innocence and stems from the Celtic legend of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Daisies were often given to new mothers for good luck and to celebrate other new beginnings. However, the slang term “daisy chain” is not so pure and innocent.
Uses: Wild daisy flowers are used to make medicinal tea. People take wild daisy tea for coughs, disorders of the liver and kidneys, and swelling (inflammation). It is also used as a drying agent (astringent) and as a blood purifier. Wild daisy is sometimes applied directly to the skin to aid in healing wounds and skin diseases.
Lily
Origin: Europe, North America, and Asia
Gift for: abundance, peace
In mythology and folklore, the metaphor of the lily spoke of innocence and purity and became associated with spiritual and philosophical meanings. The most famous is the Lotus water lily, which Buddhists and Yogis the world over use in their teachings. When used at weddings, the lily represents the devotion of the couple toward one another. At a funeral, however, it announces the departure of a young soul being restored to its innocence after an untimely death.
Uses: The medical texts from the Elizabethan era recommend that the lily be used to treat fever, wounds, and arthritis. For a long time, lily bulbs have been used in cooking in China. They are also the most commonly used ingredient in cooking in Shanghai. The essential oil of the lily flower can be used in aromatherapy for individuals who are feeling stressed, anxious, or tense. It can also be used to alleviate depression or feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem.
Orchid
Origin: Asia
Gift for: elegance, purity
The orchid is one of the world’s most graceful flowers. Orchids are very old plants. According to fossil evidence, orchids are believed to have been on Earth for up to 200 million years. In ancient Greece, pregnant women fed their husbands orchids in the hope that their unborn babies would be boys.
In tropical climates, orchids tend to grow on tree branches and between rocks, usually near a source of water for moisture. Aside from rainforest climates, they also grow in grassland areas such as pastures. These orchids adapt to many different types of environments, which is one of the reasons they are so easy to maintain. Believe it or not, orchids make up the planet’s largest group of blooming flowers.
Uses: The medicinal properties of orchids were first discovered by the Chinese. The Chinese continue to use orchids for medicinal purposes to this day, most commonly in the form of medicinal tea. Dried dendrobium, an orchid variant, is believed to possess medicinal properties that can help treat cancer, strengthen the immune system, and improve eyesight. Orchid leaves contain anthocyanins that help fight UV radiation, temperature extremes, and environmental stressors that negatively affect skin and hair. Vanilla is one of the best-known and widely used flavours. It is extracted from the pod of Vanilla planifolia, which is a species of orchid.
Violet
Origin: Europe and Asia
Gift for: good luck and faith
Violets are one of the most popular flowers for gardens, known for their delicate fragrant blooms and heart-shaped leaves. They were the very first flower given for Saint Valentine’s Day before the rose became dominant in the 17th century. In the Middle Ages, monks called violets the “Herb of the Trinity” due to their three colours: purple, yellow, and green.
In Christianity, the violet symbolises the Virgin Mary’s humility. It is believed that these flowers blossomed when the angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be her baby.
Uses: The violet flower helps to cure a cold and flu. A syrup of violet flower may be all that is required to soothe a hot and irritated throat. It is also used to relieve swollen lymph glands and congestion. Violet flowers help relieve ear infections and treat dry coughs. Violet flowers are traditionally used to dissolve lumps, fibrotic tissue, and cysts.
Lotus
Origin: Asia
Gift for: spiritual awakening and purity
The lotus is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth, revered in many cultures, particularly in Asia. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus represents spiritual awakening, as it rises from the murky waters to bloom beautifully above the surface. The flower is often associated with the divine and is used as a symbol of the human soul’s journey from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.
The lotus flower’s ability to remain unstained by the muddy water in which it grows is also symbolic of maintaining purity and spiritual integrity in the face of worldly challenges. In ancient Egypt, the lotus was associated with the sun and creation, as the flower blooms during the day and closes at night.
Uses: The lotus plant is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Lotus leaves are believed to have cooling properties and are used to treat fevers and aid in digestion. The seeds, known as lotus nuts, are used in food and as a remedy for insomnia, indigestion, and anxiety. Lotus root is commonly used in Asian cuisine and is rich in vitamins and minerals, contributing to overall health. The flower itself is used in teas to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Lotus extract is also popular in skincare products for its anti-ageing and soothing properties.
