Flower Power: The Health Benefits of Flowers for Your Skin, Hair and Nutrition

You might not believe it, but spring is only a few weeks away.

This means that any day now, all manner of fresh flowers will be peering at us from our

gardens, not to mention the window of the local florist.

The bright colors and lovely scents of those first spring buds can do wonders for those

of us still feeling the winter blues.

But did you know that flowers can improve your health in other ways, too?

For thousands of years, humans have used oils from flowers, as well as the blossoms

themselves, to treat a variety of maladies.

We’ve made ointments, teas, and even eaten the flower whole!

Ultimately, flowers offer a natural way for all of us to look better and feel healthier.

“Incorporate flowers into your

health and beauty routine.

You just might find that, thanks

to these beautiful blossoms,

this is your best year ever!”

If you’re wondering how flowers can benefit your health, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:

Your Skin

Cosmetic chemists often use floral oils in their products.

This is because these oils (particularly from flowers like rose or lavender) have anti-inflammatory

and antiseptic properties that work to improve your skin’s overall quality.

Of course, these chemists then add all kinds of fillers and additives that can do more harm than

good, which is why we stick with the good stuff!

If you get your hands on some lavender oil, for example, you’ll have one of the most versatile

skin care products around.

This oil is full of antioxidants, which helps to pull toxins from the skin and give you a beautiful

glow that’s perfect for spring time.

Use it as a toner.

Apply it topically to treat eczema or acne.

You can even add it to your bathwater to relieve sore muscles!

With lavender oil in your beauty arsenal, you will be prepared to handle any skin emergency.

Your Hair

Just like skin care products, natural oils from flowers, fruits, and vegetables are all over your

commercial shampoos and conditioners.

Unfortunately, all those dreaded additives are also all over your shampoos and conditioners.

If you’re looking for a natural way to treat your hair, reach for those floral oils once again —

including our good friend, lavender.

You can massage lavender oil into your scalp for just about anything: to prevent dandruff,

to treat alopecia, even to kill lice!

But of course, lavender isn’t the only oil that benefits your scalp.

Another great flower to use is hibiscus (and not just because that flower looks amazing in

the hair of every beautiful model in a “visit Hawaii” ad).

Ground hibiscus leaves and hibiscus oil make a great hair conditioner and can even stave

off premature graying.

Simply apply the oil directly to your scalp and massage it in!

Your Health

Everyone knows about the mental health benefits of flowers.

Their bright colors cheer us up.

Receiving them gives our brains that extra shot of dopamine.

They even oxygenate the air, which can boost our brain cells and help us concentrate.

But flowers offer physical health benefits, too!

There are many flowers that you can include in your diet to live a healthier life.

Some edible flowers make a great addition to salads or hors d’oeuvres, while others are

best used in a tea blend.

One great example is marigolds; this flower has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in

digestion and soothing sore throats.

Simply dry out the flower and add it to your tea or use marigold oil to make your very own

cough drop recipe (like this one, which uses lemon and ginger).

“For thousands of years, humans

have used oils from flowers, as

well as the blossoms themselves,

to treat a variety of maladies.”

This spring, incorporate flowers into your health and beauty routine.

You just might find that, thanks to these beautiful blossoms, 2017 is your best year ever!

About the Author
Cassie Brewer is a journalist based in Southern California. Her interest in health and beauty when she started working as a makeup artist. Since then, she has dedicated her time to writing about diet and wellness in order to help others not only be beautiful on the outside, but radiant on the inside.

How have you used flowers for your hair, skin or health?

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