The Exalting Power of Flowers
by Rosie Flores
http://www.gtflowers.com
Flowers have always made people happy, but now scientists
have come up with some amazing facts about flowers. A recent
study conducted by the Human Development Lab at Rutgers
University in New Jersey found that a single bouquet of
flowers put a smile on 100 % of the recipients' faces. The
participants reported less sadness, diminished anxiety,
increased contact with family and friends, and an overall
higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction - all of
this, from one small floral bouquet!
Aromatherapy uses plant and floral fragrances to heal and
refresh the body and mind. Every plant, flower, or herb has
an aromatic essence that determines its unique smell or
taste. These essences work through our sense of smell and
trigger the brain to release chemicals that reduce pain and
relax and calm the body. Aromatherapy is not a new concept.
Anthropologists have revealed that primitive man used
scented flowers and herbs for both ceremony and pleasure.
Ancient Egyptians added the essence of chamomile to massage
oils, and Greek athletes sprinkled themselves with scented
nectar to enhance athletic performance. Cleopatra used
pillows filled with rose petals to induce sleep, the Romans
added lavender to their baths to soothe sore muscles and
relax the spirit, and the tribes of the African people
coated their skin with fragrant oils to protect them from
the sun.
It's been scientifically proved that floral fragrances can
enhance our moods and health dramatically. For instance,
lavender flowers and roses produce a calming effect.
Fragrant flowers such as the lily, rose, lilac, and sweet
pea are known to invoke feelings of romance. The fragrance
of the yellow flowers of the ylang ylang tree is so
captivating that Indonesians place it on the beds of
newlyweds.
Besides changing your mood floral fragrances also improve
your learning and productivity, too. In 1995, a study at the
Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation showed
that aromatic essences - particularly floral scents -
increased learning speed by 17 per cent. It also showed that
office workers worked more efficiently in offices filled
with fragrant flowers than in odorless environments.
The bible notes the frequent use of frankincense so our
ancestors have been using fragrance to enhance the home
throughout history. Shakespeare's plays have numerous
references to potpourri. The ancient Greeks used to perfume
the air of banquet halls, and the Romans sprinkled doves'
wings with scented oils before releasing them into the room.
Today, when people put up their home for sale, they make
sure to provide relaxing music and subtle fragrances.
Together they make the home more inviting. A home's scent is
particularly important to potential buyers; it can make or
break a buyer's interest. Placing fragrant bouquets or mild
potpourri in selected rooms before an open house often
results in a faster sale.
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