Flowers have been part of natures beauty for many thousands of years. Flowers have been used medicinally for many years, and some flowers, their roots, and leaves are still used in pharmaceutical application such as deadly nightshade by common name is belladonna atropa and is common wild flower although poisonous it is used for medicinal purposes by pharmaceutical manufactures all over the world.
Flowers are also used in natural healing for their medicinal healing properties. Such as dandelion for an astringent, prunes for constipation, red raspberry leaves to bring on menses. Anyone who is interested in flower and herb lore can find information in any alchemy publication. A good source of information for beginners is at your local Co Op, health food stores are another place to look, your local library or bookstore can also show you to books that can teach you how to use flowers and herbs in everyday life.
Flowers have been used for decoration for thousands of years as well today we think of flowers as a gesture of love or friendship. We enjoy flowers and their scent from out gardens and flower beds. We think of flowers during weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.
We also use flowers to decorate our homes in special arrangements whether the flowers are silk or real. Flowers are also used in many different crafts. Ancients from all over the world have used flowers as paint or ink. Flowers have been used to dye material, yarn, thread, even wool.
Flowers have also been used as body decorations through out the ages not just during the sixties and early seventies.
Flowers also have special meaning associated with them which has been very popular during the middle ages and Victorian era. Victorian folk lore had a lot of faith in flowers hence the saying “he loves me, he loves me not”
Think about when you were a child and you went tromping through the forest and stumbled on some daisys and their happened to be a fairy ring close by if lore has been passed down through your family your parent or grandparent would have told you to pick a daisy and make a wish on it before laying in the fairy ring as a gift to the fairies.
Flowers have been used in nature religions for thousands of years as well. Flowers in recipes which you eat are now considered a delectable salad item especially at a very expensive restaurant. I was very surprised when I had seen a salad served with flowers because most of the people I had known had no idea people could even eat flowers. Most people thought they were gross and couldn’t imagine them as food.
There are so many different ways flowers have played a part in history and in the world its hard to even think of all the ways. Next time you walking through the park or your yard take notice how your flowers are homes for spiders. I know your think yuck… but those spiders eat harmful insects in your yard. So in the delicate balance of life even flowers have their place.
