Having fresh flowers in the house is said to be one of the most uplifting and yet simple ways to cheer the senses. The gift of flowers is commonly understood to lift the spirits in any event, which is why we send flowers as a sympathy gift or to cheer someone up when they're unwell.
Few people understand exactly why flowers have such a positive impact, but in addition to bringing happiness via a gift of colour and beauty, the gift of flowers allegedly has a secret scientific formula in its fragrance that can intoxicate and bring a little sunshine into the house.
How is all this possible?
Well, scientists have measured the effects of having fresh flowers in your living space and concluded that a substance called phenyl ethylamine (which is present in flowers such as roses) has the effect of slowing the breakdown of Beta Endorphins. These are the happiest of hormones and the ones that are also found in chocolate.
Prolonging the feelings of love and happiness in the brain, cut flowers can then enhance the feelings associated with being in love.
In addition to this it has long been noted that scents such as lavender have a relaxing effect on the recipient and thus help to ward off stress and aid sleep. The scent of a flower is as important as the bloom or colour itself. Ultimately it is the combination of all these aspects that make the flower such a healing gift.
There are many other ways in which we use “flower power” to help make our world a better place. Flower essences are put together in tincture form drawing on the ancient associations with each bloom for healing purpose; most famous of these are the Bach Flower Remedies.
These remedies and others like them include acute combinations of flowers such as the wild rose and the star of Bethlehem blossoms to create a positive effect on the emotions. Said to aid and stabilise the feelings of the person taking such a remedy; these infusions have been popular with those who do not like to take chemicals to realign their emotions.
Whether you choose to observe the beauty of a flower or ingest its healing properties, there is little doubt that they have a positive effect even if you consider having a brighter room full of the wonderful scent of flowers to be enough of a boon.
Why not consider giving your own household an additional gift when you next invest time in a bouquet of flowers? It seems strange that while we acknowledge the positive traits of fresh flowers it's unusual for people to buy fresh flowers for themselves.
Treat yourself to an unusual bouquet of flowers from a leading supplier like Interflora and let the sunshine into your life too.