They are fragrant and radiant blossoms. They symbolize life and beauty and many good things. According to surveys, flowers evoke only positive associations in people – from joie de vivre to confidence and contentment, from cheerfulness to relaxation and happiness.
Letting flowers do the talking
It's no surprise that we have always used flowers to make other people happy, and in many cases they are also used to express specific messages. In Victorian times, people turned the language of flowers into a high art of complex communication. The bouquets that were sent were intricately constructed compositions in which each blossom made its own statement.
In the western world, roses are frequently a traditional sign of love, while violets represent modesty. Carnations were often seen as a symbol of being engaged – and in some cultures mallow was presented when someone wanted to be forgiven. This is no coincidence: mallow has anti-inflammatory properties which heal festering wounds, which makes it the perfect symbol of softening someone's heart.
A scent to loosen your tongue
Flowers can also express different sentiments with their scents — sometimes so powerfully that they inspire romance and help suitors pitch their woo. It is no coincidence that Shakespeare's Juliet philosophized about her Romeo:
Oh, what’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
It goes without saying that people have always tried to capture and preserve the volatile scent of flowers to bewitch the senses. Originally, the motivation to do so was rooted more in religion than the senses: in ancient times, believers hoped to communicate with the gods per fumum (L, ”via smoke”), and their burnt offerings included flowers. Over 2000 years ago, the Arabs invented distillation, which in turn led to perfume as we know it today. When it comes to the fragrance with the highest concentration of flowers, Jean Patou's Joy breaks all records: 30 milliliters of perfume contain the essence of 10,600 jasmine blossoms and 336 May roses!
Multi-talented wonders of the cosmetic world
Flowers are also used in cosmetics, of course — shower soaps, deodorants, facial toners, lotions and cremes can all have a wonderful floral scent. But the pleasant smell is not the only thing that flowers can bring to a product, and in the meantime their positive effects have been scientifically confirmed. Mallow, hibiscus, lotus, camomile and marigold are among the plants which are known to have skin-soothing properties. Lavender, orange blossom, rose, geranium and ylang-ylang are antimicrobial. Oxidative stress can be offset with active ingredients found in lotus, lavender, passion flower and marigold, whereas sophora, cornflower and Damask rose moisturize the skin. Meadow flowers with their high pollen content enhance skin-cleansing products and have deodorant and stimulant effects.