Flowers

Uses of Flowering Plants

Flowers and other plants have long since been used for medicinal purposes, and they continue to be an important part of medicine in modern times. According to the Wildflower Information website, around 25 percent of the basic ingredients in modern medicine come from flowering plants. Flowering plants have been used to treat various ailments, from cardiac trouble to menstrual cramping. St. John's wort, for example, was once used as a cure-all for multiple medical problems. Currently, St. John's wort is used to treat depression. Wild foxglove plants are used to treat heart disease. Before using floral extracts as a medical treatment, speaking with a physician is recommended to avoid the consumption of a potentially poisonous flower.

Eating flowers have been part of our culinary history for as long as using flowers for medicine. The petals, leaves, or the whole plant of edible flowers have been used to flavor foods. Squash blossoms, for example, provide a nice flavoring to several dishes. Some chefs garnish plates with rose petals or dandelion blooms to enhance the flavors of their dishes. Rose petals may also be candied for a sweet floral treat. Some flowers respond well to being infused in oil, vinegar, or alcohol, such as vodka. Honey is created using the pollen of flowers as cultivated by bees. As with medical flowers, using flowers in food should be handled carefully to avoid consuming toxic plants.

Fragrant flowers inspire many perfumes and fragrances. Roses provide essential oil for many different perfumes, while lilacs and lavender blooms prove popular for perfumes and other cosmetic uses. Some people even choose to make their own perfumes using alcohol and fresh blooms. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette notes that witch hazel, jasmine, and Chinese perfume tree blossoms work well as natural perfumes. Flower petals may be used in potpourri blends to provide pleasant scents throughout the home. The flowers can also be put into satchels for freshening dresser drawers or closets.