FLOWER POWER AND SKIN HEALTH
Flowers have long been known to improve moods. You’re going on a date? Get your date some flowers. Picking up your family at the airport? Get them a bouquet. Want to freshen up your living room? Get some flowers and put them in a vase.
They represent hope because they symbolize milestones in our lives. No decor for a wedding, a baby shower, or a birthday is complete without flowers. They evoke our sense of beauty, and their aroma grounds us in tranquilly.
They’re multi-purpose. They look beautiful and smell amazing!
Speaking of them being multi-purpose, they don’t only have external benefits but internal ones as well. Meaning, flowers are good for your skin, hair, and health as well. People have been using flowers to maintain their health for a long time now. Flowers help alleviate typical age-related issues by lowering depression, encouraging social interaction, and preventing memory loss. They provide the body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
I got the opportunity to interview one of the founders of Seriously Play, Sarah Soo, to get a glimpse of how flowers have been a beneficial aspect in her life.
How did you learn about the benefits flowers have for our health?
Last September, I came across this Chinese mobile application. Its name, roughly translated to English is called “Literate Book”. The app is kind of like TikTok, where you will find short videos regarding a lot of subjects. All the videos are in Chinese. The ones that I found most interesting were the videos that talked about flower benefits.
How often do you consume the flowers?
Every alternate day, I like to have rose tea. I use a filter teapot to make the rose tea. I put the petals in the filter, add water, and let it come to a boil. Sometimes I soak the rose petals with goji berries, red dates, jasmine, and dried mulberry for half an hour in a slow cooker, then consume the tea. It is quite fragrant and flavourful. It really helps me relax after a long day at work.
Studies say that rose is a well-known astringent for the skin. Rosewater balances oily skin, softens and tones the skin, and helps alleviate skin irritation in people with sensitive skin. It works well as an astringent and well as a deep cleanser and toner, giving you a naturally younger appearance. Rose petals calm the skin and relieve severe itchiness and irritation since they are rich in antioxidants and antibacterial substances.
Previously, Ms. Sarah dealt with severe dry skin. During the interview, she said that the stress at work caused a hormonal imbalance in her body which led her skin to be upset as well. Along with taking prescribed skincare, Ms. Sarah also included flowers such as rose and jasmine to help her skin recover fast. She noticed visible results in only four months! Her skin has improved so much that she rarely uses makeup now, only during shoot days.
Natural ingredients take time to work. It takes consistency and patience. The results did not arrive for me overnight. I made sure to stick to a routine so that I got the results I was hoping for. Even though I was applying skincare cosmetics, I wanted the benefits of natural ingredients as well because beauty comes from inside out. You may keep on applying external products but will see no results if you don’t take care of yourself internally first. That is what I did, and I am glad it is working for me.
Other than roses, black mulberries are also known for their health benefits. They have been connected to lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and cancer risk and are a good source of iron, vitamin C, and numerous plant components. They are a Powerhouse of Antioxidants. Additionally, they are a good source of fibre. Mulberries provide about 20% of the daily recommended amount of fibre in a single serving.
Ms. Sarah agrees! When asked which flower had the most impact/benefit, she replied:
Roses and black mulberries! They have been really beneficial to me. I have noticed black mulberries improve my overall immune system. I feel very energized nowadays and don’t get tired too quickly.
What I love about black mulberries is that they can be drunk in tea and shake form – whichever type of drink you are in the mood for! They are also good for inducing period flow during menstruation as it increases blood circulation in the body. One of the first benefits is its action in the relief of premenstrual and menopause symptoms. Its contribution has proved to be essential in reducing menstrual cramps, headaches, blood flow, chills, joint pain, irritation, nervousness, and insomnia, among others.
Do you think a person has to be of a certain age to use the flowers?
The minimum age, I think, is 18. However, females must start taking care of themselves as early as they can. The aging process for women starts pretty early on. I think by 25, you can start seeing visible differences in women’s skin. So, I would definitely recommend starting early and sticking to a consistent routine to get healthy skin.
Are these flowers expensive or difficult to find?
Not at all! This is one of the reasons why I love them. My mom used to buy from Chinese herbal shops but now they are readily available in physical stores and online stores like Shopee, and they are super affordable as well. I usually buy from Chinese medicine stores. I get a 500g packet of rose petals for RM12. They last a long time because only 4-5 petals are required to make 1 cup of tea.
Lastly, which flowers would you recommend to others?
I would recommend rose and jasmine. They both have health benefits and will also make your house smell good – a natural, inexpensive perfume for your home!
On top of that, roses are also known to reduce hair fall. But you have to consume it for a long period of time to notice visible changes so I would say have patience if you choose that process. If you want, you can also add black beans to it. Black beans enrich the black color in hair.
As seen from Ms. Sarah’s experience, we can say that incorporating flowers in our beauty and health routine is a must. However, please remember that this information has been based on personal reviews. What suited Ms. Sarah’s skin may not suit everyone. Ms. Sarah also mentions in the interview that during the whole process of consuming flower teas, she has had no adverse reactions to any of them. However, we still encourage you to do your own research before investing your time and energy into any long-term health routine.