Flowers are simply divine and beautiful just like us!     They come in so many different types, colours, fragrances and sizes and each is an artwork.

Ancient medicinal practices have always given much importance to the magical properties of flowers besides of course their spellbinding aromas.  Throughout the centuries flowers have been used extensively for beautification, rejuvenation and perfumery.

Women are often match with flowers on their wedding day and baby girls are named after flowers.   We've all known a Lily, Iris, Jasmine, Heather, Holly, Poppy or other girl's flower name in our life time.

Flowers have incredible properties that can be used as natural remedies, benefiting us in many ways.    The power of flowers to heal and beautify our skin and hair is almost as the heavens intended for us.      Not just for skin, hair and body but also as antioxidants found in teas.

Flowers can be used as a refreshing face wash, an astringent, massage oil, lotion, body soap - you name it!    While some flowers help in treating skin related problems, others act as anti-inflammatory agents or stress busters.

Gardenhood likes to promote a cruelty free existence so if you are looking to buy flower-based beauty products that aren't tested on animals we recommend that you educate yourself on products before buying.

We have researched the market and can recommend using an educational tool like Nourished LIfe Australia they have some excellent articles and also sell pure organic and Vegan products (Nourished Life Australia).     AESOP is a personal favourite, vegan, cruelty free (not tested on animals) and all the products we have tried are effective and lush!      AESOP is at the more expensive end of town but we have found some deals for AESOP on Strawberry Net.

Lush Australia  is another handmade cosmetic company with all the expected products you would use daily.   Our personal favourite is their bath bombs.    Although your writer had a terrible fail with Lush's henna hair dye so if you are thinking of using henna on your hair do some research because henna is layer based meaning it coats the hair making it difficult to remove.

If you are on a budget or want to try making your own we have some lovely flower recipes for you to try:

Jasmine

An all-time favourite, the benefits of jasmine are known far and wide.    You'll find Jasmine in various cosmetic products such as face creams, lotions, soaps, oils, etc.    Jasmine reminds us of summer with its beautiful fragrance it makes a glorious bath vinegar when infused with white vinegar.

Infuse it with sweet almond oil or make a jasmine spray mist by steeping the flowers in mineral water at night and straining it into a spray bottle.     Store in the fridge and use it daily for a week and see the difference in your skin.

Best Used

Baths
Face creams
Soaps
Lotions
Oils
Perfume

Pansy Flowers and Pimples! 

You would never guess that this little flower is so very useful to treat skin and hair.    It contains salicylic acid, which makes it soothing, a good astringent and a calming agent.   Use it as a lotion, vinegar or an ointment.

Take 1 cup of the flowers and leaves and boil them in 1 litre of water.   Strain and use the filtrate.   If you are suffering from painful pimples, apply a paste of fresh leaves, which will soothe and cool inflammation.

Best Used

Hair conditioner and protector
Pimples
Skin inflammations

Bergamot

Belonging to the citrus family, Bergamot is known to be helpful in the treatment of many skin related issues.   A strong tea made of bergamot flowers can be splashed onto the face as an astringent or used for strengthening hair.

Take 500 grams of the herb and boil in 1 litre of water, strain and then use.

Best Used

Hair strengthen
Astringent Skin Lotion

Calendula / Marigold

An easily available flower especially during winters.   Calendula is popularly known as marigold.   It's also delish!    The petals are actually edible, so you can enjoy some with your salads.

Calendula oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.   This flower when made into a paste can be used to reduce skin blemishes.

You can also make a strong tea using 1/2 cup of flowers to 1 1/2 cups of boiling water.    Add the petals to a baby's bath, which will help reduce nappy rash, sunburn and cradle cap.

If you have insect bites, a poultice can be made and applied as it is both soothing and healing.   The paste of the flowers will help reduce blemishes and clarify the skin.    Use it as a mask or make a face mist.

Best Used 

Edible
Anti-Inflammatory
Nappy Rash, Sunburn, Cradle Cap
Insect Bites
Blemishes

Carnation

Ease stress and your muscles by combining carnation petals and vinegar.     Carnations are beautifully brightly coloured, sweet-scented flowers and were commonly referred to as 'divine' in ancient Greece.

Take 100ml of vinegar and add the petals of 10 carnations.   Let this sit for about a day and then add to your bath water.

Best Used

Stress Release
Muscle Relaxant

Dandelion

A flower name derived from a French term meaning 'Lion's Tooth'.    Lion because it's a powerful diuretic, and an important ingredient for herbal remedy to various ailments.

In terms of beauty, dandelion is filled with nourishment and is great for the skin.

Make a tea of both the leaves and flowers and use as a face wash for itchy skin or eczema and to treat redness.   This particular flower makes the most fabulous body oil and you can steep the flowers and leaves in a good quality olive or almond oil for a week before using it to massage your body or add to your bath water.

Best Used

Internal Cleanser
Massage oil
Calm itchy skin

Tuberose

Very commonly available at florists.  It is popularly known as Rajanigandha in India.   Besides being used in perfumery, the flowers also have a few health benefiting properties.

Tuberose can be made into a fragrant massage oil;  take 200ml of rice bran oil and steep about 20 flowers in it, let it rest for a week before you strain and use it as an invigorating massage oil.

Best Used

Massage oil

Some Essential Oil Suggestions for Different Skin Types

Dry Skin:     Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Inflamed/Irritable Skin:   Clary Sage, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Myrrh, Myrtle, Peppermint, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Mature Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood.
Normal Skin: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli
Oily Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon.
Sensitive Skin:  German Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Rosewood

Gardenhood plans on running a few natural beauty articles using products which are created cruelty free.    If you have a topic you would love to read about please comment.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that your beauty shines brightly every day.