10 Flowers that Cure Diseases

These 10 flowers that cure diseases will be your best friends forever! 

An aphorism that has graced the moral story books to becoming a time-tested Bollywood movie mantra- a friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend is someone whom we can rely upon during a crisis and what can be worse than ailing health! While modern medicine has evolved to the extent that we just have to gulp down tablets and capsules or apply pain relief balms to get relief from most illnesses, one should acknowledge the practices of our forefathers who used medicines found in nature such as our flower friends.

The therapeutic and natural properties of these flowers have been historically and culturally validated by practitioners of medicine. Of late, scientists have also recognized the medicinal utilities of these flower plants. Though the pervasive practice of growing flowers is attributed to its aesthetic prowess, one should not limit them to this uni-linear purpose. Flowers are also endowed with medicinal value and the knowledge of which can heal our wounds, provide relief from respiratory diseases or soothe excruciating migraines.

Here’s a list of 10 flowers that cure diseases while being extremely alluring too!

FLOWERS	SCIENTIFIC NAME	REMEDY	HOW TO USE	PHOTO
1. Hollyhock	Alcea Rosea	Respiratory and inflammatory ailments, eases cystitis and frequent urination.	Hollyhock tea and can also be used in salad
2. Roman Chamomile (looks like daisy with an apple-like fragrance)	Anthemis nobilis a.k.a Chamaemelum nobile,	Gastric distress due to overeating	Chamomile tea
3. Snapdragon	Antirrhinum majus	Fever, inflammation, and applied to the body surface to treat burns, infections and haemorrhoids. Gentle sedative and a mental relaxant.
4. Pot marigold	Calendula officinalis	It can be used in the treatment of ringworm, cradle cap and athlete’s foot.	Used as preparations because of its antiseptic and detoxifying properties. Stews can be prepared with it.

5. Madagascar periwinkle (contains four medicinal alkaloids)	Catharanthus rosea a.k.a. Vinca rosea	Alkaloid Vincristine is beneficial for the treatment of childhood leukaemia and breast cancer. Vinblastine is used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s Disease and choriocarcinoma.
6. Purple cone flower	Echinacea purpurea syn E. angustifoli	Plant extracts stimulate the immune system to combat bacterial and viral infections. It is antiseptic and antimicrobial, with properties that act to increase the number of white blood cells available to destroy bacteria and slow the spread of infection.
7. Lavender	Lavendula officinalis syn. L. angustifolia, English Lavender	Insomnia, anxiety states, digestive complaints including meteorism (abdominal swelling from gas in the intestinal or peritoneal cavity), loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas (flatulence), and upset stomach. migraine headaches and depression	Used in combination with other herbs
8. Wrinkled Rose (rich source of Vitamin C)	Rosa rogusa	Blood circulation and provides soothing effect to a “restless foetus” (in china). Battles scurvy	Tea and jelly
9. Evening Primrose	Oenothera biennis	Treatment of eczema and other allergic skin disorders. Three to four grams of primrose oil per day may be beneficial in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome	Primrose oil
10. Feverfew (derives its name from its medicinal use)	Tanacetum parthenium syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium	Reduces fever and migraine. Useful for arthritis. They have been employed in poultices on tumours and ulcers.

The next time you suffer from an unbearable migraine, menstrual cramps, burns or gastric problems you know some flowers that cure diseases. Organic remedies are widespread and more prevalent than you think and can always be at your service if you wish. However, all these suggestions are not meant to undermine the role of your medicinal consultant and you would be better off informing your doctor about any such usage.