Therapeutic Properties of Ornamental Plants

N. Patel, Dr M.K. Sharma,
D.K. Vasoya and R.U. Patel
College of Horticulture,
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,
Jagudan (Gujarat)

Flowers have been valued for their calming and healing properties since the dawn of human civilization. Ornamental plants are playing an important role in our day-to-day life directly or indirectly. Since ancient times, they have played a significant role in the lives of people, serving a variety of functions including adornment, decoration, medicine (fresh, distillates, decoction, and powdered form), food adjectives (fresh garnishes, dried, cocktails, and canned sugar), religious rites, culinary preparations, essential oils, and beauty care, among others. Ayurveda, Unani, and other traditional systems of medicine have many decorative plant and flower-based medicines that are effective for treating a variety of disease conditions and ailments. Ornamental plants are considered indispensable in life and create a fresh, elegant and warm atmosphere that helps in relaxing one’s mind at any time of the day.

Although flowers have many useful qualities, the average person simply enjoys them for their exquisiteness, scent, and colour. It is clear from the way we typically use this most exquisite gift from nature that we are unaware of the true worth of flowers. Flowers include calming and soothing components that can’t be produced in a lab by chemicals. The majority of flowers have positive benefits on people’s health. The perfect balance and tranquilly between the body and mind are facilitated by flower extracts. They provide the body with nourishment while also calming the mind with their fragrance. A crucial prerequisite for good health is this balance.

Rose (Rosa gallica) petals and hips contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E and K, folic acid, potassium, calcium and iron, but little used in natural medicine, but it is time for re-evaluation of its properties. Rose flowers are anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, anti-spasmodic, cleansing, anti- bacterial, astringent and antiseptic It also fight anxiety and depression, increase circulation and relieve infections and viruses. Rose has anti-inflammatory properties which make it effective for joint and muscle pain relief. The antiseptic nature of rose petals make wonderful treatment for wounds, bruises, rashes, their anti-inflammatory properties make wonderful treatment for sore throats. Rose hips tea is also used in the treatment of diarrhea. Rose water is mildly astringent and makes a valuable lotion for inflamed and sore skin.

In marigold, the bright coloured is so much more than just an ornamental flower in the gardens with impressive health benefits. Different species of Tagetes have been found to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, wound healing, insecticidal, analgesic activities. They are highly beneficial for purposes as improving blood circulation, headaches, cold sores, toothaches and sore throats. Consumption of marigolds can help to treat gall bladder and liver dysfunctions, detoxify the digestive system and protect the body from infection. They are said to purify the blood and flower juice is given as a remedy for bleeding piles and also used in rheumatism, colds and bronchitis.

Chrysanthemum has its place in the traditional Chinese medicine for prescriptions concerning and relieving from dizziness, headache and insomnia. The flower is proven to improve conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes, fever, swelling and dizziness. It also helps to improve vision, soothe sore eyes and to encounter infections such as cold and flu. For eyestrains put flower heads in hot water for 10 minutes and place them on closed eyes.

Plant extract of jasmine Possess antioxidant, antipyretic, antidiabetic, analgesic, antidepressant, anti-insecticidal, anticancer, derm­at­ological, cardiovascular, anti-obesity and gastro properties. Jasmine flowers make a calming and sedative infusion and relieve tension. It is used for the treatment of dry, greasy, irritated, sensitive skin, irritating coughs, alleviating muscular pain and treating sprains. It also aid in digestive issues, stomach ulcers and ulcers. As therapeutic as ever, these flowers will help you retain your physical and mental health. Jasmine is said to produce feeling of optimism and confidence.

Lotus flowers are popular in both Eastern and Western cultures for their effectiveness against most serious illnesses such as cholera, bronchitis, abdominal cramps, bloody discharges and as a cardiac tonic. Lotus flower and rhizome posses’ astringent, demulcent, mild sedative, spasmolytic, antiseptic properties, used in infusion internally for chronic diarrhea, as a douche for leucorrhea and vaginitis as a gargle for sore throat. They were also said to improve vocal sound. Leaves of lotus has diuretic and astringent properties, used to treat fever, sweating and as a styptic. Flower stalk is used for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Pot marigold is one of the most well known and versatile flowering annual and was used as a soup ingredient, as seasoning for salads and meat dishes, and as a coloring agent in butter in ancient Rome. The bright petals are mostly used as a wound healing medicine for inflammations of the skin, mucous, scars, blisters, and allergic rashes in the form of infusions, tinctures, and ointments. Calendula flowers were used for liver obstructions, snake bites and to strengthen the heart. Topical application of infusion of flowers is used as antifungal and antiseptic in wounds, marks, freckles, sprain and conjunctivitis. Calendula extracts raises total hemoglobin levels in human life.

Lavender is better known for its sweet scented aroma than its medicinal properties. Enriched with antimicrobial properties, lavender oil finds wide use in cosmetics and aroma therapies. Lavender essential oil, administered by inhalation, effective in reducing anxiety levels and can be used in the treatment of chronic anxiety as complementary therapy. Lavender oil helps to treat acne, soothes cuts, bruises and insect bites. It also helps to treat nervous system disorders such as depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine. Fresh flower or oil bath at night relieves muscle tension, tones the nervous system and encourages sleep.

Passion flower has a long history of use as a medicine in central and North American herbal tradition. Passionflower best known as a remedy for insomnia, agitation, anxiety and epilepsy. It has valuable pain killing properties and is given for toothache, asthma, high blood pressure and muscle cramp. It also induces a calming sensation.
In begonia, an infusion made by soaking the flowers in hot water helps to eliminate headaches and rid the body of toxins. The crushed flowers and leaves can also be rubbed directly on the skin to help relieve pain and heal sores. In Begonia picta. The juice of whole plant is also consumed in treatment in peptic ulcer.

Hibiscus –In medicine, the red coloured flowered variety is more preferred. The leaves and flowers are observed to be promoters of hair growth and aid in healing of ulcers. Flowers have found to be effective in the treatment of arterial hypertension and to have significant antifertility effect. Powdered fruit taken with water orally for menorrhagia fever. Hibiscus Tea: Hibiscus Tea helps to improve cardiovascular health, cure stomach disorders, gives relief from asthma, sore throat and hiccups, reduces risk of colorectal cancer, effective remedy for curing urinary tract diseases and aids in improving blood circulation.

Daisy has a stimulating effect on digestion and increases appetite. It has been used to treat several ailments related to the digestive tract such as gastritis, diarrhea and constipation. Daisies have been used historically for painful cramps during menstruation and urinary tract inflammation. Owing to its healing properties, daisy flower can be used on small wounds, sores, boils, scratches, dermatitis, rash and acne.

Golden rod flower contains saponins, diterpenes, insulin, flavonoids and cinnamates. The saponins are anti-fungal, antioxidant, diuretic and astringent and act specifically against the candid fungus, the main cause of vaginal and oral thrush.

Portulaca flowers has mucil­aginous properties make it a soothing remedy for gastro-intestinal problems such as dysentery and diarrhea and useful in the alleviation of bladder ailments, especially in difficulty in passing urine. It prevents high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart problems by inhibiting and treating inflammation & manages normal functioning. Decoction of seeds taken orally to cure cardiovascular disease and fresh juice of leaves taken orally for blood purifier This herb can be used to treat depression it has anti-depressant effects.

Candy tuft is little used in in modern herbalism and a bitter taste tonic, aiding digestion, relieving bloating. Candy tuft has clusters of white flowers, traditionally taken to treat gout, rheumatism and arthritis and contains high vitamin C.

California poppy is effective for inducing sleep trouble during insomnia, nervous agitation and diseases that are related to bladder and liver. In combination with other herbs, California poppy is used for depression, long-term mental and physical tiredness, nerve pain and blood vessel problems. Its sedative properties promote relaxation and the flower is known to improve cognitive abilities, mental health and learning power.
Vinca flowers have traditional use and fresh juice of leaves and dried flowers are effective as a treatment for diabetes. It contains catharanthine showed anti-tumour activity and has powerful anti-cancer agent.

Viola tricolor contains flavonoids, methyl salicylate and mucilage and is used as a purifying agent and is taken for skin conditions such as eczema. Infusion of viola tricolor flowers and leaves are given to children in cases of coetaneous eruptions and effective for diarrhea. Being expectorant viola is used to treat bronchitis and whooping cough.