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Flower Power
by Rosie Flores
http://www.gtflowers.com
It's a fact, flowers make people happy. Now scientists have
come up with some amazing facts about flowers. A recent
study conducted by the Human Development Lab at Rutgers
University in New Jersey found that a single bouquet of
flowers put a smile on 100 % of the recipients' faces. The
participants reported less sadness, diminished anxiety,
increased contact with family and friends, and an overall
higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction .
Many people use aromatherapy to heal and refresh the body
and mind. Every plant, flower, or herb has an aromatic
essence that determines its unique smell or taste. These
essences work through our sense of smell and trigger the
brain to release chemicals that reduce pain and relax and
calm the body. Aromatherapy is not a new concept.
Anthropologists have revealed that primitive man used
scented flowers and herbs for both ceremony and pleasure.
Ancient Egyptians added the essence of chamomile to massage
oils, and Greek athletes sprinkled themselves with scented
nectar to enhance athletic performance. Cleopatra used
pillows filled with rose petals to induce sleep, the Romans
added lavender to their baths to soothe sore muscles and
relax the spirit, and citizens of African tribes coated
their skin with fragrant oils to protect them from the sun.
It's been scientifically proved that floral fragrances can
enhance our moods and health dramatically. For instance,
lavender flowers and roses produce a calming effect.
Fragrant flowers such as the lily, rose, lilac, and sweet
pea are known to invoke feelings of romance. The fragrance
of the yellow flowers of the ylang ylang tree is so
captivating that Indonesians place it on the beds of
newlyweds.
In 1995, a study at the Smell and Taste Treatment and
Research Foundation showed that aromatic essences -
particularly floral scents - increased learning speed by 17
per cent. It also showed that office workers worked more
efficiently in offices filled with fragrant flowers than in
odorless environments.
Our ancestors have been using fragrance to enhance the home
throughout history. The bible notes the frequent use of
frankincense. Shakespeare's plays have numerous references
to potpourri. The ancient Greeks used to perfume the air of
banquet halls, and the Romans sprinkled doves' wings with
scented oils before releasing them into the room.
Placing fragrant bouquets or mild potpourri in selected
rooms before an open house often results in a faster sale.
When people put up their home for sale, they make sure to
provide relaxing music and subtle fragrances. Together they
make the home more inviting. A home's scent is particularly
important to potential buyers; it can make or break a
buyer's interest.
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