Image source: This is a beautiful painting by 9th Grade Ajunath Sindhu, from Trissur, Kerala: This student painted to depict his mother’s daily routine, when his father continually introduced his mother as just a housewife and that she doesn’t work. Ajunath was surprised at his father’s comments, because he never saw his mother idle.
What is the essence of a woman?
International Women’s day gives you an extra reason to celebrate amazing and wonderful women in your life. On this day 24 hours is dedicated to celebrating inspiring women. Proud to be a woman, I myself feel that it is a great opportunity to spread a little kindness and show a token of appreciation and
gratitude for all incredible women in my life!
“Dedicated to all beautiful women out there, here’s to all the care you take for everyone around you, to all the love you give, to all the smiles you spread”. Let’s celebrate the essence of womanhood and take a moment to cherish all the roles she fulfils with grace.
In few words my feelings about women include – “A sweet little child who loves pink, that daring adolescent who tries her mother’s cosmetics while no one is looking, that aspiring young damsel who is as worried about her studies as she is about the latest fashion trends, that shy little bride who grabs her husband’s hand while yearning to earn respect in her new home, that experimenting parent who cares for and protects her child like no one else and that confident entrepreneur who can shake the world”.
Women are more than the gateway to the human experience. They use that same womb energy to birth new ideas, inventions, and contributions into existence. Women are the necessary elements upon which life itself depends, and on this day, they deserve to be admired and celebrated.
Appreciating all the women that have made and continue to make a difference in our lives. It’s a perfect time to say thank you to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends, and all the other remarkable women who have shaped our lives. Kisses and hugs are common endearing gestures to show affection, but on this day, the amazing women in your life deserve more than that.
Giving a gift of flowers to your mum, sister, co-workers, and best girlfriends is a wonderful way to show your gratitude on this beautiful day. It’s not only a thoughtful and heartfelt idea, but a great gift also, adding an extra layer of festivity to honour, cherish and mark the day that recognises the glory of all women.
A study by Rutgers university showed that those who received flowers as a gift “show that flowers are a powerful positive emotion “inducer”. In Study 1, flowers, upon presentation to women, always elicited the Duchenne or true smile. Women who received flowers reported more positive moods three days later. In Study 3, flowers presented to elderly participants (55+ age) elicited positive mood reports and improved episodic memory. Flowers have immediate and long-term effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviours and even memory for both males and females”. (Haviland-Jones, 2005)
Which flowers might make the best choice?
International Women’s day coincides with the first days of spring when daffodils and tulips are flowering. Their vibrant colours helping to brighten the smile of all those who receive them, making the celebration extraordinary and memorable. Mimosa flowers have a special meaning and a part in the history of this long-celebrated day. Mimosa has traditionally been used to support a healthy stress response and healthy mood. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is closely aligned with a positive mood and is known as the “happiness” flower. In the language of flowers, Mimosa is the “conjuration of secret love.” What better flower to celebrate special women in your life?
In Russia, even though, not a spring flower, roses are the favoured flower of choice. The red rose is a symbol of beauty, passion, desire, and romantic love. Beyond the more passionate connotation, red roses are often used outside of romantic contexts to convey congratulations and gratitude.
With their distinctive and alluring scent, it’s not surprising that they were revered by the ancient Greeks and Romans who used rose petals to adorn their baths – not only for their heady fragrance but for their beautifying properties too. These beautiful flowers come in a plethora of colours to reflect and show what you feel about the women in your life, when giving these flowers.
Traditional uses & benefits of Rose
The most famous medicinal roses are Rosa damascene, a beautiful fluffy, highly fragrant old-fashioned rose, Rosa canina, Dog rose and Rosa gallica, a very old rose that has been cultivated for over 3,000 years in Iran. Highly fragranced it is known as the “Queen of flowers” and used to prepare rose
water, a remedy for depression because of its volatile oils. The dog rose, commonly found in our hedgerows produces berries in the Autumn that are picked to make rosehip jelly, tea and syrup. Rich in vitamin C, A and vitamins B1,2,3 and K, it is a wonderful cold and flu preventative and in folklore was a widely used remedy for chest problems. Other benefits of rose:
- Naturally antibacterial, Rose contains the phytochemicals, nerol, geraniol and citronellol which are effective against many strains of microbes and bacteria. It makes a wonderful natural cleanser that can combat acne, rosacea and other bacterial skin conditions.
- Rose essential oil and water are cooling and anti-inflammatory, making them a good choice to take the sting out of sunburn or insect bites.
- According to the “Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health,” a study in Taiwan of 130 women, discovered that consuming Rose tea on a regular basis not only reduced cramping during menstrual periods but also resulted in a significant decrease in distress and anxiety.
- Rose essential oil is perfect to lift the spirits, helping to overcome stress, anxiety and depression, promoting emotional balance and stabilising mood swings. It eases nervous tension and relaxes the body and mind for a restful night’s sleep.
- Rose petals contain polyphenols, antioxidants that work to protect your body from cell damage. The polyphenols in rose tea have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and various cognitive diseases.
- Rose extract or oil is widely used in the cosmetic industry as an ingredient in soap, body wash, perfumes, body sprays and other cosmetics.
All of us here at Green Key Health salute the spirit of women and wish you all a very happy International Women’s day.
If you would like to participate in virtual events that are being organised throughout the world to celebrate the success of women, please click here.
References
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320216
www.petalrepublic.com/international-womens-day-flowers
Haviland-Jones, Jeannette, et al. “An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers.” Evolutionary Psychology, vol. 3, no. 1, 2005, p. 147470490500300., doi:10.1177/147470490500300109.
To discuss something prior to booking your kinesiology, naturopathic and herbal consultation, please contact Rachel directly.
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