Top 10 Flowers That Symbolize Healing and Strength

Since ancient times of the Greeks, Mediterranean, and Romans, flowers were recognized for their medicinal and spiritual qualities.

From the simplest-looking flower to a bizarre one, their symbolism and benefits are grand. 

Flowers are the best expression of the unspeakable feelings our hearts would love to convey. More than being a beautiful, ornamental display, flowers that symbolize healing and strength can be a perfect gift for someone you love and care about.

Thus, in this article, I’m delighted to share with you the top 10 flowers that symbolize healing and strength.

Flowers that symbolize healing and strength are: Lavender, Jasmine, Evening Primrose, Gerbera Daisy, Passion Flower, St. John’s Wort, Snapdragon, Potentilla, Echinacea and Calendula.

1. Lavender

This beautifully hued flower is more than just a symbol of royalty, calmness, and purity. With its pleasant aroma and known therapeutic effects. It has become a symbol of health and strength.

Traditionally, Ancient Greek and Romans recognized the medicinal benefits of Lavender. In fact, this flower’s first written record of healing uses can be associated with a Greek military physician named Dioscorides.

He noted that Lavender can be used in cleaning wounds, burns, and other skin ailments. He also penned that Lavender, when taken internally, can help relieve indigestion, headaches, and sore throats.

Nowadays, research is showing that Lavender helps in calming one’s mood, boosting sleep and memory, relieving pain, and healing the skin. (1)

2. Jasmine

Jasmines are evergreen climbers with twining stems. They can blossom in summer or winter, with white, yellow, and sometimes red and pink leaflets. They’re star-shaped flowers that spew a distinctive sweet fragrance.

They’re used on the skin to speed up the healing of wounds. They, too, can help improve mood, reduce stress, depression, and anxiety once inhaled.

This flower is a symbol of sensuality, purity, modesty, and inspiration. (2) Yet with the numerous health benefits of the Jasmine flower, it’s also a symbol of healing and strength.

3. Evening Primrose

Native to America, the evening primrose is a four-petaled goblet-like flower that comes in shades of yellow, white, blue, pink, and purple. The oil extracted from its seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. (3)

From the Latin word “primus”, which basically means “first”, it’s actually one of the first few flowers to bloom in spring. For this reason, it’s been associated with renewal, youth, and optimism. (4)

This flower also stands as a representation of safety, care, and protection. It carries positive vibes, turning the surroundings into a happy one.

Nowadays, people use evening primrose oil for healing arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, high cholesterol, breast pain, acne, and other conditions. (3)

4. Gerbera Daisy

Strikingly pleasing to the eyes, Gerbera Daisy is available in bright hues of yellow, orange, red, and other colors. They’re generally a symbol of cheerfulness, purity, and loyal love. (5)

They remove toxic elements in the surrounding, filtering the air quality in the process. They too have healing properties and are loaded with anti-anxiety and relaxation benefits. (6)

If you ever have a friend or relative who’s battling with sickness or is off for recovery, you may send them this flower in a bouquet or in a flower pot.

5. Passion Flower

Passion Flower or Passiflora Incarnata yields flowers in shades of purple which are commonly three to five inches in width. It’s a herbal flowering plant historically used in treating insomnia, seizures, hysteria, and anxiety. (7)

Nowadays, it’s promoted as a dietary supplement for sleep problems, menopausal symptoms, pain, heart rhythm problems, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, it’s also applied to the skin to treat burns and hemorrhoids. (8)

Christians actually associate this with the crucifixion of Jesus and derive its name in respect to the “Passion” and suffering of Christ. (9) Non-Christians, too, appreciate the Passion Flower as a symbol of purity, calmness, and strength. (10)

6. St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is a perennial, low-lying herb with five bright yellow petals stained with small, black dots.

Back in the time of the ancient Greeks, this herb was known for its therapeutic properties. Spiritually, Greeks also used this as a sort of protection against wicked forces that cause diseases. (11)

Today, the clinical use of this flower includes treating insomnia, pain, and nerve damage. It can promote the healing of burns, bruises, and lacerations. It also helps in treating mild-to-moderate depression. (12)

7. Snapdragon

Snapdragon, scientifically named antirrhinum, is a flowering plant that comes in various colors, each hue bearing its own meaning and symbolism.

For the most part, this glorious flower is a symbol of grace and strength, as it can stand the test of uninhabitable rocky grounds where it usually blooms. (13)

Traditionally, it’s used in treating hemorrhoids, liver disorders, gum scurvy, tumors and ulcers. (14) This and more of its health benefits make Snapdragon a symbol of healing, too.

8. Potentilla

Potentilla flowers, members of the rose family, are small-to-medium-sized shrubs valued for their exceptional hardiness and reliability. (15) Potentilla is commonly called cinquefoil, which means five leaves. 

This cute-sized plant features bright yellow to pink petals and provides lots of nectar, enough for pollinating creatures to get attracted to it.

Potentilla symbolizes power, strength, honor, and loyalty. It’s also a symbol of maternal love and womanhood. 

Its flowers and leaves are used in making medicines and tea. Women take this for stomach issues and painful menstrual periods. (16)

9. Echinacea

Echinacea, also known as coneflowers, are herbaceous, colorful, and daisy-like flowering plants. It’s distinguished for its prominent cone-shaped central disk bristling with seeds. (17) It also comes in multiple shades of magenta, purple, white, pink, yellow, and green varieties. (18)

Echinacea flowers are associated with healing, health, and strength due to their history of medicinal uses. Hence, it’s a great get-well gift for someone who’s off to recover or to rejoice over their strength.

10. Calendula

Displaying sunny yellow to bright orange flowers, this perennial plant is a popular symbol of warmth, success, happiness, healing, and strength.

This flowering plant is rich in anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. (19) It has a good amount of antioxidants which protect the cells from being damaged by free radicals. (20)

For ages, petals of Calendula have been used in treating wounds and burns. They’re also used in formulations like lotions and ointments. 

To boot, this plant can boost the immune system and fight against infection, making it a flower of healing and strength. (21)

Key Takeaways

The beauty that’s in the flowers isn’t only visible to the eyes, but also has discernable meanings that connect with our inner soul.

For the most part, they’re associated with happiness and love, yet there are flowers that symbolize healing and strength, too.

References

1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet/what-are-possible-benefits-lavender-must-know-facts-about-therapeutic-plant/
2. https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/jasmine
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1006/evening-primrose-oil
4. https://petalsandhedges.com/primrose-flower-meaning/
5. https://www.floraqueen.com/blog/the-gerbera-daisy-flower-meaning
6. https://www.thrive.org.uk/get-gardening/plants-to-help-ease-the-mind
7. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/passionflower
8. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/passionflower
9. https://www.petalrepublic.com/passion-flower-meaning/
10. Passion Flower Meaning in the Language of Flowers – Petal Republic
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/
12. https://www.fesflowers.com/saint-johns-wort-herb-of-the-light/
13. https://florgeous.com/snapdragon-flower-meaning/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7684585/
15. https://www.gardendesign.com/shrubs/potentilla.html
16. https://www.gardendesign.com/shrubs/potentilla.htmhttps://www.rxlist.com/potentilla/supplements.htm
17. https://www.petalrepublic.com/echinacea-coneflower-meaning/
18. https://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Potentilla
19. https://www.motherlove.com/blogs/herbs-plants/calendula
20. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/calendula
21. https://allgoodproducts.com/calendula-benefits-how-to-use-this-all-purpose-plant/