By your significant other something besides chocolates on Valentine’s Day, here are three reasons why:
1. They are most likely still recovering from all of the food they ate during Thanksgiving and Christmas
2. Nine times out of ten they probably feel guilty for overeating throughout the holidays, so their New Year’s resolution is to lose weight
3. Chocolate only lasts for a moment, so once the chocolate is eaten (which is usually that day) the moment is over.

So instead of giving them chocolate, give them flowers. They last up to a little over a week and their color, smell and natural oils can improve one’s health physically, mentally and most of all, emotionally through a process called, synesthesia. Synesthesia is the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body. So, a red rose may stimulate passion or intensify energy within the body by stimulating the adrenal gland and a yellow sunflower may produce a feeling of happiness.
When someone is happy, four neurochemicals are released: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. Each chemical displays a different internal reaction. Dopamine regulates a sense of pleasure, while serotonin makes one feel important. The release of oxytocin creates intimacy, trust, and strengthens relationships; while the release of endorphins reduces the perception of pain, triggering a chemical similar to morphine and lowering stress levels. So, buying someone flowers may cause them to feel more confident, motivated, relaxed and secure within the relationship every time they see the flowers. Depending on the flower, if it is ingested it may even improve their physical health.
Nowadays, medicine is chemically produced, but there was once a time when medicine derived directly from a plant/flower. A few examples are benzyl benzoate, which is made up of many plants and is used to treat scabies, codeine which derives from papaver somniferum (also known as, opium poppy, a beautiful purple flower) used as a pain reliever. Lastly, there is reserpine, a drug that is used as a tranquilizer and to control high blood pressure, derived from rauvolfia serpentina (also known as the Indian Snakeroot). Not all flowers can be ingested, but they can be beneficial in other ways. So, draw a hot bath and place the petals in there so the oils can enter the pores.

Types of flowers to buy
Here are a few options when buying flowers and benefits that come with them:

Lavender: stimulates the GABA receptor, releasing a feeling of peace. It can be of aid to those who struggle with insomnia, acne, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety and/or hair loss.

Roses: high in Vitamin C and is used as an anti-inflammatory. It can help diarrhea/constipation, gout, high cholesterol and lower urinary tract and kidney disorders.

Magnolia: are known to treat menstrual cramps, improve respiratory health, detoxify the body, boost cognition, prevent cancer, soothe the digestive system, stimulate the appetite, reduce stress, and protect against severe allergic reactions.

Written by: Candace Mitchell