FLOWERS AND PLANTS
DESIGN AS MEDICINE
ENJOY and expect the HEALTH benefits of these beautiful FLOWERS!
Insights from research studies on how flowers impact our mental and physical health.
A research study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that viewing fresh roses even for 4 minutes can deactivate the autonomous nervous system responsible for “fight-of-flight” responses. 214 participants in this cross-over study included high school students, office and healthcare workers and elderly people.
The authors concluded that “Short-term visual stimulation with fresh roses had a beneficial physiological adjustment effect.”
Reference: Ikei H, Song C and Miyazaki Y (2023) Physiological adjustment effect of visual stimulation by fresh rose flowers on sympathetic nervous activity. Front. Psychol. 14:1159458. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1159458
Fresh rose flowers deactivate the sympathetic nervous system (Fight-or-Flight)
Artificial flowering plants can reduce depressive symptoms
A research study published in Heart Vessels showed that patients with acute coronary syndrome has significantly lower depressive symptoms scores 3 months after hospital discharge when flowering plants were places in their hospital rooms.
Reference: Koh Y, Rashid H, Khaw S, Nasis A. (2019) Artificial FLOwering plants in Reducing Anxiety and depressive symptoms following Acute Coronary Syndromes (A-FLORA-ACS): a randomised controlled trial. Heart Vessels. 34(6):888-897. doi: 10.1007/s00380-018-1314-2.
A research study published in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening showed that different colors of flowers create restorative effects via different responses. For example, blue and white flowers create more relaxing effects, while orange, yellow, white and red deem most uplifting. Interestingly, a person’s favorite color was also important in promoting restorative effects of flowers.
Reference: Liwen Zhang, Nicola Dempsey, Ross Cameron (2023) Flowers – Sunshine for the soul! How does floral colour influence preference, feelings of relaxation and positive up-lift?, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 79, 127795, doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127795.
Flower’s color elicits distinct psychological benefits
Ornamental indoor plants lowered pain, anxiety, stress and blood pressure in people recovering from surgery
A research study published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that “Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly more positive physiologic responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure, and lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue than patients in the control room.”
The authors of this randomized controlled study concluded that “Health care professionals and hospital administrators need to consider the use of plants and flowers to enhance healing environments for patients.”
Reference: Park SH, Mattson RH (2009) Ornamental Indoor Plants in Hospital Rooms Enhanced Health Outcomes of Patients Recovering from Surgery, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Vol. 15 Issue 9 Pages 975-980, DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0075
A research study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health was designed to answer the following questions “Do flowers have a calming psychophysiological effect on humans? Can they influence people’s moods and emotions? Which flower color (white, red, or yellow) is most preferred over others?”
The researchers measured physiological (heart rate variability, brain waves and skin conductance) and psychological responses among 50 participants. They found that while all three colors positively impact brain functions, viewing red and yellow roses for 3 minutes had more positive and immediate effects on the autonomous nervous system and relaxation, as compared to white flowers.
The authors concluded that “The findings support the notion that seeing flowers can provide physiological and psychological advantages such as stress reduction and improved well-being.”
Reference: Xie, J.; Liu, B.; Elsadek, M. (2021) How Can Flowers and Their Colors Promote Individuals’ Physiological and Psychological States during the COVID-19 Lockdown? Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 18, 10258. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910258