Mangalore: It would be a wrong nation to think that flowers we see around us in parks, fields and home surroundings, are meant only for decorations, puja offerings or hairstyles. Yes they do help enhance beauty during festivals in many designs, and when important guests arrive for various functions. They are used in weddings and ceremonies honouring various achievers, even birth day babies.But very few know their medicinal values of cleaning the stomach, enriching the blood systems, reducing pains and relieving physical and mental distress.

The physically challenged and mentally retarded persons also accept flowers if you garland them or hand over a bouquet. In the case of a medicinal plant, not-only its leaves, seeds, barks and berries but flowers also, carry value, whether we know it or not. Agase, Asoka, Kanakachampa, Kempula, Thumbe, Tulsi, Dasavala, Kadu Sampige, Nandibattalu, Suragi, Suryakanti, rose, Sampige, Chrysanthimum (Sevanthige), Punnaga, Booruga, Ekka, Parijatha, Muthuga, Jasmine, Jaji also contribute to our health and purity of surrounds, free from pests and diseases. We use certain flowers in eatables such as Band stick flowers (Nugge) and Thaikilo for dosas, and they have a perfume as in yellow leaves and Kesuvina leaf.

Their distinct smells can be protective and helpful. We have to appreciate their special characteristics and utilize them on various occasions. Next you meet a flower, salute the plant that provides such flowers for your own good.

Dr.Vasundhara Bhupathi, a Bangalore resident has written many books on such medically useful flowers. Her latest book “Flower and Health” (Hoovu mathu Aarogya) is selected for an award by Akalanka Foundation of Udupi, on September.25 at 4PM Ravindra Mantapa of MGM College. Dr.Uppungal Rama Bhat has pioneered this presentation for flower-lovers.