As a grower of orchids, they bring me much joy, so I’ve decided to do this piece hope you enjoy it.
Orchid
Orchids are beautiful plants their flowers come in amazing varieties of different colours.
The name orchid comes from the Greek orchis, meaning testicle.
English variety of early Orchis is the “long Purples,” mentioned by Shakespeare in Hamlet and is sometimes named “Dead men’s fingers,” from the pale colour, and the hand-like shape of its tubers.
Quoted “That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do ‘dead men’s fingers’ call them.”
There are many types and species of orchids to name a few of the cool growing varieties are:
Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum and Miltoniopsis.
They enjoy temperatures between16°C- 21°C no temperatures below 10°C in winter
A few warm varieties are:
Phalaenopsis and Vanda. They like temperatures of between 21-29°C in summer and no less than 18°C in winter.
These make a good choice for centrally heated homes.
Orchids grown at an intermediate temperature include Cattleya, Cambria, Paphiopedalum and Oncidium. They like temperatures of between18°C-24°C.
The vitamin A and antioxidants present in orchid can make your skin healthy and young, keeping wrinkles and skin problem at bay.
They contain vitamin C and fibre assisting your immune system.
Some health benefits include releiving stress, improving air quality and improving recovery after surgery.
A study of 90 people recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy were randomly assigned to either control or plant rooms. With half the patients, live plants were placed in their rooms during postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety and fatigue.
Findings of this study confirmed the therapeutic value of plants in the hospital environment as a noninvasive, inexpensive, and effective complementary medicine for surgical patients.
Orchids are known to do a lot more.
Dating back to hundreds of thousands of years, orchids have been used to alleviate symptoms as well as cure sickness. Across the world in a multitude of different cultures, from Asia to Australia.
Medical professionals and horticulturalists have experimented with the use of this tropical species and have found some amazing possibilities.
According to ancient Chinese history the orchid flowers, stems and bulbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, some practitioners continue to use these remedies today.
Juice extracted from the orchid flower can help in relieve stomach ulsers which occur due to stomach acid. The mild compounds found in orchid can help you in relaxing and removing an ulcer condition.
Orchids tubers, roots and petals have been utilized in elixirs that are then added to teas and powders.
In most cases, orchids can be quite harmful and in some cases deadly so its best to either ask your doctor or visit a reputable health food store outlet.
I found the common house orchid to be edible since my daughter attempted to eat one as a toddler. Petrified I called 111 who assured me the only thing I needed to worry about was with any new food an allergic reaction which thankfully didn’t occur.
Obviously poisons in edible plants can be present if specific fertilisers are used instead of soil for growing fruit and veg for example.
NOT all orchid species are edible.
Dendrobium Orchids can be used to increase the immune system, has anti inflammatory properties, can increase eyesight and eliviate some symptoms of cancer.
Cymbidium Orchids can assist fertility in both men and women.
Vanda Orchids is also an anti inflammatory, can reduce fever, treat arthritis and is used by alternative practitioners as a remedy for bronchitis.
Orchids for magical purposes and spell craft:
Ochids revered for love, lust and potency.
Both the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the Orchid could stimulate male virility and was widely used in love matters.
The famous New Orleans “jezebel root,” seemed to have been well sort after to be used by women to attract men.
I won’t write any love spells on this post but I’ll just say
that the use of Orchids (root) in love magic is not only effective, it can also be exceptionally potent.
Orchids are also associated with Beauty, Wealth, Love, Spirituality, Harmony, Concentration, Will Power, Memory.
Orchid flower can be cooked like other vegetables in a pan or grilled. It can be blitzed into juice.
Added to cakes and cocktails or just enjoy them added to salads and sauces.
Enjoy!