Therapeutic Orchid - Amitostigma Schltr.

Looking at the ingredient list from a perfume packaging can be quite challenging as there are so much chemical names in it. This is because most perfume uses synthetic oils – fragrances oil that are made from chemical compounds.

Hearing your favourite perfume contain synthetic oils can be quite disappointing but that is only because you did not know the value of natural fragrance yet.

Try our Scent-osa workshop at Imbiah Lookout. or pefume team bonding. Worried about what it is goign to be? Why not take a personality test first? Click for female and male personaity test . For results click here

Take for example Rose oil, it takes up to 200,000 rose petals to distill approximately 5 ml of rose oil! You can imagine the amount of cost and resources needed if one were to make a rose perfume with natural oils. As a result, many brands had turn to synthetic oil for a solution.

Rather than killing all these beautiful flowers, orchids into making perfume, why not look at them at a different angle? Most orchids do have therapeutic properties that can help save many people.

Here are some orchids that you might want to get familiar with:

Cypripedium cordigerum D. Don

Chinese name: Baichunshao Lan

Nepali Name: Jibri

In Nepal, the roots of the plants are considered to be tonic while the leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Cypripedium debile Reichb. f.

Chinese names: Duiyeshao Lan, Xiaoxipuxie Lan, Shuangyeshao Lan, Erye Lan.

In Taiwan, the entire plant is being used to reduce swellings, relieve pain and to improve blood flows of the person.

Cypripedium elegans, Rchb. f.

Chinese name: Yazhishao Lan

In India, the roots of this plant are used to treat nervous system’s disorder. While in Himalayan, it is used as a nerve tonic and also in rheumatism.

Cypripedium fasciolatum Franch.

Chinese name: Dayezhuo Lan

Chinese medicinal name: Wugongqi

Both the roots and stems are used to reduce swelling, clear phlegm, improve blood flow and reduce joint pains. It is commonly used to treat swelling of lower extremities, fractures and other traumatic injuries.

Cypripedium formosanum Hayata

Chinese name: Taiwanshao Lan, Taiwanpuxie Lan, Yidianhong, Taiwanjiapuxie Lan.

The entire plant can be used to expels gas, improve blood flow, regulates menstruation cycle and relieve pain.  More importantly, the stem or the roots can treat malaria, snake bites and rheumatism.

Cypripedium franchetii Rolfe

Chinese name: Maozhuo Lan, Maoshao Lan

Chinese medicinal name: Wugongqi

It is recorded in the Chinese medicinal that it has the ability to regulate flow of vital energy which improve blood circulation as it eliminates obstruction of blood flow. Moreover, it stops coughs, relief chest pain and “wind stagnation”.

Cypripedium guttatum Sw.

Chinese name: Zidianshao Lan

Chinese medicinal name: Banhuashaolan

People in Russia and Siberia uses the roots and leaves to treat epilepsy.

Cypripedium henryi Rolfe

Chinese names: Luhuazhuo Lan

Chinese medicinal name: Longshejian; Jinlongqi

Similarly, the roots of this plant can helps improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and pain – especially pain around the wrists and tights due to injury.

Cypripedium himalaicum Rolfe

Chinese name: Xiaezhuo Lan, Gaoshanshao Lan

Nepali name: Khujukpa

It was recorded in the Chinese medicinal that the plant helps to treat female infertility and hernia. Whereas in Nepal, juice extracted from the plant are made into juice to treat urinary stones, coughs, heart and lung disease.

Cypripedium japonicum Thunb.

Chinese name: Shanmaishao Lan

 Chinese medicinal name: Shanziqi

Japanese name: Kumagiso

It has the function to dispel wind, remove toxic, improve blood circulation and relieve pain. It is also used to treat malaria and regulating menstruation cycle.

Cypripedium macranthos Sw.

Chinese names: Qilaixipuxie Lan, Dahuashao Lan, Dakoudaihua

Chinese medicinal name: Dunshengcao, Wugongqi

Japanese name: Atsumoriso

Pulverised, dried flowers are used to stop bleeding from wounds. In addition, the Chinese uses its’ roots and stem to reduce swelling, clear ecchymosis, expel gas, stop pain and improve blood flow. The orchids can also treat generalised oedema, swelling of the lower limbs, oliguria, leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, traumatic injuries.

Cypripedium tibeticum King ex Rolfe

Chinese name: Xizang Zhuolan, Zhoushao Lan

Chinese medicinal name: Wugongqi; Zhoushao Lan

It is believed to be anti-inflammatory and able to prevent pain. Most commonly used to increase urine outpt, relieve painful swells and treat menstrual irregularities. In Tibet, roots were consumed to treat rheumatism, leg oedema, external injuries, gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea.

Photo credits: Swiss Orchid Foundation, Wikimedia, phytesia-orchids.com, flickr.com, Pinterest, OrchidRoots, IOSPE PHOTOS