4 Lovely Medicinal Herbs for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day - the one day a year that society deems it acceptable to go absolutely crazy with expressions of love. Many argue that there shouldn't be just one specific day to show others how you feel. Nevertheless, Valentine's Day is vastly celebrated all over the world, and greeting card companies, chocolate factories, and flower stands reap all the benefits. What you might not know is that there are medicinal benefits to the typical items one might receive on the proclaimed day of love.

1. Rose (Rosa canina)

While a dozen red roses sent on Valentine's Day is highly cliché, they are a kind and beautiful gesture nonetheless. Sending roses - to your grandmother, mother, or significant other - is a thoughtful sentiment and one that can surely brighten someone's day. Roses are also useful for the essential oil that can extracted from the flower, known as rose hips. Rose hip oil can rejuvenate and repair the skin thanks to its vitamin C content, helping to smooth wrinkles and clear acne.

2. Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Chocolate, in any form, is a romantic indulgence enjoyed by billions - especially on Valentine's Day. Chocolate is known to increase energy levels and lower blood pressure, all while improving your mood! This is because of its beneficial alkaloids, like theobromine.

3. Cherry (Prunus avium)

In Japanese culture, the cherry represents ultimate beauty, and the fruit of the cherry means emotional awakening. What a perfect herb for Valentine's Day. Fresh cherries can be eaten with your partner, or they can adorn the top of an ice cream sundae or cake. Cherries are chock full of vitamins A and C, and have an overall soothing effect on the entire body.

4. Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis)

The name itself hits to the very core of this romantic, passion-filled holiday. A sweet and tasty fruit native to South America, the passion fruit is a wonderful food to enjoy with your lover on Valentine's Day. Although you can eat the fruit raw, passion fruit is also a very common ingredient in an array of desserts. It also boasts such therapeutic properties as lowering blood pressure and relieving anxiety - the perfect addition to a relaxing, love-filled Valentine's Day.

One or all of the above-mentioned herbs can help to make your next Valentine's Day the best one yet. Buy your loved one some beautiful roses and chocolate, and together you can reap some of the many medicinal benefits these herbs have to offer.