The Power of Flowers - Part I

Hi, everyone, how do you like my new picture?

I love African Violets!  After a few days on the road, the first thing I did was to water my plants.  Some very pleasant surprises were awaiting me – a few of my African violets are in full bloom!  Yes, even in the midst of winter.  

I guess I have this fated life long love of African Violets.  It all started when I was working in Hong Kong for its subway company.  I have a long window sill with full sun in my office, together with the window sill along my boss’ office, I grew at least 50 pots of African violets, if not more.  He thought I was crazy.  It all started with a few pots here and a few pots there.  I acquired all sorts of colors (for the flowers) – from the standard purple, pink or white to deep burgundy to black or even green, yes, and I mean the flowers were green.  

The varieties of African violets are amazing, apart from colors, there are single-layer or double layer petals; there are curly petals, there are bordered petals, etc.  By and by, I seem to have acquired some sort of magic fingers towards growing African violets.  Of course, when I immigrated to the US, I have to give away all my flowers.  I have a much smaller collections now, may be 30 pots, and less varieties; however, the magic never leaves me – under my care, they would bloom at least 3 times per year, if not four!

Talking about flowers, it is time for me to make some chrysanthemum tea.  There are so many people getting sick lately.  May be I am over sensitive, I always feel like something will come down on me soon and I always sense as if my throat is hurting (and actually it is not).  

The Chinese people love to dry the whole chrysanthemum flowers 菊花 and use them mainly for tea or as a herbal remedy.  It has anti-inflammation function and smells wonderfully fragrant.  It comes in small packets in the Chinese grocery store.  You can either buy the whole flower kind or buy the dried petals kind.  Best result is actually to have both varieties and brew them as tea.  Some people would add some honey to it.  I usually drink it plain.  I always feel refreshed and the “hotness” inside me will be gone.  The Chinese believe when your body is working too hard or you are being too stressful – there is some “fire” or “hotness” inside you, and you should calm the fire by drinking “cool” nature stuff to counteract it.  The chrysanthemum tea is also very good for young people who are prone to have pimple outbreaks, it really helps.

Another popular flower for cooking and mild medicinal use is the night-blooming cereus 霸王花 and I will share a recipe the next time.  For now, it is cleansing and calming time with one of my favorite drinks, the chrysanthemum tea.