The worth of wild flowers
Clinging to the margins of mountain streams, withstanding the bracing salt winds that surge over coastal dunes, and furtively re-establishing their presence within urban settings. For a botanical group that is generally thought of as delicate and whimsical, wildflowers are incredibly robust. They hold critical roles within ecosystems and have been valued within our cultures for centuries. Nourishing the pollinators of our food crops, and frequently turned to for their healing potential.
Wildflowers are wild entities, free from the interference of human intervention and cultivation. Many of our flowering garden plants have been enhanced over several centuries for ornamental purposes. We have selected our preferred colours, scents and forms, creating hybrids, like those of the garden rose. Wildflowers are a pure reflection of the wild development of nature. Their beauty simply an outcome of beneficial evolutionary traits.
Packaging Infused with Wildflowers
Wildflower meadows have decreased drastically over the last century. Through loss of habitat, they have been reduced to small pockets of countryside. The value we hold for wildflowers at Loopeco led us to construct a unique form of packaging that has the ability to give back to nature, instead of taking anything away.
The wildflower seeds of Chrysanthemums are speckled throughout elements of our packaging. From our informative recipe cards, to the product boxes which hold our clay masks. The seeds are held within a biodegradable suspension of recycled post consumer paper, and are completely viable. With a little nurturing, they can grow into bold and beautiful wildflowers. Place the seeded card within a planter, or a space within your garden that receives sunshine. Cover with a few millimetres of soil, water often, and watch as seedlings forge their way into the light. The ultimate form of environmentally positive packaging.
As a member of the daisy family, which includes many species that are used within herbalist remedies, chrysanthemums are incredibly attractive to pollinators. Whilst nourishing your skin, you can also help to nourish local wildlife and provide essential pollen to bee colonies, which are suffering as a direct result of the loss of wildflower meadows.
Wildflowers & Humans Entwined
Picked, infused, dried, and refined. Wildflowers have been revered within cultures since records began. Evidence littered within archaeology, and medicinal recipes etched into papyrus and clay tablets in locations across the world. Native Americans would create soothing poultices with Boneset leaves, whilst European herbalists distilled Mugwort into bottles as a healing tincture. Their history is rich, and deeply layered.
Wildflowers have been used to soothe not only physical ailments, but to restore emotional harmony too. Even today, they remain prevalent in western society as we drink chamomile tea and breathe in lavender scents to ease the mind. Many herbalist remedies still thrive today, and are even being returned to as sources of effective, and sustainable treatments.
Many of these remedies have been reaffirmed as science has advanced. Most notably, Foxglove, which was once used to treat heart conditions in 18th century Europe. Foxgloves are now commercially harvested to obtain the active components which are used within contemporary medicine today to control heart rate.
From practical applications, like medicine and soothing drinks, to the realms of religion and folklore. Wildflowers became part of traditions and superstitions in daily life. Worn to protect against witchcraft (vervain), to bring luck (clovers), to restore youthful beauty (cowslips) or simply symbols of love (dittany of Crete).
Wildflowers On Your Skin
Here at Loopeco we have tapped into the gentle and restorative benefits that wildflowers can procure. Our product ranges contain wildflower extracts and oils that have been meticulously chosen for their skin healing and replenishing properties.
Arnica (Arnica montana) and Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) are infused within our bath salts to soothe skin. Arnica exuding its gentle, anti-inflammatory properties, and Sea Buckthorn helping to protect the skins surface and improving its elasticity. Rose-hip oil is infused into our serums and cleansers to target signs of ageing and UV damage, whilst also helping to brighten and nourish the skin.
The wildflowers work in combination with essences of other botanical ingredients, like pomegranate, ylang ylang and vanilla. Each entwining together to provide your skin with an intensely enriching, therapeutic and restorative boost.
Speckled through countryside and wild landscapes, or entwining tendrils with fences, and spilling onto pathways. Wildflowers are an ever present reminder of the intrinsic beauty, complexity and strength of nature. The worth they provide is monumental.
Written by Hannah Sweet
Photography by Annie Spratt / Isacc Mehegan