Post Series: Medicinal Flowers
When we think of medicinal plants, it’s often the roots, leaves, or bark that come to mind—yet around the world, flowers have long been used for their healing properties. This series explores some of the most powerful and time-honored blooms used in traditional and modern herbal medicine… as diverse as they are beautiful.
Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crape myrtle, is a deciduous shrub or small tree characterized by its multi-stemmed, upright habit, showy clusters of wrinkled flowers in white, pink, red, or purple, and attractive peeling bark. It features smooth-edged, oval leaves that display vibrant fall colors, and typically grows between 3 to 9 meters tall.
· Traditional use: In traditional medicine, the main use of Crepe myrtle is for wound healing; the flowers can be applied as a poultice to cuts and wounds to enhance wound-healing.
· Scientific evidence: Lagerstroemia indica extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, and wound healing actions
· Sample reference: The Alleviating Effect of Lagerstroemia indica Flower Extract on Stretch Marks through Regulation of Mast Cells. Yeom M, Ji H, Shin J, Cho E, Ryu DH, Park D, Jung E. Molecules. 2022 Feb 14;27(4):1274.
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica & hybrids)-
