Camellias have been bred for thousands of years not only because of their beautiful flowers, but also because their leaves and seeds can be used in both medicine and culinary arts. From the dried leaves and flowers of the numerous varieties of camellia you can make a tasty green tea. Green tea is known for its low cholesterol content and high antioxidant content. The seeds of the camellia are also used to produce a valuable tea oil, which is often used in oriental cuisine for delicate flavoring. Other varieties of camellia help fight bacterial infections, as well as heart disease and asthma. The oil of the camellia is used to gently sharpen knives.
The symbolic meaning of the camellia
In Japanese culture, the camellia is not only the beginning of spring. Desire, affection, admiration, long-standing devotion and reciprocated love are other meanings associated with the camellia. Here is a small overview of the different meanings:
Red camellia = love, longing and deep desire.
Pink camellia = longing. They are often given away to show a person how much they are missed. Red and pink camellias together stand for romantic love.
White camellia = purity, the love between a mother and her children. Also the use as funeral flowers is common. They also stand as a symbol of worship and are often given to a person who is desired.
If a white camellia is given to a man, then it should bring him luck.
