Jhelum Biswas Bose - Phoolproof: Indian flowers, their myths, traditions and usage

Jhelum calls herself a flower witch. And she is. [S]he takes you through the various aspects of blooms with incantations that cast a spell on youNonita Kalra, editor, Harpers Bazaar

What a fascinating read! Having known Jhelum in my working life as a chronicler of beauty, it is so logical that she should be the author of this amazing journey into the world of beauty, healing and spiritual guidance with flowers. So much to learn and understand... Superbly collated and poetically expressedCory Walia, make-up artist

I was a follower of Bach flower therapy, which somewhere had got lost. I am so glad that Jhelum has brought this beautiful philosophy back into my life with Phoolproof. The book is well-researched and opens up many channels of healing with flowers. Kudos to Jhelum for this lovely rediscovery and for gently leading us into the mystical world of Indian bloomstheir traditions, legends and the healing power of natureand its world of happinessNayanika Chatterjee, supermodel

With my busy schedule, I could only skim through Phoolproof but Jhelums writing caught my attention from the first chapter itself. I love the way she has weaved in her poetry with history, nostalgia and healing, and has offered such simple remedies. I am impressed with the wealth of knowledge she has infused into the pages. Each chapter is insightful and evokes a very flowery, colourful imagery. I never knew flowers had so much to offer us! Jhelum has done immense research and I am sure this book is going to help many... I am sure going to keep returning to these pagesRaima Sen, actor

With Phoolproof, Jhelum Biswas Bose opens a door to a fragrant garden of ideas. It blooms with the secrets, legends, myths and mesmeric powers of Indian flowers. She explores their allure, but also the fascinating possibilities they holdfrom healing to adornment, essence to emotionin perfumes, foods and flavours. By sharing bits and pieces of her personal life, her early and abiding fascination with flowers and how they became an almost karmic influence in her life, Bose meanders through anecdotal, historical and remedial stories to argue that flowers matter. Those who will use this book of flowers (beyond reading it) for tips on aromatherapy, homeopathic cures, floral oils and concoctions that soothe and heal, perfumes that spark sensuality, face packs and lip balms that prettify and nourish will also find some interesting reflections on the Indian way of life. Not only in Bengali households, where Bose starts her story, but also in the way India culturally connects with flowers. Gulab, geinda, mogra, rajnigandha or champak... eat, pray and inhaleShefalee Vasudev, author, fashion commentator and editor, The Voice of Fashion

This book is a classic example of how nothing can stop you from climbing unprecedented heights once you find your calling in lifeRhythma Kaul, deputy health editor, Hindustan Times

I have known Jhelum since the time she was working as the beauty editor at Harpers Bazaar. She is as pretty as a rose and warm as a lotus. Her passion for flowers has led to the birth of this amazing book, which makes you believe in flower therapy. From learning to win over your negative emotions to feeling happy and positive about everything in lifethis book is a pathway to happiness. This book also gives you remedies for various physical and emotional problems just by using flowers. I have personally tried some of the interesting home remedies and recipes using flowers and have found them amazing. I wish Jhelum all the very best and look forward to many new innovations especially in her product line, Jhelum LovesDr Jaishree Sharad, dermatologist and author

I remember meeting Jhelum at a Harpers Bazaar event more than a decade ago. She was this young, enthusiastic girl wearing a little dress and sporting a short haircut. Before that, I had interacted with her a couple of times and was very impressed with the way she researched her topic before asking questions. The first thing that charmed me about her was the calm in her face and her beautiful smile. It was a serene, loving, warm smilea lovely greeting. Jhelum left a lasting impression on my mind; and the next time I met her, I called her my little Buddha and that phrase just stuck on to our conversations thereafter. Over the years, Ive seen her evolve from a beauty journalist and have been after her life to complete her PhD. Thats because I saw she was research-oriented, sincere, very passionate and meticulous in what she didqualities that make her so good at her chosen field that her work quite naturally becomes useful to a larger audience. Such was my Little Buddha.

And then she wrote this book and asked me to give her my review of the same. Me being me, I kept putting it off because I had a tight schedule. And at last she sent me a very gentle reminder, and then, Deadline! That got me reading the book and I just couldnt put it down.

Phoolproof is a wealth of knowledge. I knew of Bach flower remedy, have a clinical degree in acupuncture and am attuned to Ayurveda... I already had an interest in alternative healing. So when I read her book, I could see how authentic Jhelums research is, how beautifully she has compiled that into the book and infused it with poetry, anecdotes and legends from our rich culture and heritage. She has picked from everything that is authentic and then proved it with modern scientific knowledge. I think this was one of the nicest books Ive read on beauty and it reminded me of something my dad had told me: a doctor needs to have