The Magic of Flower Essences
There are few medicines in this world that captivate me more than flower essences. And while the term “flower essence” may seem foreign to you, the truth is that many of us have used flower essences in the past, perhaps even without really knowing what we were using - Rescue Remedy is perhaps the most common commercial flower essence remedy used today, and is widely available at chemists and health food stores.
So, what exactly are flower essences? Flower essences are a type of vibrational or energetic medicine that is used to treat the emotional contributors to disease. That is, they focus on improving your emotional wellbeing by releasing triggers, such as fears, anxieties, anger, and other emotions that are having a negative impact on your health.
The Origins of Flower Essences
Flower Essences were originally developed as a system of medicine in the 1920s and 30s by renowned physician and homeopath, Dr. Edward Bach. Dr. Bach felt called to create flower essences as a therapy after exploring the link between emotional wellbeing and physical health. The remedies were developed based on testing Bach did on himself, who used his knowledge and skills as an accomplished homeopath and researcher to develop his own system for creating a new type of energetic medicine. It was in the healing, natural setting of Rural England that he explored the flowering plants and trees of to create his remedies over the course of several years.
How Are Flower Essences Made?
There are two main methods for creating flower essences as Bach did - the sun method and the boiling method. The sun method is where flowers are harvested in the early morning and added to a bowl of distilled or spring water and left in the sun, allowing the essence of the flower to infuse with the water via the warmth of the sun. The boiling method is used for flowers that bloom in the colder months when the sun is weaker, or for hardier, woody plant materials. In this method, heat is applied to the water and the essence is extracted into the boiling water. Brandy is then mixed with the flower-infused water to act as a preservative.
The Bach Flower Essences
There are a total of 38 Bach flower essences, each of which deals with a specific human emotion. The remedies are categorised into seven groups, based on the type of emotion they deal with:
Fear
Uncertainty
Insufficient interest in the present
Loneliness
Oversensitivity
Despondency and despair
Overcare for the welfare of others
Within each of these categories there are several remedies, each dealing with a specific emotional trait. However, of course humans are complex beings and are often dealing with complex emotions! The remedies can easily be combined to address multiple overlapping emotions, and can be individualised to suit your needs.
Nowadays, there are several different ranges of flower essences available for purchase, although Bach remedies continue to be some of the most commonly used. Flower essences can be purchased in pre-made mixes - Rescue Remedy is a very popular flower essence that is readily available at chemists and health food stores. You can also buy individual remedies, to be used on their own or in combination. If you wish, you can even purchase a complete kit of all 38 Bach remedies to create your own blends.
Using Flower Essences
So, how are flower essences used? In my own practice, I often use flower essences in combination with herbal medicines, by adding the required essences to a liquid herbal tonic. This way my patients get the benefit of both physical (herbal) and energetic medicines at the same time, without needing to remember to take two different medicines. It also means I can address the underlying emotional factors contributing to their disease, helping to treat the cause of illness - an important tenet of naturopathy. I also use them as a standalone remedy, which can be especially helpful for people who want to focus more on their emotional wellbeing. Flower essence consultations can be a great way to assess the best combination of remedies to help you through difficult life changes, or to help you release old emotional triggers that are standing in the way of your wellbeing. If you’d like more information on flower essence consultations, or would like to book your consultation, click here.
Flower essences can also be used as a home remedy. The essences are readily available online or at health food stores, either as single remedies or in pre-prepared blends. They are available as liquids, which makes them highly adaptable to being administered in a variety of different ways. This can be particularly useful for people who are really sensitive to medicines and might otherwise react - you can easily dilute them as you like, and can find a method of delivery that works best for you.
Some ways you can use flower essences:
place 2 drops of the remedy directly under your tongue
Add 2-4 drops of the remedy into a glass of water (or in your water bottle) and sip it throughout the day
Add 2-4 drops to a warm bath - you can add Epsom salts or dried flowers/ herbs as well, if you wish
Apply 2 drops directly onto your inner wrist and rub into the skin
Add 4 drops to a spray bottle of spring/ distilled water and spray around your room or on your bed/ pillow - you may wish to add essential oils, too, for added fragrance
Mix 4 drops into a jar of coconut or other body-safe oil and use as a nightly moisturiser
There are so many possible applications for flower essences, making them wonderfully versatile!
If you’d like to support your emotional wellbeing with flower essences, let’s work together. You can book an online or home visit appointment by clicking here.
About the Author
Lizzie Stow is a degree-qualified naturopath from Newcastle, Australia.
To find out more about Lizzie, click here.
To book an appointment with Lizzie click here.
References
Bach Original Flower Remedies. (2023). About Bach Original Flower Remedies. https://www.bachremedies.com/en-us/about/
The Bach Centre. (2019). Dr. Bach. https://www.bachcentre.com/en/about-us/history/dr-bach/