THE HISTORY OF FLOWER ESSENCES

Rescue Remedy is the most well known flower essence in this country, created by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s as a way to heal acute shock and trauma. When he studied the flowers, he associated their external, visible characteristics with the human emotions the flowers could help to rebalance, thus bringing a person back to the state of the positive (e.g. Impatiens grows very quickly and very tall, therefore it is able to rebalance impatience, impulsiveness, and the need to be first all the time). He was also able to see how emotional imbalances led to physical illnesses (anger can lead to liver problems; fear can lead to kidney problems; and so on). Once the emotions have been rebalanced and brought back to the positive, the physical body will then heal itself. This was the basis in which vibrational essences in the western world was then built.

Shamanic cultures around the world have been using essences in similar ways for all time, e.g. petals soaked in water as an offering, as a drink, to cleanse and purify the system, strengthen the body, and to connect us to our higher selves. That petal-soaked water would hold the energy of the flower, just as flower essences do.

Further reading: Healingherbs.org | Messages from the Water, by Masaru Emoto

More About Dr Edward Bach

Bach Flower Remedies were created by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s. He wanted to find a less harsh and intrusive way to heal the person than the vaccine therapy he was using at the time, and - utilising his extensive experience in bacteriology as associated with illness and disease, and homoeopathy - he discovered the power of wild, local flowers to bring harmony to the whole person when given as an essence in a diluted form. He recognised the holistic being of a person and, thus, that a person could be treated holistically, taking into account strengths and vices in their personalities and how an emotional imbalance - especially if chronic - could lead to common and severe illnesses. His system has stood the test of time, with many turning to Bach Flower Remedies regularly to ease emotional and mental challenges, which in turn aids the physical body to recovery. 

Heather is often prescribed for feelings of loneliness and/or isolation. In their positive state, a "heather personality" will feel integrated and connected with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Essences Work?

When the energy of the imprinted water meets the water in your own body, one affects the other (this is called osmosis) and it opens the door for a transformation to occur which usually results in the balancing of your emotions (in the case of flower essences) and/or the lifting of them into a higher vibration (higher state of consciousness) which is very much what crystal and angelic energies are good at doing. Some feel that simply having the energy of the essence in your auric field (such as through the use of essence sprays) is enough for the affect to take place, casting doubt that osmosis (at least on its own) is responsible.

It's much like when you walk through a field of bluebells or poppies (or any flower that is your favourite) - or perhaps a cave full of calcites and quartzes - and it harmonises you; influences your mood and feelings; perhaps invigorates you. This is like that, but captured in water from which you take drops.

This rebalancing / upliftment then allows you to gain more clarity and more easily shift your life in the direction you want to go which may mean big or little changes, but it usually does mean change. Sometimes, it just means peace (which is certainly not a small thing!).

The principle of shamanic healing (and all types of energy healing) is that the physical manifestation of a disease is the last manifestation. So before it becomes the ulcer in your stomach, or the tumor in your lung, it is a blockage - a negative energy - in your outer body. These blockages then start to manifest themselves as negative and unbalanced emotions (and then finally, they will manifest physically as an illness). Flower and vibrational essences work on this level, healing you from the energy and emotional bodies, inwards.

 

What Can Essences Help You With?

Typical ailments aided by flower remedies traditionally include anger, jealousy, despondency, apathy, dominating or controlling behaviour, anxiety, circling thoughts, fear of all kinds, and more… and then spiritually, we can also work with essences to shift etheric blockages, balance karma (with conscious work), help to heal the inner-child, aid shadow work, soul rescue, and so on. (Crystal, angelic, and environmental essences are very good at working on that etheric/karmic level.)

Over the years, here are some of the most common ailments I have been asked to help with using flower essences:

In all cases, it is the emotional root of the symptoms that is treated (not any ailment or disease itself) as it is the emotional body that needs rebalancing in order to ease the symptoms.
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I also have clients who would like a more 'spiritual' healing or evolution to take place, and would like flower essences to aid that process.


Can they be used alongside conventional medicines?

Absolutely! Essences, crystal healing, and all energy medicines can used alongside most (if not all) conventional treatment with no problem and are often found to be strengthening for the spirit, emotions, and mind, which is a huge plus when it comes to coping with longer term diagnosis or treatment.

With regards to herbal medicines, some cannot be used, but some can. It would depend on your own personal medical history and sensitivities. If you are on medication, I am more likely to walk you through using herbs spiritually and in ceremony, and through drop dosing methods, so there is no interference with your medication.


How Do I Take the Essences?

Squeeze out 2 to 4 drops of essence, using the pipette, and drop them under your tongue. Do this up to 4 times a day.

If you are taking essences for a long-standing issue, it may be an idea to make up a 30ml dosage bottle for yourself: fill it with half water and half brandy or vodka (it's a good idea to use the same alcohol as your stock strength bottle uses), then put 2 drops of the stock essence into your dosage bottle. If you follow the dosage instructions above, this will last you 4 to 5 weeks which is the length of time most people really start to feel the effects of essences and shift the energies they need to.

 

Can I Take Them If I'm Pregnant and Will My Baby Feel the Effects?

Flower and vibrational essences are safe to take during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and if you are on medication. Because it works on an energetic and emotional level, it does not interfere with your physical self, nor does it interfere with any medicines you might be taking. There are no physical plant or crystal parts left in the essence after creation and dilution - on a chemical level, you are only drinking drops of water and alcohol. Your baby may well feel the energetic benefits of the essences, but only if they resonate with it and need it on that vibrational level. And they will not utilise the essence if they don't resonate with it. It will do them no harm.

The alcohol content is miniscule. However, if you are intolerant or allergic to alcohol, please be mindful of it and you may prefer to use the essence topically by mixing it into a cream, or diluting it in hot water to evaporate the small amount of alcohol in it.

Flower Essence Experience & Qualifications

"I've been a flower essence practitioner since 2003 when I passed Healing Herbs Ltd's course in "Learning to Use Bach Flower Remedies" - a two-month long, practical course held in Regent's Park, London. I saw clients quite regularly from the therapy rooms in Neal's Yard Remedies where I worked. Over the years, I attended workshops in Alaskan Essences and Master's Flower Essences (now called Spirit-in-Nature), created stone circle essences with my partner, Alastair (KUTA Essences), and in 2009, I began the year-long Indigo Essences Practitioner course hosted by Universal Essences in Surrey and taught by Ann Callaghan. Flower and vibrational essences remain one of the most gentle, yet deeply profound modes of energy healing. They are simply beautiful to work with." -Dianna Hardy

Cert Using Bach Flower Remedies
 Cert Indigo Essences Practitioner
 Dip Flower and Vibrational Essences Practitioner

Consultations

£40 per half hour (and for the initial 40 minute consultation)

£15 for a repeat essence mix with no changes or

£20 for a mini-consult and small tweaks

Online sessions are also available for those who live anywhere in the United Kingdom. These prices include delivery to UK addresses.