Flower essences used to be known as flower remedies but the term essence in preferred because of the legal aspects of making claims about products without proof that they work. There are also gem essences, environmental essences and others all based on the same concept. It can be hard to believe that a small, very diluted part of a flower can have such a potent effect on our wellbeing. The Bach Flower Remedies' Rescue Remedy is particularly well known and many people have a bottle on them for emergencies, especially if they are prone to stress and panic attacks. Most flower essences are kept in a base of brandy, but these can be watered down and still be effective. Alcohol free ones are also available.
The effect of stress and other emotional issues on our health is now widely known. Anything that can help this stress will obviously help our physical wellbeing as well. I have found flower essences very effective at aiding a whole lot of emotional issues in myself, my family and my friends. Due to the ever increasing popularity of flower essences, more and more companies are setting up creating more and more ranges. This can become quite confusing and it is difficult to know which way to turn, especially when there is more than one remedy offering much the same outcome. Flower essences come in various forms. There is the individual essence, made from a specific flower or gem, there are also combination essences often covering such areas as relationships or abundance. These days there are also sprays and creams too. What are Flower Essences? These essences are made in a similar way to homeopathic remedies. The standard way with the flower essences is to take a small piece of the flower and leave it in a small bowl of spring water near its mother plant. The plants are then removed from the water which is usually mixed with brandy for preservation purposes. This is then the basic essence. Others can be produced in the same way and mixed in. The same basic procedure is used when producing gem and other essences. History of Flower Essences Dr Edward Bach was really the first person to create flower essences. He was working in the London Homeopathic Hospital in 1919 when he started looking into creating his own homeopathic remedies. He believed that what was needed was remedies to concentrate on negative emotions and left his successful medical career to work on this. His research led him to find the 38 Bach Flower Remedies which are by far the most popular and well known of all the flower essences. Slowly after this, other flower essences were produced and in 1979 the Flower Essence Society was created to watch over the developments, assess whether the flower essences were genuine and to provide training. Why use these Essences? According to Anne McIntyre in 'The Floral Healer', “They address profound issues of spiritual wellbeing, emotional and mental harmony, and the healing of emotional and mental difficulties creating blocks to spiritual development and realization of our full potential”. People take these essences as a relatively easy way to work on the various negative issues in their lives. How to use these Essences Essences can be taken individually or in combination. The procedure for taking them can vary a little. For instance if you have a sleeping essence it is best taken before going to bed, but basically a few drops can be taken three or four times a day, either direct or in water. It is probably best not to have more than one combination essence at a time. It is possible that symptoms get worse for a day or so and this is a good sign, because it shows that the essence is working. If this happens take the advice that comes with the essence. Generally, if the symptoms are manageable people carry on taking the essence, possibly at a lower dose, and if not they stop for a few days and then start again, maybe at a lower dose. There are no hard and fast rules on this. The Bach Centre The Flower Essence Society |
Calm and Clear Essence
Confid Essence
Craving Essence
Inner Harmony
Being Present
Suppressed Fear
Vented Fear
Meditation
Crisis Calm and Emotional Rescue
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