Bach Flower Essences

 

What are Flower Essences?

Flower Essences are subtle liquid extracts, usually taken or oral form, which are used to support the body system in handling issues of emotional well-being, soul development, and mind-body health and balance.

The use of flower essences for healing is an ancient practice, but the precise application of flower essences for specific emotions and attitudes was first developed by an English medical doctor and bacteriologist, Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's. The Bach Flower Essences are 38 plant and flower based formulas that can help us manage the emotional demands of everyday life by bringing negative attitudes and feelings back into balance and perspective. By helping to restore and maintain emotional balance, the Bach Flower Essences free the body's own healing functions and help to promote overall wellness.

Like homeopathic remedies, flower essences are vibrational in nature. They are highly dilute from a physical perspective, but have subtle power as potent substances, embodying the specific energetic patterns of each flower. Flower essences work through the various human energy fields, which in turn influence mental, emotional and physical well-being.

One of the major advantages to using flower essences instead of drugs is that flower essences don't have to be detoxed out of the body and they won't damage tissue or organs. In fact, there has never been a case where someone was harmed using flower essences!

How do I take Flower Essences?

Flower essences, like other vibrational remedies, require only small doses. Flower essences leave the soul in freedom. They encourage rather than compel change. They stimulate lasting changes in consciousness, which continue to be a part of our lives after we stop taking the essences.

Flower essences are usually taken under the tongue - 3 drops, 3 times per day. They may also be added to water bottles and sipped throughout the day. Flower essences may be given to babies and ideal for children and all the emotional issues that they encounter growing up. Flower essences may also be used directly on the body. For instance, with babies you could put a drop on their forehead and rub in gently and it will have the same effect as if they took it by mouth.

You CANNOT overdose on flower essences. Another great thing about flower remedies is that if you take the wrong one, it simply will have no effect.

What kind of emotional issues do flower essences work on?

Pretty much any emotion or attitude can be helped with flower essences. I've seen them work very well with depression for instance, where the depression was lifted in as little as two days. Anxiety is relieved with flower essences, as well as grief, anger, fear, exhaustion and being driven. Essences can help self-esteem issues, being too critical, overwhelmed or too domineering or impatient.

Clients have used them during and after childbirth also. Walnut is an excellent remedy for dealing with change, such as when a new baby comes into the family. Rescue Remedy, which is a blend of five different essences is helpful for accidents or trauma and also works very well to handle the grief of losing someone close to you.

How do I get flower essences?

Flower essences are sold at most health food stores, ranging anywhere from $7.50 to $10.00 per bottle. Since there are 38 different ones, it might be cost prohibitive to buy all of them. If you have only one or two issues to work on, then probably buying the ones you think will work for you would be appropriate. However, you may have major issues like depression, anxiety or deciding to stop taking psychiatric medication (with the approval of your medical doctor). In cases like this, I work closely with clients to determine a blend of usually five essences at a time to be taken daily for a month, at which time they come back in and are re-evaluated to see if there are any new issues and to see which issues have resolved during the month. Some issues are resolved more quickly than others.

I can also always be reached by phone if an emergency comes up. (An example being: Getting off Prozac - Things might go smoothly for the first week and then suddenly you feel a lot of anxiety. There are essences that can be added to your dosage bottle to help with that.)

The cost of a therapy session for Flower Essences is very reasonable and includes the cost of the essences for that month.