About fifteen years ago I was first introduced to Flower Essences.  I had been in chronic pain for over a year due to a car accident and I was a mess.  I had tried to find relief through regular western medicine, but this only lead to more pills.  Seeking alternative treatments, I found a healer who introduced me to flower essences and what lay beyond physical pain – the emotions. 

 I discovered to find true healing I needed to address not only the physical pains, but also the emotional scars that were at its foundation.  This is when Flower Essence Remedies entered my life.  Flower Essence Remedies are based on the concept that food is for your body as flowers are for your soul…

 Bach Flower Essences were first created by British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930s.  Bach was treating returning soldiers from WWI for their wounds and unfortunately, many were not getting better.  He discovered you had to go beyond the outward signs of physical pain/injury to the emotional traumas still held within the mind and spirit to find true healing. 

 Flower Essences are derived from the flowering parts of plants.  The essence holds the life force of that plant and its specific qualities.  For example, I think everyone has heard of the calming effects of lavender.  Or even that mistletoe’s meaning is “all heal” and is still used today to treat cancer.  Bach rediscovered the forgotten knowledge of flowers that was surely passed down through the ages – only lost for awhile during the crush of 19^th century modernization.

 Flower Essences are not to be taken to relieve the physical symptoms of injury, but as support.  Flower Essences add support to your process – they strengthen your ability to work through conflicts, challenges or obstacles on your journey to wellness.  Sometimes the remedies will actually create the space where you may even feel discomfort more acutely as to “clear” this trauma. 

 A remedy usually last about a month, four drops – four times a day.  I like to think of it as a full cycle.  When you first take the flower remedy you may feel “better” for a day or so before the clearing begins…and then there becomes a heightened awareness of certain annoyances, fights, unsaid words, old patterns that keep coming up over and over until finally you are dealing with your real issue.  It may not feel great, but its necessary to finally be free of this issue and now you have the resources within to make the shift and heal.

 I use Flower Remedies all the time with my clients and in my own life – my kids love them!  They are non-toxic and safe.  It is really another blanket of support you can give yourself, any time – gentle, hopeful and full of possibilities, like the blossoms they are…So be it.  Some Flower Essences to think about…

 Fear…Garlic, Holly, Larch, Black-Eyed Susan, Poison Oak/p Exhaustion & Fatigue…Aloe Vera, Echinacea, Impatiens, Lavender, Olive

 Faith…Aspen, Forget-Me-Not, Sage, Sweet Chestnut

 Depression & Despair…Elm, Chrysanthemum, Hornbeam, Mustard

 Creativity…Buttercup, Iris, Queen Anne’s Lace, Zinnia

 Courage…Fawn Lily, Evening Primrose, Golden Yarrow, Rock Rose 

Love…Angelica, Chicory, Yellow Star Tulip, Mariposa Lily