Flower essences, as they are used today were first “discovered” by Edward Bach over a period of years from 1928 – 1936 in England. He discovered 38 remedies in all, including the world famous Rescue Remedy.

The idea of the spirit, magic, aura of flowers however has been around long before Bach had “discovered” his method. Egyptians used flower water of Lotus and Iris for magical purposes. The Greeks venerated flowers as gods such as Hyacinthus or Narcissus, while Romans placed great emphasis on the healing virtues of fresh blooms. Paracelsus in the 15th century, wrote about how he collected dew from flowering plants, diluted it and used the liquid to treat imbalances in his patients. In the middle ages, chivalry dictated the beginnings of the language of flowers, which cumulated in the complex Victorian “flower dictionaries”.

Today groups such as FES (Flower Essence Society) have pioneered scientific research into flower remedies. Flower essence therapy is flourishing around the world with remedies from Australia, Alaska, Canada, France, Himalayas, Scotland and Wales. Research groups, organizations and teaching schools have sprung up where various new methods of preparation abound and flower remedies have become the healing miracle of the 21st century.

Erik Pelham, who pioneered Kirlian photography, discovered some interesting facts. His pictures demonstrated that flowers have an aura, which slowly diminishes after they are picked. This aura of energy can be transferred to water by various methods, the two main ones being – the Sun method and the Boiling method. There are others means of transference such as Andreas Kortes crystal method, but the former are generally the most well known.

Each flower has a unique virtue e.g. Holly from the Bach flower essences range is used for anger and hatred. Look at the plant, deepest green with envy, red berries representing the heart and thorns which represent prickly anger. It is often used for those who sometimes are attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy, envy, revenge and suspicion. They often suffer much from these strong emotions even when there is no real cause for their unhappiness. Taking the essence creates the positive potential of generosity, compassion and love, with a willingness to be less possessive.

Energetic medicine can be used to heal mental, emotional, spiritual and sometimes physical ailments. So it is easy to see how vibrational medicine and quantum physics share the same philosophy. We are energy. Our actions, thoughts and dreams are all energy. Therefore what we think we are! What we feel we are! The essence works by moving subtly into the template of our being and making changes, smoothing out bumps and preventing mindsets which could distort it once again. Over time it can change constructs we, society or that which our genetic inheritance, puts on us

So how many types of flower remedies are there? One of the early pioneers of essences is FES (Flower Essence Society) in California, set up in 1979 by Richard Katz and Patricia Kaminske. Today they use extensive case studies, clinical reports by therapists and structures of the essence plants including morphological and botanical characteristics. Another pioneer in flower remedies are the Australian Bush Remedies, set up by Ian White in the early 80’s. The chosen emblem for his essences is the Waratah. It is a deep large red bloom, which is taken for the ‘dark night of the soul’, when suicide and blackness is the only path ahead. Taking it leads to seeing and experiencing hope and wanting to make changes to your life.

Flower Essences can be used by everyone for their emotional needs without any side effects. This is because there are no toxic ingredients in the formulas.

I use Flower Essences on a daily basis in my clinical practice. I find it helps all people from all walks of life during emotional times of worry, shock, grief and uncertainty. I became drawn to Flower Essences when I felt the gentle healing effect of Rescue Remedy ™ at exams many years ago and have never looked back since!

Many Natural Therapists use Flower Essences as an adjunct to their modality. Using a directory such as Natural Therapy Pages can help to locate a practitioner near you that utilizes Flower Essences.

Bibliography

Bach, Edward (1931) Heal Thyself C.W Danial Company Ltd, London
Rudd, Carol (1998) Flower Essences – An Illustrated Guide Element, London
Scheffer, Mechthild (1990) Bach Flower Therapy – Theory and Practice Thorsons, New York