Using Flower Essences
About Flower Essence Therapy
Use of flower essences is an extremely safe therapy for shifting
emotional states which may be causing or perpetuating outward
physiological illness. Developed by homeopath, naturopath, and
allopath Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's, these liquid
preparations are intended to work in subtle ways on one's
emotional/spiritual energetic patterns. Through repeated dosage,
essences have helped individuals release 'negative' emotions or
fears, and support transformation to higher states of health and
wellness.
While a few 'formal' methods are given, there are no
hard-and-fast rules for the use of flower essences. It can be
best to begin with one of the 'commonly' prescribed methods, and
explore creative ways to incorporate the flowers into your life
as you see fit. Flower essence therapy has a certain
flexibility, and will likely be most effective when used in a
way that feels right in your life. Here are a few guidelines to
take into consideration:
Frequency of Use
Most flower essences can be used directly from the 'stock'
bottle (the dilution level at which essences are most often
sold). A typical usage schedule is four drops directly in the
mouth (or added to a glass of water), four times daily. Because
of the particularly dynamic nature of daily awakening and
retiring, the most important times may be immediately upon
waking, and just before going to sleep. The other two times may
be before lunch and upon arriving home at the end of a workday -
whatever times might best suit your daily rhythms. Some folks
apply essences to their heart chakra, pulse points on their
wrists, or on their forehead; essences can be dropped in a bath
or added to a spray bottle and sprayed about a room or house
(more about further dilution in a minute). Sixteen drops can
also be added to a water bottle and taken throughout the day -
this is a very effective method for those with a busy schedule
who otherwise may forget to take their essences.
Duration of Use
Because flower essences work on an emotional level, sometimes
described as the 'soul level', it is important to remember that
changes may best be made gradually. Flower essence therapy has
been most successful when the essences are taken regularly, most
often for the period of about 1 month, for changes in 'core'
emotional issues to be seen. Some essences, like Rescue Remedy,
are blended to have an effect regarding a recent (minutes,
hours, days) traumatic event. Yarrow Environmental Solution by
Flower Essence Services was created to offer protection from our
modern environment on a daily basis, while not necessarily
addressing personal emotional situations. Still other essences,
like 'Impatiens' - used to calm an impatient aspect of
personality - works fairly quickly in some cases. One user
regularly felt the effect within 10 minutes while the impatience
was still a significant part of his personality, with the entire
personality aspect being slowly washed away after long-term use.
So, in most instances, if trying to clear or change some
significant part of your soul makeup, try at least a few weeks
of regular use.
Dilution and Blending
Flower Essences can be further diluted from the 'stock bottle'
(the 'dilution level' available on this site) to a 'dosage
bottle' for regular use. One can add 1 or more droppersful from
the stock bottle to a clean 1 ounce (30ml) dropper bottle and
fill the rest with spring water (optimally) or other clean water
source. Blends can also be made this way, adding 1 or more
droppersful from each flower essence to the 1 ounce dropper
bottle, filling the rest with spring water. The receiving bottle
should either be new, or boiled in water to remove old residue -
because of the nature of flower essences, they can pick up
etheric vibration left over. Also, whenever using flower
essences from the stock bottle, be conscious of not touching the
dropper tip to anything - your tongue, hands, another bottle,
etc. - to help maintain the vibrational purity of the flower
essence.
Dilution Effects
Dilution of the essences will have different effects for
different; Some do not find the effect as pronounced with a
dilution from the stock level, while others find the effect just
as significant. Dilution is usually best, however, for children
- either from a dosage bottle or from the stock bottle into a
glass of water (this can also be good for alcohol-sensitive
persons, because of the small amount of brandy in every drop).
If you chose not to dilute and are making a blend, simply add
equal amounts of each essence to a clean dropper bottle and use
from there (unless you intend to have more of one essence than
another).
Misting Your Environment
Misting your environment is also an effective means to surround
yourself with the energies of your essences. To use as a spray
to mist your home, office, or other environment, a dilution in
spring water is best. Also, glass bottles are preferred over
plastic, as almost every type of plastic has been shown to
release at least a little residue into the water.
Pets and Plants
Animals and pets respond wonderfully to flower essences, perhaps
because of their lack of expectations or any 'resistance' to
being healed. If giving flower essences to pets, it's usually
easiest to add drops, perhaps 4 per day, to their water bowl.
Success has also been noted with misting growing plants -
particularly with Rescue Remedy when transplanting or repotting.
Other Resources
This is in no way intended to be an exhaustive description of
ways to use flower essences. Many fine books are available both
on the Bach essences (those flowers originally described by Dr.
Edward Bach) and the many other flower species now available in
remedy form. The 'Flower Essence Repertory' from Flower Essence
Services is a fantastic guide to essence selection and use, with
in-depth flower descriptions and a reference of primary
emotional conditions and useful remedies. Experimentation with
flower essences is encouraged, for as you begin to use them,
their place in the dynamics of your personal healing journey
will unfold.