About Flower Essences and other FAQ

What are flower essences?

Flower essences are water infusions made from fresh blossoms of plants. They contain an energetic imprint of the plant’s life force.  Every flower has its own positive “message”. When we take flower essences, they infuse the body with their positive vibration, which resonates with - and awakens - the goodness within us.  

Unlike essential oils or herbal tinctures, which contain physical substances extracted from plants, a flower essence does not contain any physical parts of a plant, only its healing vibration. Every flower has a different healing quality and its own therapeutic properties.  

How can flower essences help me?

We as humans all have the capacity for a full range of emotional states, all of which are the necessary part of the whole. As the colour white is comprised of all colours, the perfect mental health lies in the balance of all emotional states to the exclusion of none. Problems start when the balance is lost and we fall into the extremes. When our natural balance gets tilted towards states like gloom, fear, guilt or resentment, a well-chosen flower essence (or mix) works by stimulating the positive attributes we already have hidden within us and thus bringing us back into balance.  

For example, when encountering a difficulty, obstacle or setback, on one side of the spectrum is the tendency to get discouraged and give up too soon, while on the other, equally imbalanced, is struggling past the limits of our strength. A different flower essence will be needed to give us hope to keep going and pursue our goals (Gentian) or to accept our limits (Oak). In each case, flower essences are here for us to restore the needed balance.

Their action is gentle yet, over time, profound. They can help us get over an acute situation or crisis, as well as heal long-term mental habits that have become dysfunctional. It’s a “peeling the onion” process. We start by responding to the most obvious current struggles. As they are addressed, deeper and deeper layers of underlying mental and emotional causes are gradually revealed, which can then be dealt with without overwhelming the system.  

Whenever, under the weight of our circumstances, we find ourselves deviating from the natural state of peace and joy, be assured, there is a flower remedy for that. A flower essence practitioner can help you navigate through the list of 38 Bach Flower Remedies as well as countless other flower essences that Nature has so generously offered to us.

To see a list of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, their positive potential and the imbalanced states they can help us with

Using flower essences is the epitome of self-care; they can become a powerful agent for our personal development and spiritual growth. The process of choosing them encourages mindfulness and self-reflection, so we become more attuned to the needs of our own living Soul and its purpose on earth.

Who can use them? Are they safe?

Flower essences are safe for the whole family, including babies and seniors, and even pets and house plants! Because the drops are vibrational and not biochemical in nature, they can be safely used in combination with any medications or supplements and have no undesirable side effects. They can be used very successfully as a standalone therapy or can be combined with and complement any other therapy or treatment.  

Grape alcohol (brandy) is used as a preservative, although the concentration is very low, especially if a treatment bottle is used. Alcohol-free remedies are available for those who want to avoid even tiny amounts of alcohol.

If you happen to choose an essence that is not appropriate, the worst that can happen is that it will have no effect. There is no risk in choosing the wrong one.

How are flower essences made?

Most often, the sun method is used. Freshly picked flowers are placed in a clear glass bowl of spring water which is then set in direct sunlight for a period of time, usually three hours, so that the healing properties of the flower can be transferred to the water. Once the essence or energetic pattern of the flower is transferred to the water, the water is carefully collected and preserved with an equal amount of preservative (traditionally, brandy is used). This is how “mother essence” is made. The essence is then further diluted (2 drops of the “mother essence” in 30 ml of a preservative) to form the “stock” which is the concentration that is usually sold in stores. The stock essence may be taken directly or diluted even further in a dosage/treatment bottle.

How do flower essences work?

The fact is, nobody knows exactly. We can talk about the marvellous properties of water, about chakras and meridians or use various metaphors and compare the essences’ action to the effect that great art can have on a human soul. All of this is true, but will not give you the exact mechanism explaining how flowers heal emotions. But is it really necessary? After all, when science had no explanation for lightning, it was just as real and powerful as now, when anyone who knows a little physics can describe how it works. In fact, if you, like me, are not so sure about how exactly electricity gets to the clouds, you can still admire lightning and respect it.  Same with the flower essences: once you have had a direct experience of using the remedies and their very real and life-changing effects, no further explanation is necessary. One day, no doubt, a scientific explanation will be available, but in the meantime I, personally, am quite happy to think of them as magical.

Do I need to believe in the efficacy of flower essences in order for them to work?

The short answer is no. The essences will infuse your body with their positive vibrations even if you are skeptical, and they would work even if you were not aware of their properties. That is the reason they are effective for small children, plants and animals.  Every cell in the body is striving to achieve the best possible health and well-being at all times and will resonate with the vibrations of the essence, with or without the cooperation of the conscious mind. However, the beneficial effect will be enhanced if the power of your intention is added to the mix. When all parts of you are invested in your healing, a stronger momentum is generated. 

Although it is not necessary for success, it is helpful to support the therapeutic action of the essences with affirmations, visualizations and intentional practices corresponding to the remedy’s desired effect.  

How do I take flower remedies? 

Glass method

For acute and short-term issues, put 2 drops of the essence from the stock bottle (or 2 drops of each essence, if using more than one) in a glass of water or your water bottle and sip it throughout the day. Each and every sip will give you a full dose of flower vibration goodness. Up to 6 different remedies can be combined at a time. When taking Rescue Remedy, 4 drops should be taken instead of 2. You will need to prepare a new mix daily if using this method.

Dosage bottle

A more economical, yet just as effective, way to take your remedies is to make a treatment bottle (aka dosage or mixing bottle) with your personalized mix by putting 2 drops of each stock essence you are using (again, up to 6 different essences) into a 30-ml dropper bottle with spring water and about a teaspoon of a preservative. Adding the preservative is optional, but allows you to store the treatment bottle without refrigeration. I would be happy to make a treatment bottle for you (with or without consultation).

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Take 4 drops from your treatment bottle at least 4 times a day. You may put the drops directly onto your tongue (taking care not to touch the dropper) or into any drink. It is recommended you take 4 drops first thing in the morning, 4 drops before bed and the other two doses spaced out during the day. It is impossible to overdose, but remember that taking more than 4 drops at a time doesn’t increase the effect; taking them more often does.  

A treatment bottle can be stored and used for about 3 weeks.

External uses

There are also a few ways of using flower essences externally, which can be discussed in more detail during a consultation if this method appeals more to you.