28 Oct 2010

Flower essences for kids

When children go back to school next week you might want to support their health with natural therapies. Saskia Marshall shares her knowledge of the healing power of flowers and explains which essences work best for aspects of emotional wellbeing.

I was lucky, I found school and learning easy and, mostly, enjoyable but I know that thousands of kids don’t – and I have two sons who both struggled with being in a classroom, let alone learning anything! I’m not going to get into the pros and cons of the education system here but just want to let you know about the essences that can help you or your child cope with all the stresses and strains that school can bring up. Flower essences are great tools to have along for the ride. And children/ teenagers, who are so much more used to change, respond really well and much more quickly to the effects of essences.

PROTECTION
Walnut and Borage are the first two that spring to mind. Walnut brings a shell of protection which is great during change of any sort and helps you be true to yourself and not concerned about what others think of you, which is essential in most classroom situations. Borage helps you be able to deal with everything that life throws at you in a courageous, calm way. Wild Garlic could also go in the mix with those two as it helps you feel safe and secure and looked after by whoever you believe is ‘up there’. It also helps you digest any new ideas that come your way.

SELF LOVE
If you or your child have trouble with self esteem both Potentilla (I love who I am) and Buttercup (self confidence) will really help.

BALANCING THE BRAIN
The two essences we make that are great for actually learning things are Pennyroyal and Peppermint. Pennyroyal seems to help people who have learning difficulties (i.e. dyslexia) by balancing the left and right sides of the brain. Peppermint sharpens the mind, helps you concentrate, wakes you up and brings you back to attention. Our combination ‘Focus, Energise, Create’ is perfect for getting on with homework, projects, essays and anything else you’re having trouble starting – but don’t take it just before bed unless you really have to because it stops a lot of people sleeping!

MAKE UP YOUR OWN
We’ve got a great kit to help and you can now order your own combination choice (up to 5 single essences) so you can make up your own school mix to take before school and after. We also make non alcoholic essences (usually essences are held in a mix of alcohol and spring water but you only take a few drops at a time).

PERSONAL SPACE
If your child is super sensitive or being bullied our My Personal Space handy spray could be a real help – and if you really don’t want to smell of organic Orange flower and Rosemary water we can mix up one that doesn’t smell at all to spray around yourself when you feel your space is being invaded.

GROUNDING
Of course an essential mix for all parents of active children is our version of Rescue Remedy which we’ve improved by adding Dandelion –for its grounding ability of bringing you back to the here and now, a must for any Accident and Emergency.

So here’s to a successful winter term made so much easier by using the energy of flowers!