The Power of Flowers

Although flower essences have been used in healing for thousands of years, it was only in the 1930s that they became more widely known – thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Edward Bach, who made the original 38 Bach Flower Remedies. In the past 30 years, thousands of powerful new essences have been developed worldwide. Since essences are safe, gentle, cheap and effective, they are increasing rapidly in popularity - and are now used by countless therapists and health practitioners, as well as by the general public. They form a crucial part of the emerging field of ‘energy medicine’.

Life Force Flower essences are usually made by floating fresh flowers on a bowl of spring water, and leaving them in full sunshine for a few hours. The resulting water – which holds the ‘energy signature’ or life-force of the flower – is preserved in a solution of brandy, then diluted. Essences contain no biochemically-active ingredients (other than a small amount of brandy), so they are completely safe, have no contra-indications and no known side-effects. They have been used effectively with adults, children, babies, animals and even plants - and are safe to use during pregnancy and childbirth. Traditionally flower essences are given as drops under the tongue but as they are preserved in alcohol many children and babies don’t like this. Saskia Marjoram, flower essence therapist has some alternative suggestions. “You can add drops to drinks or to the bath (don’t worry if there is more than one child in the bath – the essences will only work on the right one!). Flower essences can also be sprayed around the room from a spray bottle. This is a good way of getting essences to all the people who need them - adults are often more resistant to taking essences than children.”

In simple terms, flower essences hold a high-frequency energy pattern which works rather like a tuning fork. Gill Edwards, flower essence practitioner, explains, “They ‘sound a note’ which is aligned with Source energy, helping us to resonate with our higher self.” Fiona Dilston, homeopath and healer regularly uses flower essences in her practice and with her own family. “As a homeopath I would tend to use the homeopathic remedies for physical issues and flower or gem essences for emotional or mental issues. Flower essences are a gentle non-invasive tool which can ease many transitions in a child’s life,” explains Fiona. “For example with a teething baby, as a homeopath, I would readily consider Chamomilla in 6c but with my flower essence practitioner hat on I would look as well at essences like amethyst for example which is good for helping relaxation and letting go, or rose quartz to help the baby to feel loved and secure.”

The birth process is an enormous experience for mother and baby and essences can be used to help both integrate their experiences in a gentle, natural way. Essences can also be put to good effect after birth. “I might consider Bach Walnut which is for change and also my own “breast stone” essence to encourage nurturing, acceptance and closeness,” says Fiona. Practitioners often create their own blens or signature essences. Elly Yule, therapist believes that children are particularly receptive to essences and at Grassdancer Essences, she has created a Baby Bliss spray mist, which helps babies settle into being here. “It is reassuring and balancing and is particularly helpful for settling any birth trauma,” she explains. “Enhanced with pure essential oils of White Bark Spruce, Frankincense and May Chang, simply spray around baby’s room and above baby’s cot each night.” Saskia also believes that children are more receptive to the healing benefits. “Babies and children have to deal with all sorts of new situations as well as reacting to and absorbing our emotions and flower essences are excellent for helping with this.”

The ailments best helped by flower essences do tend to have an emotional component. The child who finds it hard to share or who suffers with separation anxiety may be helped with heulandite essence which encourages the establishment of personal space and strong boundaries. Flower essences are also great for building confidence or restoring it in the child who is facing a new challenge. Fiona recommends the gem essence rhodocrosite for confidence building. Her daughter Myfi, has used flower essences from a young age. “I recall using Bach Holly when she took a strong dislike to another child as a toddler to help her move on,” Fiona explains. “Later she would choose essences herself; one day making herself a confidence and balance combination to help her to ride her bike without stabilisers. Another time she made a potion for her teacher who was having a busy time during the run up to Christmas.”

Sophia Knock has raised her children to understand how to use flower essences. “My children have grown up with flower essences and we have found making up an essence together to be a perfect opportunity to talk about any problems they are having or qualities they would like to enhance,” she says. “I have used essences for weaning, anger management, insecurity, school work - the list is endless, but tends to be mainly mental, emotional, spiritual issues.”

“I have found that children love to have their own special bottle to make them feel better and I would encourage any parent to use this therapy on their children,” Sophia continues. “The important thing is to try to get to the root of what the problem is for your child and once you have identified this you can then work out which remedy to go for.” Sue Lilly of Green Man Essences recommends getting to know the essences yourself first and learning to trust your instinct. “Children tend to know what essences their body needs. Many find allowing the child to choose is empowering for the child and an astonishing insight for the parent on just how much the child instinctively knows what is beneficial.”

Fiona agrees and advises parents wanting to use flower essences to get stuck in and be creative. “Essences are not just for taking internally; they can be added to bathwater or dropped on a pillow or clothes or added in with essential oils in a burner to diffuse in a room. You could use an essence to help a group of children interact more happily. Essences are not rocket science and you cannot get it wrong; the worst case scenario is that nothing happens and you have wasted a few drops out of the bottle. Trust your intuition or better still trust that the child knows what they need when they reach for a particular bottle.” Saski explains that there are no contraindications and if the ‘wrong’ bottle is chosen the essence simply won’t work. “They are self adjusting and will only work at the level the person can deal with. Also remember that often essences release emotions that were being held in - this is a good sign the essence is working.”

Orthodox medicine, such as drugs and surgery, can relieve symptoms (at the risk of side-effects), but does not treat the person as an integrated whole. By treating symptoms rather than deeper causes, modern medicine often fails to restore true health and vitality - and the deeper meaning or significance of illness and dis-ease can be lost. Unlike drugs, flower essences do not force change; they merely open a doorway, and invite you to step through. They are a gentle yet powerful way of harmonising mind, body and soul – and thus giving birth to your own Essence, or higher self.

Fiona Dilston moonlightessence.co.uk

Elly Yule GrassdancerEssences.com

Sophia Knock wildmedicine.co.uk

Sue Lilly greenmanessences.com

Saskia Majoram saskiasfloweressences.com