Flower essences are subtle liquid extracts, generally taken in oral form, which are used to address issues of emotional well-being, belief systems, and mind-body health. While the use of flowers for healing has many ancient roots the precise application of flower essences for specific emotions and attitudes was first developed by an English Physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930’s.

Today flower essences are gaining world-wide professional recognition for their significant contribution to holistic health and flowers, and their powerful essence, from all over the world are being used by many people.

Flower essences are totally safe and without any side effects. They work gently to overcome emotional, mental and physical problems. Anyone can use flower essences and they also work well with children and animals.

Flower essences are safe to take alongside any other medication and can be used effectively with homeopathic remedies.

How Flower Essences Work

Health is commonly defined in our culture as the absence of symptoms, or the elimination or control of disease. Because this definition lacks a positive image of wellness, our medical system is pre-occupied with treating sickness, rather then creating health. Understanding the limits of this symptomatic approach to health is essential for anyone who uses flower essences. Without this awareness, it is easy to approach flower essences merely as remedies to ‘fix’ emotional symptoms, rather than as catalysts for awareness and transformation.

Flower essences do not ‘get rid’ of symptoms but rather bring to the surface or highlight aspects of the person’s belief system or emotional problem so they can be seen clearly and examined in a different light. A little like looking into the mirror for the first time after it has been veiled by mist or steam. Once this aspect has been acknowledged and integrated into the system it no longer has the power or control over us to cause distress.

The effects of flower essences can be compared to the effects we experience from hearing a particularly moving piece of music or seeing an inspirational work of art. The light or sounds waves which reach our senses evoke profound feelings in our very essence, which indirectly affect our breathing, pulse rate and other physical states.

Each flower essence has a specific vibration, which awakens particular qualities in the human energy system and brings them into our awareness.

These work not only to resolve negative beliefs, but also allow those positive qualities within us to come flooding through to our conscious minds. They work in a multitude of ways to help us let go of negative belief’s and emotions and replace these with the positive aspects of ourselves.

Longer term effects of using flower essences

• They give an increase in our emotional awareness. People who feel emotionally numb, constrained or inhibited develop new levels of awareness in that they can experience and express a wider range of feelings.
• They also enhance our emotional flexibility. We may be stuck in a particular pattern of anger, grief, depression, or fear. Flower essences help us to experience a fuller spectrum of human emotional expression, joy, awe, compassion, reverence and so help us to move forward.
• Flower essences help with increasing awareness about our bodies. They help us stop being victims of our illness and begin to take responsibility for caring for our bodies.
• An awakening of our relationship to nature can be another aspect of flower essences. They can help us see nature as a living being so we can understand how nature can nourish and protect us.
• They can help with our attitudes to work or vocation. We may find encouragement from within to change our job or career for something more rewarding or create a fresh attitude and creativity in our current work bringing renewed enthusiasm.
• Flower essences help us get in touch with our true needs and desires
• They can help create a deeper understanding of relationships. Why we may have been hurt or hurt others. They help acknowledge our feelings, encourage forgiveness and awaken compassion. This in turn can strengthen many personal relationships with friends or family or help with ending those relationships that no longer serve our purpose.
• Flower essences can help develop a greater awareness of spirituality in whatever way works for each individual.