Flower essences are subtle liquid extracts, generally taken orally, which are used to address profound issues of emotional well-being, soul development and mind-body health. The use of flower essences (and similar plant-based remedies) is one of the most ancient forms of healing known to mankind. Undoubtedly our prehistoric ancestors sought the help of plants to gain and regain health.
The precise use of flower essences for specific emotions and attitudes was first developed by an English physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930's. It was he who first created a set of flower essences which could assist patients to overcome chronic or intractable illness by removing emotional "blockages" and held-in stresses which inhibited recovery.
Today, there are many types of flower essences produced from the native flora of many countries. Each set of essences works on the same principles as the Bach Flower Remedies, yet each set has its own subtle qualities which suit different individuals, different climates, cultures and disease states. Practitioners may feel more comfortable with one type of essence than another and, therefore, will gain better results by using their favourites.
Flower essences are generally prepared from a sun infusion of wildflowers or pristine garden blooms in a bowl of pure water, which is further diluted and potentised, then preserved with brandy.
Flower essences are similar to homeopathic remedies in that they work at a "vibrational" rather than a physical level, but flower essences have a more subtle, yet very profound, effect on the emotional and spiritual well-being of the recipient. I have often heard clients tell me that "those flower essences did nothing for me" in one breath, while telling me about all the positive changes they have made in their life with the next.
REFERENCES
Some sections of this page contain extracts from "Flower Essence Repertory" by Patricia Kaminski & Richard Katz, published by The Flower Essence Society, California, U.S.A. 1994
"PARKINSON'S DISEASE, Etiology, Prognosis and Treatment from Medical and Naturopathic Perspectives" by John Coleman, unpublished, 1998. |
