Flower essences are herbal infusions or decoctions, made from the flowering part of the plant, which uniquely address emotional and mental aspects of wellness. The first 38 flower remedies were formulated by a British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930’s, although new remedies from other plant species are now available.
How do flower essences work?
To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a “body” of life energy, a “body” of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, and evoke specific qualities within us. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the flower essences work through the medium of water.
Modern physics has known for nearly a century that matter and consciousness are intertwined. However, medical science still generally works with a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism in a world of machines. We expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of studying the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about the ways in which flower essences work. However, empirical research, which consists of the collection of case studies and practitioner reports, will remain the primary source of knowledge about how flower essences work.
How are flower essences used?
Flower essences can be used in a number of ways. The most common way is to take them orally, four drops, four times a day. Our experience shows that it is not necessary to take them internally. They can also be used by adding five to seven drops in a plant sprayer bottle and misting a room or our bodies. You can also add a few drops to the bath, spray clothes before ironing them, or spray your pillow before sleeping. What is important to remember is that they are a vibrational essence, and surrounding yourself with them, inside or outside, is the best way to experience their effects.
The following are some of the categories of emotions that tend to arise when travelling down the Fertility Journey path. Look through the categories and read about the essences that are in each category to find the one’s that best fit you are your particular situation.
(from the Flower Essence Society)
Alignment
- between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels—Alpine Arnica, Malachite
- between the male and female energies in our body—Blue Poppy
- deep realignment with one’s highest purpose in life—Ladies’ Tresses
- restores alignment between the spiritual and physical bodies—Alpine Arnica
- strengthens central vertical alignment—Rutile
- with the power of one’s personal truth—Cattail Pollen
- with Universal sources of energy and information—Rutilated Quartz, Silver, Topaz
Ancestral Healing
- clearing ancestral patterns—Cinnabar, Cotton Grass, Fireweed, Liard Hot Springs, Nootka Lupine, Northern Lights, Purification
- for establishing and strengthening boundaries—Hematite, Pyrite
- for healing ancestral patterns that are blocking our ability to receive—Go-Create
- for non-judgement and acceptance of what we inherited—Pearl, Reindeer Moss, Sphagnum Moss
- for processing inherited anger—Blue Elf Viola
- for understanding the origins of our family patterns—Black Spruce, Nootka Lupine, Sitka Burnet, White Lupine
- opening to the positive support of our ancestors—Golden Corydalis, Yellow Dryas
Anger
- helps one calm down after being angry—Valerian
- maintaining a strong sense of self when dealing with anger—Tiger’s Eye
- resolving old anger—Mountain Wormwood
- understanding and releasing anger through the heart—Blue Elf Viola
Anxiety
- calms mental anxiety—Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Goatsbeard, Valerian
- from being overwhelmed—Paper Birch, Purple Poppy, Red Elder, Stinging Nettle
- soothes anxiety as we confront change—Redoubt Volcano
Attachment
- for attachment to distraction—Bunchberry
- letting go of attachment to old wounds and grievances—Cotton Grass, White Lupine
- letting go of attachment to the form of what has been—Bog Blueberry, Glacier River, Greenland Icecap
- letting go of inappropriate emotional attachment to others—Mountain Wormwood
- releasing attachment to old emotions—River Beauty
- releasing attachment to pain—Cotton Grass
- releasing attachment to the form our support must take before we are willing to accept it—Spiraea
- releasing inappropriate attachment to the ego—Round-Leaved Sundew
Awareness
- clearing and focusing awareness to deepen our connection with nature—Comandra, Green Bog Orchid,Northern Twayblade
- of emotional tension held in the muscle tissues of the body—Dandelion
- of how our energy affects others—One-Sided Wintergreen, Red Quartz
- of one’s Divine identity—Monkshood, Scepter Amethyst, Sugalite
- of one’s life purpose—Ladies’ Tresses, Paper Birch
- of one’s true self—Tamarack, Topaz
- of our highest spiritual potential—Scepter Amethyst
- of subtle energy flows in and around the body—Lady’s Slipper
- of support and guidance from higher realms—Chalice Well, Hairy Butterwort, Kunzite
- of the omnipresence of light—Single Delight
- of the source of one’s vitality—Chocolate Lily, Fire Opal
- of the support and nurturing that is available from nature—Emerald, Grove Sandwort, Pineapple Weed, Rock Spring, Spiraea
- of what is in the present moment—Star Ruby
Change
- for maintaining one’s family identity through profound cycles of change—Yellow Dryas
- for understanding the deeper meaning of earth changes—Augustine Volcano
- helps us let go of our resistance to change—Glacier River, Redoubt Volcano, Round-Leaved Sundew
- impatient with the pace of change—Polar Ice
- strengthens and stabilizes the body so it is better able to cope with change—Cow Parsnip, Fireweed Combo
- support for deep inner change—Greenland Icecap, Spiraea, Tidal Forces
- support for moving through change without creating crisis—Hairy Butterwort
Clarity
- brings clarity to an overactive mental body—Aquamarine, Citrine
- emotional clarity in communication—Azurite, Beyond Words, Sweetgale
- hearing and speaking from a place of inner clarity—Twinflower
- increases clarity and alertness by dissipating confusion—Easy Learning
- mental clarity, especially during demanding situations—Blue Topaz, Bunchberry
- of dreams—Herkimer Diamond
- of purpose—Diamond
- of vision—Rainbow Hematite
- translating clarity of perception into appropriate action—Alder
Cleansing
- chaotic and confused energy from the heart—Emerald, Foxglove, Montana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite,Rose/Smoky Quartz
- core cleansing and repatterning of the heart—Northern Lights
- emotional energy stuck in the lower chakras—Amazonite, Bloodstone, Cinnabar, Ruby, Sweetgale
- old energy patterns from the body—Fireweed, Greenland Icecap, Purification
- the body’s electrical system—Stinging Nettle
- the channel of communication between the heart and the mind—Wild Rhubarb
- the etheric body—Carnelian, Fluorite, Fluorite Combo, Purification, Sweetgrass
- toxic energy from the mind, emotions, and physical body—Black Tourmaline, Greenland Icecap, Northern Coral Root, Portage Glacier, Purification, Smoky Quartz, Tourmalated Quartz
Clutter Clearing
- for establishing new boundaries with our belongings so we don’t attract more clutter in the future—One-Sided Wintergreen
- for extreme clutter that has taken over the house—Devil’s Club
- for holding onto stuff because of a fear of not having enough—Blueberry Pollen, Bog Blueberry
- helps us let go of what is inessential—Typhoon, Winter In August
- helps us release mental and emotional energy attached to our clutter—Northern Coral Root, Purification
- seals the energy space after the Clutter Clearing process is complete—Guardian
Depression
- for those feeling separate and alone in times of darkness—Lighten Up, Single Delight
- for those who feel lost or out of touch with their own inner dynamics—Chiming Bells
- from lack of light—Orange Calcite, Solstice Sun
Father
- forgiveness around father issues—Mountain Wormwood
- strengthening the father principle, in men and women—Citrine, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Solstice Sun,Sunflower
Feminine
- balancing masculine and feminine energies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Watermelon Tourmaline
- blending the power of the masculine and feminine—Blue Poppy, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Solar Eclipse
- helps one embody feminine qualities of spirituality—Sugalite
- opening to the nurturing energies of the Divine Mother—Emerald, Ladies’ Mantle, Larimar
- opening up to a greater awareness of the feminine in nature—Amazonite, Northern Lady’s Slipper, Paper Birch
- reconnecting to the wild feminine—Green Jasper
Forgiveness
- of old wounds in relationships—Alpine Arnica, Bleeding Heart, Mountain Wormwood
- through a clean and appropriate expression of anger—Blue Elf Viola
- through acceptance of self—Alpine Azalea
Grief
- helps one contact, open to and release grief carried in the physical body—Chrysocolla, Cotton Grass, Diopside,Ladies’ Mantle,Reindeer Moss
- supports, balances, and nurtures the emotional process during the grieving process—River Beauty, Tidal Forces,White Fireweed
Honesty
- helps one make decisions based on an honest regard for one’s highest good—Beyond Words, Paper Birch, Pyrite,Topaz
- willingness to see the truth of a situation—Alder, Bladderwort, Cattail Pollen
Hope/Hopelessness
- helps us replace hopelessness with openness, courage, and a renewed interest in life—Prickly Wild Rose, Tundra Rose
- reminds us that we are loved and supported by the angels and the entire web of life on this planet—Calling All Angels, Chalice Well
- restores a belief in miracles—Augustine Volcano, Rock Spring
Intimacy
- helps one create appropriate boundaries for—Covellite, Pasque Flower
- helps one open again to intimacy after a painful or traumatic experience—Chrysocolla, Montana Rhodochrosite,Rhodochrosite,White Fireweed
- strengthens the heart so one is able to maintain intimacy—Mangano Calcite, Rose Quartz
Loss
- becoming empowered by consciously letting go—Fireweed, Tidal Forces
- coping with recent emotional loss—Bleeding Heart, River Beauty
- of place, home, or habitat—Reindeer Moss
- processing ancient feelings of loss—Cinnabar, Ladies’ Mantle
Manifesting
- abundance on all levels—Blueberry Pollen, Bog Blueberry, Go-Create, Rock Spring
- positive reality from the quality of one’s thoughts—Goatsbeard, Willow
- through a strong connection with one’s creative power—Bog, Club Moss, Gold, Wild Iris
Masculine
- balancing masculine and feminine energies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Watermelon Tourmaline
- balancing power and gentleness in men and women—Blue Poppy, Sitka Spruce Pollen
- helps men reclaim their spiritual self-image—Brazilian Amethyst, Star Gentian
- strengthening the flow of masculine energy in men and women—Fairy Slipper, Solar Eclipse, Solstice Sun, Sunflower
Mother
- helps the single mother find balance between mothering and fathering—Solar Eclipse
- opening the heart to the Divine Mother—Chiming Bells, Emerald
- strengthening the mother principle—Bog, Grove Sandwort, Pineapple Weed
- support for becoming a mother—Pregnancy Support
Nurturing
- helps the inner child receive nurturing from the Divine Mother and from the Earth—Emerald, Northern Lady’s Slipper, Rose Quartz
- helps us learn how to receive nurturing without struggle—Larimar
- learning to nurture and be nurtured unconditionally—Spiraea
- supports the practice of nurturing between mother and child—Grove Sandwort, Pregnancy Support
Receptivity
- creating functional energy boundaries to support one’s receptivity—Covellite, Stone Circle, White Violet
- dedicating one’s mental capacities to receiving the creative impulses of the soul—Jacob’s Ladder
- developing emotional receptivity—Sweetgale
- helps one move from over sensitivity to centered receptivity—Moonstone
- increasing mental receptivity by opening the channel between the heart and mind—Wild Rhubarb
- to one’s spiritual power—Brazilian Amethyst, Icelandic Poppy, Scepter Amethyst
- to the angelic kingdom—Angelica, Chiming Bells, Kunzite
Relationships
- balancing communications in relationships—Twinflower
- balancing one’s relationship to the Earth—Turquoise
- encourages mutual awareness and healing of relationships—Full Moon Reflection
- opening emotional interactions in—Sweetgale
- release of unforgiven areas in—Mountain Wormwood
- seeing relationships from a spiritual perspective—Pale Corydalis
Release
- of a negative or false self-image—Columbine, False Hellebore, Lace Flower
- of emotional and mental tension held in muscle tissue—Dandelion, Valerian
- of emotional tension in male/female relationships—Sweetgale
- of energy connections with others that are no longer useful—Aragonite
- of energy patterns that no longer serve us—Cinnabar, Fireweed, Green Tourmaline/Smoky Quartz, Northern Lights, Purification
- of pain held in the body—Cotton Grass, Potato
- of self-doubt—Tamarack
- of sexual tension stemming from experiences of abuse—Balsam Poplar
- of the fear of one’s own power—Soapberry
Releasing
- attachment to distraction—Bunchberry
- constrictions held deep in the heart—Green Bog Orchid, Green Fairy Orchid, Pink Quartz
- deep patterns of limitation held in the mind—Blueberry Pollen
- deeply held trauma—Ladies’ Tresses, Soul Support, White Fireweed
- emotional shock—White Fireweed
- emotional tension centered around the heart—Foxglove, Soapberry
- familial and tribal karmic patterns—White Lupine
- inner potential—Sticky Geranium
- judgment from the heart—Sphagnum Moss
- mental resistance to change—Glacier River, Greenland Icecap, Jacob’s Ladder, Willow
- old habits that are no longer useful—Portage Glacier
- pain held deep in the subconscious—Forget-Me-Not
- resentment towards oneself or another—Mountain Wormwood
- self-destructive programming—Bog Candle, Diopside
- the energy surrounding unresolved conflicts—Blue Elf Viola
- the need to mentally control the events of our lives—Jacob’s Ladder
- through self-acceptance—Rose/Smoky Quartz
- toxic patterns in an environment where there has been addiction, depression or abuse—Purification
- unexpressed emotions in a positive way—Augustine Volcano
Sadness
- brings peace and joy to those who are lost in sadness—Chiming Bells, Orange Calcite, Pink Quartz, River Beauty
- helps us release deep sadness from the body—Cinnabar, Ladies’ Mantle, Tidal Forces, Tundra Twayblade
Self-Appreciation
- of one’s beauty, regardless of how it differs from others—Columbine
- of one’s unique contribution to the evolution of humanity—Lace Flower
- of our creative abilities—Wild Iris
Sensuality/Sexuality
- clearing negative programming around sexuality—White Fireweed
- for over sensitivity to physical touch—Pasque Flower
- helps one express one’s passion in service to Spirit—Blue Poppy
- restores earthly sensuality and healthy sexuality—Green Jasper, Ladies’ Mantle
- synchronizing sexual energy with planetary cycles and rhythms—Balsam Poplar
Spiritual
- brings a depth and physical richness to one’s spiritual life—Sugalite
- helps one balance the flow of spiritual energies in the body—Lilac, Red-Purple Poppy
- promotes a recognition of the spiritual realm—Brazilian Amethyst, Forget-Me-Not, Scepter Amethyst
- seeing relationships as catalysts for spiritual growth—Pale Corydalis
- supports spiritual receptivity and radiance—Icelandic Poppy
Stress
- letting go of emotional stress stored in the muscle tissue—Dandelion
- relieving stress from the experience of extremes—Labrador Tea, Soul Support
- stress from a preoccupation with mental activities—Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Jacob’s Ladder, Wild Rhubarb