Flower Essences: Are They Right for You?

by Larry Henson

Flowers are a source of inspiration for all of us. Their beauty is a delight for our eyes, and their scent brings pleasure in our smell. The element associated with the flower is air. In Tibetan culture, the air element is the source of healing. It pervades all of creation. The flower releases its scent into the air for all to enjoy. In the flower is contained the entire essence of a plant, which is transformed into a new generation of the same plant through the seed.

Finding the Flowers for You

The healing properties of each plant are unique. How do we determine which flower essence is right for you? Starting with Dr. Edward Bach and continuing today, people have experimented with flower essences to determine their healing properties. The results of their research can be used to match the disease with the right flower. Some practitioners use intuitive techniques, such as muscle testing, to determine what essences are best for a person. Both of these methods are effective. Which do you feel is right for you?

What Is an Essence?

An essence is the energy template of a flower, a mineral, a star, or other forms. Water is used as the carrier of the vibration. The sun is usually used to facilitate the vibrational transfer. The moon or heat may be used in some cases. Brandy is usually used as a preservative to keep the essence fresh.

When a person takes an essence, the energy signature of the flower is understood. The person can choose to vibrate at the new level, stay at the current level, or even return to the current level after experiencing the new vibration. There is no addictive effect; the person always has a choice to change. While moving to the new vibrational level can take a few weeks, at times the change is almost immediate.

Different kinds of essences work mostly with specific levels of a person's bodies. Flower essences affect the emotional body strongest, but also affect the spiritual body. Mineral essences work with mental and physical bodies.

Are Flower Essences Safe?

Flower essences are safe to use at any time. Unlike allopathic medicines, herbs, aromatherapy, or homeopathy, they do not force any changes on a person. At each decision point in your life, you can choose the path you will take. The essence gives you a clearer view about the results of your choice. Because you are involved in making the choices, the changes you have effected are long-lasting. And with the changes occurring in your emotional and spiritual bodies, resulting physical manifestations can happen because of your new outlook on life. Flower essences can be combined with other therapies effectively. They will not interfere with the other therapy; they will complement it. Could we ask for anything better?

Flower Essence Preparation

The preparation of a flower essence is an alchemical process involving the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. The flowers are put in a clear glass bowl set on the earth. The sun is allowed to shine on the bowl for several hours while the wind circulates, bringing the right conditions to allow the water to hold the essence. The intent of the practitioner helps to bring the process to fruition. After the process is done, the essence is stabilized, usually with brandy. This is called the mother essence. What is usually sold in stores is a dilution of the mother essence, called the stock essence. This is used to create the individual dosage bottles that you will be given by the practitioner.

Healing Vibrations of Chrysanthemum - An Example

To give a better understanding of how a flower might help you, I have chosen the chrysanthemum made by Flower Essence Services. It is especially useful for someone who has identified too closely with his youth and ego. The loss of connection with one's spiritual self can manifest as a mid-life crisis, a life-threatening illness, or even death. Too much importance is placed on establishing oneself in the world, most likely as a hedge against death. The chrysanthemum provides the opportunity to reconnect with one's spiritual self. A feeling of being more than our earthly life propels us into a larger perspective, knowing that the transitory nature of the world is not our true nature. We accept our soul's immortality and live from that perspective.

Sources of More Information

1. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies, Dr. Philip M. Chancellor. Keats Publishing. 1971.

2. Flowers That Heal: How to Use Flower Essences, Patricia Kaminski. Newleaf. 1998.

3. Flower Essences: Reordering Our Understanding and Approach to Illness and Health, Machaelle Small Wright. Perelandra. 1998.

4. Radical Healing: Integrating the World's Great Therapeutic Traditions to Create a New Transformative Medicine, Rudolph Ballentine, M.D. Harmony Books. 1999.

5. Vibrational Medicine for the 21st Century: The Complete Guide to Energy Healing and Spiritual Transformation, Richard Gerber, M.D. Eagle Brook. 2000.

In truth, goodness, and beauty.

Larry Henson is a Triangle-area Flower Essence Practitioner in his spare time. He has been working with essences for five years. Consultations can be done in person, by phone, or by mail. Larry can be contacted at 919-661-8371 or lwh@nc.rr.com.