(Flower Essence and Bach Flower articles are listed at the bottom of this page,
and on the Flower Essence Index)
Introduction to Flower Essences - by Andrea Putting N.D
“The simple and natural method of healing through the personality,
by means of wild flowers discovered by Dr Edward Bach.” P.M.Chancellor
Flower Essences are a lovely gentle therapy that heals at a deeply spiritual level. Working on your emotions
and mental state, it can bring healing to all levels, just as Homoeopathy does. Flower Essences are very similar
in theory to Homoeopathy and actually stemmed from Dr Bach’s study of Homoeopathy.
The main difference between the 2 therapies is in their preparation. Where Homoeopathy is prepared by crushing
a substance, diluted and succussing, flower essences are made with a more gentle approach. The flower is picked
at sunrise and placed in a glass bowl of pure water and left in the sun for the day. The essence of the flower
is diffused into the water. Another method used, for more woody substances is boiling. The water becomes the
remedy, the “stock”. The stock is then diluted down the same as with Homoeopathic remedies.
Healing in a simple yet powerful way, flower essences are neither harmful or habit forming. It was Bach’s
ambition to create a healing system that was simple and easy to use. Although there are thousands of illnesses
and probably as many different ways for each of them to be manifested, according to Bach, the reasons for illness
stems back to just a few basic causes.
· Fear
· Uncertainty
· Insufficient interest in present circumstances
· Loneliness
· Oversensitivity of influence and ideas
· Despondency and despair
· Over care for the welfare of others.
Disease is caused by obstruction the free flow of the vital force throughout the four levels of being: Spiritual,
Emotional, Mental/Intellectual and Physical. If this obstruction is allowed to continue, then disease can progress
into all levels. So to truly restore harmony, treatment will need to occur on each level. The cause of the illness
must be treated, not just symptoms.
Flower essences heal in many ways. They help to give clarity to one’s life, as well as courage, strength
and commitment to follow and pursue one’s goals and dreams. They help develop a higher level of intuition,
self esteem, spirituality, creativity and fun. The more you use flower essences, the more you are likely to experience
greater awareness and happiness in your life.
The effect of essences has been described as similar to that of meditation, in that they enable the person to
access the wisdom of the Higher Self. They help release negative beliefs that are held in the subconscious mind
and allows the positive virtues, such as love, joy, faith, courage etc to coming into your being. When this happens
the negative beliefs and thoughts are dissolved, balance is restored and true healing occurs.
There are many types of flower essences today. The first of course were the Bach Flower Essences, made with a
range of English flowers. There are 38 Bach Flower essences. Obviously as there are thousands of different flowers
and each having it’s own unique signature, more and more flower essences have been developed. In Australia
we have a vast range of native flowering plants. Currently there is 65 Australian Bush Flower Essences available.
There are also hundreds of other essences from around the world that have been researched and developed. So wherever
you live in the world, there is a range that is specific to your environment.
A brief overview of what emotions the Bach Flower Essences can help you with.
Agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face
Aspen - fear of unknown things
Beech - intolerance
Centaury - the inability to say 'no'
Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions
Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way
Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes
Chicory - selfish, possessive love
Clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present
Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred
Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility
Gentian - discouragement after a setback
Gorse - hopelessness and despair
Heather - self-centredness and self-concern
Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy
Honeysuckle - living in the past
Hornbeam - procrastination, tiredness at the thought of doing something
Impatiens - impatience
Larch - lack of confidence
Mimulus - fear of known things
Mustard - deep gloom for no reason
Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort
Pine - guilt
Red Chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones
Rock Rose - terror and fright
Rock Water - self-denial, rigidity and self-repression
Scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives
Star of Bethlehem - shock
Sweet Chestnut - Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left
Vervain - over-enthusiasm
Vine - dominance and inflexibility
Walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences
Water Violet - pride and aloofness
White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life
Wild Rose - drifting, resignation, apathy
Willow - self-pity and resentment
About the Author
Andrea Putting N.D., Naturopath, Writer and creator/owner of several health
sites including, http://www.naturopathsresourcefile.info, Explore the world of
Natural Medicine, take your health into your own hands. Know how to be healthy
and stay healthy. Covered in detail are nutrients, herbs, flower essences,
homoeopathy and aromatherapy. Visit Andrea’s other sites. http://www.puttingitright.com.au, http://www.naturalhealth4cats.info
Flower Essence and Bach Flower Articles:
