Earthlight Magazine / Books / Home
Copyright © 1996 by Judy Springer
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
Earthlight Magazine / Books
/ Home
Copyright © 1996 by Judy Springer
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
When people first hear of flower essences, they often think
of aromatherapy, which uses fragrant essential oils from flowers.
But flower remedies are different from aromatherapy. They do not
have a fragrance (other than that of the preservative, usually
brandy), and they are usually taken by mouth (a few drops from
a dropper bottle), not breathed in or applied to the skin.
Flower remedies are also different from homeopathy and herbal
medicine. Like homeopathy, they are a form of energy or vibrational
medicine; that is, there is an extremely tiny amount of the original
substance in the dose, and the remedies work in the person's energy
field, not biochemically. Although they are made with the help
of flowers (usually by floating the flowers in water to transmit
their energetic imprint), flower essences are not strictly herbal
medicines. The essence contained in the liquid is an energy pattern,
which vibrates in alignment with the Higher Self.
Because they are relatively new (introduced by Dr. Edward Bach
in England in the 1930s), flower remedies are less well known
than other alternative healing modalities, but their popularity
is growing rapidly. In addition to the original 38 remedies developed
by Dr. Bach, there are now thousands of other essences available
from all over the world.
In June 1991 I was fortunate enough to attend the 2nd Annual International
Flower Essence Conference in Victoria, BC (Canada). I had been
personally using some of the Bach and FES (Flower Essence Society)
essences for several years, and felt that I should learn more
about them.
At the conference, I was astounded at the number of essences and
essence makers, and also by the high quality of the presentations
and presenters. I was particularly excited by the FES (California),
Alaskan and Australian essences, and those from the Netherlands.
I learned that Richard Katz of FES was the first person after
Dr. Bach to make flower essences, beginning in the early 1980s.
I decided that someday I would study with him and his partner,
Patricia Kaminski.
Since 1991, I have been using the essences more and more with
my mental health clients, and have found that they often deliver
quite remarkable results. One man was plagued with "nighttime
flashbacks" of horrible scenes from his years of fire and
rescue work, which seriously disturbed his sleep. A combination
of the essences Arnica, Star of Bethlehem, and Chaparral removed
the problem. The FES Arnica essence (yes, homeopaths, there is
an Arnica flower essence!) and the Star of Bethlehem essence (a
Bach flower) are for healing the effects of shock and trauma.
Chaparral (FES) is for jettisoning toxic psychic debris.
Essences can be taken either individually, or in combinations
made up by a practitioner. Flower essences can be used in acute
situations (when we need help now!) and also for long-term healing
and growth.
For example, the Dandelion essence from FES helps to relieve physical
tension. It's a favorite of many massage therapists. The Elm essence
(a Bach flower) helps those overwhelmed with work. The FES Bleeding
Heart essence helps to heal the hurt from an ended relationship.
The Middle Mountain Indian Tobacco essence (Lobelia inflata) helps
to develop our intuitive abilities. The Lotus essence helps with
meditation.
Within the "flower remedy" field, there are many essences
that are not made from flowers. The Angelic essences are co-created
with the angels for human healing. The Alaskan Environmental Essences
are made from natural phenomena such as the summer solstice and
the northern lights. The Starlight Elixirs are made from- you
guessed it - starlight! The Pacific Sea Essences are made from
marine plants and animals (don't worry, the animals aren't hurt
in the process). A new line of Shamanic Essences is coming out,
carrying the energy of totem animals. The world of essences is
exploding!
This summer, I fulfilled my dream from 1991. I spent two weeks
in California studying with Katz and Kaminski, and also with Ouapiti
Robintree of Hummingbird Remedies (Maui) and Gary Mason of the
Flower Essence Pharmacy (Mendocino County, CA). Those experiences
solidified my decision to concentrate my own energies on studying,
using, and making flower essences for mental, emotional, and spiritual
healing.
Essences are gentle and safe for use with adults, children, animals,
and even plants. The usual dosage is 2 to 4 drops (1 drop for
a baby or small animal). In the case of alcohol-sensitive people,
essence combinations can be made with a non-alcohol preservative.
As with homeopathy, it is not the quantity of essence that makes
the difference in effect. If you want a stronger effect, take
a 2-to-4-drop dose more frequently.
If you have not used essences before, it is easy to try them.
Most stores which carry the Bach essences also have a list explaining
what emotional or mental condition each of those essences addresses,
and you can choose which essences seem most important for you.
The worst that can happen is nothing; if you've chosen the wrong
essence, it will have little or no effect.
There is one caution: When you are first beginning to use essences,
it is best to use only one, two or three, at a time. This allows
you to notice the results more clearly, and it also allows those
essences to work more intensely.
If you would like assistance with selection of essences, you can
consult an essence practitioner. A practitioner will typically
meet with you for an hour to conduct an in-depth assessment of
your needs, to select the appropriate essences, and to develop
a plan for follow-up.
Judy Springer, MTP, DIHom, ND(DC) is a mental health counselor
and flower essence consultant with offices in Frederick and Thurmont,
MD. To reach her, call (301) 271-4873.
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