Flower Essences

Flower essences are one of my favourite modalities, and you will often see them prescribed in case histories.

Many people are familiar with "Rescue Remedy", but don't realise that there are many variations in essences which can be used to help animals (and their owners), and remedies can be specifically made to target a huge range of problems, both emotional and physical.

Essences produced in almost every country in the world, but the ones I use most often are the Bach Flowers from the UK, and the Australian Bush Flower Essences. I select the range which seems most suited to the animal I am seeing at the time.

Essences are prepared by placing untouched healthy blooms, or parts of trees or shrubs, in a glass bowl filled with spring water and exposed to the sun. At a preferred time the flowers are removed, the healing essence having been transferred to the water. It is theorised that the water is altered energetically to the healing energy pattern of the specific flower.

The essence water is diluted in a natural preservative, often brandy, and this is called the "Mother Tincture" This is then further diluted to "Stock Strength", which can be purchased, and a few drops from different stock bottles can be combined to make an individual mix.

Flower essences are not something new. The Aborigines have always used them, as did the ancient Egyptians. They were also popular in the middle ages. Paracelsus in the 15 century wrote how he collected dew from flowering plants and diluted it to treat emotional imbalances.

Dr Edward Bach, in the UK, rediscovered flower essences over 50 years ago using the flowers of English plants and shrubs. He and other great healers agreed that good health was the result of emotional, spiritual and mental harmony.

Ian White, an Australian, was guided to prepare the wise and ancient energies from Australian plants in the same way.

The remedies work in a multitude of ways to assist in letting go of negative beliefs and emotions, and replace them with positive feelings. This then relieves physical problems caused by the negative energies. Most people can relate stomach ulcers to stress, and animals also show physical symptoms to different emotional issues.

Non-animal lovers can often be heard stating "its only a animal, it doesn't have feelings" but people who share their lives with animals know with out any doubt that animals are capable of experiencing the same range of feelings as humans, and deserve to be given the means to shift their emotions into a positive, happy and balanced state.

When I am making a remedy I take a careful case history from the owner, look at the relationship between the owner and their animal, and "pick up" feelings from the animal too. This is made easier by seeing clients in their own home if possible.

Essences are chosen from the range which seems to be most suitable, and they are put together into a remedy bottle for the owner to administer. 

Often the remedy takes a while to work, sometimes 3-4 weeks or longer, and very deep issues might need a repeat bottle. This could be the same, or altered to address any new problems which might be uncovered as the animal heals itself.

The beauty of the flower essences is that they are entirely safe to use, and are without side effects. Animals are so in touch with their emotions, and I have found that they are more than happy to accept the healing energies provided by the plant kingdom.