- Flower Essence Frequently Asked Questions -
What brand of flower essences do you use?
We use Bach Flower Essences from England. However, in the spring and summer we will be using crystal infused essences with flowers from our garden in addition to the Bach essences.
Why do you use Bach Flower Essences?
In naturopathy school I was introduced to the Bach system of flower essences. We like his principals and what he stands for. Dr. Edward Bach (1886 – 1936) was an English doctor, homeopath, and bacteriologist developed the Bach flower remedies, an alternative medicine inspired by classical homeopathic traditions. Dr. Bach discovered that flowers in nature can affect our emotions for the better. It was his intention to develop a method of healing to treat the emotional and spiritual imbalances which lead to physical disease. He believed the energies from flowers can remove emotional pain and suffering.
What are flower essences?
Flower essences are energetic infusions of flowers in water, potentized with the sun or moon, then stabilized in a solution of spring water and brandy or vodka. One could think of this vibrational essence or frequency as being electrical in nature and the water's molecular structure charged and imprinted with the electrical pattern of the flowers' vibrational essence. Flower essences are very diluted energetic preparations and should not also be confused with herbal tinctures as they do not come from the dried plant, but from the live flowers in full bloom. Flower essences, on the other hand, while they may also stimulate physical healing, are used mainly to promote awareness of emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. They do not contain scent, perfume or flavor and should not be confused with essential oils. They work a lot with frequency.
What does frequency mean?
All objects have a natural frequency. It is the rate at which they vibrate to produce substance. Everything and everyone vibrates at a different frequency, some we can see, some we cannot. Glass can be broken by high pitched sound because the pitch of the voice reaches a resonant frequency of the crystal’s structure causing it to shatter. We are looking for the complementary resonant frequency with flower essences to complete the resonant pattern and strengthen you emotionally, spiritually and physically.
Are flower essence regulated?
Bach flowers fall into the category of homeopathy by the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) which sets the standards for food and OTC medicines and supplements.
Are flower essences safe?
YES! They are absolutely safe to use with other treatments, they do no conflict with medications since it is the energetic frequency of a plant. However, it is a good idea to notify your primary care physician regarding use because you may be able to adjust medication strength. They are safe for all ages, including infants, and pets with have no unwanted side effects. Unless you call feeling better a side effect. ;) Emotional release is not a side effect, it is a direct effect. We want and need those negative emotions to be released.
What are flower essences used for?
We live to use them to help us recognize, and release different conditioned ways of perceiving the world. Often how we act is due to something we have learned or perceived to be who we are. It can help us experience greater well-being and harmony in our lives. By creating harmony within us, we often notice distinct changes in ourselves emotionally, spiritually and often physically. Flower essences can help us recognize our limiting or destructive patterns of behavior, so we can release them since they no longer serve us. The essences support us in extending our consciousness beyond its present state providing us with information to help us to understand our emotions and inner soul urgings. They work directly on the emotional imbalance, and indirectly on the physical issue if it was caused by the emotional imbalance.
What might happen if we use a flower essence?
When we use the flower essences, we begin to resonate with the particular qualities of the flower. Our limitations, beliefs and disharmonies begin to change for the better. You do not need to believe in them to experience their benefits. However, once you benefit from they, you are more than likely to believe they work! They’ve been used successfully since the last early 1900’s on adults, children, pets, plants and animals.
Flower essences do not force something to happen, they help us become conscious of things that are already happening within ourselves. Sometimes that may make us uncomfortable. That is ok, we need to work through the discomfort for the benefit of the end result.
Flower essences effect each person differently. To recognize how they are working, it may be necessary to be more attuned we are to our inner self. It is sometimes hard to explain how we are feeling, but we just know we are feeling better. The more in tune we are with ourselves, the easier it is to recognize the flower essence’s effects. I like to write in a journal about daily experiences to help provide clarity and can quantify the positive effects.
How are flower essences used?
Flower essences can be used in many ways. The most common way is to take them orally, or in a lotion on the skin. They can also be used by adding the essence to a small spray bottle to mist yourself. It is important to remember is that they are a vibrational frequency so using them inside or outside the body doesn’t matter.
How do they work?
The theory behind using Bach Flower Essences is each of the flowers embodies an energetic frequency or soul quality. When we resist a situation with an emotional frequency an energetic blockage may form so that we are out of touch with that aspect of our true fundamental nature. Lets look as Jack as an example. Jack hides behind a brave face and when anyone asks how he is doing, he always tells them he is great and feels wonderful when deep down he doesn’t. He doesn’t like being alone and is very lonely but he doesn’t want to feel like a burden to others so he minimizes his problems and shifts focus from himself. Jack would benefit from the flower Agrimony.
How long do I need to take a flower essence?
We have found that a month is a good starting point. After a month we can reevaluate the original set of criteria for which you can in to get the essences. Sometimes those issues may have changed, and others come forward. Some people or animals may need to take an essence for a shorter period while others need it for several months. To increase their effects, use them more often rather than more drops each time. I find that taking them more frequently at first works best, then tapering off is very effective.
Can I use flower essences together with other healing modalities?
Flower essences can be used by themselves or with other therapies to enhance healing. They have been used with great success by flower essence practitioners, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, psychologists, medical doctors, veterinarians, and other health care practitioners. You do not need to and should not discontinue medications without consulting your medical practitioner first.
What can I do if I am sensitive to alcohol?
Adding a preservative such as brandy or vodka is essential in keeping flower essences pure and sterile. Since the essence is water based, it can grow harmful bacteria if not used quickly. If having your dosing bottle filled with 25% alcohol is out of the question, a smaller bottle can be used, and waiver signed when using just spring water. However, the stock blends come in alcohol already and that cannot be changed.
If you are sensitive to alcohol, adding a few drops of the essence formula to a glass of water is extremely helpful and will disperse You may even add them to hot tea or boiling water to help evaporate the alcohol. Or, rubbing a few drops on your skin, adding in a spray bottle, or in lotion externally, will provide the same effectiveness.
How are they dosed?
Dosage is not about strength or quantity, it’s about frequency. A little, used more often as an appropriate complementary frequency can counter the imbalance causing the energetic block to release and be removed.
What if I use it and nothing happens?
The blend you are using may not be the right one for you, you may not be taking it often enough, or it is entirely possible you may be so resistant to the change which the essence facilitates that it won't work. Are you open to getting better?
I started using the essences, I feel worse. Should I stop?
In homeopathy, feeling worse can be considered a healing crisis. In the process of releasing an energy blockage, it will pass through sometimes causing emotional or physical symptoms. It may mean that you are aware of your emotions and triggers to those emotions. Taking rescue remedy and accepting the condition as temporary is a way to work through it. If you feel the need, please consult your medical professional.
What if I have more questions?
Please contact me at melissa@sweetwillowspirit.com.
Can I Book a Session?
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