An Introduction To Flower Essences by Linda Lloyd

Welcome to my introduction to the special world of Flower Essences. I could not hope to tell you everything there is to know about these wonderful little miracles, nor do I think anyone yet knows the full extent to which they can help us. I hope this article will begin to open you up to their magic, and that your own explorations and experiences will be inspiring and rewarding.

Flower Essences are a method of vibrational healing which can assist us by supporting, stabilising, expanding, affirming and enhancing every aspect of our mental and emotional welfare. In my homeopathic practice, I often use them alongside remedies.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the mental and emotional states that Flower Essences can benefit:

• Anxiety, depression, lacking confidence, trapped in co-dependent relationship
• Dreamy, “spaced-out”, ungrounded, impractical, can’t focus, procrastinates, confused, indecisive
• Bogged down, feeling blocked or stuck, lacking energy after illness or a long period of exertion, overwhelmed, unable to resolve problems, overburdene
• Critical, bureaucratic, judgmental, nit-picking, intolerant
• Stuck in the past, can’t forget, still grieving, can’t move on
• Disheartened, weary, frustrated, apathetic, resigned, discouraged
• Angry, resentful, holds grudges, suspicious
• Controlling, manipulative, possessive, domineering, interfering
• Shocked, traumatised, distressed
• Normally strong, capable, reliable, struggles on despite exhaustion
• Jealous, spiteful, sharp tongue, prickly, envious, hard-hearted, suspicious
• Hopeless, despairing, discouraged, despondent
• Self-disgust, sense of being unclean, ashamed, embarrassed
• Fearful, panicky, worried about what might happen, shy, timid
• Self-reproachful, guilty, undeserving, unworthy, humble, apologetic
• Over-concerned, worried for others, fear the worst, fretful
• Terrified, frozen with fear, helplessness, petrified
• Martyrs, self-denial, self-repression, rigid, opinionated, self-sacrificing
• Anguished, intense sorrow, hopeles, forsaken
• Obsessive thoughts go round and round, relives events and arguments
• Over-sensitive to ideas, atmospheres, influences, peers, circumstances

I never cease to be amazed at their powerful yet gentle effects. The essence need not be for yourself. Essences are great for every age. Some popular reasons for taking flower essences are:

• support through a transition period like a house move, relationship change, new school, puberty or menopause;
• clearing the mind of repetitive or compulsive worrying thoughts;
• enhancing the ability to focus and concentrate for periods of study and examinations;
• reducing or avoiding the effects of jet lag;
• mood swings and lapses of energy;
• enabling someone to “speak up”;
• enhancing meditation practice;
• accessing and utilising creativity;
• purifying and clearing atmospheres;
• letting go of the past; and
• transforming the future!

Why Take Flower Essences?

The highly refined energy of essences mean they do not operate at a biochemical level but resonate with our human energy field, so there are no known side-effects which means they are safe for adults, children, animals - and of course plants! A few drops of Rescue Remedy in the water before and after transplanting plants can help them cope with the shock.

Flower essences cannot force us to change, but they clear energy blockages and stuck emotions, so inviting us to awaken to new possibilities if we choose to do so. People who keep a diary or dream journal whilst taking the essences say this helps them track the changes. You can multiply the effect with conscious work for change, such as affirmations, and self-help tapes, guided visualisations, yoga or meditation.

Flower essences are like a good and wise friend holding our hand during a difficult time, allowing us to access our intuition and higher wisdom as we travel the path of self-development. You need not have a problem or something you want to cure to use flower essences. You might just want to reach your full potential, and be the best person it’s possible for you to be.

For example, one of the most popular uses of the Australian Bush Flower Essence Fringed Violet is to protect people from the negative influences around them, so if you work with people who are always criticising, complaining or nagging each other, or in a place with lots of intense emotions such as a hospital, put a few drops into a bottle of water and take it to work with you to sip throughout the day.

They can also be used in spray bottles to cleanse the atmosphere and subtly influence those who use the space.
By their very nature, Flower Essences are powerfully connected to our beautiful planet, and can re-connect our spirits to mother earth, restoring balance, flow and harmony.

How are they made?

Here is a short description of how the Bach essences are made:

The sun method involves floating flowerheads in a clear glass bowl filled with natural spring water. This is left in bright sunlight for three hours, then the flowerheads are removed and the energised water is mixed half and half with brandy.

The boiling method involves putting flowering twigs into a pan of spring water and boiling them for half an hour. The pan is then left to cool, the plant matter removed, and again the water is mixed half and half with brandy.

In both cases the resulting mix is the mother tincture, which is further diluted to make the stock bottles sold in the shops.

This method is broadly applicable to the other ranges of essences, though the ratios of water to brandy and the length of time left in the sun may vary.

How to Take Flower Essences

Flower Essences are dispensed from dropper bottles. A few drops are taken straight under the tongue or in water, two to four times daily. If taking them morning and night, keep them beside the bed where you’ll see them first and last thing. If you need them more frequently, it’s a good idea to have one bottle in the bedroom and a duplicate bottle for your handbag, desk drawer or anywhere else you might be during the day. Brandy is used as a preservative, so if you can’t touch alcohol, add the essences to steaming hot water to evaporate it. You can also add a few drops to the bathwater – an especially good method for infants, and those who can’t touch a drop of alcohol.

Flower Essences don’t affect the action of prescription drugs and work happily alongside homeopathic medicines.

What To Expect

People report a wide range of effects, from immediate and dramatic changes to more subtle and gradual shifts. The signs of change are usually noticeable after about a week, usually taking the form of new insights or decisions; a change in the emotional or mental landscape affecting attitudes or behaviour; feelings of inner tranquillity or increased contentment; clarity about circumstances, other people, purpose or direction; meaningful or vivid dreams; a better idea of what you want to change; and so on. Flower Essences simply invite us to change and create the inner freedom to become our best potential selves. You might find that one issue clears, only for another to arise – luckily there’s an essence for everything and everyone! Once you realise their potential, you might find that you use them all the time.

See my website for suppliers and more flower essence resources. Copyright 2007 Linda Lloyd, MLCHom, DipHEAR, FARH, Homeopathic Consultant. T: 01494 416376 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            01494 416376      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (UK) Email