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Just
what are Flower Essences anyway?
The
term "Flower Essence" may conjure up thoughts of sweet fragrances,
but flower essences actually have no scent at all and should not be
confused with aromatherapy or essential oils.
Flower essences contain the life-force energy released from flowers
in the peak of their bloom. To make an essence, the vibrational pattern
of the flower is infused into spring water.
This
creation of a flower remedy is a co-creative act between nature, the
environment and humanity to nourish the human soul.
Nature
has told those who are able to communicate with it that there can be
found, in the trees and plants of the earth, a remedy for every spiritual,
mental, emotional and physical ill that afflicts humans.
Like Homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is currently
no analytical or scientific explanation for why flower essences work,
but there are several ideas put forward after decades of use. Dr. Edward
Bach, in the 1930's, was the first person to bring these remedies into
modern use. He thought the herbal flower remedies had the power to
elevate our vibrations, and thus draw down spiritual power, which cleanses
mind and body, and heals.
They
are not like traditional herbal and pharmaceutical products, because
they only contain a minute trace amount of the plant. It is believed
by many producers of essences that they interact with the "energetic
web" that surrounds and infuses the body.
The
human body has an energetic network within it and surrounding it. When
we experience health, this energetic web is in balance without any
"short circuits" or "open circuits" to inhibit its proper functioning.
When something in our life upsets this balance, the system short-circuits
or jams up. When this happens, we manifest an imbalance in our physical,
mental or emotional well-being.
It
is believed that flower essences send the message to the energetic
body of how to return to a state of balance. Also, essences have been
described as liquid acupuncture. They are said to be able to unblock
the acupuncture meridians and open the flow of energy in the body.
In
reality, flower essences really don't heal anything. They just restore
(or remind you of) your perfected pattern for any given situation,
and that "perfect you" knows how to go through that challenge and heal.
In
studying about flower essences over the last several years, I learned
a very interesting thing about plants and their flowers. The single
most difficult thing a plant must do is to bloom. It literally takes
all the focus, nutrients and energy of the plant to blossom. The result
is always beautiful. I rarely can pass a flowering plant and not stop
and admire it - even dandelions and other things that we call weeds!
The
single most difficult thing a human does is to transform or move through
a major life experience. It takes all our energy and focus. Once we've
made the transformation, a sense of relief and perhaps elation usually
occurs. People often say, "Look how you've blossomed." The change is
noticeable.
I
believe a flower essence sets up a vibration of "knowing how to deal
with the life challenge in front of you," because the plant has been
through its own challenge to produce its flower.
Considering
the thumbnail sketch given above, how do you decide on an essence?
Usually you need to look at what is the key issue or challenge in your
life now. Then look in one of the many books available on flower essences
and study the individual flowers and their indication for use.
For instance, one of your parents was just diagnosed as having terminal
colon cancer. As one could imagine, this would be a major emotional
earthquake in your life. You might feel panic, sadness, shock and disbelief.
Your whole self is definitely in disarray. In a situation such as this,
I usually recommend Pear essence from Master's Flower Essences or Waratah
essence from Australian Bush Essences.
Pear
essence helps restore a sense of peacefulness and ability to handle
crisis and maintain stability during major changes. Waratah helps with
the black despair and hopelessness that often arises in a situation
like this. It helps bring forward your sense of strong faith and courage
during a crisis. It seems to bring to the fore any survival and coping
skill you've previously learned.
People
who use one of these two essences during such an event come back with
marvelous feedback. It doesn't change the facts of the situation, but
they report that they are more present and able to deal with the situation
moment to moment.
One
way I sometimes introduce people to essences is to ask them if they
have a favorite flower. Usually it's a flower that is always around
you or that you've always noticed all your life. Then we read about
the imbalance that particular flower essence addresses. People are
amazed. They often report that the imbalance has been an issue in their
life for a long time.
I
live near Portland, Oregon (the City of Roses) and people often mention
roses as one of their favorites. There are several different rose essences
available. They all foster love, passion, sensuality and grace in a
person. Each different type of rose has its own unique qualities as
well.
One
of my favorite essences is Grape from Master's Flower Essences. I can
feel its effects almost immediately. Grape essence fosters a deep sense
of unconditional love, patience with others' shortcomings and an open
heart.
I usually use Grape in one of two different situations: The first is
when I'm shopping after a very long work day. It's the last thing I
want to do. I'm usually somewhat demanding and short on patience, and
the clerks are put off by my poor behavior.
Now
when I'm in this predicament, I take a drop or two of grape essence
before I shop. The results are truly amazing. Not only do I feel relaxed,
but the clerks are extremely helpful and courteous. Often we are laughing
and having a wonderful conversation.
The other way I use Grape is when my husband and I are having a disagreement.
Anymore, I excuse myself and go take a few drops of Grape. When I come
back, I'm usually more rational and whatever the problem was seems
much more approachable. In a few instances, I have felt there wasn't
any reason to disagree anymore and just stopped. I realized the depth
of love I felt for him, and the disagreement seemed pointless.
As
we move more and more into the realm of incorporating vibrational tools
into our healing tool box, vibrational essences will be a compliment
to the other modalities.
Currently
in South America there are more than 150,000 health care professionals
who treat their patients with flower and other vibrational essences
on a daily basis.
In April, 1997, I attended a week-long workshop in Victoria, British
Columbia on the Pacific Flower and Sea Essences. Of the fourteen attendees,
four people were from South America.
They
were medical doctors, psychotherapists and university professors. They
told me most pharmacies in their countries stock flower essences routinely.
These professionals said they used essences daily with their patients.
It wasn't the only tool they used, but it was an important support
for other therapies they used routinely. The
week after I left Victoria, forty health professionals from Brazil
were scheduled to come for the workshop presented in Portuguese.
Flower
essences are a natural compliment to psychotherapy, massage therapy,
Reiki, acupuncture, aromatherapy and many other modalities.
We
in the United States haven't yet caught up to the medical professionals
in Europe and South America in regard to using essences. You might
be amazed at how essences enhance and amplify the effects of other
therapies.
As
people have discovered the effectiveness of essences, there has been
an explosion of new companies and new essences in the last 20 years.
Currently there are more than 80 companies who make more than 7,500
individual remedies.
In the early 1930's there were only the thirty-eight essences from
Dr. Bach. That's quite a change! Now there are essences from every
continent of the earth, including Antarctica. There are essences from
the environment of Alaska and the Glastonbury Well in England, from
the oceans and the stars.
Each
one of these groups of essences is being used by large numbers of people.
I believe we are at the beginning of a huge groundswell of demand for
these gifts of nature. Ten years from now, essences will probably be
in almost every medicine cabinet.
So
what is a situation you've been dealing with for some time, without
much forward progress? Why not try a flower essence and let nature
assist you in returning to that still quite voice that knows the solution
to that very situation or challenge?
Cathy Kinnaird
is developer of the "Source-Nature-Soul" line of vibrational essences,
a flower essence practitioner, a Reiki Master and former owner of the
Flower Essence Pharmacy. She can be contacted by email at: cathy@source-nature-soul.com.
You can read about her essences by clicking here.
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