By Danielle Venable, CH
Dr. Bach believed that a negative state of mind was at the core of any illness and that mind, body and spirit needed to be considered for healing. He believed we all had a purpose or mission to fulfill.
Flower essences are infusions made from the flowering part of the plant. They are an energetic, vibrational form of plant medicine. I had the privilege of taking a flower essence class through Darcy Blue French and she really helped me understand the idea of flower essences. She said, “Flower essences are an energetic and vibrational form of plant medicine that works primarily on the emotional, spiritual and energetic bodies. They absolutely can affect us on a physical level by helping us shift emotional and spiritual blocks/obstacles to physical healing and change. Flower essences are a safe form of plant medicine that does not interact with other herbs, medications, supplements and most other modalities. They often work extremely well in conjunction with other modalities at the same time. Essences are not concentrated essential oil’s with a scent of the flower. They are dilutions of the energetic imprint of a flower/plant into the crystalline and imprintable structure of water.
I love using flower essences because of how safe and gentle they are for babies, children and elderly.
I’m sure most people have heard of Rescue Remedy Bach Flower Essence. It is a loved and favorite remedy of mine. Flower essences are a simple form of plant medicine that you can make yourself. There is much to learn about flower essences and I encourage you to learn more.
You can use flower essences by the drop, add it to your water, in a spray bottle, in the bath, and in any body care products.
I am making an apple and pear flower essence today.
My favorite reference for flower essences is Lila Devi’s book, The Essential Flower Essence Handbook. Apple flower essence is said to provide, “mental clarity; healthy, magnetic attitudes; an abundance of psychologically nourishing thoughts; hope; motivation to take better care of oneself; a positive outlook.”
Pear flower essence is for “Peace of mind; returns a sense of rhythm and proportion; for being fully in the present moment; ability to handle crisis; for stability during major changes.”
These two really called to me this morning and upon reading a bit about them, there’s no question as to why with what we are experiencing at this time world wide.
So, let’s get to it!
You will need:
4 ounce mason jar or small glass bowl
1 ounce glass dropper bottles
4 ounce amber bottle to store your essence
Cheese cloth, coffee filter or cotton muslin for straining
2 ounces distilled water
2 ounces brandy
Flowers from edible plant sources of your choice.
When it comes to energetic plant medicine it is best to sit with the plant or tree of your choosing and see if it has anything it would like you to learn from it. Take your time with this. After two years I am finally making a flower essence from my pear and apple trees and other times I am making an essence after 20 minutes. Talk to your plant, get to know your plant, this might seem a little strange at first but you will very quickly develop a “relationship” with your plants and trees. There is much to learn when we quiet our thoughts.
Fill your mason jar half way with distilled water. I choose to use a mason jar with a lid because it’s simple if I’m going to go out on a hike or a bike ride. I can take it in my car with me, close it, get it home without the risk of spilling my flower essence. If you’re making a flower essence with one of your many flowers you grow at home you can use whichever glass dish you would like to use. Tell your intention to your plant and add a few flowers to your water. At this time it is good to sit with your plant and think about your intentions and hopes. Or simply be still for a little while.
I allow my flowers to sit in the water for several hours. Sitting with your plant is a great way to start a hike or bike ride if you’re out and about or a nice time to work in the yard and garden if you’re home. After your activity you can return to your plant and remove the flowers from your water. I use a small twig to remove my flowers and return them to the earth leaving them with the plant.
Strain your essence water through cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or cotton muslin to remove any particles in the water. Add 2 ounces of brandy to your 2 ounces of essence water at your earliest convenience so you have equal parts of brandy and water. Your main flower essence batch or mother essence as you will hear it called is done. Pour into a 4 ounce amber bottle and label mother essence with flower name for storage.
At this point you will make a stock essence from your mother essence. The flower essences or remedies you’ll find in stores are stock essences and can last quite a while when prepared properly. Fill a one ounce dropper bottle halfway with water and the remaining half with brandy, add 2 drops of your mother essence to this bottle and label stock essence with the flower name.
To make individual dose bottles you will again fill a one ounce dropper bottle half way with water and the remaining half with brandy, add 2 drops of your stock essence to this bottle. At this time you can add other essences as well if you’d like to make a blend. Label your flower essence, it is ready to use.
Standard flower essence dosage is 4 drops from a dose bottle 4 times a day. But it can be used as often as you would like. I was taught to take it every time I thought about it or as often as I needed to, but if you lose, drop, spill, or otherwise forget to take it for an extended period of time it’s usually a sign that you are done with this particular essence and can try out a new one. Try rubbing your flower essences on your wrists, temples, back or stomach. They can also be added to tinctures if you would like. The options are endless.
Danielle Venable is a certified herbalist. Danielle graduated from the Foundations in Western Herbalism course from Herbal Wisdom Institute in 2018 and has since worked in an herbal apothecary and now formulates her own herbal remedies for her community. Danielle is a passionate advocate for health and wellness. Learn more about Danielle in our Directory.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure disease. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to using herbs and supplements if you are pregnant, nursing, or being treated for a health condition. Certain herbs will interact with medications. This information is for general information purposes only.