What Are Flower Essences?

Flower essences are extracts made by placing flowers in water and setting the mixture in the sun. Heat from the sun causes the flowers to release their healing properties into the water. The extract is processed through several more steps and preserved with brandy. Flower essence therapy is a form of vibrational healing first discovered by an English physician named Dr. Edward Bach. This alternative healing method is used in the treatment of both physical and emotional disorders.

Dr. Bach was one of the first physicians to realize there was a connection between physical and emotional health. He formulated 38 flower essences to treat the emotional issues underlying physical disorders. Dr. Bach believed that flowers contain a life force that could be extracted and ingested to help heal the imbalances that cause illness. Many believe that the original 38 essences can relieve virtually any condition in both humans and animals.

Flower essences are diluted so that they are safe to consume. Several drops are placed under the tongue for quick absorption. The drops are sometimes added to water for the person or animal to drink.

Different flower essences are used to treat different ailments. Rescue remedy is a popular formula created from five of the Bach flower remedies. It is sold in most health food stores as a treatment for stress, fear, trauma, and shock. This remedy consists of essences of rock rose, star of Bethlehem, clematis, cherry plum, and impatiens.

Rock rose is the treatment for panic, and star of Bethlehem is used for trauma. It is believed that the essence of clematis will keep a person grounded and prevent fainting, while cherry plum will help a person to remain in control. Impatiens rounds out the formula by treating tension and stress. Several drops of rescue remedy are added to water and the person in crisis drinks the mixture. Many believe that rescue remedy provides rapid and effective relief when they are stressed, and it is also given to animals undergoing stress or trauma.

Although placing the water and flower mixture in the sun is the most popular method of extracting the flower essences, it isn’t always possible to do so. Dr. Bach also devised a boiling method to extract the flower essences. When the sun isn’t shining, or when it is too cold to use the sun method, this method can be used.