Reiki with Rose

As you suggested,
I stretched the self-heal
essence with rose water
and glycerine. The results
were GREAT! The scar
on my knee became much
softer and more flexible.
I really appreciate
your thoughtfulness.
sp

I've just experienced a
weekend filled with love
and trust, and I'm dancing
inside. The essences you
chose for me have done
me so much good. Thanks
so much for your guidance.
miu

Flower Essences

What are flower essences?

Flower essences are a form of subtle energy medicine. They are used to restore emotional balance, mind/body health and foster the "slow growth of the soul." Other examples of energy medicine are homeopathy, acupuncture and Reiki.

Where and when did flower essences originate?

Flowers have been used for healing for many centuries. Examples can be found in the writings of Paracelsus, and the history of Australian Aboriginal tribes. Flower essences in their modern form were first developed in the 1930's by Dr. Edward Bach, an English physician and homeopathist. He prepared 38 remedies, mostly from English wildflowers. Now there are literally hundreds of flower essence producers all around the globe.

Flower Essence Bottles
There are literally hundreds of flower essence
producers around the globe. Pictured here are
Master's, Bach and Pacific Essences.

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How are the essences prepared?

Flower essences are made in nature using a potentization process which dates back to the days of Alchemy. Fresh blossoms of wildflowers or organic garden flowers are placed in a bowl of water in direct sunlight for 3-5 hours. The interaction of sun, air, water and earth imprints the prana, or life force, of the flower into the water. This creates a "mother essence" which is then diluted into stock and dosage bottles for treatment purposes.

How do I use flower essences?

The most common way is to take four drops of the stock essence three to four times daily in water. You can make your own dosage bottle by adding four or five drops of essence into an ounce bottle with a mixture of spring water and brandy (or cider vinegar if you are allergic to alcohol) as a preservative. Using a dropper, take them the same as you would from a stock bottle. You can also add essences to a bath, a mister, massage oil or body lotions.

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Can I use more than one essence at a time?

Some people find they respond best when taking a mixed "bouquet," and others prefer to appreciate the subtle energies of one flower at a time. Both methods are effective. It is best to limit the number of essences taken at any one time to one to five unless you are working with a skilled practitioner.

How do I choose flower essences?

The first step is to decide which mental and emotional issues are most important for you to address. Then select the essence or essences which correspond with these issues. If you are having trouble choosing, think of your life in terms of a story with a theme and a plot. According to Lila Devi of Master's Flower Essences, your theme is the quality that most aptly describes your core nature. Your plot is that challenge in your life which presents itself repeatedly to help you grow. Sometimes you want to take essence(s) that strengthen your theme. At other times, you need essence(s) to negotiate a particularly difficult 'plot twist.'

To select specific essences there are several approaches. Choose the one(s) most comfortable for you:

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How do flower essences work?

Edward Bach said, "the action of these remedies is to raise our vibrations and open up our channels for the reception of the Spiritual Self; to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us all the fault that caused the harm. They are able, like beautiful music, or any glorious uplifting thing which gives us inspiration"to bring peace and relieve our sufferings." Edward Bach developed the Law of Resonance to explain what he meant: Each flower has a vibration, much the way the various strings of a violin each have a unique vibration. The vibration of the flower, when it sounds near our souls, will awaken the corresponding vibration, or soul quality, in us. The essences do not resonate with the physical structure, but with the subtle structures known as the aura, acupuncture meridians and chakras.

How do you know that flower essences have the effects that are claimed?

According to Patricia Kaminski of the Flower Essence Society, "Flower essence properties are first developed through a thorough study of the plants from which essences are made. This study includes the plant's structure and form, growth pattern, color, relationship to the environment, chemical properties, herbal uses, as well as energetic properties which are perceived in the plant. These qualities are then correlated with specific human emotional patterns." Every producer uses different methods for verifying these indications. Most use reports from health practitioners and direct reports from people using their essences. There have been a few double blind placebo studies done, as well, through the Flower Essence Society and Master's Flower Essences.

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