This is partially in response to FairWillow's 'How are you feeling?' thread. I have found flower essences (FE) very helpful. Bear with me - I was also very skeptical.
Flower essences were developed in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach. It was inspired by his work in homeopathy. FEs are infusions of flowers preserved with brandy and highly diluted.
For those of you that don't know me, I have been a nurse for decades. I decided to go to herb school to expand my knowledge into more natural therapies and because I had become quite cynical toward Western medicine. I believe Western medicine is great for heart attacks and broken bones, but we're not great at chronic conditions. I live with a foot in each world, I guess. Any how - I went to school in Boulder. Yeah, that one. I graduated last year with certificates in clinical herbalism, clinical nutrition, and flower essence practice. Herb school is very hippie, but with lots of great botany and chemistry instructors as well. Herbs I can understand. Plants have certain constituents or chemicals that work in certain ways. The logical person in me can understand that. So when we learned about flower essences, I was less than enthused. To say I didn't believe in their effects would be an understatement.
Flower essences work on an energetic or vibrational level. They work to break up blockages in energetic flow. Several examples illustrate this a little better: Think of how you feel when a favorite song comes on -- your head starts to bob, or your foot taps. You start to hum or sing along or dance. It changes your mood. Another example would be lithotripsy - the procedure to break up kidney stones. In lithotripsy, energetic waves are passed thru the body (while you're in a tub of water) to break up the stones into pieces that can pass. FEs work to break up those type of blockages to allow emotions to pass thru and not get stuck.
The first lesson was in an afternoon, and I was really hoping to leave early. Boulder traffic is a nightmare. The instructor didn't tell us what the FE was for, just had us take it. I took it and sat quietly, going over my list of errands in my head. Suddenly I remember thinking, "If she doesn't start talking soon, I"m going to fall asleep." That list was still there, but way in the back and quiet, if you know what I mean. The FE we had taken was White Chestnut (for circular thoughts that interfere with work or pleasure. Useful at bedtime or when trying to meditate). I put this off as coincidence. I later had several other instances that made me more open to the idea that FE might work.
My second year at school, I worked with FE weekly. This work was really profound for me and made me a believer in their efficacy for mental and emotional distress. There are as many FEs out there as there are flowers. I use the FEs from the Flower Essence Society as these have been tested and evaluated by experienced practitioners, but Peralandra and Mimi Camp are other great resources. FE are essentially water. They can be used with animals, children, or elders without problems. If the 'wrong' FE is used (one that is not particularly indicated for that individual), nothing changes. The correct formula can be life-changing. People use FE formulas for a couple weeks or years. Right now, I am using one containing Gorse (for hopelessness), Sweet Chestnut (for great despair) and Rock Water (for rigidity in one's personality). I've found it helpful with all that is going on in my world (I work in an ER in a large COVID area and well.... riots are everywhere it seems).
You can buy FEs at most health food stores. The ones sold there are 27% brandy and taste like it. Standard dosing is 4 drops (not dropperfuls) 4 times a day, but it can be used more often if needed. I would suggest Rescue Remedy to anyone that is feeling badly stressed. RR is also called 5 Flower. I make my own with much lower alcohol content. I will put a thread in the Barter area if anyone is interested in buying from me, or talking to me about a personalized formula. If you have questions, please ask.
Flower essences were developed in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach. It was inspired by his work in homeopathy. FEs are infusions of flowers preserved with brandy and highly diluted.
For those of you that don't know me, I have been a nurse for decades. I decided to go to herb school to expand my knowledge into more natural therapies and because I had become quite cynical toward Western medicine. I believe Western medicine is great for heart attacks and broken bones, but we're not great at chronic conditions. I live with a foot in each world, I guess. Any how - I went to school in Boulder. Yeah, that one. I graduated last year with certificates in clinical herbalism, clinical nutrition, and flower essence practice. Herb school is very hippie, but with lots of great botany and chemistry instructors as well. Herbs I can understand. Plants have certain constituents or chemicals that work in certain ways. The logical person in me can understand that. So when we learned about flower essences, I was less than enthused. To say I didn't believe in their effects would be an understatement.
Flower essences work on an energetic or vibrational level. They work to break up blockages in energetic flow. Several examples illustrate this a little better: Think of how you feel when a favorite song comes on -- your head starts to bob, or your foot taps. You start to hum or sing along or dance. It changes your mood. Another example would be lithotripsy - the procedure to break up kidney stones. In lithotripsy, energetic waves are passed thru the body (while you're in a tub of water) to break up the stones into pieces that can pass. FEs work to break up those type of blockages to allow emotions to pass thru and not get stuck.
The first lesson was in an afternoon, and I was really hoping to leave early. Boulder traffic is a nightmare. The instructor didn't tell us what the FE was for, just had us take it. I took it and sat quietly, going over my list of errands in my head. Suddenly I remember thinking, "If she doesn't start talking soon, I"m going to fall asleep." That list was still there, but way in the back and quiet, if you know what I mean. The FE we had taken was White Chestnut (for circular thoughts that interfere with work or pleasure. Useful at bedtime or when trying to meditate). I put this off as coincidence. I later had several other instances that made me more open to the idea that FE might work.
My second year at school, I worked with FE weekly. This work was really profound for me and made me a believer in their efficacy for mental and emotional distress. There are as many FEs out there as there are flowers. I use the FEs from the Flower Essence Society as these have been tested and evaluated by experienced practitioners, but Peralandra and Mimi Camp are other great resources. FE are essentially water. They can be used with animals, children, or elders without problems. If the 'wrong' FE is used (one that is not particularly indicated for that individual), nothing changes. The correct formula can be life-changing. People use FE formulas for a couple weeks or years. Right now, I am using one containing Gorse (for hopelessness), Sweet Chestnut (for great despair) and Rock Water (for rigidity in one's personality). I've found it helpful with all that is going on in my world (I work in an ER in a large COVID area and well.... riots are everywhere it seems).
You can buy FEs at most health food stores. The ones sold there are 27% brandy and taste like it. Standard dosing is 4 drops (not dropperfuls) 4 times a day, but it can be used more often if needed. I would suggest Rescue Remedy to anyone that is feeling badly stressed. RR is also called 5 Flower. I make my own with much lower alcohol content. I will put a thread in the Barter area if anyone is interested in buying from me, or talking to me about a personalized formula. If you have questions, please ask.