The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

The Power of Flowers: Flower Essences

Flower essences are infusions made from the flowering parts of plants aimed at treating the emotional and mental aspects of wellness. Although flower essences have been used in countless cultures all over the world, perhaps the most famous name in the discussion of modern flower essences is Dr. Edward Bach (1886—1936).

Bach was a British physician, homeopath, bacteriologist, and writer best known for developing a form of alternative medicine called Bach flower remedies. Rather than basing these remedies on medical research, he based them on humans’ psychic connection to plants. While he recognized the various physical causes of disease, he felt there was also an unseen emotional component to human health. He began to experiment with plants and how they made him feel, and then developed theories about the powers of each one. Bach believed that when early morning sunlight shone on a plant, the light transferred the plant’s power to the dewdrops that had collected on its flower petals during the night. He began collecting the dew but soon discovered it did not create a large enough yield. This led him to soak flowers in spring water and place the infusions in sunlight. Thus, Bach flower remedies were born. This chapter contains quotations from Bach’s The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies.

There are many companies out there that sell Bach’s thirty-eight original flower remedies, along with other flower essences and related products. You can also make your own! Flower essences usually come in small dropper bottles and are meant to be taken orally, either on their own or mixed into a beverage. Follow the instructions on the bottle for best results.