There are layers to the advice “stop and smell the roses.” In one interpretation you can infer that you must slow down in life. It also reminds us to appreciate the beauty around us. Even further, it teaches us that you never know what layers of life experience you will miss if you don’t explore beyond the surface of what is in front of you.

Intro to Essences

To learn about flower essences is a bit like going down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, layers are discovered as long as you’re open to it.

There is a mysticism to flowers and this is reflected in flower essences and the therapy they offer. Hard evidence-based trials have found no absolute connection between flower essences and healing. So, how is it that the company Bach Flower Remedies has been around since the 1930’s and reflects $8 Million in revenue?

Join me down the rabbit hole of what flower essences are and the healing properties they can possess.

What are flower essences?

Flower essences are infusions of flowers in water, usually, in the presence of sunlight, these are then stabilized in a solution of brandy and water.

The infusion of flower energy is taken as drops under the tongue or blended into creams for topical use. They contain no scent or perfume and should not be confused with essential oils.

What is the difference between flower essences and essential oils?

A key distinction is that a flower essence treats the emotional body while essential oils treat the physical body. Essential oils should not be ingested, whereas flower essences are typically ingested directly via the mouth or by way of adding a few drops to a glass of water.

Flower essences are also different from essential oils in that they do not carry the scent of the flower.

Essential oils are highly aromatic, whereas flower essences healing properties are energetic, so they do not rely on the aroma of the plant in order to transfer these benefits. It also takes a single flower to make an essence whereas essential oils rely on a significant amount of plant material to create a single drop of oil.

How do they work?

The belief behind flower essences is that many plants have unique healing energies and it is believed that those within flower essences uniquely address emotional and mental aspects of wellness.

Looking at the whole self

To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body but also incorporates a “body” of life energy, a “body” of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. A flower essence is an energetic imprint of the life force of plants, which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being and evoke specific qualities within us.

How is it possible that a few drops of a dilute infusion of wildflowers can have a profound effect on the health of body and soul? According to the conventional scientific wisdom, nothing should happen.

A dosage bottle of a flower essence is the second dilution of the mother essence, itself a subtle solar infusion of fresh blossoms in water. The dosage bottle contains approximately 1/62,000th of the original mother essence, not enough even to show up in any chemical analysis. For conventional science, flower essences are an impossibility.

The Placebo Effect?

There is ‘nothing' there – at least nothing that can be measured by conventional means. Thus, according to this reasoning, flower essences must be fake, and results can only be explained as the result of self-suggestion, the so-called ‘placebo effect'.

Yet, thousands of people report significant changes with flower essences and they also have shown as quite effective with infants and animals, where self-suggestion, or the placebo effect, is not possible. This, in turn, makes the placebo argument seem less valid.

To date, there are many case studies taking a deeper look into flower essences, seeking a deeper understanding of how they work. Currently, there isn’t a certainty of scientific proof if they are in fact healing or simply producing the equivalent to a placebo effect.

What do people use flower essences for?

As you can see, the below list is not of physical ailments. Instead, flower essences are recommended for emotional imbalances in the body.

It is said that physical pain can be linked to emotional pain, so once you release the emotional pain the physical pain can subside as well. So, it is thought that there can also be a physical benefit to the use of flower essences.

Top 10 Conditions A Flower Essence Can Help:

1.  Fear
2.  Overwhelm
3.  Selfishness
4.  Despair
5.  Envy
6.  Guilt
7.  Uncertainty
8.  Self-pity
9.  Apathy
10.  Impatience

The Symbolism of Flowers

Have you ever given someone flowers? Have you ever received flowers? We give bouquets of flowers when we want to express our deepest feelings, whether grieving or joyful, supportive or just because.

When we think of flowers this way there is less resistance to their use. Why is it that flowers are the gift we give in these situations? Yes, they are pretty. They also typically lift the receiver's mood or inspire a joyful feeling.

I know I love to receive flowers, they brighten my mood and never fail to make me smile. To me, there is something to this that isn’t measurable but is undeniable in its essence. With no known side effects, they are a safe and intriguing therapy to explore.

Contributed by Bokhara Lashi
Wellness Specialist, Embody Zen
Artist, Moss Art Studio

References:
Two Double-Blind Placebo Studies of Flower Essences
Research On Flower Essences And Stress
Bach flower remedies: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Effect of flower essences in anxious individual
Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic review
Flower Essence Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depression