A Brief History of Flower Essence Remedies
Dr. Edward Bach is most often credited with introducing Flower Remedies into Western medicine, though Richard Gerber (2000) suggests there is evidence indicating flower essence therapy is an ancient healing modality. Bach discovered 38 Flower Remedies in the early 1900s. He was a trained physician, bacteriologist, and intuitive who sought less toxic forms of treatment for diseases. Bach was radical for his time because he strongly believed that most illnesses were caused by an imbalance of the mind and emotions. Richard Gerber (2000) relates the following story about how Bach first discovered the healing power of flowers:
“One day, during a morning stroll through the English countryside, he happened upon what eventually became known as the Bach Flowers. As he stopped in front of a particular flower, he suddenly became overwhelmed with strong emotions that seemed to come from outside himself. Based on an intuitive hunch, Bach spread some of the morning dew that had collected upon the flower directly on his lips. As the dewdrops from the flowers touched his mouth, the strong emotion quickly vanished, returning him to his previous state of calm. It appeared that Bach could sense from different flowers the kind of emotional disturbances which each specimen was capable of neutralizing and rebalancing. He soon discovered that by ingesting a small amount of a flower’s sun-drenched dewdrops, that flower’s healing and rebalancing properties could be easily transmitted to an individual.” (p. 184).
Most importantly, Bach believed the capacity to heal is an innate quality of all life forms, and that Flower Essences activate “the healer within” by bringing specific disrupted vibrational frequencies back into balance (Bach 1937/1996).
Basic Theory Behind Vibrational Medicine
Richard Gerber (2000) elegantly states, “We are more than just flesh and bones, cells and proteins. We are beings in dynamic equilibrium with a universe of energy and light of many different frequencies and forms “(p. 67). He goes on to say, “Vibrational medicine attempts to heal illness by manipulating . . . subtle energy fields via directing energy into the body instead of manipulating the cells and organs through drugs or surgery” (p.68). Flower essences, along with other vibrational medicine modalities, influence these subtle energy fields.
I admit I have some difficulty grasping the full significance of knowing myself as a light being. However, I can fully relate to the physical and emotional impact of sound vibrations, and in particular the power of music. Each music genre, each melody, each note carries a unique vibrational signature, which influences the energy and emotional state of living beings. Take for example the much-loved Duo des fluers/ TheFlower Duetfrom Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé. Try it out. How does this music influence your energy? Pay particular attention to the reaction in your heart:
http://www.last.fm/music/L%C3%A9o+Delibes/_/Flower+Duet.
These vibrations carry me to an indescribable place that sets me dancing around the room, if only in my mind. At times our being craves upbeat music, other times meditative and quiet. Sound vibrations engage our souls. Flower vibrations work in similar ways. I adhere to Bach’s belief in simplicity and in the grounded knowing that each of us carries the healer within. When called upon, our flower relations activate this inner healer. Yet another beautiful example of how the land has our backs.
The word “essence” comes from the Latin word “essentia”: one’s core intrinsic nature. Beyond a life form’s dynamic physical structure there exists an unchanging essence: a unique vibrational frequency (Pacific Essences). A Flower Essence remedy is a subtle energy imprint of a plant’s vital vibrational force, held by water and preserved in brandy. Each unique energetic imprint can be used to influence a person, animal, or plant’s energetic system in specific, life-supporting ways. What I find most comforting about Flower Essence remedies is their subtle nature: “ . . . even if one does not get the diagnosis of one’s condition entirely right, no harm will be done. If a flower frequency is not the right one, the Higher Self recognizes it as such and it is not admitted to our energetic system. It will have no effect [on the person’s metabolism]“ (Scheffer 1988 p. 27). Because of this subtle nature, one does not need to be concerned about overdosage, side effects, or incompatibility with other treatments. Another benefit of Flower Remedies is their high accessibility: they may be self or practitioner-selected using either published sources and/or intuitive techniques. Thus, Flower Remedies are safe and available to everyone.
Mechthild Scheffer (1988) describes the healing process in this way: “At the switch points of our personalities where vital energies are channeled the wrong way or blocked, the remedies re-establish contact and harmony with our wholeness, the true source of our energy.” (p. 10) Western medical approaches typically start by focusing on the physical manifestations of disease. In contrast, Dr. Edward Bach (1937/1996), the founder of Flower Remedies, gave primary importance to the harmonic or disharmonic state between a person’s mind/emotions and her/his Higher Self (Soul)
Bach’s Original 38 Flower Remedies
The following chart summarizes the disharmonic and harmonic energetic essences associate with Bach’s original 38 Flower Remedies (Blome, 1992; Green, 2000; and Scheffer, 1988).
|
FLOWER |
DISHARMONIC VIBRATION |
HARMONIC VIBRATION |
|
Agrimony |
Hidden, tortured mental state. Worried and restless due to churning thoughts. | Authentic, radiantjoyfulness. |
|
Apsen |
Fearful for no known reasons. Sweating and trembling accompanies fear. | Strong inner confidence and calmly tuned into the higher spiritual spheres. |
|
Beech |
Critical of others, intolerant and lonely. Taskmaster | Humbleness grounded in knowing one’s connectedness to a grander, harmonizing force. |
|
Centaury |
Timid and weak willed, leading to low vitality. | Living life in accordance with one’s inner truth and purpose. Integrate well into groups without loses sense of self. |
|
Cerato |
Lacks confidence in one’s own ability and judgment. Talkative. | Keenly aware of inner needs and motives. Stands by one’s decision. |
|
Cherry Plum |
Fear of insanity. Desparte, violent impulses and suicidal. | Able to move through and integrate subconscious chaos and darkness, into the light of one’s true destiny. |
|
Chestnut Bud |
Impatient, negative, lacks ability to learn from mistakes, tries to forget past. | Attentive active learner from experience and others. |
|
Chicory |
Bossy, argumentative, greedy, discontent and domineering. | Able to love others without expecting something in return, offering warmth, kindness, and security.
|
|
Clematis |
Obsessive daydreaming and planning. |
Able to bring creative imaginations into physical realization.
|
|
Crab Apple |
Tormented by dirt and filth. | Healthy perspective. Able to move beyond limited mental concepts and see things from a higher, broader perspective.
|
|
Elm |
Sudden hopelessness through too much stress and overwork. | Responsibility to one’s self. Grounded awareness of inner needs while knowing higher help arrives when needed. |
|
Gentian |
Weak will and hopelessness.
|
Faith. Able to see the light in the darkness. |
|
Gorse |
Dark melancholy. Lack of ambition and vision due to hopelessness. | Hope. Carry a strong belief that recovery comes from the inside. Never say never.
|
|
Heather |
Vanity. Rapid incessant talk and self-centered control of conservations. | Uplifting./Able to turn one’s attention and energies to others and the greater world.
|
|
Holly |
Aggressive, tendency to dominate. Impatient and irritable. | Divine love. Heart is fully open, able to suffer and to love unconditionally.
|
|
Honeysuckle |
Stagnation due to constant focus on past. Homesickness or chronic nostalgia. Pessimistic outlook. | Able to accept change. Able to meaningfully integrate the past it into the present, and move forward in a positive, life-nurturing way. |
|
Hornbeam |
Tired and weary mentally and physically. Not engaged in work, daily routine or work. | Energetically balanced. Equal attention is given to spiritual, mental, physical and emotional planes. |
|
Impatiens |
Impatient and irritable. Easily angered and frustrated, when things move slowly. | Patient and diplomatic. Gentle understanding that everyone goes at their own pace has a role to play. |
|
Larch |
Inferiority complex. Lack of confidence. | Realistic confidence. Not bounded by self-limiting concepts. |
|
Mimulus |
Fear of the unknown. Compliant. Gives energy to negative outcomes instead of creating desired future. | Senistive yet courageous. Accepts sensitivity as a gift. |
|
Mustard |
Deep depression caused by hopelessness. | Strong inner stability that enables one to set own tone, regardless of situation. |
|
Oak |
Over emphasis on success. Inability to know when to stop. Often takes on too much responsibility.
|
Creative, helpful and persevering, while remaining in balance with own needs. |
|
Olive |
Depleted by long suffering. Feels little pleasure in life and fears losing friends. |
Able to use mental visualizations, inner strength, and peaceful presence, even when weary or inactive. |
|
Pine |
Dominated by guilt. Self-sacrifice. Often blames self and others. | Mistakes aren’t dwelled on but instead viewed as opportunities to learn and adjust. |
|
Red Chestnut |
Worrier. Overprotective. Broadcast fear and anxiety. | Positive thinker, uplifter and healer. Remain calm in stressful situations and able to help others. |
|
Rock Rose |
Panic and extreme fright.
|
Calm and helpful in emergencies and terrifying situations. |
|
Rock Water |
Inflexible. Psychosis due to self-imposed pressures. | Open and flexible creative mind creates a positive environment for trusting inner guidance. |
|
Scleranthus |
Indecisive. Mood swings. Erratic body movements and train of thought. | Poised, decisive and guided by a clear vision. |
|
Star of Bethlehem |
Hopelessness or non-responsiveness due to trauma. | Inner strength promotes quick recovery and calmness in spite of shock. |
|
Sweet Chestnut |
Suicidal. Feelings of abandonment. Darkness. | In full control of emotions.
|
|
Vervain |
Frantic, martyr, anxious, take on too much, fussy, can be violent and aggressive. Dogmatic. | Open minded and calm, knowing great things are accomplished by being in the flow of universal power. |
|
Vine |
Dominance and inflexibility. |
Natural teacher and leader. Inspire others. |
|
Walnut |
Dependent and easily influenced. | Steadfast determination and constant engagement in soul’s work. |
|
Water Violet |
Pride and detachment. Feel superior to others. Disapproving. | Poised and non-interfering. Strong boundaries. |
|
White Chestnut |
Unwanted thoughts and mental arguments. Busy mind. | Peace with self and others. Calm and quiet mind. |
|
Wild Oak |
Sense of purposelessness. | Well defined goals, energetic and joyful. |
|
Wild Rose |
Resignation. Adrift. Low vitality. | Vibrant and grateful. |
|
Willow |
Resentment and bitter thoughts. Self-pity. | Embrace the joy of being the creator of one’s life. |
My Northshore Flower Essence Experiences
Since 2014, I have come to know and benefit from land essences of several domesticated and native species growing close to our home along the shores of Gitchii Gaamii: Dandelion, White Rose, Mock Orange, Crab Apple, Hooked Violet, Canada Honeysuckle, Joe-Pye Weed, Tansy, Red Clover, White Cedar, Larkspur, Ninebark, Buttercup, and mostly recently White Pine. My experience in coming to know these beautiful beings differs from Bach’s experiences in that the plants have spoken only positive guiding messages. I did not sense any external emotional disturbances. However, there were times when the plants called out during my internal disharmonic states. Spending extensive time with these plant relations, taught me that the essence is not generic across one plant species; rather subtleties may exist between individuals and over time. I therefore start with innocence when meeting a plant and asking to understand their essence.
I know my journey to understand vibrational medicines will continue, and it will be one of sharing, learning, loving, and deepening my relations with the plant beings who have always held me close and lifted my spirits.
Sources
Bach, E. (1937/1996). Heal thyself: An explanation of the real cause and cure of disease. Saffron Walden The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd. Essex.
Blome, Gotz. (1992). Advanced Bach flower therapy: A scientific approach to diagnosis and treatment. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, VT.
Pacific Essences. (2014, July15). What is an essence: background. Retrieved from company website https://www.pacificessences.com/whatIsAnEssence.html
Gerber, Richard. (1988). Vibrational Medicine: New Choices for Healing Ourselves. Bear & Company, Santa Fe, NM.
Gerber, Richard. (2000). Vibrational Medicine for the 21stCentury: The Complete Guide to Energy Healing and Spiritual Transformation. HarperCollins, New York, NY.
Green, James (2000). The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook: A Home Manual. Crossing Press, New York.
Houston, Carole, Certified Body Talk Practitioner, personal communications, November 19 & 26, 2014
Scheffer, Mechthild. (1988). Bach flower therapy: Theory and practice. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, VT.
Stafne, Gigi. Master Herbalist, Naturopath, Educator & Writer, personal communications.