I've Started Using Flower Essences to Improve My Wellbeing

 Have you heard of Flower Therapy? This healing method works with different blossoms (based on their appearance, fragrance, essence, color and energy) to address specific needs and desires. Flower therapy is predominantly based on nature's healing abilities, and is in some ways, similar to naturopathic medicine (a blend of modern, scientific knowledge with natural forms of medicine). Similarly, flowers can be used to create potent healing effects too. Regardless of whether you're working with flowers in your own garden, or those specially purchased to heal a specific situation, they will bring more emotional, physical and spiritual beauty into your life.

A little history

Between 1930 and 1936, Doctor Edward Bach discovered this new method of therapy. He discovered that some flowers and plants have the power to soothe the the soul and decided to name it Flower Therapy. He observed his patients carefully and predominantly focused on the emotional dysfunction of his suffering patients. Bach was convinced that illness is the materialization of deep inner lacerations, arising out of negative feelings that have made their way within the individual, resulting in severe physical symptoms. He therefore established Flower Therapy to deal with psychological and emotional well-being as the cornerstone for reaching or maintaining physical health.

Edward Bach identified and established 38 remedies. Each remedy is associated with a basic human emotion. Take the flower Mimulus for example. This flower remedy is beneficial when you feel frightened or anxious about something. It tackles your everyday fears - fear of public speaking, fear of the dark, fear of aggressive dogs, of illness and pain. But, in the case of real terror, the Rock Rose flower may serve as a better option.

Ready-made blends may be purchased (read on to find out more) or made, preferably by a qualified Flower Therapist.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informative purposes only. Always consult with a qualified practitioner for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at six flowers and their healing properties. To select the remedies you need, think about the sort of person you are and the way you are feeling:

Agrimony (Agrimonia): The remedy for people who keep their troubles hidden under a mask of pleasure and happiness.

This person is often the life and soul of the party, the cheerful someone whose friends are the last to know that anything is wrong in their life. Such a person prefers to be among others as their mask tends to slip, revealing their repressed thoughts.

Benefits: Agrimony helps us come to terms with the darker side of our lives and personality. It enables us to keep our sense of humor and maintain our ability throughout the day.

Cerato: The remedy for people who lack faith in their judgment.

This person tends to lack sufficient confidence in themselves and find it difficult to make their own decisions. They often seek advice from others and consequently, tend to be misguided.

Benefits: Cerato helps us have more faith in our decisions and judgment. It encourages us to listen to our inner voice and trust our intuition.

Gorse: The remedy for people who have given up belief and hope.

This person feels an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. They have given up on the belief that more can be done for them. This person willfully refuses to be encouraged. If ill, they may think themselves to be incurable and insist that nothing can be done.

Benefits: Gorse is a remedy for uncertainty. The main problem here, is that a person has lost faith. Gorse therefore helps this person see things in a different light, making them believe that there is a way forward.

Mustard: The remedy for deep gloom and depression that descends for no apparent reason.

This person may have 'attacks' of gloom and despair and find it almost impossible, in such times, to appear happy or cheerful. They try to list all the reasons they have to feel happy and content, but still, everything looks bleak and hopeless.

Benefits: The remedy helps dispel the cloudiness and darkness they feel, so that they may feel joy and peace in their lives.

White Chestnut: The remedy for unwanted thoughts and mental arguments that prevent us from concentrating.

This person constantly worries, but may not necessarily be anxious or fearful. Such thoughts usually lead nowhere and just go round and round in the mind, like a looped recording.

Benefits: White chestnut encourages the worried person to think straight, helping them deal with their underlying problems calmly and rationally.

Olive: The remedy for tiredness and exhaustion.

This remedy is suitable for the person who has suffered mentally or physically and feels so exhausted and weary that he/she has no more strength to make any effort. It is also ideal for those who have had to endure a long struggle against illness.

Benefits: The remedy helps restore our strength and the faith we need to continue an effort, helping us to feel energized or enabling us to rest properly.  

For a more detailed overview on Edward Bach's guide to flower remedies (whereby ready-made blends may also be purchased) click here.