Exploring the healing world of  flower essences is a fun and exciting journey.  Many folks are introduced to the world of essences is through a personal exploration of essences on an individual level.  A person reads about essences then choose to try a few.  This was how I became my journey in the world of flower essences.  While this method has its benefits working with someone versed in the language of flowers carries your healing  journey along faster and smoother than going at it alone.

A personal flower essence consultation is useful to help the client see into his or her blind spot.  The area(s) where aspects of our ‘problems’ lurk out of view but are clear to others.  The objective view of a  practitioner is helpful to shine a light into our emotional blindspots.

The guidance of a practitioner is useful to help the client work out an issue in a series of steps. This type of guidance works by gently uncovering underlying issues related to the main issue. By working in a step by step method, each session builds on its self this allows the client to build confidence and strength which accelerates the healing process. This process sets up a strong foundation allowing the client to go deeper and experience more peace with the healing process.

I currently offer two options for personal flower essence consultations. One a phone consultation and an e-mail consultation. A phone consultation allows me to respond to your issue in a quicker, because of the opportunity to probe deeper while the issue is being talked about.

E-mail consultations are also helpful in addressing your healing needs.  This type of consultation allows you more time to answer the questions and reflect on you situation.

The big craze in the media driven ‘New Age’, Positive Thinking Movement make getting what you want and living the life you dream seem so effortless.   The book mills of the world would like us to believe that having what we want comes as easily as thinking about it in a positive frame of mind. While this may be true to a certain extent it is not the full picture. And, it doesn’t always turn out that way.

Recently there has been a backlash against positive thinking; those against it claiming it is unrealistic, misleading and possibly dangerous.  While one can understand their point in some sense; claiming that it leads to a delusion and prevents people from seeing the world as it “truly” is. If one watches the news and indulges in mass media; it does seem like the world is wretched place filled with violence and hatred; commonly referred to as the “real world”.  The world as it is, the world we are avoiding by indulging in positive thinking.  Those of the positive thought field tell us what we focuses on multiplies  . . . so where does this leave us? Is it delusional to think we could have a better life in the face of the status quo?

I do believe it is possible and I do believe there is an underlying programing in each of us which has created an invisible gap between what we would like to create and what we are creating.  In all fairness I feel it is wise to state the positivity we aim to create and see in the world around us will not happen overnight, heck it may take years even decades, but if we don’t start it will not happen. I am saying this as a hedge against disappointment when things don’t happen in the time frame we would like, persist and they will, eventually.

Back to programing; we have all  absorbed thoughts and believes about ourselves and the world that can act as an inhibiting factor.  Lets call this factor X.  Factor X doesn’t easily reveal its self, it is unseen, but it can be uncovered.  There are a few ways to do this, one is through self reflection and meditation on the problem we are facing.  This requires a certain honesty with ones self, to really look into who we are and why we do what we do.  During self reflection one will often receive revelations as to the cause of your “problem” act on what you receive to further your progress.

A second way to reveal this factor X is through talking it out with someone, a coach, counselor or friend whose wisdom and guidance you trust.  In my years of working with flower essences I have seen profound changes in people as I helped them reveal to themselves what they already knew.  Talking about a problem or challenge with another is helpful because they aren’t effected by the same emotional blind spots. Our own emotional bling spots are often obvious to other people.

Combining good counseling with the healing power of the remedies  produces lasting shifts in people in a shorter period of time than without remedies.  I often hear from clients that a few months of flower essence treatment brought them further in their healing journey than years of ‘therapy’.   This is because the healing power of flower remedies nudge out denser vibrations of fear, pain, shame, anger and trauma. Then they usher into the human electrical system lighter healing vibrations which cause subtle and power shifts towards emotional and mental health.

Guilt and shame are culprits behind many self destructive habits and can inhibit us in many ways.  If guilt is holding you back one can use the Bach remedy of Pine to shift that feeling towards self acceptance, forgiveness and release from blame.  It would also be good to combine Pine with essences that boost esteem and self worth such as Larch, Moneyplant or Missouri Primrose.

The simple and profound powers of flower remedies affect our consciousness, helping us to shift towards new and enlightened ways of  being.

Flower essences are versatile and can be used for cleaning and freshening environments as well as our bodies.  Below is a list of just a few essences that are useful this spring season for bringing fresh healthy vibrations into your life.

Crab Apple: This is the quintessential cleansing flower; useful for space clearing, in floor washes and a air freshening spray.

Walnut: This is an essence for newness,it breaks the ’spell’ of the past so that we can move forward. Useful for bringing in fresh energy to spaces; such as old rooms, also helpful clearing energetic cobwebs.

Cerato: Useful for bringing “beautiful” energy into the space.

Sweet Chestnut: Use this essence to help clear out heavy energy, helps to bring a lighter more joyful energy into the space.

Alaskan Environmental Essences: These are some of the most unique and powerful essences I have come across in while.  They are unique in that they are created from the vibrational patterns of pristine Alaskan environments.  Their power is in their ability to carry this pure vibration in a tangible way into new environments.  I feel these essences are extremely useful for those living in urban environments where there is a distinct lack of unadulterated ‘nature’ vibration.

Portage Glacier: This essence is helpful for clearing out any unwanted, old, stagnant and toxic energies from a space.

A few years ago while on a trip to Kauai I made an essence of Ti plant.  It is useful for cleansing and breaking ties with unwanted energies. Ti plant is a powerful energetic cleanser it carries a swift purifying energy, it was used in ancient Hawaiians to break spells and curses. Ti is useful for a clarifying and clearing spaces as well as ones personal energy field.

Once you’ve cleaned and cleared your space consider what energies you want to usher in.  Clearing essences can also be used after fights or arguments to “clear the air”.

All the Best~

And Happy Spring to All.

If you suffer from or know someone suffering from  ADD/ADHD  there maybe many non pharmaceutical options to help you live a better life.  I feel it is important to mention reviewing ones diet especially the intake of caffeine, refined sugars and processed foods.  These substances should be greatly reduced in ones diet as they affect the ability to concentrate and focus.  Since this blog is about flower remedies I have made a list of Bach Remedies that can help as well as 3 others from different producers.  This is only a partial list but is a good starting point to build on.

Treating ADD/ ADHD with Bach Flower Remedies

Chestnut Bud: This remedy is useful for learning; particularly when one makes the same mistakes but fails to learn from them.

Clematis: This essence is for the dream; the person whose head always seems to be in the clouds. Clematis can help one be present and focused rather that off in day-dream land.

Gentian: This essence helps to bring confidence to a person after a setback; gentian enhances perseverance, confidence and faith.

Gorse: This is a powerful remedy for treating pessimism and a complete sense of hopelessness. People suffering in this state see no point in trying because they lack faith in a positive resolution to their challenge.  This remedy builds optimism by supporting a sunnier outlook on life.

Hornbeam: This essence is useful for the ‘Monday Morning’ feeling that kids may experience as they dread going to school. It is helpful for staving off procrastination, it helps one to organize better and gather inspiration.

Larch: This essence helps with confidence; good for students who are shy, timid or don’t feel confident enough to embrace their school work. Larch is very useful when beginning to study a new topic or learning a new language or instrument; it helps one to make an effort and ’stay the course’.

White Chestnut: This essence is helpful for calming an overactive mind

Wild Rose: This essence helps the student to overcome apathy and take a renewed enthusiastic approach to school work.

Some other essences that are helpful with learning, concentration and focus:

Peppermint: This flower essence is for mental clarity helping to bring wakeful clarity to a dull, sluggish or lethargic mind.  This essence is also good for an unbalanced metabolism which depletes mental forces and hinders focus. (made by FES)

Rosemary: This essence helps the soul to more fully incarnate.  Rosemary renews the forces of incarnation, helping one to feel secure in their bodies and in the world. Rosemary is useful for forgetfulness and enhancing vitality, it helps to make one more alert and grounded. (made by FES)

Shasta Daisy: This essence is  helpful for what is called holistic thinking or consciousness. It helps one to see information as a whole rather than in bits and pieces. It helps one synthesize ideas with greater clarity and get a grasp on information. (made by FES and Delta Gardens)

In Part 2 I will present a list of possible combinations to address the challenges of ADD/ADHD.

Blueberry cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) flower essence, this is one of my favorite essences that I have co-created. I prepared this remedy in March of 2006 shortly before leaving San Diego, I feel like it is a treasure I got to take with me. The cactus I prepared the essence from is about 80+ years old, it has a towering yet gentle presence. The cactus gets its name from the small fruits that resemble and taste similar to blueberries.

The flowers are a soft white with a sweet fragrance, they open to the sun and close at night, protecting the delicateness within. The day I set out to make this essence I intended to only make one essence that of echinopsis, which I also prepared. But I could hear this plant calling to me so I obliged and I am ever so happy I did.

This essence carries such a wonderful relaxing and joyful energy to the user. My initial provings were such a joy to watch. Literally I could see the shift in people immediately. The first time I shared this essence with a friend was on a curb outside of the Farmer’s Market in Hollywood. I handed her the bottle and told her to take 3 drops. I just sat there and watched as she gazed into the distance commenting how she never noticed how lovely everything looked. I said to her “who do you think could benefit from this essence?” Then a friend of hers ran up to us, clearly in hurry, we asked him to sit with us but he had to run . . .

Two other provings revealed this essence’s ability to bring relaxation to the body. The first involves a female friend. A very well put together woman who maintains perfect posture and is seemingly relaxed. I went to her house with a bunch of essences and tested her for which ones she might need, Blueberry cactus came up. We were sitting and talking she took 3 drops and within minutes she was literally draped over the chair in a relaxing reclined position.

The third proving involved a male friend who always struck me as rather laid back, looking back I think this was a front. I was at his house, were he could always be found moving around from one room to the next laptop in hand, checking emails, sending emails, generally keeping busy. I gave him 3 drops and he immediately sunk into the couch and fell asleep shortly afterwards.

What I have found over the years with this essence is that it relaxes the mental body, this in turn brings relaxation to the physical body. It has proven useful for folks dealing with isomnia and disrupted sleeping patterns as well as general stress related to living in a type A society.

This essence brings lightness, joy and more uprightness to the body, enhanceing the vertical flow of energy in the body. It helps us slow down and take a more compassionate approach, helping us feel a joyful sense of presence. Gentle knowing and trusting develops, the ability to handle stress increase thus leading to greater sense of vitality and energy.

Late winter and early spring often brings blankets of wildflowers across the deserts of the Southwest; rain permitting of course.  This winter we have had a good amount of rain spread throughout the months of December, January and February.  This steady amount of rain has brought much green to many areas of Southern California and this green has led to yellow, orange, blue, purple and white flowers blanketing the the landscape.  These blankets of flowers fill the air with ‘The fragrance of the desert’; the sweet smell of nectar from all the blooming flowers.

I always try to make it out to the desert during this time of year to catch the spectacle of color before it fades.  This past week I headed out to the Chuckwalla Mountains; which are about 200 miles east of Los Angeles.   Last year I made it to Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego a desert east of San Diego near the border with Mexico.  Anza Borrego is a low desert with Joshua tree being more of high desert; Anza Borrego is part of the Colorado desert where as Joshua Tree is part Mojave desert in the upper areas and Colorado desert in the lower areas.   The famed Joshua Tree favors the Mojave as it is cooler and moister than the Colorado.

While out in the Chuckwalla Mountains I saw many common desert wildflowers including gold cup, apricot mallow, California poppy, creosote, brittlebush,  phacelias and many others.  There were a few flowers I saw but not many of these definitely peeked my interested.  I saw two families of Bigelow Monkey flower, three ghost flower plants and one yellow/tarnished gold colored nightshade; I was drawn to these less populous wildflowers.  I prepared three remedies from these flowers and will be researching them over the next year; at which time I hope to have a definition of their actions and make them available.

During my visit to the deserts in 2008 I prepared essences from Desert Canterbury Bells, Desert 4 O’clock, Arizona Lupine and Desert Dandelion.  I have preliminary definitions for 3 these essences and hope to make them widely available by 2010.  Now I know it is not right to pick favorites but my favorite out of the four mentioned is Desert Canterbury Bells; it is an eye catching deep blue flower and grow in communities amongst rock out crops.

Preliminary Definitions:

Desert Canterbury Bells- enhances vertical alignment; relaxes the upper and lower chest, shoulders and throat; lightens a tense heart and throat; good for those who are burnt out unhappy and destitute.

Arizona Lupine- this essence helps us harmonize with community; helps heal divisions with others in community by fostering feelings of allowing others to be themselves and helping us feel comfortable being ourselves in groups. Helpful for group unity and acceptance.

Desert Dandelion- relaxing to overly tense musculature; helps us take a more relaxed approach to life; good for those who are tense and high strung.

Desert Alchemy is another producer of flower remedies from the desert region of the Southwest; they are based in Tucson, Arizona and many of their remedies come from the Sonoran Desert.

Deserts are magical places it has been a place of solitude, mystery and spirituality for many cultures around the world.  It is a vast place that challenges the ego to quite the feeling of solitude and quite is enveloping making it a great place for spiritual retreat.  It is a place that is seemingly inhospitable and lifeless but with a touch of water the desert comes to life reminding us of the potential for life and growth of the organism and soul.

Please contact me through this website if you are interested in any of our desert flower essences.

Recently FES has introduced a line of 12 combination remedies in spray bottles.  These combination essences address a broad spectrum of conditions and are beneficial for temporary use.  We will now look at the Active 8 combination.

The Active 8 combo contains the following flower essences:

Blazing Star- This a new essence to released by FES as part of The Range of Light collection. This essence carries a fiery quality into the will helping to boost overly listless ‘watered down’ will forces. This essence helps us connect with  fiery solar masculine emotional energy.

Blackberry-The tenacity of this plant lends this quality to its flower essence,  empowering the will to overcome lethargy and inertia.  Blackberry flower essence is also used in the assistance of translating goals and ideas into to concrete action

Cayenne-The fiery essence of this hot pepper plant lends its self to overcoming sluggish phlegmatic attitudes and states of being.  Cayenne imparts fire to the personality helping us break through and move forward past resistance.

Dandelion- This bright yellow ubiquitous springtime flower adds the qualities of relaxation and ease in the pursuit of goals.  It is indicate for the overstriving tense personality, helping one take a more relaxed approach to the work at hand.

Madia- The addition of this flower essence aids in the quality of focus, helping one to contract in a clear and direct manner.  Madia helps center scattered energy and is helpful for dull and listless states of mind.

Red Penstemon- The addition of this essence assists with the qualities of tenacity, completing projects and tasks it boosts determination to overcome challenges and obstacles.

Red Larkspur- The addition of this essence brings a quality of radiance to the personality helping with catalyzing a magnetic quality which aids in leadership and inspires others,

Sunflower- A member of the daisy family, Sunflowers are known to turn their heads and follow the sun as it crosses the sky.  This sun seeking signature , translates to us following our own sunny nature, turning towards the positive life empowering feelings necessary when aiming to create and work on new projects.  Sunflower is used to help get us in touch with our positive masculine solar forces of manifestation.
Active 8 also contains the essential oils of cinnamon and cardamon.

Cinnamon Essential Oil- Has a potent and powerful warm, sweet, spicy aroma used in small amounts it is great for enhancing physical energy. This oil increases bioelectrical forces in the body.

Cardamon Essential Oil- Has a rich spicy scent with notes of citrus, camphor, it also has a slightly floral, woody tone.  Cardamon is stimulating to the conscious mind.

An interesting note about this combo is all the flowers are either red or yellow and a few are from the Asteraceae family, Sunflower, Dandelion and Madia.  Three of the essences in this combo are from the new Range of Light kit, Blazing Star, Red Penstemon and Red Larkspur.

This dynamic collection of flower essences is great to use at the outset of a project or goal or anywhere along the process of task complete and goal achievement.  I find this combo to be useful when feeling dull at work and need a boost to my overall physical, emotional and mental energies.

When talking with folks about flower essences it has been my experience that many people often confuse flower essences with essential oils.  It is such a common occurrence that I always expect to give them a short primer on what flower essences are and how they differ from essential oils.  While essential oils and flower essences can complement each other they are each unique in there therapeutic applications. And, they are different in how they are made and how they are used.

Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in plants.  They are found in the roots, leaves, bark, berries, resins, fruits and flowers of  plants.  They are extremely chemically complex containing hundreds of compounds. It is the unique chemical make up of each oil that gives them distinct aromas as well as their therapeutic actions.  The compounds in essential oils can be used to fight bacteria, fungus, microbes and parasites.  They are also beneficial for reducing inflammation, soothing troubled skin, relieving stress and supporting the body in many ways.  They can also be used to treat many emotional problems.

The use of essential oils extends back to the most ancient of civilizations from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans as well as the cultures of ancient India and much of the Middle East.  In theses cultures essential oils were used for spiritual purposes and for physical health and hygiene purposes.  The bible has many references to oils some notable oils mentioned int he bible are frankincense, myrrh, cassia, aloes wood, calamus and galbanum to name a few.  These oils were believed to enhance spiritual connection to god, I suspect due to there ability to still the mind open the psyche to higher inspiration.  The antiseptic qualities of these oils also made them useful for cleansing and purification.

The modern resurgence  aromatherapy has heightened the public awareness of essential oil.  Overall I see this as a good thing, though this term has been co-opted by the marketing department of major soap companies who are erroneously making claims as to the benefits of their products.  Because large soap manufacturers are not using therapeutic grade or even real essential oils in their products. They are using synthetic fragrance oils which have no therapeutic benefits what so ever.  Only true plant derived essential oils offer health benefits.

Essential oils’ influence the body due to their interaction with the nervous system.  When the various oils interact with body we get a wide range of effects.  Lavender produces a calming effect where as Rosemary and Lemon are both mentally stimulating etc.   Combining essential oils and flower essences is a delicate procedure and their complimentary effects offer great benefit when properly understood.  Cayenne flower essence combined with cinnamon essential oil is one example.  Lavender essential oils with white chestnut flower essences would be a nice night cap for the restless mind.

On a final note we should mention how to use essential oils safely.  Dilute strong oils with a base or carrier oil if you have sensitive skin.  For best results apply the oils to the soles of the feet as the circulatory  system will carry the oil throughout the body quite rapidly.  Another good area for application is behind the ears.  Be safe, be smart and eat the oils straight, they have the potential to burn the sensitive mucus membranes.  Also keep the oils out of your eyes and other sensitive areas.  Use common sense.