When using a flower essences dosage bottle consistency is key.  It is not how many drops but how often the drops are used.  I have found a dosage of 3 drops 3 times a day to produce beneficial results.

When preparing a dosage bottle each flower essences producer recommends a different proportion of stock essence to neutral solution.

David Dalton of Delta Gardens offers the most precise dilution, 1 drop of stock to 100 drops of neutral solution.  This is equals roughly 3 drops of stock to 1/2 oz neutral solution.

FES and Bach each recommend 2 drops to neutral solution, they do not specify 1/2 oz or 1 oz of neutral solution.  Dr. Edward Bach felt that one drop would suffice but said add 2 drops to be sure.

Australian Bush Essences say to add 7 drops of each stock to a 1/2 oz of neutral solution.  This seems like a high dilution but they only recommend taking the essence twice a day  for 2 weeks. Compared to other producers who recommend 3-4 times a day for 4 weeks.

I have tried all the above dilutions and have achieved good results, I have also strayed from the suggestions each company recommends and have achieve good results.  I have noticed that higher dilutions are more tangible on a feeling level.

So how much does it really matter?

In all my playing around with dilution suggestions, the key to success is taking the remedy on a consistent basis no matter the dilution.

The initial process of making a flower essence involves clean fresh water, usually spring although some people choose to use distilled water.  The choosen water is then placed in a clean clear glass bowl in direct sunlight.  Then fresh pick blossoms from the plant species is placed in the bowl of water in full sunlight for a minimum of  3 hours.  After 3 hours the water is decanted into an amber glass jar with an equal amount of brandy.  The brandy serves to stabilize the vibration of the essence and prevent the growth of bacteria in the now highly charged water.  Now you have a mother essence, from the mother essence stock bottles are prepared.

To make a stock bottle a few drops of mother essence are added to a neutral solution of water and brandy.  Stock bottles are usually prepared in 1 to 1/4 ounce  bottles.  When you buy flower essences in the store or on line you are purchasing flower essences at the stock level.  Stock bottles are sometimes used directly, though if you are using a few essences at a time it is best to combine your stock essences into a dosage bottle.

Dosage bottles are the perfect way to administer and use a variety essences at one time without having to unscrew the cap a few stock bottles a few times a day.  To make a dosage bottle add 2-4 drops of essences from the stock bottles to a neutral solution of water and brandy, usually in 1/2-1 ounce amber glass bottle.  I personally prefer 1/2 bottles as they last 4 weeks when used 3-4 times a day.  The 4 week period is a good cycle when using flower remedies, after 4 weeks it is time to re-evaluate the formula and decide if you still need the essences.  When administering essences always keep the pipette clean, don’t touch it with your fingers, mouth, tongue or teeth.  Preventing contamination keeps the integrity of the essence at its most potent vibration.

One of the goals of Essence Alchemy is provide people with the flower remedies they need to make a dosage bottle.  The retail cost of stock bottles range from $8 to $12 a bottle and if you need 5 essences this can start adding up.  Essence Alchemy is designed in a user friendly way to help you find the flower remedies you need to design your own dosage bottle for a fraction of the cost if you were to purchase each remedy individually.

I have included 6 major brands of flower essences as they cover a wide range of issues and are all well researched remedies.  The brands include the original 38 Bach Flower Remedies, Flower Essence Society (FES), Delta Gardens medicinal herb set and Woodland Essence forrest floor, shrub, tree and at risk plant flower essences.  I also have the complete set of Australian Bush Essences and a partial set of Alaskan flower essences, gem essences and environmental essences.

Flower essences are amazing tools to assist with personal development and knowing how to use them can greatly enhance your experience. A simple method for getting the most out of flower essences in a therapeutic way when choosing self treatment is to focus on one area at a time.  Since most people turn to essences in a time of crisis, it is suggested to start with strengthening essences.

The key here is to use them for grounded perspective so you can easily work with the situation at hand.  Some strengthening essences are borage, mimulus, larch, mountain pride, california fuschi, yarrow, st. john’s wort, walnut, pine, sunflower and red cedar.

It is also recommended to add some catalysing essence to help move energy.  Some catalysts include horseradish, cayenne, habanero and goldenseal.  These essences can help move stuck energy and ‘psychic debris’ from the mind and emotions.  This benefits the whole strengthening process and it is easier to catalyse movement when feeling strong.

Another nice group of essences to include in the initial strengthening process are softening/soothing essences.  The benefits of strength and softness are like a balm to the soul and healing process.  Some essences that are useful with soothing and uplifting the spirit include star jasmine, white chestnut, impatiens, marshmallow, cherry plum, angelica and elderberry.

Self treatment is a great introduction to flower essences as it gets you familiar with the flower essence healing process.  I suggest starting with a few essences at first use them consistently until the bottle is done. For a more in depth experience choosing a personal consultation with someone familiar with flower essences.

There are many types of fears and apprehensions folks suffer from and Dr. Bach felt negative emotions impair a persons ability to achieve well being. Because life is dynamic the negative emotion of  fear falls into many categories. There are a few Bach remedies that treat specific fears; remedies such as Aspen and Mimulus.  And there are ways which other Bach remedies can treat a variety of fears.  Below is a list of 15 remedies and how they can help you surmount your fears.

Bach Remedies for Treating Fears:

Agrimony: treats fear of being seen emotionally- promotes emotional honesty with ones self

Aspen: treats vague fears, fear of the unknown, apprehension-  encourages trust and faith in the unknown.

Cerato: treats fear of making the wrong decision- promotes trust in self

Cherry Plum: treats fear of losing control- promotes calm

Chicory: treats fear of loss of love- encourages freedom and letting go

Crab Apple: treats fear of germs, impurities and sin- a cleansing essence bringing a sense of purity

Heather:treats fear of making a fool of oneself, for those with low self esteem- promotes a sense of individual wholeness tempering vanity

Holly: treats fears that others will receive more love and attention- encourages an open heart and loving inclusiveness

Larch: treats fear of failure, fear of judgment from others- encourages confidence in ones ability

Mimulus: treats fear of known things, heights, public speaking, pain, good for shy persons- promotes courage and bravery

Pine: treats fear of punishment that arise from feelings of guilt- promotes wholesome thoughts freeing us from feeling of guilt

Red Chestnut: this is for fears and worry regarding the welfare of  others- promotes trust in the welfare of others  

Rock Rose: treats terror, extreme fears of self or death, for intense fears- promotes deep strength and courage during emergency.

Star of Bethlehem: treats fears relating to unresolved trauma or injury- promotes peace and healing of recent or old trauma

Water Violet: treats fear of close contact-encourages feelings of friendliness, openness helping us feel more comfortable connecting with others

Essence Alchemy has made it easy for you to design a personal remedy dosage bottle, we call it “Your Personal Bottle”.  A dosage bottle which combines up to 6 different remedies into a single formula.  This is the way essences were designed to be administered.