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.

Below is a list of  key flower remedies that come to mind when I am asked: Which flower essences can help with sleep difficulties?

White Chestnut one of Bach’s Original essences is the first essence that comes to mind.    This essence helps to calm an over active mind, indicated by chattering repetitive thoughts which circulate relentlessly.  This restless mind syndrome is most troubling at night when a calm mind is needed to help ease us into sleep and relaxation.

Lemon Balm: This essence facilitates deep relaxation of the mind; it also helps one move into an alpha state more easily.

Blue Vervain: This essence is excellent for tightness and rigidity; it helps to bring about a state of relaxation to the mind and body.  This essence is great for Type A, over achiever personalities who have a hard time slowing down and relaxing.

Lavender: This essence is great for nervous insomnia; it has a soothing quality that helps to calm the nerves, mind and spirit.  Lavender is a wonderful essence for highly sensitive people, you may also want to combine it with Aspen. Aspen brings strength to highly refined souls who suffer from anxiety.

Blueberry Cactus:This essence works similar to White Chestnut; in that it helps to slow the mind down.  Blueberry cactus also has calming properties that helps one to gain deeper states of relaxation, facilitating deeper sleep and more restful sleep.

If you suffer from nightmares trying adding St. John’s Wort to any of the above essences in a sleep formula.

How to Use:  If one is high strung and generally has a more anxious personality, these essences can be used throughout the day without fear of falling asleep.  For more acute times of anxiety and restlessness you can use these remedies around the evening and before bed.

This is a small list but they are my top recommendations to support a good nights sleep.

In this section I will outline a few possible combination flower remedies to address various areas of learning difficulties.  The themes are mentioned in bold italics and the essences suggested are meant as guidelines; where certain essences fit.  This is to give you an understanding of how to design a formula.  Other essences that may be applicable but where not mentioned in Part 1 will also be included.

Below is a list of possible combinations based on themes:

Shy Student Low Self Confidence:

Larch, Hornbeam, Gentian, Sunflower, Missouri Primrose (Delta Gardens)

Day Dreamer:

Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Hornbeam, Rosemary, Wild Rose

Forgetful, Low Grades, Always Trying:

Chestnut Bud, Peppermint, Larch, Gorse, Rosemary,

Study Formula:

Chestnut Bud, Rosemary, Shasta Daisy, Larch

Hyperactive Mind:

White Chestnut, Lavender (FES), Lemon Balm(Delta Gardens),  Chamomile(FES), Blueberry Cactus( Essence Alchemy remedy)

This list is meant to provide a basic starting point on which to build.  All the essences mentioned are available to order through the site.  If you have any questions you can e-mail me at mark@essencealchemy.com.

Pink Monkey flower essence carries a unique quality; to bring us to a state of emotional honesty.  Emotional honesty helps us to look within  and accept and access our more authentic self.  This helps to counteract the fear of being exposed; which is fed by a lack of self acceptance.   This fear  erodes our sense of worthiness and courage to be emotionally honest with others.

Pink Monkey Flower relates to matters of the heart. When closed due to feelings of guilt and unworthiness,  Pink Monkey Flower can help the heart to open and become more trusting. When  hide deep pain in the heart these internalized feelings keep us locked in limited emotional range.   The soul requires openness to fully evolve, it does not function healthily on a diet of fear, insecurity, cynicism and loneliness.  These feelings also prevent us from making deep connections with others.  Feeling a deep nurturing connection with others feeds the human soul on many levels.

Pink Monkey flower helps us to take the type of emotional risks that enhance personal growth and feelings of worthiness. Use Pink Monkey Flower essence to treat childhood abuses that have shut down the heart and caused fear and pain which prevent us from having emotional fulfilling relationships.   Emotional honesty with ones self and others is a key to happiness in intimate relationships.  If we suffer from the pain of guilt and shame it cuts us off from feeling the warmth that comes from honestly connecting with others.

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.

I see the flower essence of Rabbitbrush as being a sort of godsend for our modern age.  Rabbitbrush helps us to keep our focus on the task at hand while being able stay aware of the details going on in the periphery. This is useful because influence of technology and media on life today can often act as a distraction with the ability to take our focus and vision in many different directions within seconds.  Part of being a functional human being requires that we focus on a goal and follow it through to completion, which demands that we focus our attention in a chosen direction.

Society today almost demands that we have our focus on more than one thing at time, which can be disorienting and stressful.  As the pace of society and life seems to get faster and faster these demands show no signs of slowing down.  Yet thankfully we have a useful tool, Rabbitbrush flower essence, to help us keep our center and focus as we navigate the maze of the demands of our daily life.

Vision and focus are two words that immediately come to mind when I think of this remedy, because it is such a valuable aid to bringing cohesion  to where the power of sight and mind intersect.  It aids in the ability of the mind to ’stick together’ so that we are less influenced and pulled off course by all that is going on around us.  And it helps to bring a togetherness to different useful pieces that lie at the edge of what we are focused on.   Use this essence for maintaining focus and attention when working on a project with many details that all require your attention.  This essence supports a ‘flexibility of the mind and helps one to gain a wide focus over the big picture so that we are aware of the many details of the issue, task or project.

Rabbitbrush flower essence is also helpful for times when we feel overwhelmed by all the details we need to address whether it be in a personal or professional setting.   This essence helps one to hold the details in perspective so that one may proceed forward with more clarity thus helping to dispel confusion and feelings of being overwhelmed.  This essence is useful for in a wide range of situations and can be used in acute situations or on a ongoing basis.   Many blessings to you in finding the remedies to best suit your needs.

The mallow family of plants is quite large and graces the springtime with soft colored blooms.  Their flowers have been explored as flower essences by a few companies mainly FES and Delta Gardens.  There is a softness to the plant which translates to its healing qualities as a flower essence.  The softness is also evident in the marshmallow candy, originally made from the root of the marshmallow plant.

David Dalton of Delta Gardens offers a flower essence of marshmallow which encapsulates the softness,  it is indicated for a hardening of the emotional body.  A marsh is a watery place and the element of water is associated with the emotions.  The delicate looking flower is white with a purple center.  Its main indication is for helping us to soften our feeling around other people particularly those that we do not like.  The essence also helps us to get in touch with the love vibration when feeling hurt or angry.

The mallow essence FES offers has some interesting cross pollination in terms of effects on the personality as the Delta Gardens essence.  The FES mallow (sidalcea glauscens) is indicated for those that feel socially insecure, they create boundaries and fear reaching out to others.  This dovetails nicely with Delta Gardens mallow which helps to soften to those that we do not like.

They both work at clearing the harder feelings around socializing and relationships with other.  They are both working with the second chakra in its relationship to the heart chakra helping to unite the two in greater harmony.  This is a powerful and important function that can assist soul growth on many levels, bringing the gentleness and warmth of the heart into our social sphere.

Mimulus  also known as Monkey Flower is family of plants common in the Western United States. During spring and summer months it can be found growing near rivers and streams as well as deserts and mountain enviroments. It is a large family that covers much ground in terms of habitat range and its flowers offer a variety of color.  Monkey flowers can be yellow, red, pink, purple, orange, beige, brick as well as a combination of these colors.  It is such a color diverse family that offers a wide range of benefits for treating a variety of fear related issues.

The species of Mimulus that Bach prepared an essence of prefers clear moving water. This species grows upright with leaves growing from the stem and flowers at the end of the stem. The flowers are striking bright yellow with many red spots on the throat of the flower which guide bees to the nectar inside.  Over the years FES has been making essences from other varieties of Monkey flower most notably pink monkey flower, scarlet monkey flower, purple monkey flower and sticky monkey flower.

Mimulus was one of the first three remedies that Dr. Bach prepared. It is used for fear, timidity and shyness. Bach noted that the mimulus type are sensitive to their environment. They prefer quite, avoid challenges and shy away from life as they are often plagued by many small worries. This type of withdraw from challenges and giving into fears and worry stymies the growth of the soul on many levels. When using mimulus the soul and personality develop courage by facing fears and moving beyond them helping us to build the internal resources for overcoming challenges we may face in the future.

The following is a group of Monkey flowers prepared by FES out of Nevada City California.
Pink Monkey flower: This essence is for fears related to emotions and closeness. Pink Monkey flower helps one to achieve a state of emotional honesty; it is useful when feelings of guilt, unworthiness and shame lead one to hide themselves from others. It encourages emotional honesty and emotional risk taking helping one to remain emotionally open.

Purple Monkey flower: This essence treats fears related to spiritual experiences; it helps to build trust in ones spiritual experience.  It helps one to learn to trust spiritual guidance and fosters clarity during spiritual or psychic experiences.

Scarlet Monkey flower: This essence is for those who repress deep strong emotions for fear that the power of these emotions will over take them and they will be consumed by the ’shadow’.  Scarlet Monkey flower helps one come to grips with their shadow side, helping to integrate the trans-formative power of deep feelings.

Sticky Monkey flower: This essence treats fears around sexuality and intimacy.  Sticky Monkey flower helps with repressed sexual feelings as well as bringing warmth to the experience of human sexuality.  This essence helps one to integrate warmth in relationships and sexual expression.

Coming across Monkey flowers in the wild is such a fun feeling because they are so distinct in their coloration and there is such a variety of them.  On June 6th 2008, I came upon a variety of yellow mimulus with a large red spot on the front lip of the yellow flower.  On  March 9th 2009 I came upon Bigelow Monkey flower a striking pink, purple, yellow variety that grows in the desert regions of Southern California.

I have prepared an essence of each of these varieties and look forward to doing more research with them over the coming years.  So far they show promise with 1.) coming into healthy contact with anger and expressing it and 2.) treating fear of rejection.  As I discover more about these two essences I will be sharing them with you on this blog.  If you are interested in trying them as research essences please e-mail me and I will be happy to send them to you.

Recently I was feeling the need for a multivitamin, like I could use some extra nutrition in my life. So I went to one of my favorite websites iherb.com.  I examined the offerings of the food based vitamin companies (more on this later) and finally settled on New Chapter’s multi vitamin called Unbounded Energy.  I highly recommend iherb.com they stock a wide variety nutritional supplements many at discounts up to 40%.  Plus you can save $5.00 off your first order by using the coupon code DAQ492.

What really peaked my interest in this supplement besides the fact that it is food based, it contains a flower essence formula known as “Vital Rhythms”.  This is trade marked name for the combination of FES essences in this formula.  “Vital Rhythms” is composed of the following flower essences:

• Indian Pink- for remaining centered and focused even under stress, managing diverse forms of activity
• Morning Glory- for sparkling vital force, feeling awake and refreshed in touch with life
• Penstemon- for great inner fortitude despite outer hardships; perseverance
• Self Heal-for vital sense of Self; deep sense of wellness and wholeness
• Zinnia- for childlike humor and playfulness; lightheartedness

Besides the flower essences this formula as contains herbs beneficial for energy as well as a high concentration of B vitamins, which helps greatly with increasing our energy levels. Some of the herbs in this formula are maca, cordyceps, reishi and ginseng.

New Chapter are truly pioneers in the vitamin world,  they were one of the first companies to produce whole food vitamins.  Meaning all the nutrients in their supplements come from food.  This is vitally important because the body recognizes them easily and assimilates them better than lab made vitamins.  Lab made vitamins are known as USP (United States Pharmacopia) they are isolated nutrients and do not resemble nutrients the way they are found in nature.

As an example the vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) found in oranges is chock full of many co-factors which aid in the absorption of this nutrient.  In most standard vitamins the vitamin C that is used is solely ascorbic acid. Some of the co factors found in oranges are as quercitin and rutin.  They are vital components which as stated before aid in the absorption of vitamin C aka ascorbic acid.  Simply, wholefood vitamins are better recognized by the body than USP vitamins, therefore they are easily and rapidly absorbed and generally are safe to take on an empty stomach.

I have now been using Unbounded Energy for the past two weeks, they suggest using 3 tablets a day.  Rarely do I use the 3 tablets a day recommendation, usually 1-2, sometimes 3.  Even at less than their recommended dose I still feel a noticeable increase in my overall energy levels.  I have definitely noticed if I take this product around 8 or 9 o’clock at night it will keep me up past midnight.  The title Unbounded Energy is not too much of a stretch and the efficacy of this product is on the mark, for that I give it two thumbs up and recommend it as general daily multi vitamin.

Remember to use the coupon code DAQ492 to save $5.00 of your first order from iherb.com.