Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Understanding how flower essences are made and used


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.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Bach Rescue Remedy and Variations

There are a number of pre-made flower essence combination remedies available on the market. The most recognized being Edward Bach's original formula known as Rescue Remedy also referred to as Five Flower Formula*. This formula was originally designed to be you used acutely in times of shock, stress or trauma. It works well when used in this manner.

Rescue Remedy consists of the following flowers Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem. From this original formula one can make variations on the theme to address more specific concerns. Below are some examples of other possible uses for Rescue Remedy.

Rescue Remedy + Crab Apple: Useful for upset stomach and discomfort from food poisoning, it can also be used topically on the skin for rashes/ hives or other inflammation related skin issues.

Rescue Remedy + Olive: This formula is useful for states of exhaustion it is great for general use.

Rescue Remedy + White Chestnut: This formula is useful for an over anxious mind with it being most helpful when the mind is keeping one from sleeping.

Rescue Remedy +Larch and Mimulus: This formula is useful for stage fright/performance anxiety.

Rescue Remedy + Pomegranate: This formula is excellent for the discomforts associated with PMS and menstrual cramping. Pomegranate is available from FES.

These are just a few examples of how one can get creative with the basic Five Flower Rescue Remedy Formula. There are many stressful situations that can be aided by Rescue Remedy and going off this original formula one can tailor a mixture to best suit their needs.


*Note, Rescue Remedy is a trademark of the Nelson Bach company. In Dr. Bach's lifetime he never made any effort to trademark or patent any of his work, he felt it was a gift to be used freely. Five Flower Formula is the name given to Bach's emergency formula by Healing Herbs Ltd.