Blueberry Cactus Flower Essence

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 insomnia 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, enhancing 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.

Mimulus aka Monkey Flower

Mimulus aka Monkey Flower Essences

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.

The Frangrance of the Desert

Bigelow Monkey Flower

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.

Bach Remedies for treating Fears

Bach Remedies for treating Fears

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

Garden Essences For Feeling Under the Weather

Garden Essences For Feeling Under the Weather

The other day I awoke feeling under the weather, I usually do not get sick so this feeling was a surprise. My first thought was what essences can I now use to get my immune system back on track? I gravitated towards the Perelandra Garden flower essences, knowing some in this kit directly address the immune system. There are four in particular, two for immune support and two for lifting the spirits during illness.

1. Celery- This essence is indicated for an immune system that is severely challenged due to stress and overwork, it is helpful when addressing a long standing illness with viral or bacterial origin.
2. Cucumber- This essence helps to lift the spirits and gain a vital re-attachment to life, I have found this useful to overcome the hazy and spacey feelings that come on when feeling sick.
3. Tomato- This is a potent essence that works with the first chakra speeding up its velocity helping it to shatter and throw off illness. It has a stabilizing and cleansing effect, which was immediately noticeable, soon after taking it I felt lifted and stronger.
4. Zucchini- This essence helps to restore strength to the body when in convalescence, I found it to be helpful with restoring my physical energy helping me to overcome that weak feeling of being sick.

When I tested for these essences (using a pendulum) only cucumber, tomato and zucchini tested positive leading me to believe this was something recent and not a long standing illness my body was dealing with. I used these essences along with some echinacea tea and medicinal mushrooms and within 3 days I was feeling much better; well enough to want to venture outside and interact with the society.

I drank many cups of Traditional Medicinals Echinacea Tea along with taking many capsules of New Chapter’s Host Defense Medicinal Mushroom formula, which I purchased from iherb.com. I highly recommend these products, they are well researched and worth the investment.

All the best and know you can speed up your healing with the power of nature.

PS- Visit iherb.com and use the coupon code DAQ492 to $5.00 off your order.

Unbounded Energy by New Chapter

Unbounded Energy by New Chapter

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.

Activ 8 Formula by FES

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 completion 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.