FAQ

How can Flower Essences help?

The various situations, circumstances and issues for which flower essences can be used are too numerous to mention, but just a few of the more typical ones are listed below.  Essences never change one from whom one is already; they do not add or give anything that one does not already have.  In resolving unhelpful emotions, beliefs and thinking, one's positive qualities are enhanced; one resonates to a higher frequency that enables one's true self to shine through.  As flower essences have a general balancing effect, one can often notice improvements or enhancements in areas other than which were expected.

* Upsets and trauma - Flower essences can bring comfort in times of distress, trauma or upset.  They help to release shocks (new and old) that when left unresolved may become the underlying cause of future health imbalances.

* Stress - Assisting one to remain calm and centred, essences can change one's perception of a tense situation, so one is able to manage stress in a more healthy way.

* Confidence - For many people, a lack of self-esteem and confidence can prove to be a debilitating factor in various areas of life.  Flower essences can improve self-worth immeasurably, so it becomes easier to have the confidence to do things one wishes, take up opportunities and achieve far more than one thought.

* Change - The one inevitable thing about life is that one will need to embrace change on some level and at some time.  Essences can help hugely at these times especially for those of us particularly resistant to any form of change.  They assist by gently acclimatising one to other perspectives or situations, enabling one to embrace other standpoints and generally to step more lightly through life with greater flexibility.

* Challenges and problems - At these times one needs to find inner strength to face major change, challenges and difficulties, essences are there to support and help one cope.

* Anxiety and worry - Flower essences help one to relax, they instil a level of calm and peace that relieves anxiety, worry or a tendency to negative thinking.

* Depression or sadness - There are many different essences to support one during times of just plain gloominess to absolute despair and hopelessness.  By introducing a level of light into our psyche, they help one to see things differently and provide the inner strength to cope at times like these.  Professional help should be sought for the clinically depressed or suicidal.

* Focus and direction - Quite often one can go through periods when one loses focus or needs assistance to make a decision or find the appropriate path in life.  Essences instil awareness, helping one to reach decisions more easily.  They inspire direction, so one is able to see the way more clearly, to be aware of one's objectives and aims and to fulfil one's potential.

* Inner guidance - If one is looking for inner guidance or clarity around a particular issue then there will be an essence to assist.  Essences can also aid in helping to understand one's higher purpose or unfold one's spiritual awareness.

* Relationships - When it comes to personal relationships, essences can lend a hand when communication problems or conflicts with others arise.  Inevitably this area of life means facing hurt, pain and disappointments at some point.  Whilst these factors can take some getting over, essences can help one to cope with upsets and move on from these feelings.  They assist in overcoming setbacks, enabling one to face life again with resilience and optimism.  Sometimes one may benefit from an essence to let go of old resentments or anger pertaining to a relationship.  Not only helpful in enabling one to appreciate another's viewpoint, essences can make one aware of one's own behaviour too.

* Protection - Many people, especially those who work with others in some capacity, are often extremely sensitive.  Their ‘openness’ makes it very easy for them to absorb like a sponge other people's 'stuff'.  This can be tiring and overwhelming emotionally, or debilitating to the extent that they can become ill.  In these cases, one can benefit from the protective qualities of essences, against the discord energies of others.  They help to create healthy boundaries so one is strong enough to compassionately help others but to remain safely shielded.

* Recovery and convalescence - Helpful in recovering from surgery and clearing the affects of anaesthesia, essences are also useful in restoring vitality following a period of illness, accident, overwork or stress.

(This information is provided from BAFEP, the British Association of Flower Essence Producers)

What are flower essences?

Flower essences repair, balance and stabilise the circuitry of our electrical system so that the vital life energy may flow well again. By taking the appropriate essences, we immediately balance the electrical system, stabilise the nervous system and halt the domino effect that leads to physical illness. The idea of treating the cause of illness rather than the disease has been known since the time of Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine’. The role of flower essences is to assist humanity to clear emotional or astral bodies of those conditions that pre-dispose them to disease.

Flowers are the highest manifestation of the life force of a plant. The healing vibration of the flower is transferred into pure water and the resulting infusion is then preserved with brandy. Recent research has shown that water has a memory. The vibratory ‘signature’ of the flower equates with an emotion or state of mind.  

They are natural, non-toxic, water-based products that have water, brandy preservative and a water infusion of flowers. They are produced by and are subject to, UK food standards, DEFRA labelling law and MHRA literature and descriptions guidance. They have no side effects, are safe for children and pets and can be taken alongside any other healing modality. Findhorn Flower Essences are made by the sun infusion method pioneered in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach. 

Flower essences repair and balance the circuitry of the etheric body–the magnetic and electrical field that interfaces between body and soul–so that the vital life energy may flow harmoniously and unimpeded. By taking the appropriate essences, we balance the electrical system, stabilise the nervous system and halt the domino effect that leads to physical illness. The premise of treating the causes of illness has been recognised since the time of Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine”. The role of flower essences is to assist in clearing the emotional or astral body of those conditions that predispose people to disease.

What are the differences between Flower Essences and Essential Oils?

Flower essences are water-based, unscented and contain only the energetic vibrational properties of the plants. Essential oils, which used in aromatherapy, are concentrated and oil-based.  

How do I choose Flower Essences?

To select the essences most beneficial for you at this time, see which ones most closely address the positive qualities you would like to encourage.  Look for key emotional, psychological and soul issues. Often your intuition will call your attention to particular flower essences. Read the descriptions and see which essences intuitively feel right. Other popular methods include dowsing with a pendulum, muscle testing, and attuning using flower attunement cards.

How do I use Flower Essences?

Flower essences have a wide range of applications. Take several drops directly under the tongue or in a glass of water and sip throughout the day. Add them to bathwater, creams or lotions and apply topically or spray them on your person, around the home and workplace. The essences are most effective when used frequently in small amounts. In times of crisis or transition, use them up to several times an hour. Individual essences may be blended together. 

What can I expect?

Many people find relief in times of emotional stress, gain insight during periods of transition and experience greater self-awareness. They are also catalysts to personal growth and transformation and ongoing use can help you along your spiritual path. The response may be quick and powerful or may be subtler: a feeling of clarity, peacefulness, or a sense of wellbeing. 

How are Essences Made?

The simplest method for collecting essences, often these days called 'the sunlight method', is by floating flowers on the surface of a bowl of well water, in sunlight, for several hours. The resulting liquid (the 'mother' essence) is then preserved in brandy or vodka.

Dilution of this 'mother' essence is simple, without succession: 1-7 drops are diluted further to create 'stock' essences and sometimes diluted further in the same way, to create 'dosage' strength.

Essence bottles are sometimes shaken 10-20 times before use or dilution.
Laboratory testing on 'mother' essences can find no physical trace of the source material.

(This information is provided from BAFEP, the British Association of Flower Essence Producers)

How do the Essences Work?

Research (a lot of it somewhat flawed) up to 2004 had suggested that essences are no better that a placebo in their effect. Recent research done on what is know as SeiQuol and MYMOP methods (scientific data collected on perceived quality of life, before and after), has shown that it is not the placebo effect, but something else is happening...

Jacques Benveniste found that the primary mechanism for both homoeopathy and essences is in the nature of water itself. The bonding between hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water is remarkably flexible and the angles can vary more than with any other known substance. It is thought that this unique quality brings 'memory' to water. Some researchers feels that since the human body itself is composed of around 70% water, it may account for peoples' ability to work with essences and the suchlike.

It was also thought until a few years ago that sunlight was an intrinsic part of the process of the water taking up the energy pattern. It is now recognised that strong sunlight speeds up the process, but is not a requirement.

(This information is provided from BAFEP, the British Association of Flower Essence Producers)

How do I take the Findhorn Flower Essences?

Essences at Dose* dilution are generally taken three times a day – seven drops directly under the tongue. However, they can be administered more frequently in acute conditions and then reduce with improvement. 

Stock* Essences, which are at a higher dilution, may be taken directly under the tongue also, or diluted in water.  Use just a few drops.

Essences can also be added to bathwater, creams and gels (such as aloe Vera) and applied to the skin, or sprayed on the body or in the environment through a mist spray.

As well as the above, for babies and young children, the number of drops can be reduced to half the adult dose essences or diluted in a little water.  Alternatively, apply a few drops to the pulse points on the wrist, behind the knees and the soles of the feet. 

Can I use many Essences at the same time?

When combining essences, it is advisable to choose ones that work together and complement each other (e.g. for anger, resentment and frustration) and that not too many issues are addressed all at once. 

Combination formulas such as First Aid count as one essence and can be used intermittently with a course of essences as and when needed.

Can I overdose?

Findhorn Flower essences are non-toxic, non-addictive and cannot be “overdosed”. Be aware, however, they contain 11.6% vol. from the brandy which acts as a natural preservative. 

What is the difference between Stock and Dose?

‘Stock’ dilution refers to the concentrated flower essence and is generally the choice of therapists to prepare dosage bottles, often by combining different single essences to create formulas or mixtures. However, single flower essences can also be used at this dilution.

A dose or dosage bottle is the next dilution and is ready-to-take.

How do I prepare a Dosage bottle from Stock?

Fill a clean dropper bottle with three parts pure water (e.g. purified or well) to one part brandy alcohol and then add four drops each of the Stock flower essences you have chosen.  Shake well to disperse the essences into the water. These formulas do not keep indefinitely. However, their shelf life can be extended by increasing the proportion of brandy to water (e.g. 1 part brandy and 2 parts water) or by keeping them in a refrigerator.

Is there an alternative to using Brandy Alcohol in preparing my own Dosage bottle?

You can use just pure water but it is best to keep the bottle in the fridge. Brandy acts as a preservative and the shelf life is a few years, whereas only a few weeks when prepared with water alone.

Dosage bottles can also be prepared using vegetable glycerine. The proportions are one part vegetable glycerine to one part water and then add the Stock flower essences as per usual. Shake the bottle well each time before administering.

Otherwise, you can prepare a Dosage essence by adding the Stock essences to a glass of water, or a 100ml bottle of water, and sip throughout the day. 

How soon will the Essences start to make a difference?

Some essences can have an almost immediate effect (the combination formulas in particular) though generally changes are more indistinct as balance and equilibrium are restored in the emotional and subtle bodies. No claims are made that flower essences can cure physical illnesses, yet they often bring improvement to a physical condition. 

It depends also on how long you’ve had the condition. For long-standing, deep-seated issues, we recommend taking the essence for a few weeks and re-evaluating at the end of that period of time. Then either repeat the essences or choose others appropriate for the changed symptom picture. 

What happens if I take the wrong Essence?

Nothing. You may have chosen the ‘wrong’ essence. For example, if you took Stonecrop essence to assist you to change and move through a ‘block’ and there was no effect or it didn’t seem to make a difference, it could be because there is no blockage for the essence to dissolve. 

Should I stop taking the essences if I feel worse?

It depends. You may be experiencing what is called in homeopathy an “aggravation” or a healing crisis where the condition is temporarily exacerbated.  In this case, you can choose to either continue with the course, recognising you are in a process of releasing emotional symptoms (and sometimes physical symptoms) or you can reduce the dosage to once or twice a day only.  

If you feel you cannot cope, consider stopping the essence temporarily and use another essence or formula to support you during this time, for example First Aid, Heart Support or Calm Me Down. 

Can I take Flower Essences with other Medicines?

Flower essences work primarily on vibrational levels and more on the subtle bodies and do not interfere with homeopathic, herbal or allopathic treatments. There are no contraindications with their being used alongside any other healing modality.

Can I take Flower Essences during Pregnancy?

It is safe to use flower essences during pregnancy. Some midwives administer or recommend them as they offer gentle but efficacious support before, during and after labour. Findhorn Flower Essences offers a few specially prepared formulas: Birthing essence and Baby Blues Essence, as well as Fertility.

Are Flower Essences Safe to use for Children and Pets?

They are completely natural and safe to use by anyone. Children and pets respond very quickly to flower essences, which may be because they are generally less emotionally ‘cluttered’ than adults. They can also be used environmental and for plants and trees.

My Partner doesn’t believe in essences or vibrational medicine. Can I slip some into his tea or coffee?

This is not recommended as he or she might have a healing crisis. Then you would have to own up. It would be to better to introduce essences over time and to show by example that they work.  

Essences are not placebos, so you don’t have to believe in them for them to work.
This is evident when given to children and pets. 

Disclaimer

Findhorn Flower Essences are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These statements, ideas, procedures and suggestions of the developer of these products are not a substitute for the medical advice of a trained health professional.