What are flower essences?

Flower essences are a beautiful form of transformational energy healing. 

What do flower essences do?

Flower essences or flower remedies work with your subtle energy fields, the counterpart to your physical energy. They work to influence your thoughts, feelings, and perceptions in order to create emotional and ultimately physical change in your body. They are a catalyst for change and assist you in up-leveling your total well-being.

As we are currently living a lifestyle of high stress, being busy, and often feeling that there is not enough time for adequate self-care, flower essences allow you to experience the benefits of being out in nature when you’re not able to experience it firsthand.

What are the benefits of connecting with nature?

There is a lot of research on the benefits of being out in and connecting with nature. For example, this study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states, “…There is mounting empirical evidence that interacting with nature delivers a range of measurable human benefits, including positive effects on physical health, psychological well-being, cognitive ability, and social cohesion.”

In addition, this article from Mind.org discusses how connecting with nature can help individuals to improve their mental health. More specifically, improving their experiences with depression, anxiety, loneliness, as well as their physical health.

Also, “In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries created the term shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.” The practice encourages people to simply spend time in nature — no actual bathing required.” You can read the article here.

How do flower essences work?

Everything is made up of energy or information that vibrates. We experience the influence of energy every single moment of the day. And, the kind of energy that we are exposed to influences us on every level. Creating balance within our human experience or dis-ease. 

Flower essences, created through an intentional practice of recording the energy of different flowers into water (which is an excellent recording device, check out this book to discover how) help to bring your energy back into balance when you are having an unpleasant emotional experience (these can be acute or chronic). 

Also, because most physical dis-ease have an emotional root. Flower essences can help you to bring those feelings to the surface. Allowing you can remove them from your body, affecting your physical discomfort. 

However, keep in mind that flower essences are not a replacement for needed medical intervention. They are simply a tool to help you become empowered to be your own healer. And encourage your body to self-heal (to do what your body is supposed to do naturally).

How would a specific flower essence help you?

For example, Calendula flower essence is often used when you experience 

• Irritation, especially when communicating within relationships. 
• Also, if you find yourself being argumentative
• Even afraid of intimate relationships

Calendula flower essence can help you in

• Quieting a sharp tongue
• Releasing fears of intimacy
• Softening your communication with those you love. 

Working with flower essences can also have a profound effect on your physical well-being. Emotions of anger and irritation can also often show up as physical skin issues. Like eczema, acne, cold sores, under-eye circles, scars, and dry skin.

We don’t often think about it, but negative emotions show up in our bodies all the time. And if they’re not managed can turn into dis-ease. Here’s a cool chart from the PNAS showing where you experience different negative emotions in your body.

Working with flower essences can help you to create a more balanced emotional state. Creating the potential for less physical dis-ease.

Flower Essence Frequently Asked Questions

Are flower essences safe to use?

Yes, flower essences are totally safe to use. They have also become quite popular to use with children, as well as pets.

What if I’m allergic to certain flowers and plants? Can I still use flower essences?

Absolutely! When a flower essence is created, all of the plant particles are removed from the essence during the dilution process. There is no scent and what you typically receive is a stock bottle that has been diluted several times. As always, if you’re concerned about adding flower essence to your daily routine speak with your trusted medical professional

How do I know what flower essence to use?

There are a lot of flower essences available. It can feel quite overwhelming to figure out which one you should start with. I always suggest using your intuition and picking the one you feel most inclined to use. Even if you are unsure as to why you feel called to use it. Your body always knows what it needs and it might not make sense to your mind, which is totally okay.

You can also always find a trusted flower essence practitioner to work with. They’ll help you to discover what you’re wanting to work on. And can recommend or create a custom flower essence for you.

How long does it take for a flower essence to work?

Depending on what emotions you’re working on. You could experience immediate relief. But typically, 5-7 days, when taken consistently, you’ll begin to notice results. I like to keep a journal when I’m working through something specific. 

Before I start an essence I’ll write down a few notes, including

• Why I felt called to work with a certain essence
• What emotions I’ve been experiencing
• If anything significant or new has occurred in my life
• If this has been a long term story or trauma I’ve been experiencing

As I work with my essence, I’ll continue to write down anything I notice

• Changes in how I feel
• Physical changes, am I more sleepy, adventurous, less nervous about something, calmer
• Even things like how I’m not feeling, unwanted feeling that have dissolved or no longer bother me

How many flower essences can I work with at a time?

If you’re a flower essence newbie, I recommend working with just one single flower essence or one blend (blends are typically made of 3-7 essences) at a time. You can certainly work with as many as you feel called to. But it can be difficult to identify which flower essence is working when you take too many at once.

If you’ve been using flower essences for a while and feel called to work with more I recommend using your intuition and your body to guide you. You can use muscle testing to check in with your body to see what essences you’re wanting to work with.

How long should I use a particular essence?

A good rule of thumb is 30 days. But again, if you have worked with an essence for a couple of weeks and feel like you are done with it, that’s fine too. I would recommend working with a single flower essence or blend for at least a week though. 

I’ve heard that you can experience physical symptoms when using flower essences, is this true?

Yes. Since you experience emotions in your physical body you may experience physical symptoms when you start working with a particular essence. You can read up on the connection emotions have to different areas of your body. 

Physical symptoms don’t usually last more than a day or two as you begin to release stored negative emotions. If these symptoms are getting in the way of your daily routine, feel free to decrease your flower essence usage to just once a day. You can gradually increase to 3-5 drops, 3-5 times per day. You can also stop using the flower essence and come back to it another time or power through it. It’s all up to you.

Getting to know the basics of the chakra system can help you to identify why you might be experiencing certain physical symptoms with flower essences. It’s not super common to have a big healing crisis, but it can happen. Especially if you’re working through something that has been with you for a while.

If you’re concerned, make sure to work with a trusted medical professional as you begin your journey with flower essences.

I’m skeptical about flower essences, do they actually work?

I hear you! And yes, flower essences absolutely work. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

• Flower essences are energy medicine and work as well as you are open to receiving their benefits. If you are too close minded about working with them or are not ready to release long held beliefs, your results will be affected.

• Consistency is key. Flower essences produce subtle changes over time. These subtle changes add up, creating profound change in your life experiences. You will definitely begin to create a new life experience for yourself. But it might not feel like a high impact experience. This is a big reason why I like to keep notes about my work with flower essences. So I can look back and see how far I’ve come.

• As I stated above, flower essences are a tool to help you find your own empowerment and self-healing abilities. Do you need them? No. But do they make your transformation a little easier? Yes. Like anything I encourage you to experiment with different energy healing modalities and use what feels right to you. You’ll get the most out of working with the tools that feel aligned to you. 

What are your favorite flower essences to work with?

Right now, I’m totally into using the Resilient Blend from To Be With Flowers. I’m digging the Sunflower essence in this blend. It encourages me to be strong and confident, while the rose and hollyhock are helping me to be a little softer and gentler with myself. The Resilient Blend is really heart-opening and is encourages me to be bold, especially when I feel insecure.

I also turn to Rescue Remedy when I’m feeling anxious in the moment. It really helps me in feeling instantly calmer and gives me relief in stressful situations.

Are you curious about working with flower essences?
Leave a comment or email me at hello@tobewithflowers.com with your questions. I’d love to answer them and help guide you to working with your first flower essence!