Use of flower essences is an extremely safe therapy for shifting emotional states which may be causing or perpetuating outward physiological illness. Developed by homeopath, naturopath, and allopath Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's, these liquid preparations are intended to work in subtle ways on one's emotional/spiritual energetic patterns. Through repeated dosage, essences have helped individuals release 'negative' emotions or fears, and support transformation to higher states of health and wellness.
While a few 'formal' methods are given, there are no hard-and-fast rules for the use of flower essences. It can be best to begin with one of the 'commonly' prescribed methods, and explore creative ways to incorporate the flowers into your life as you see fit. Flower essence therapy has a certain flexibility, and will likely be most effective when used in a way that feels right in your life. Here are a few guidelines to take into consideration:
Frequency of Use
Most flower essences can be used directly from the 'stock' bottle (the dilution level at which essences are most often sold). A typical usage schedule is four drops directly in the mouth (or added to a glass of water), four times daily. Because of the particularly dynamic nature of daily awakening and retiring, the most important times may be immediately upon waking, and just before going to sleep. The other two times may be before lunch and upon arriving home at the end of a workday - whatever times might best suit your daily rhythms. Some folks apply essences to their heart chakra, pulse points on their wrists, or on their forehead; essences can be dropped in a bath or added to a spray bottle and sprayed about a room or house (more about further dilution in a minute). Sixteen drops can also be added to a water bottle and taken throughout the day – this is a very effective method for those with a busy schedule who otherwise may forget to take their essences.
Duration of Use
Because flower essences work on an emotional level, sometimes described as the 'soul level', it is important to remember that changes may best be made gradually. Flower essence therapy has been most successful when the essences are taken regularly, most often for the period of about 1 month, for changes in 'core' emotional issues to be seen. Some essences, like Rescue Remedy, are blended to have an effect regarding a recent (minutes, hours, days) traumatic event. Yarrow Environmental Solution by Flower Essence Services was created to offer protection from our modern environment on a daily basis, while not necessarily addressing personal emotional situations. Still other essences, like 'Impatiens' - used to calm an impatient aspect of personality - works fairly quickly in some cases. One user regularly felt the effect within 10 minutes while the impatience was still a significant part of his personality, with the entire personality aspect being slowly washed away after long-term use. So, in most instances, if trying to clear or change some significant part of your soul makeup, try at least a few weeks of regular use.
Dilution and Blending
Flower Essences can be further diluted from the 'stock bottle' (the 'dilution level' available on this site) to a 'dosage bottle' for regular use. One can add 1 or more droppersful from the stock bottle to a clean 1 ounce (30ml) dropper bottle and fill the rest with spring water (optimally) or other clean water source. Blends can also be made this way, adding 1 or more droppersful from each flower essence to the 1 ounce dropper bottle, filling the rest with spring water. The receiving bottle should either be new, or boiled in water to remove old residue - because of the nature of flower essences, they can pick up etheric vibration left over. Also, whenever using flower essences from the stock bottle, be conscious of not touching the dropper tip to anything - your tongue, hands, another bottle, etc. - to help maintain the vibrational purity of the flower essence.
Dilution Effects
Dilution of the essences will have different effects for different; Some do not find the effect as pronounced with a dilution from the stock level, while others find the effect just as significant. Dilution is usually best, however, for children - either from a dosage bottle or from the stock bottle into a glass of water (this can also be good for alcohol-sensitive persons, because of the small amount of brandy in every drop). If you chose not to dilute and are making a blend, simply add equal amounts of each essence to a clean dropper bottle and use from there (unless you intend to have more of one essence than another).
Misting Your Environment
Misting your environment is also an effective means to surround yourself with the energies of your essences. To use as a spray to mist your home, office, or other environment, a dilution in spring water is best. Also, glass bottles are preferred over plastic, as almost every type of plastic has been shown to release at least a little residue into the water.
Pets and Plants
Animals and pets respond wonderfully to flower essences, perhaps because of their lack of expectations or any 'resistance' to being healed. If giving flower essences to pets, it's usually easiest to add drops, perhaps 4 per day, to their water bowl. Success has also been noted with misting growing plants - particularly with Rescue Remedy when transplanting or repotting.
Other Resources
This is in no way intended to be an exhaustive description of ways to use flower essences. Many fine books are available both on the Bach essences (those flowers originally described by Dr. Edward Bach) and the many other flower species now available in remedy form. The 'Flower Essence Repertory' from Flower Essence Services is a fantastic guide to essence selection and use, with in-depth flower descriptions and a reference of primary emotional conditions and useful remedies. Experimentation with flower essences is encouraged, for as you begin to use them, their place in the dynamics of your personal healing journey will unfold.
