Flower essences are subtle liquid extracts which are used to address profound issues of emotional well-being and mind-body health and soul development. They work as subtle nonmaterial impulses. Flower essences communicate information through specific high vibrations that stimulate our emotional and mental self-healing forces. Dr. Edward Bach was the first person in modern history to use flower essences in a therapeutic manner. He believed that the physical world and the spiritual world must be kept in balance within ourselves. Dr. Bach felt that when we are out of balance because of negative thought patterns or emotional disharmony, we weaken our immune systems and set up a template for disease. The flower essences help us deal more constructively with the negative behavior patterns of human nature that are a deep cause of disharmony and disease.

Each flower essence is an electrical solution which embodies the divine wisdom of the flower from which it was made. It is the life force of the plant rather than a chemical composition. The essences are vibrational in nature, embodying the specific energetic patterns of each flower. Flower essences work through the various human energy fields, which in turn influence mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Flower essences can be used safely by people, pets, and plants. Because there is no chemical component to the solution, flower essences do not interfere with medicines or special dietary needs. The essence is generally preserved in a brandy solution, or in the case of Green Hope Farm essences, in Red Shiso (an herb) and vinegar. The “dosage” amount is in drops, so even with those preserved in alcohol the amount taken in is miniscule. The drops can be taken by mouth, rubbed on the skin, or spritzed in the air. We can use a single essence at a time to address a specific issue or a combination of essences together to address the same issue or pattern of thought and behavior.

There are now several different flower essence companies. Bach Flower Essences are probably the most common, as in Rescue Remedy. The Flower Essence Society is another company. Another company we have been using is Green Hope Farm in New Hampshire, who provide excellent information about essences in general, as well as a guide to the essences they make.

Mary Anne Gibbons and myself are partners working with the flower essences. I mainly work with essences for the animals. Mary Anne works with people. We do personal essences for clients, both people and animals, and conduct workshops.

Mary Anne lives in the Pittsburgh area and has been studying and employing methods of holistic health for 25 years. She is an herbalist, a flower essence practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, certified Spiritual Healer, and uses crystals in accompaniment of hands-on healing. She is a graduate of Fellowships of the Spirit School of Prophecy and Healing and is an ordained minister and certified metaphysician.

Mary Anne teaches workshops on Reiki, flower essences, the use of crystals, energy awareness, and the use of energy techniques to make our lives more healthy and whole. She also does intuitive readings, with or without cards, and uses Fairy, Angel, or Animal cards. She can be reached at 724-446-7378 in the evenings and on weekends (Eastern Time Zone).

I mainly work with the animal essences. I use the Animal Wellness Collection from Green Hope Farm. I love all the animals and have always felt such a strong connection with them even as a child.

An animal’s electrical system, the part of the animal that reads the flower essence road maps, extends out from his or her body. This means a remedy can be taken in food or water, rubbed on its paws, pads, ear tips, or fur, or mixed with a cup of water and spritzed throughout an animal’s household. All of these methods work well because they all give an animal a chance to read and learn from the information of the flower essences.

If the animal receiving a remedy does not show an improvement, consider giving other members of the household the remedy. Sometimes it is not the animal with symptoms that is the source of the issue. When the other animals and people in the household are supported by the essence, the original animal often improves.

Last of all, the remedies were developed for animals but are fabulous for people, too! Many people use these remedies in their healing work. We do!