Flower essences have been used since ancient times by many different kinds of healers including Indigenous Australians, ancient Egyptians and Western herbalists. In the 1930’s a English physician named Dr Edward Bach came to the understanding that negative mental and emotional states contribute to illness and he sought remedies from nature to assist. Bach identified 38 negative states of mind and developed a plant or flower remedy to address each ailment from plants growing in England, such as holly, oak and gorse. These are collectively known as the ‘Bach flowers’.
The well known ‘Rescue Remedy’ is a combination of these: Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem. It is best used during episodes of shock or stress, as Rescue Remedy has a calming and grounding effect, relieving anxiety and helping the user to think more clearly.
Ian White of Australian Bush Flower Essences, and Vasudeva and Kadambii Barnao of Living Essences separately developed flower essences from Australian plants, beginning in the 1980’s and continuing today. Ian White sources primarily from the eastern states, Vasudeva and Kadambii from the west.
The Australian Bush Flower Essences and Living Essences explore the emotional and spiritual healing qualities of Australian native flora. They offer a broad scope of emotional balms, easing recovery from loss, grief, shock, despair, lack of motivation or confidence, lack of self-love, shame and many other hurtful emotional patterns.
Working with flower essences, either singly or in combination, is a gentle yet powerful experience. They help interrupt patterns of negative thinking and ease emotional pain. Combined with counselling and herbal medicine, flower essences can be very helpful during times of turmoil, and help one strengthen and consolidate a healing journey.
The flower essences help us to rise above difficult emotions, allowing us to see clearly, hastening healing and encouraging gentle resolution.
