This blog post was updated on 1/4/2022 to adhere to current legal and practical standards.
Summer is quickly coming to a close and the rush of the back-to-school schedule is right around the corner. Before we know it, the holidays will be in full swing. This time of year often lends to plenty of stress. Did you know that there are flowers for that?
While a stunning bouquet of fragrant blooms carefully arranged in a vase is bound to uplift any mood, we're talking about flowers in a different state. Flower essences, also known as flower remedies, have the potential to be much more effective than that pretty arrangement on handling this stressful new season.
Bach Flowers
What they are...
Flower remedies are neither essential oils nor whole herb remedies. They are a distinct natural health modality, and although there are significant differences, they are often considered homeopathic. Flowers are safe for everyone and have no interactions or side effects.
How they're made...
To create the "essences", flowers are steeped in spring water by exposure to the sun or boiling the water. The flower itself is then removed, and the infusion remains. Essentially, a tea is made of the fresh flowers. This solution is then usually preserved with brandy, grain alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar. Thankfully, we don't have to go through the process as the remedies are available in ready-to-use tinctures.
What they do...
Every flower has a different quality. The best known, by far, are the 38 healing remedies developed by British physician and surgeon, Dr. Edward Bach, in the early 1900s. Dr. Bach believed that healing should be gentle, effective, accessible, and simple to learn and practice. His intention was to keep his remedies free of complexities. He believed:
There is no true healing unless there is a change in outlook, peace of mind, and inner happiness.
Flowers For The New Season
Because of the impending school year and subsequent holidays, we're sharing our top 3 Bach Flowers for stress and wellness support. They are as follows:
1. Rescue Remedy
Rescue Remedy is easily identifiable and readily available in most health food stores, drugstores, and groceries. It is a blend of five Bach Flowers:
- Cherry Plum- for fear of losing control
- Rock Rose- for extreme fear and panic
- Clematis- for focus
- Star of Bethlehem- for shock or trauma
- Impatiens- for, as the name suggests, impatience!
Bach considered this his "first aid" remedy, to be taken internally (four drops in a glass of water or directly in the mouth) at the first sign of distress. It can also be applied topically to a pain or injury site. This is the remedy to have on you all the time!
2. Walnut
Fall is a transitional season that needs support throughout the many changes. Going from the carefree summer to the demands of fall-into-winter can be overwhelming. Walnut is an easy go-to if too much change makes you cranky, stressed, or feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
3. Elm
This Bach Flower is easy to remember because its name is in the keyword description: "Overwhelmed." When you are trying to do so much that nothing is turning out right and your usual efficiency has turned to incompetence, take your Elm.
Do all of these remedies sound like a good fit for you? The great news is they can all be blended together for a smooth, calm, stress-free season. As Dr. Bach said, "Health depends on being in harmony with our souls." Bring on the harmony!
Learn More About Flower Essences
Are you interested in learning more about Flower Essences and how they can help with stress relief and general emotional balance? Trinity School of Natural Health offers a Flower Essence Specialist certification program. In this program, you will discover the gentle healing capabilities of Dr. Bach's remedies and others, the importance of emotions in whole person wellness, and so much more. Enrollment is now open for the September 30, 2019 program.