Flower essence is a broad description for a liquid preparation which is created by immersing a flower into water and exposing the preparation to sunlight or heat. This infuses the preparation with healing properties that are derived from the life energy and spiritual elements contained in the flower. Flower remedies are products made from these essences.

Development of Flower Remedies

Dr Edward Bach, a Welsh bacteriologist and homoeopath, became perturbed with the side-effects of drugs. Attributing all illnesses to mental or emotional imbalances, he turned his attention to Nature’s remedies. He developed 38 flower remedies in the 1930s, each being specific for an emotional state or a personality type. His theory was based on the same principle as homoeopathy and herbs — namely, that flowers too transmitted a pattern of energy. Flower remedies, he maintained, worked best in the young and those with recent disturbances. His remedies were named after him: Bach Flower Remedies.

In the 1970s, Richard Katz, a Californian, developed essences from native Calfornian flowers, adding 72 remedies to Bach’s existing 38.

Since then, hundreds of flower remedies have been developed from indigenous flora by combining single-flower essences. The 1980s onwards have witnessed a spurt in popularity of these preparations. Available in bottles, these essences have labels which describe the problems, attitudes or emotional issues that they are meant for.

Flower Remedies at Work

Bach maintained that plants possess a healing power which is present in their energies. This healing power can restore the harmony between body and spirit. Disturbances in this harmony result in illness. Flower remedies energise one’s self-healing powers.

Individuals use flower remedies as ‘home’ treatments, while physicians, chiropractors and others usually incorporate them as a part of their treatment to diagnose the stresses that the patient is undergoing. Doctors also use them therapeutically to deal with emotions like fear, which may arise during strong treatments, as in cancer.

The standard dosage comprises putting 3 to 4 drops under the tongue, four times a day. The patients are asked to hold the drops, say something positive relating to their problem, visualise a picture of a desired outcome, or concentrate on the reason for taking the remedy.

Precautions and Prospects

Although flower remedies can be used singly or in combination, one must remember that 7 or more remedies used in combination can have an adverse effect: the mixture can lead to over-stimulation and raking up too many problems simultaneously.

However, since no toxic elements in flowers are infused in the preparation of a remedy, there is no danger of allergies. On the whole, these remedies are excellent and harmless.

Flower remedies are products made from essences of flowers and contain the latters’ healing powers. A 20th century healing therapy, flower remedies are totally without side-effects, even if the wrong remedy is given. Though still to be proved scientifically, it is believed that these remedies energise the body and mind, thus restoring the body’s harmony.

Used by general physicians and chiropractors as part of their treatment, these remedies cannot cure ailments on their own: they are good additions to other modes of treatment.