Specific Topic Questions

Using Flower Essences with Babies and Children

Are flower essences safe to use with newborn babies? If so, what are some of the commonly used essences?

Flower essences for newborns have a very good track record and are praised by mothers worldwide. They are an especially good choice because they are gentle and safe in their action. The specific healing of the flower essences is directed toward the interface of body and soul. And we can imagine that for the very young child, who has only recently come into bodily incarnation, these are profound issues.

While I cannot make a specific recommendation for your child without being there in person and taking a full history of the pregnancy and birth factors, I can point to some basic flower essences with a very good track record of success for basic symptoms:

Chamomile - Chamomile herb is a well known flower for infants and children — helping with many issues of fussiness, crying, poor digestion etc. The flower essence of Chamomile seems to work at a wider level, incorporating the soul dimension of the child's healing. The action is quite specific to the solar plexus — an area of very intense activity for the young child — distress in this area leads to colic in newborns or poor digestion in older children. The Chamomile flower essence helps the child to experience some of the first and most basic emotions of life, by soothing feelings of irritability and moodiness, and encouraging a more harmonious disposition.

Chicory - this is a classic flower essence for children that compliments beautifully with Chamomile. It addresses the basic feeling of neediness in the child, which can develop into more demanding or clinging behavior if not addressed.

Mariposa Lily - This is an excellent foundational remedy for both mother and child during any challenging episode. The Mariposa Lily addresses the core experience of being mothered and being a mother. The newborn child who has lived deeply intertwined in the mother's womb for the first nine months of life on earth, now must experience the feeling of its own body and nascent sense of self in relationship to being mothered.

The above three flower essences can be used separately—and also—they are an ideal trinity for a broad number of newborn child issues. The essences can be diluted from stock directly into a small amount of water (thereby bypassing any need for brandy). Put two drops of stock into about one ounce of fresh water. This mixture can be put on the child's lips, temples, pulse points, heart region, belly and feet or wherever one intuitively feels the need to give energetic information to the interface of body and soul for the child. Several drops of this mixture can also be put directly into the child's mouth if this is a convenient method that the child accepts. It is best to use the essences in an interval at least several minutes before feeding in order to allow the full vibrational impact of the essences to take hold.

Three other important flower essences that can be quite significant for many newborn children are California Wild Rose, Angelica and Shooting Star. This trinity of essences can help the child become more incarnated into the body. This is quite often an underlying issue in various external symptoms. These essences are especially indicated if the pregnancy or birth was traumatic or difficult, and/or if the child was delivered by C-Section, or if the spiritual identity of the child is still ambivalent about incarnation on earth. These three flower essences can be taken as outlined above — however they are especially beneficial applied very gently to the "soft spot" of the head (fontanel). A drop of pure rose oil can also be added to the mixture. After applying the essences it is valuable to put a small cap on the head of the child, and in general to make sure the child is wrapped in soft natural fiber clothing. These healing techniques help direct the spiritual forces of the child into the body, while at the same time providing a cushion of warmth and spiritual protection.

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you. I am sending good wishes and prayers for your newborn child.

Patricia Kaminski

What essences can help bedwetting children?

We have many excellent cases showing the resolution of enuresis in children - but as you might expect there is no one single remedy that can be used for all cases. In flower essence therapy, it is so important to always consider treating "the person, not the illness." The most important task is to discern the underlying emotional trauma which is contributing to this behavior. The following are some common themes that can be considered:

Night bedwetting - St. John's Wort is the most effective in these cases. The flower essence can be taken internally, and also the St. John's Wort oil can be applied alone or in a base of Self-heal cream to the bladder area and inner thighs. The nighttime incidents are the more classic cases of bedwetting, but the St. John's Wort can be effective for day time incidents as well. The St. John's Wort helps the astral body (macrocosmic soul forces) integrate with the physical-etheric body. Many such children learn to be more soulfully incarnate in their physical bodies and be responsive to signals from their bodies. California Wild Rose, Shooting Star and Manzanita can also be important essences to help these children be more physically incarnate.

Fear - Many children with weak kidney and bladder meridians have a soul disposition to fear. Fear and a generally nervous disposition place enormous stress on the kidney and bladder. There are a variety of flower essences that can be helpful - the most commonly used are Mimulus, Aspen and Rock Rose. The therapeutic strategy is to work on helping the child gain more courage and inner mastery, and as this happens the kidney and bladder meridians will also be healed and incidents of accidental wetting will gradually decrease until they cease altogether.

Specific Trauma - When a child has already gained mastery and then reverts back to an earlier behavior, we need to take a careful case history and see what else has been happening in the child's life during this time period. For instance, some children will revert back to this behavior when a new sibling arrives in the family - they see the little baby receiving attention once given exclusively to them and can subconsciously develop "baby behavior" to compensate. In cases like these, Holly and Fairy Lantern are very important. Chestnut Bud can also be helpful for children who are revisiting old behavior. At other times the child may be experiencing a much deeper trauma and enuresis is a cry for attention and help. The child may need to express grief over the loss of a loved one, or even a pet - in these cases Bleeding Heart is helpful. Angelica, Yarrow and Pink Yarrow may be indicated for children who are experiencing a great deal of trauma in their environment such as violence, or their parents divorcing. Finally, at the far extreme - enuresis can be an indicator of sexual or other physical abuse so extreme that the child literally does not feel safe in his or her body.

It is very important for the therapist to take a full and careful inventory of all the circumstances surrounding the enuresis. If the trauma is very deep, extreme additional therapeutic measures beyond flower essences will definitely be necessary.

Anxiety or Extreme Criticism from the Parents - We have also seen cases resolve when one works not so much with the child, but with the parents. Some sensitive children are so anxious about displeasing their parents that they can become trapped in a circle of shame. The harder they try to master these functions, the more they fail. The key in these cases is to help the parents to "lighten up" so that the child does not feel inherently bad or shamed. Once the child relaxes and trusts, the repetitive circle loses its power. In these cases Mariposa Lily, Beech and Holly are very important for one or both of the parents, while the child will benefit from Yarrow, Angelica and Mariposa Lily. When the child feels the security, trust, and unconditional love of the parents, incidents of enuresis will gradually decrease. Many children also receive strong messages regarding natural body functions as disgusting, dirty or bad. These projections of the parents need to be worked with - here Crab Apple, Beech and Pink Monkeyflower are particularly helpful for the parent(s). For the child in these circumstances, Pink Monkeyflower and Yarrow would be the primary essences. Obviously, in addition to the flower essences, some parents will need coaching regarding how to handle these incidents and how to convey understanding, rather than shame or guilt to their children.

These are some of the major essences that practitioners have reported in working with enuresis in children. But again, other essences can certainly be indicated, depending on the emotional context unique to each child. I do want to note that all of the above comments are directed to cases showing a clear emotional component. While certainly rare in children, loss of bladder function can also be the sign of a serious medical disease, and such cases will need the full attention of a qualified medical practitioner.

Patricia Kaminski

 I have used your remedies for years for myself and my grandchildren with much success. I have been trying to find what to use for nail-biting for a fourteen-year old boy. He has been using Sunflower for issues involving his father and this remedy has been great. If you can recommend any remedy or refer me to anyone who has a testimony I would be very grateful.

Thanks for your question about nail-biting and appropriate flower essences. The most commonly used flower essences for breaking repetitive patterns like nail-biting are Walnut, Chestnut Bud and Morning Glory.

However, in many cases involving nervous unconscious habits like nail biting, we have to look a little deeper. We may have to treat the underlying anxiety with flower essences like Mimulus or Pink Monkeyflower. Crab Apple is also effective for those who have various rituals for cleaning or grooming the body excessively or compulsively.

It is also necessary to find new options and new behaviors when breaking old habits. The Walnut flower essence helps encourage the soul in this direction, but exploring the behavior with sensitivity and compassion is also very important. Then the nail-biter can begin to identify new "outlets" for their behavior.

For example, I received a report of an interesting case in which a mother massaged Self-Heal Cream onto the nail-bitten fingers of her six-year old child, with Chestnut Bud and Walnut in the topical cream blend. Her approach was to bring more love and nurturing to the child's fingers (scolding or otherwise telling the child to stop the behavior was ineffective). As she treated the area where the nail had been bitten down she explained each time how important the nails were for protecting the skin there. Somehow this quality of bringing the child into connection with her body and its needs, along with the loving care and tender touch from the mother, helped the child to change the habit in a very short time.

Patricia Kaminski

What would you recommend for a child that continues to suck her thumb and puts her other hand up in front of her face to hide the fact that she is sucking her thumb? I had suggested Chestnut Bud and Larch, but what else could you recommend?

Of course, without meeting and spending some time with the child, it is not possible to make a responsible recommendation that is specific for that child's history and present situation. Nonetheless, we are happy to make some suggestions which may be of help to you and others in your situation.

As Patricia described in her answer to the question about nail biting, there are several levels at which you can address this issue. First there are essences which deal with breaking habits. You mentioned Chestnut Bud, and you might also consider Walnut and Morning Glory.

Next, consider essences which address the underlying fears or anxieties. Pink Monkeyflower is an excellent remedy for feelings of shame, as evidenced by the child's desire to hide her behavior. Mariposa Lily should be considered if she is expressing a need for more mothering.

Finally, consider how to build the child's self-confidence and develop new ways of self-expression. Larch, as you suggested, is a good choice. You may also consider Sunflower, if there are issues with the father, or Fairy Lantern, if the child seems resistant to growing up.

Richard Katz

General Information About Flower Essences

How have people figured out the different properties of flowers?

Dr. Bach did his pioneering work in the 1930s developing the qualities of his flower remedies out of his sensitivity as a healer, a capacity to empathize with the suffering of others, and his ability to feel the healing properties of the plants. In recent decades, flower essences have been developed by many different methods and standards, ranging from psychic channeling to personal impressions.

The Flower Essence Society, which has been researching flower essence properties since 1978, has two primary flower essence research methods. First, FES makes a thorough study of the flower essence plant, including its botanical characteristics, color, shape, fragrance, growth pattern, relationship to its environment, medicinal and herbal uses, biochemistry, and historical lore. This study includes extensive observation of the plant in its natural habitat, as well as contemplation and meditation on the qualities embodied by the plant that may be expressed in its flower essence. For more information, please read The Twelve Windows of Plant Perception.

The second aspect of FES flower essence research is monitoring the clinical experience of people using the essence to corroborate, revise and/or refine the initial impressions of the flower essence qualities. Only after a consistent pattern of reports from flower essence practitioners confirms the indications for a particular flower essence, is it considered to have “graduated” from the status of a research essence and become an essence for which specific indications can be published. Even so, further understandings from plant study and clinical reports continue to assist in developing and refining flower essence indications.

Richard Katz

Where can I find out more about Dr. Edward Bach and his flower essences?

The Bach Flower Research Programme website, sponsored by The Twelve Healers Trust, is a beautiful collage of information, multi-media presentations and interactive features “dedicated to furthering [the] understanding of the Bach flower remedies. It has been planned as a repository for knowledge and information, as a forum for discussion and as a stimulus to research.” The site exudes a warm, welcoming feeling and practitioners are openly invited to participate by making contributions based on their own areas of expertise or knowledge.

The website is easily navigated with extensive, accessible information in a variety of presentations. While still in the process of development, one could spend many pleasant hours listening to Julian Barnard and Nikki Murray speak of the 38 remedies, read selections from the electronic library (downloadable versions are available as well), view dynamic, beautiful video presentations, spend time with flower photographs, and explore methods of essence selection.

We thank The Twelve Healers Trust for making this extraordinary storehouse of information available to all of us interested in Dr. Bach’s work and the ongoing study of flower essence therapy.

Patricia Kaminski

According to the most recent FDA findings there are a number of plants that have detrimental properties. Among others, they found that Pennyroyal oil caused liver, kidney and nerve damage.  

I was taking the flower essence Mountain Pennyroyal and wanted to recommend it to a friend when he discovered the FDA reference to its toxicity. My question is, if any aspect of the plant is poisonous or causes some kind of dysfunction, couldn't it be assumed that the flower itself has detrimental properties?

Thank you for your inquiry about toxicity in herbs and flower essences.

Toxicity is a function of both dosage and substance. Many substances which are benign, even water or salt, can be toxic if consumed in extreme quantities. What we call toxic substances are those that are harmful in generally smaller quantities. Many of the FDA warnings are based on studies in which extreme amounts of the herbs were consumed. Therefore, anyone using these herbs should pay special heed to the safe dosage levels.

However, flower essences use only a infinitesimal quantity of the plant substance. In that way, they are similar to homeopathic remedies. These energetic remedies rely on the imprint of the subtle energy pattern of the plant, rather than on the biochemical constituents, which are below detectable amounts in the stock bottles (the first dilution from the mother essence.) It is a well-known principle in homeopathy that substances that can be poisonous when taken in physical quantities, are useful as healing substances when taken in potentized and physically dilute form. A similar principle applies to flower essences. The amount of physical substance contained in the few drops of potentized and dilute essence is so small that it will not have any direct physiological impact.

Furthermore, regarding the concern you have for Mountain Pennyroyal (Monardella odoratissima), this is a totally different plant from the typical herbal Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), about which there are legitimate concerns (for the herb, not the flower essence) about its abortifacient properties. So, you can be assured there are no risks associated with the Mountain Pennyroyal essence on two counts: first, that it is not the herbal Pennyroyal that is the subject of warnings; and secondly, that as a flower essence, even if there were toxic substances in the plant (which is not the case), they would be rendered harmless at the high dilution level of a flower essence.

Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.

Richard Katz 

Are there flower essences that tend to be more cathartic in effect?

Thank you for your question about cathartic flower essences. In a broad sense, we can include all flower essences in this category, since each one is intended to produce change. This healing goal differs markedly from the current medical paradigm with its primary aim to fix or adjust the client's behavior to societal norms. By contrast, the art of flower essence therapy involves the wise use of essences that produce transformation and the development of human potential.

The key is to use the essences in a manner that can be calibrated to each individual's capacity for recognition and integration. Flower essences can be calming or cathartic and any number of places between these two ends of the spectrum. What is important is to determine the alchemical context for each individual: what healing responses are needed in order to move the client to the next step? Sometimes a dramatic breakthrough is exactly what helps the client move to the next level of transformation. In other instances, the client needs calming, centering and containment.

For an overview on this topic, please review our basic research on the process of healing involved in flower essence therapy, entitled The Four Levels of Flower Essence Response.

Because each individual responds to the essences uniquely, they cannot be easily categorized or summarized. In many instances a so-called "dramatic" essence produces no discernable reaction, or only a very mild response, since a particular client is easily able to assimilate its message.

However, in other circumstances involving different individuals, the very same remedy can be more challenging. As Dr. Bach taught, we are always treating the individual, not the physical illness. Therefore, each flower essence must be seen in the context of each individual's relationship to it. This dynamic understanding of medicine differs markedly from the chemical/pharmaceutical standard of inert substances with static properties.

What we can provide is a list, according to our research, of those essences that are most known to stimulate and challenge the soul. Perhaps the best way to understand this phenomena, is to consider how change happens in human culture. Abilities or conditions that were regarded as "unattainable," are mastered in the beginning by a few individuals working against extreme or adverse conditions. When this barrier is broken, then more and more individuals can master the same challenge. (An obvious example of this psychic condition involves athletic achievements, such as running a four-minute mile — previously thought to be beyond human mastery, now considered achievable by many well-conditioned athletes).

With this concept in mind, the following list of essences refer to conditions in the collective human culture that are still at the "cutting edge of soul consciousness," and thus more likely to produce a dramatic response in some individuals:

Agrimony
Black Cohosh
Black-Eyed Susan
Bleeding Heart
Centaury
Evening Primrose
Fuchsia
Golden Eardrops
Love-Lies-Bleeding
Sagebrush
Scarlet Monkeyflower
Sweet Chestnut
Walnut
Willow

For a full discussion of each of these flower essences please consult the Flower Essence Repertory. 

Patricia Kaminski

My friend has a wonderful plant that she has been growing for quite some time. She has just experienced a traumatic divorce from an abusive husband, and now the plant is blooming for the first time in many years, coincidentally, now that this man is gone. I was wondering if I should try and make an essence for her from the plant, and wish to know your opinion regarding my idea.

It is wonderful to be in touch with your friend and to support her on the soul level during a time when she is finding the strength to change her life. Plants definitely respond to our soul environment, and send us messages in this way. Recently I heard from a friend who experienced an unusual flowering of a plant in her garden after her mother died. She went on to commune with this plant, and through its vehicle, to connect with her mother’s soul in another dimension.

You can certainly make a medicine from this plant if it feels right for you — of course that’s your choice. Since you are asking for our opinion, we would clarify that Dr. Bach’s original work involved the cosmic signatures of each plant in concert with the four elements. So this is why they were all made at the typical blooming time in spring or summer and outdoors in the natural habitat—where there was not only one unusual bloom, but a whole community of plants, with many blossoms. Each of the four elements would be in a strong condition of harmony—sun, earth, water, air — as one finds most especially during the spring and summer in our hemisphere. This creates an archetypal medicine that can be used broadly.

We do not know what plant you mean, or how many blossoms it has — whether it is a single plant or community of them, etc. But keep in mind, that in addition to making a plant medicine, per se, there are other ways to set up a route of communication and healing. This would be especially important if there are only a few blossoms on the plant and you might not want to disturb its delicate and solitary condition. Prayers and ritual and various forms of meditation can be established in concert with the plant and is location near you. For example, my friend created a stone circle around her plant and made ritual offerings to the plant spirit (tobacco and corn). Then she set in the circle a picture of her mother, a favorite piece of jewelry from he mother, and a candle her mother had in her room as her spirit passed over. She came to the circle on a regular basis and began to receive via the plant deva, wonderful messages from her mother.

So, the bottom line is — use your intuition in partnership with your friend. This plant is definitely speaking something to your friend. By doing this, you will know the right way to proceed and the right healing technique to use to access the plant's message.

Also if you do not have Eliot Cowan’s book Plant Spirit Medicine, I strongly suggest reading it now or in the future. It outlines many wonderful ways to work with the higher dimension of plants.

Patricia Kaminski 

Can flower essences be used as a complement to classical homeopathy, or is it better to allow a singular “signal” of the homeopathic when working on emotional layers with high-potencies?

Our research and contact with practitioners in the Flower Essence Society indicates that there is a whole spectrum of healing approaches regarding the use of flower essences in conjunction with homeopathic remedies. Some classical homeopaths do not choose to use flower essences, in order to assess the exact impact of a single homeopathic remedy. Other homeopathic practitioners use the flower essences at certain intervals in their work with a client, to address emotional issues that have surfaced in the healing process. Still other therapists use flower essences in tandem with homeopathic remedies, relying on each modality for different healing qualities. In general, practitioners in our Society recognize flower essences as distinct from homeopathic remedies, with a more pronounced ability to stimulate soul levels of emotional awareness within the individual.

The Flower Essence Society Referral Network can guide you to other practitioners for further inquiry regarding the complementary nature of flower essence therapy and homeopathy. 

Understanding the differences between homeopathy and flower essence therapy - not only in theory, but in actual practice - is an important, ongoing field of inquiry for the Flower Essence Society. We welcome your casework on the use of flower essence therapy in conjunction with homeopathy.

Patricia Kaminski 

The Dr. Edward Bach Institute's position is that Bach died with a sense of peace that he had established a “complete system of healing” in the 38 remedies, implying that there are 38 unique “emotional states” one can fall into. This is what I learned in the Level III Bach training. What has been FES's experience with other essences?

Dr. Bach made a remarkable contribution to flower essence therapy which occured during the final seven years of his life, developing 38 flower essence remedies. His writings indicate that at several intervals during the development of these remedies, he considered the work complete, but then added further remedies to his system. Dying an untimely death at the age of 50, we cannot say with certainty that the system was truly finished, or what Dr. Bach would have meant by the term “complete.” Certainly it was "finished" with regard to what Dr. Bach was able to complete in his lifetime.

Like Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who was the founder of homeopathy, Bach pioneered a completely new way of healing. However, the work of all great founders continues to develop after their death. The Flower Essence Society has not replaced the original work of Dr. Bach, but has expanded the range of therapeutic tools through research and development of North American remedies for over 25 years.

The Society has conducted extensive field studies of native and naturalized plants from North America and has documented many cases provided by practitioners on the clinical validity of these flower essences. The focus of the Flower Essence Society has been the development of new plant remedies to heal contemporary soul conditions - they are typically used in conjunction with the original Bach flower essences, or alone, according the specific emotional needs of each individual. Practitioners can remain free to assess for themselves whether any or all of these remedies are suitable for their practices.

Patricia Kaminski

Is it advisable to let clients know about the possibility of an "awareness crisis" or emotional catharsis with flower essences, or would such a discussion unduly frighten people? Is emotional catharsis important or even necessary?

This is an important question about a frequently misunderstood topic. I am reminded of an experience I had in 1976 shortly after I began using the Bach remedies. After taking the Willow essence I was surprised to find myself expressing resentment to my colleagues in a rather vocal manner. This was totally contrary to my self-image as a very meditative, agreeable guy. I then spent some time contemplating what happened, and realized that I had been inwardly carrying this resentment for quite some time, but hiding it from myself and others. The flower essence had apparently brought this emotion to the surface of my awareness.

From my work with humanistic psychology I recognized the value of this experience, but I was surprised it was nowhere mentioned in the Bach literature. I wrote John Ramsell of the Bach Centre about this. His reply was that they had also observed this phenomenon, but they had refrained from writing about it because of fear that it would create crises by "autosuggestion." However, it seemed to me that without some context of understanding, this experience, which I came to call the "awareness crisis," could be quite upsetting. ("I thought this was supposed to make me feel better!")

Therefore, I have disagreed with the idea that discussing the possibility of a catharsis or awareness crisis should be avoided because it might instill fear in the client. It all depends upon the context in which the therapist gives this information. The therapist can have a comforting rather than alarming tone, letting the client know that this is part of the healing process, that the therapist is there to support the client, that this is only one possibility and does not always happen. Certainly it is more reassuring to be armed with this knowledge when feelings come up which are uncomfortable.

In many cases the fear of catharsis may actually be with the practitioner, rather than the client. If the practitioner has difficulty meeting the more intense emotions of the client, he or she may have a need to soothe and placate. The practitioner's fear of stirring up intense emotion in the client can be communicated to the client, and that in itself can create a problem.

Having said this, it is also true that there are many successful flower essence cases that do not involve an awareness crisis or emotional catharsis. So, it certainly is not necessary or required to create or experience a crisis. For that reason, there is a legitimate criticism that can be made for some of the cathartic therapies of the sixties and seventies— primal scream, gestalt therapy with beating pillows, etc., which were touted as methods for "getting rid of" emotions, but often served to deepen one's attachment to negative emotions.

It should be clear that this kind of catharsis is not what we are promoting with flower essence therapy. Rather we teach that this therapy is a process of consciousness raising, not simply a matter of changing one's emotion state. The cultivation of self-awareness can involve the natural surfacing of painful emotions which have been buried in the psyche. The resolution of these emotions is not necessarily acting them out, by "beating pillows" or screaming, and it is generally not necessary to "force" emotions. They will surface as the inner work is done. We can work with a "meditative" approach to emotional catharsis by developing an inner "witness" through such activities as journaling, art, dream recall and counseling.

These thoughts are offered based on personal and professional experience, and the many flower essence practitioners with whom we are in contact. We recognize that there are many points of view on such topics, and we welcome the comments and observations of others on this subject.

Richard Katz

In a lecture by Bach, he said that flower essences were to be prepared in the 3rd, 4th and 7th potencies. What does Bach mean by this?

In Patricia Kaminski's book Flowers that Heal, she says that essences are rhythmically potentized at least twice following dilution. I am confused by this. I thought that the words "dilution" and "potentization" only applied to homeopathics.  

Does this mean each time we shake a dosage bottle it becomes further potentized? Is there a point when potentizing an essence would make it a true homeopathic, i.e. operating by the law of similars, or does further potentizing simply strengthen it's impact according to the law of resonance?

The word "potentized" can be a general term used in various contexts with energetic or vibrational medicine. It refers to any of a number of methods that release the potential of a substance from its physical matrix so it can operate in an energetic field.

Homeopathic potentization is a very specific form of potentization which was developed by Samuel Hahnemann. It involves serial dilutions by factors of 10 or 100 with succussion. Anthroposophical remedies (for example, by Weleda or Wala) are also potentized, using a variety of methods which include vortices and rhythmic movements of liquids, exposure to warmth and light rhythms, and so on. Biodynamic field and compost preparations are potentized through a dynamic stirring method.

So, in that sense, we can refer to flower essence preparation as another kind of potentization. We consider that the preparation of the mother essence itself as potentization since we are working with the four alchemical elements in an etherically enhanced environment, with an attitude of sacredness and mindfulness. Patricia in her book refers to additional methods we personally use in preparing the mother and stock essences, which involve various rhythms and vortices in the liquid to bring vitalizing forces into the essence. These are not methods developed specifically by Dr. Bach, but ones that we have added out of our own understanding of the elemental forces which work in flower essences, and the ways in which the human being can enhance their healing power.

Regarding your question about potentizing the dosage bottle, the rhythmic shaking of the dosage bottle is not the same as a homeopathic potentization (dilution and succussion) which "raises" the substance to a further homeopathic potency. We consider that we are simply "waking up" the remedy, with the understanding that the water element is in its most vital and natural state when it is in movement.

We have come across various attempts to create "homeopathic" versions of flower essences. For example, some have taken the Bach remedies and then made 30X homeopathic potencies of these. The idea behind this is that they are somehow "stronger" than normal flower remedies. My understanding is that these remedies do take on characteristics of homeopathic remedies, or at least a kind of "hybrid." They can produce aggravations if the wrong remedy is taken. (Flower essences tend to be "duds" if not indicated. They only "stir the pot" if they are in some way "on target.") Homeopathic remedies can also change indications at different potency levels, so I am not sure that this has been adequately explored by those who prepare these hybrids. It may be that they have some therapeutic value, but they appear to be much different than standard flower essences. The attraction is that like middle or high potency homeopathics, they have a "compelling" effect, which can break through blockages, but involves less of the self-awareness of the patient than is possible with flower essences.

Your question about Bach's reference to higher potencies is quite intriguing. (* See page 163 in the Collected Writings of Edward Bach, edited by Barnard, in an article called "Some Fundamental Considerations of Disease and Cure," published in Homeopathic World.) Further in that same article (page 171) he describes his sun preparation method, by which blossoms are collected in the morning and floated on the surface of a bowl of water, exposed to the unobscured sun. What he is calling 3rd, 4th and 7th potencies are the mother essences taken from the bowl at the 3rd, 4th and 7th hours, rather than homeopathically potentized remedies. This fits with the idea expressed earlier that the flower essence preparation itself is a kind of (non-homeopathic) potentization process.

One thing to keep in mind is that Bach was ever-evolving in his work. When Bach started making flower remedies in 1928, he made his first three remedies in a conventional homeopathic way by preparing a tincture from the macerated plant. He then adapted the alchemical process of collecting the solarized dew drops from the flowers. This was adapted to become the sun method described above, and later he added the boiling method. The article cited was written in 1930, very early in his work. Note that he describes two remedies, Cotyledon and Arvensis, which were later dropped.

We can thus understand Bach's reference to higher potencies by recognizing that he was still in transition from a homeopathic way of thinking to a flower essence way of thinking. The idea of higher potencies for flowers left longer in the sun seems to have disappeared after 1930, as it does not show up in his book The Twelve Healers which describes the preparation method (nor in Free Thyself, which dates from 1932.) The flowers are left in bowl until they begin to wilt, not an arbitrary number of hours. In other words, there is one potency which is finished when the flowers have given their energy to the water. Then this is taken and diluted into the stock. It's interesting that in Bach's writing the stock bottle was used for giving dosages, not a second dilution. You can see the evolutionary steps: first he is making homeopathic tinctures of flowers. Then he collects dew. Next he makes a sun infusion in a bowl of water, calculating the potency by the number of hours in the sun. Then he considers the sun method as a single potency, the time determined by the process itself, with a single dilution. Later Bach (or his successors) use the second dilution for giving dosages.

Many consider that Bach's work is fixed and unalterable, but it's clear that while Bach lived, it was constantly evolving. We best honor his legacy by continuing to explore and understand the deeper meaning of flower essence therapy. The Flower Essence Society welcomes your insights and comments about this important topic of flower essences and homeopathy.

Richard Katz

How to Use Flower Essences

How can flower essences be used if I have alcohol sensitivity?

Many individuals who are allergic or otherwise sensitive to alcohol use flower essences very effectively and with great benefits. 

Flower essences are usually sold at the stock level. The stock contains brandy as a preservative, but this stock is typically diluted into a dosage bottle before taken orally. Dilution methods ensure that any alcohol ingested is chemically and physiologically insignificant, approximately one part in 600 when diluted in a one-ounce (30 ml) dosage bottle, or  one part in 4,800 in a eight-ounce glass of water. This is less than one hundredth of one percent. Greater amounts of alcohol naturally occur in the human bloodstream through the process of digestion and fermentation of food.

All of the following methods have been reported to be very effective strategies for alcohol-sensitive persons:

1. Add two to four drops of stock to a large glass of fresh water, let sit for a time to dissipate the taste of alcohol and/or stir and sip slowly.

2. Add drops of each stock essence to a one-ounce dosage bottle, but fill it 1/3 full of apple cider vinegar as a preservative, instead of brandy. Fill remainder of bottle with water.

3. Add drops of each stock essence to a one ounce dosage bottle, filled 1/2 full with vegetable glycerin. Vegetable glycerin is a derivative of coconut oil; it has a sweet taste and is used extensively to preserve herbal preparations. Fill remainder of bottle with water.

4. Add stock essences to a dosage bottle filled with water and use no preservative if it is refrigerated or used in a short period of time (several days to a week).

5. The flower essences are very beneficial when applied topically from the stock bottle in a variety of non-oral ways, including misting around the body, direct application to pulse points or energy centers on the body, mixed in creams, or added to baths.

Patricia Kaminski

How often should one take their dose of flower essences? Is the effect improved if one takes a greater quantity?

Flower essences are most activated by frequency of application. For emergency situations we may recommend dosing every hour, but the standard dose is four drops taken four times daily. Even one or two times daily are very effective for most situations. 

More important than the “amount” of the essence is the interval or pulsation – establishing regular rhythmic pulsations for the frequency to enter and be received. Thus we recommend finding times of greatest receptivity – the two most typically effective are just upon arising in the morning and just before going to bed.

Other than getting more alcohol (or other preservative) in your system there isn’t value in taking “more”  at one time. One must keep in mind that we are talking about a vibrational threshold for having the remedy enter your energetic system, as opposed to a given quantity of material substance in the manner that we typically think of in terms of a medication.

The maintenance of flower essence doses varies with each individual and intensity of the situation – 4 drops 4 times a day is the basic standard. However, our 25 years of research shows effectiveness with less frequency in many clients (i.e. only twice a day). On the other hand, emergency states or acute situations require frequent doses in order to stabilize the client (typically once per hour during the most acute phase). 

I personally tend to favor a slower, more incremental approach to absorption of flower essences and in many situations recommend dosing twice a day. One reason for this is that many lead such hectic lives, there may be only two reasonably open portals in the soul life of most typical clients (first thing in the morning, and last thing before going to sleep).

Also, most modern medical healing as well as general lifestyle habits in the modern world bypass deeper soul process – whether it’s eating, driving, or going to the doctor, we want our fix now and the faster the better. Going slower sets up a different rhythm, that is in itself a healing measure. Even if the continuity of a vibrational frequency is not maintained all day, the new pattern enters one’s field and that entry will gradually build its own momentum and “voice.”

Patricia Kaminski 

Are there any particular considerations for storing flower essences?

The potency and efficacy of FES flower essences at the stock level are easy to maintain, when they are stored and used properly. To insure their longevity, please consider the following guidelines:

*Store essences out of direct sunlight, in a moderate or cool environment.

*DO NOT store flower essences in close proximity to essential oils, incense or other products with strong aromas. Essential oils and other such products have extremely potent vapors that can gradually penetrate through the dropper tops of the bottles hence causing a “scented” taste and compromising the quality of the essences.

However, keep in mind that flower essences can certainly be combined with essential oils for specific formulations, but such a formula then has unique properties of its own, rather than the distinct vibrational pattern of one particular flower essence.

*When ingesting flower essences, do not touch the dropper to your mouth and do not place the dropper on an unclean surface. If in doubt, rinse the dropper in water before replacing it on the bottle.

*When dispensing from stock bottles of essences, have all the components for your formulation well-organized before you open the bottle, so that that actual time you have the stock bottle open is kept to a minimum.

If your long-term storage area for the essences tends to be on the warm side (70 degrees or more for prolonged periods of time) it is advisable to store your flower essences upright.  In warmer conditions, the alcohol may interact with the rubber dropper, creating a rubber taste in the stock bottle of the flower essence.

* If stock essences are left open for a considerable length of time or if the cap is not screwed shut properly, the alcohol which acts as a preservative may evaporate.  In this condition, flower essences can deteriorate due to microbial contamination. This will be clearly noted in the product—it will smell stale and there may be visible contamination.

*In adherence with legal regulations, FES is mandated to stamp a lot number and “best by” date on each stock bottle of flower essences.  These regulations do not allow more than 10 years from the date of manufacture for such product.  However, if the flower essences are used properly, the 10-year shelf life is only a very conservative estimate. If stored and used properly, it is our personal experience—and that of other qualified practitioners throughout the world—that FES flower essences can remain potent for decades.

Patricia Kaminski

What is the Flower Essence Society's opinion on the use of electro-dermal screening and the dispensation of the vibrations of flower essences generated from a computer and bottled for dosage?

The Flower Essence Society does not issue answers per se but rather gives perspectives and opinions—practitioners of flower essence therapy should feel free to choose for themselves how and with what they will practice.

This selection and administration technique clearly has a value in the spectrum of choices available but mainly seems to apply to Stage 1 of the Flower Essence Transformational Process; that being the level of release, relaxation or rejuvenation—physical effects—and in this way it works more like homeopathy in shifting energy around.

The electrical field, as measured by electro-dermal screening, is some component of the etheric body but "electrical" does not equal etheric. Some electricity is measured but the etheric body is more than that—this life force cannot be put in a box—or measured in this way. Flower essences make an impact between the etheric and astral bodies, changing energy patterns, and can therefore impact the physical body. The Flower Essence Society doesn't discount this method but the "box" is bigger—more mysterious. Personally we would not work this way, it's not the whole story for us. Additionally, we prefer a more artistic approach to the work with flower essences, and this particular process referred to here is not artistic.

Problematically speaking, one remedy working for a particular person may not provide healing for another. The question is what has been impacted or shifted at a deeper level, have deeper changes occurred with this process? The Flower Essence Society is all for alternative methods of flower essence therapy but would not say the aforementioned process is the only way, or the end-all, especially for deep issues.

Patricia Kaminski

Flower Essences Used for Specific Conditions

Psychiatric Medications | Antidepressant Medication | Asperger's Syndrome | General Anesthesia & Surgery | Post-Surgical Care | Schizophrenia | Learning Disorders & Dyslexia | Down's Syndrome | Sensitivity to EMF | Alzheimer's Disease | Sociopaths | Fibromyalgia

Women

What are some of the lead essences used for conception and pregnancy?

Flower essences are an especially good choice during pregnancy because they are gentle and safe in their action. The specific healing of the flower essences is directed toward the interface of body and soul.

Following are what we've found to be the most beneficial lead essences for the conception-pregnancy-birthing cycle:

Alpine Lily Lilium parvum

Integrates female bodily identity with feminine spiritual ideals, helps reproductive organs experience conception and pregnancy as positive states, especially beneficial for women who are challenged by the physical experience of pregnancy, and weight gain.

Angelica Angelica archangelica

Generally beneficial remedy in early stages of pregnancy if prone to miscarriage, creates spiritual link with incoming child, and provides protection and spiritual centering.

Benediction Herbal Flower Oil

Use anytime throughout pregnancy in full body massage or bath to create a feeling of sacredness and centeredness in the pregnancy, especially indicated to open the heart, and to send love to the incoming child. Use in full body massage in the weeks prior to pregnancy to prepare for the spiritual event of birth.

Bleeding Heart Dicentra formosa

For women who have suffered prior miscarriages or abortions, clears the reproductive organs of grief or related emotions from the past which may prevent conception or carrying child to term. Also helpful for post-partum depression, combined with Gentian.

Borage Borago officinalis

To uplift spirits during pregnancy, especially if prone to depression, or if surrounding circumstances of the pregnancy are challenging; for grief after a miscarriage or abortion to soothe heart pain.

Calendula Caress Herbal Flower Oil

Apply to abdomen during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks, and to breasts to make them soft and supple. Put several tablespoons in warm water bath at night to feel calm, serene and harmonious throughout the pregnancy. Additional drops of Mariposa Lily, Star Tulip and Cerato can be added to the bath water.

California Wild Rose Rosa californica

Ability to anchor a new life on Earth; for difficult pregnancies or births, to help the incarnating soul feel the call of love and human warmth on earth. Apply topically to the heart during pregnancy and to the heart and fontanel of newborn child. Topical applications of California Wild Rose and Shooting Star to the fontanel are especially important for children who are delivered via Cesarean method.

Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica

For mixed messages about sexual identity: a strong personal preference for either a male or female child due to cultural bias or prejudice, causing confusion or anxiety for the incarnating soul while in utero.

Centaury Centaurium erythraea

Overwork and exhaustion during pregnancy, due to inability to say "no," meeting others' demands and expectations rather than attending to the true needs of the pregnancy.

Cerato Ceratostigma willmottiana

Developing trust in one's inner knowing; relying on the strength of one's inner guidance when choosing pre-natal and natal care, learning to make the right health-care and personal care choices by trusting one's innate wisdom.

Chamomile Matricaria recutita

When easily prone to crying or other emotional upset during pregnancy, to center and balance the emotions. Also for nausea, or leg cramps—apply topically in Self-Heal Cream and take internally.

Chocolate Lily Fritillaria biflora

Can be a very beneficial remedy for cleansing reproductive organs, and lower metabolism—particularly congestive conditions such as endometriosis, cysts or intestinal adhesions. This essence is especially related to first and second chakra blockage that may prevent conception or otherwise undermine reproductive health.

Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera

For extremely stressful pregnancy or labor when one feels "I can't take any more", when irrational states of consciousness erode inner ability to stay with the process of labor.

Corn Zea mays

For developing the archetype of the "Earth Mother". For women who lack strength and grounding during pregnancy. For feet which are tired and sore during later stages of pregnancy, or when feeling too "heavy." Apply topically to the feet.

Elm Ulmus procera

When over-anxious or over-striving for perfection in parenthood, feeling motherhood as a burden or duty rather than joy.

Evening Primrose Oenothera hookeri

For extreme emotional toxicity during pregnancy, including unconscious or conscious destructive intent to fetus by mother or others. For mothers who may have been adopted or abused in early childhood, who unconsciously transfer emotional fear or rejection to incarnating child.

Fairy Lantern Calochortus albus

For young mothers who are challenged by the adult responsibilities of motherhood. To facilitate the flow of breast milk, especially in young mothers, take internally and apply topically.

Forget-Me-Not Myosotis sylvatica

To facilitate conscious conception, especially the awareness of one's karmic connections with the incarnating being.

Five-Flower Formula (AKA Rescue Remedy)

General all-purpose formula for all states of emergency or stress during pregnancy. Extremely beneficial during labor for the mother and attendants to stay calm and centered. Helpful for challenging, stressful or atypical birth situations such as premature birth, or delivery via Cesarean section—to foster calm and reduce stress.

Gentian Gentiana amarella

For set-backs during pregnancy, or difficulty conceiving. For any state of despondency, including post-partum depression.

Indian Paintbrush Castilleja miniata

For low vitality during pregnancy, and for recouping after pregnancy. Especially indicated if anemic during pregnancy or if significant blood loss during labor.

Joshua Tree Yucca brevifolia

To clear genetic and psychic material in the soul of the mother (and father) that arises from the family of origin, culture, religion or community that may challenge or trouble the incarnation of the child (i.e., alcoholism, a marriage of mixed race or religion, etc.)

Lady's Mantle Alchemia vulgaris

Has a generally beneficial role for all reproductive health issues in women. During pregnancy, it helps the larger mothering forces from Nature flow into the blood and nourish the heart and womb. Also facilitates a magnetic, receptive life force conducive to conception.

Lavender Lavandula officinalis

When too high strung or nervous during pregnancy. Combine with Chamomile. Also to calm and relax during labor, combined with Five-Flower Formula. Apply topically to the temples and forehead.

Manzanita Arctostaphylos viscida

Acceptance of physical body during pregnancy, or to offset feeling of ugliness or awkwardness in body, for aversion to food or other eating disorders during pregnancy.

Mariposa Lily Calochortus leichtlinii

The single-most important essence for all stages of pregnancy, including conception and delivery and motherhood. Helps build a strong positive sense of mothering identity and bonding with the incoming child. Imparts confidence about one's ability to be a mother and builds rapport between mother and child. Extremely beneficial and powerful essence combined with others or taken alone.

Mugwort Artemisia douglasiana and Mugwort Moon Magic Herbal Flower Oil

Recommended only for final stage of pregnancy and during birth. Helps the child drop into position and prepare for birth. Use during labor to promote birthing and deliver afterbirth. Apply topically to breasts to promote healthy flow of milk. Take flower essence internally and use external applications of Mugwort Moon Magic Flower Oil.

Olive Olea europaea

For profound fatigue from missed sleep during pregnancy; or exhaustion from long labor.

Penstemon Penstemon davidsonii

Gives strength to persevere during challenging and difficult pregnancies especially when there is stress or challenge, or accompanying physical handicaps or hardships.

Pink Yarrow Achillea millefolium

For extreme over-sensitivity or absorption of others' emotions; emotional vulnerability to influences in the home or workplace when pregnant. Combine with Angelica and Yarrow Special Formula if work or other duties create excessive external demands.

Pomegranate Punica granatum

To help direct creative forces during conception and pregnancy, especially when conflicted between identity as a mother and career or other identities. Also a very important essence for women who need to make a conscious choice about life destiny issues and mothering.

Quince Chaenomeles speciosa

For women who must balance strength and nurturing during pregnancy, such as competence and strength in career duties, and receptivity and nurturing in personal life.

Red Chestnut Aesculus carnea

For over-worry and concern about pregnancy or for a new child; over-anxious states of mind not directed toward the self, but toward others.

Red Clover Trifolium pratense

For states of hysteria or panic during pregnancy, especially if these are connected to family emergencies or other "trauma-drama" in the family system or other "group soul" connection for the pregnant woman. Can be used alone or combined with Five-Flower Formula, or Pink Yarrow, depending on the circumstance.

Scarlet Fritillary Fritillaria recurva (research)

Helpful for integrating a positive "masculine" element in pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. Especially indicated if anemic, physically weak, exhausted, or poor lactation. Very helpful combined with Indian Paintbrush to help in recovery from painful or prolonged labor or Caesarian birth. Brings vital "red" forces to the mothering experience.

Self-Heal Prunella vulgaris and Self-Heal Cream

For any healing challenges or toxic states during pregnancy; to help the body cope with colds, flu or any other illnesses during pregnancy and to prevent the need for invasive drugs or other harsh medical treatments. Use Self-Heal Cream for any skin afflictions during pregnancy, or use the cream as a conduit for topical applications of the other flower essences.

Shooting Star Dodecatheon hendersonii

To prevent miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy, for trauma during labor or Cesarean birth. Especially indicated when the incarnating soul of the child appears conflicted about coming to earth, and about being in a physical body.

Star Tulip Calochortus tolmiei

Highly beneficial essence during all stages of pregnancy labor and new motherhood. Helps develop telepathic communication with child, and facilitates inner sense of timing and harmony for each stage of pregnancy and labor. This essence combines very effectively with Mariposa Lily.

Tiger Lily Lilium humboldtii

To assist in conception and successful pregnancy in older women. To build greater feminine forces in both the body and soul if there is a tendency toward an overly masculine identity.

Walnut Juglans regia

For all stages of pregnancy, to assist each trimester of development. Especially indicated during labor to help the child (and mother) "break links" as the child separates from its home in the womb and descends through the birth canal.

White Chestnut Aesculus hipppocastanum

For insomnia, or excessive worry, or other obsessive mental states during pregnancy, especially when these thoughts are directed toward the self, rather than others.

White Trumpet Lily formerly Easter Lily Lilium longiflorum

For cleansing of sexual organs especially when conception is blocked due to prior sexual trauma or behavior. To help build a healthy bridge from sexuality to conception.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium

For psychic and physical vulnerability during pregnancy, especially a tendency to spot or bleed during pregnancy, premature labor, or heavy bleeding during labor. (Pink Yarrow may also be indicated in combination with White Yarrow.)

Yarrow Environmental Solution

When exposed to environmental stresses during pregnancy, including radiation or any form of toxicity. Use frequently when traveling, especially when flying. Take internally and apply topically to the abdomen.

Pregnancy Balm

The following is a general all purpose formula that can be used throughout all stages of pregnancy. The Pregnancy Balm provides positive support and nurturing, and helps the mother stay in touch with her child and her own wisdom throughout the pregnancy. Use when there are no specific indications, troubling emotions or other challenges:

Mariposa Lily, Star Tulip, Lady's Mantle and Cerato

The Pregnancy Balm can be formulated as a regular dosage bottle. Stock drops can also be added to a misting bottle and sprayed over the entire body.

Pregnancy Balm Cream

10 stock drops of each of the above flower essences can be added to Self-Heal Cream, along with two drops of Rose Attar pure essential oil and gently massaged on a daily basis over the womb area.

Reference Guide

Barnard, Julian and Martine,The Healing Herbs of Edward Bach, An Illustrated Guide to the Flower Remedies. Bath, England: Ashgrove Press, 1995.

Bach, Edward, M.D. Julian Barnard, ed. Collected Writings of Edward Bach. Bath, England: Ashgrove Press, 1995.

Kaminski, Patricia, Flowers that Heal. Dublin, Ireland: Gill & Macmillan, 1998.

Kaminski, Patricia, and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Repertory. Nevada City, CA: Flower Essence Society, 1994.

Kaminski, Patricia, Choosing Flower Essences: An Assessment Guide. Nevada City, CA: Flower Essence Society, 1994.

Scheffer, Mechthild, Bach Flower Therapy. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 1988.

Wildwood, Christine, Flower Remedies: Natural Healing with Flower Essences. Rockport, Massachusetts: Element Books,1992.

Wildwood, Christine, Flower Remedies for Women. Glasgow, Scotland: HarperCollins, 1994.

Patricia Kaminski

Do flower essences work with the lack of libido many menopausal women experience, and how is this issue generally approached in flower essence therapy?

Flower essences have been very helpful for women in menopause, including the issue of changing sexual response and desire levels.

However, from the point of view of flower essence therapy, practitioners have found that each woman's resolution of this issue differs. This resonates with Dr. Bach's central belief that flower essences work best when chosen specifically for the individual, not the outer condition or external disease.

Consequently, the question of libido cannot be measured by a statistical norm, or one "right" answer, but rather helping each woman to determine what is appropriate for her own soul expression and evolution. Some woman have found that flower essence therapy has brought an enhanced or renewed expression of sexual response, once a new level of hormonal balance is achieved. Others have who felt guilty or inferior that sexual desire has diminished, have realized that the same level of sexual activity that took place in another life cycle is no longer what the soul is seeking.

In general practitioners working with menopausal women have found that the question of libido is resolved within the context of the larger body-soul issues which menopause stirs. Following are some of the main flower essences being used:

Alpine Lily Lilium parvum - Helps women to integrate the bodily experience of menopause; to move through physical sensations of pain or discomfort toward a deeper sense of the feminine.

Angelica Angelica archangelica - The herbal Angelica (called Dong Quai) is a classic women's remedy. However this form of Angelica brings an even deeper sense of expansiveness and spiritual relatedness. It helps to relieve the sense of compression or diminishment many women experience during menopause. Instead, one can re-discover a larger sense of self and soul purpose

Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa - This herb is well know for its estrogen-balancing qualities, but when used as a flower essence it works more energetically to open up blocked energy in the entire pelvic region. It is especially important for women who feel intense feelings of anger, rage or violence during the menopausal transition. It is also helpful for painful and debilitating menstrual cycles.

California Wild Rose Rosa californica - Helps women who feel drained or exhausted during menopause, or who tend to look back to a past life phase rather than forward to their future.

Fairy Lantern Calochortus albus - For women who resist the developmental phase of menopause, especially a psychological need to remain young in an inappropriate way. For a deep fear of aging, or of being seen as "mature."

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - For physical or emotional "dryness," reduced sexual response or sensation. For helping to re-define one's sense of sexuality and integrating soul warmth with physical desire

Lady's Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris - An excellent all purpose flower essence during menopause, helping women to find a larger, positive feminine identity, especially an ability to sense one's physical body as being nurtured by the larger physical matrix of Nature, or "Mother Earth."

Mariposa Lily Calochortus leichtlinii - For completing the mothering phase of life, or for the empty-nest syndrome. Also for helping to transform deep-seated beliefs or superstitions about menopause internalized from one's mother/grandmother.

Pomegranate Punica granatum - A major flower essence for menopause, helping women re-direct the psychic and physical forces of procreativity and reproduction to soul creativity. An important essence for experiencing menopause as a positive and natural outcome of the feminine identity.

Quince Chaenomeles speciosa - Helping women to combine the softer, more feminine and yielding aspects of their identity with emergent feelings of strength and power associated with the inner masculine of each women's soul.

Sage Salvia officinalis - Helps to refine the over-abundance of watery emotions into calmer, more objective feelings. Instills the ability to reflect on life experience and see the movements of one's life from a larger perspective. One of the flower essences which can be very helpful for "water" problems during menopause: increased sweating and frequent urination.

Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata - Addresses the emptiness many women feel during menopause, as a positive experience. Helps to bring a sense of inner stillness, or "pause." Also a deeply cleansing remedy to release accumulated physical and psychic toxins which must be cleared before a new life phase can begin.

Scarlet Monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis - Very helpful flower essence for helping to see hot flashes and other fire manifestations during menopause at a deeper emotional level. This flower essence especially addresses repressed emotional material, such as anger, which may be blocking the vitality and physical energy.

Tiger Lily Lilium humboldtii - To help integrate and balance many energetic fluctuations during menopause, especially helping the masculine forces to remain integrated with the deep feminine.

Walnut Juglans regia - An excellent stabilizing remedy during menopause, helping women to break old links or dysfunctional identities and move forward with a renewed sense of soul purpose and identity.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium - For women who become over-sensitive during menopause and too emotionally expanded. Also for many physical symptoms such as prolonged menstrual bleeding or "flooding."

Patricia Kaminski 

Are there any essences, including research essences which appear to be indicated for women traumatized by Cesarean births?

In answer to your question we can say that the research essence Scarlet Fritillary, Fritillaria recurva, is very helpful combined with Indian Paintbrush to help in recovery from painful or prolonged labor or Cesarean birth. In addition, it is helpful for integrating a positive "masculine" element in pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. Scarlet Fritillary is especially indicated if a woman is anemic, physically weak, exhausted, or there is poor lactation. It brings vital "red" forces to the mothering experience.

In addition these other essences can be helpful:

California Wild Rose Rosa californica

For the ability to anchor a new life on Earth; for difficult pregnancies or births, to help the incarnating soul feel the call of love and human warmth on earth. Apply topically to the heart during pregnancy and to the heart and fontanel of newborn child. Topical applications of California Wild Rose and Shooting Star to the fontanel are especially important for children who are delivered via Cesarean method.

Five-Flower Formula (AKA Rescue Remedy)

General all-purpose formula for all states of emergency or stress during pregnancy. Extremely beneficial during labor for the mother and attendants to stay calm and centered. Helpful for challenging, stressful or atypical birth situations such as premature birth, or delivery via Cesarean section—to foster calm and reduce stress.

Shooting Star Dodecatheon hendersonii

To prevent miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy, for trauma during labor or Cesarean birth. Especially indicated when the incarnating soul of the child appears conflicted about coming to earth, and about being in a physical body.

Patricia Kaminski