Holistic Wisdom

Flower remedies are not new, there has been an ancient tradition of flower essences being used throughout the world by the Australian Aboriginals, the Egyptians, in India, Asia, South America and Europe. Hildegard von Bingen (12th century) and Paracelsus (15th century) both wrote about the use of flowering plants to treat health imbalances.

This healing method was popularized by Dr Edward Bach, a renowned British practitioner of Bacteriology and Homoeopathy in the 1930s using English flowering plants.

Dr Bach believed that disease originated with the mood and temperament of the patient and identified the following seven categories of negative states of mind, and developed a range of 38 flower essences.

• Apprehension
• Uncertainty and indecision
• Loneliness
• Insufficient interest in present circumstances
• Over sensitiveness to ideas and Influence
• Despondency and despair
• Over care for welfare of others

Since Bach, the work spread, fulfilling the need for remedies that would help people deal with the issues of the 21st century, resulting in hundreds of different remedies including essences produced from crystals and shells each unique in its healing power.

Ian White, fifth generation Herbalist developed the world renowned Australian Bush Flower Essences which explores the application of essences in areas such as communication, self-esteem, sexuality, learning, creativity, abundance and spirituality to name just a few. There are over 70 essences including his new white light range.

Negative emotions and thoughts, and even diseases are treated by choosing a remedy to match the temperament of the patient and their current state of mind. They are not used directly for physical complaints but for the sufferer's worry and anxiety, as these states of mind are seen as primary causes of illness. The essences work on a vibrational level, allowing the life force to flow more freely as harmony is restored to the body.

Up to five remedies may be chosen by the practitioner, with the aid of the patient and these are combined to make an individual preparation. Practitioners using these remedies, such as Homoeopaths, Naturopaths, Herbalists and Kinesiologists will often prescribe them as part of a complete treatment regime.

They are completely safe, with no side effects and can easily be self prescribed, with the aid of books that are readily available.