Conscious Choice: Emotional Rescue

May 1999 | Herbs for Health

Emotional Rescue

by Meg McGowan

Flower essences first came into my awareness through a friend who raised horses. She spoke of Rescue Remedy, one of the Bach Flower Remedies, as an almost magical elixir used to calm distraught horses at horse shows. I was curious. Then another friend mentioned using Rescue Remedy when she needed to transport her sick cat to the veterinarian. Still curious, I asked questions. My friend’s answers were clear, but the idea remained fuzzy to me. Flower essences were originally made from the dew that collects on the petals of a flower. Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936) developed a method of infusing water with the essence of flowers and then preserving the essence in brandy. The "active ingredient" in flower essences is the vibrational energy of the flower or the life force itself. She explained that Rescue Remedy not only lessens the initial impact of trauma, but works to alleviate residual effects as well. When, in the midst of a medical trauma, my sister asked me to bring her a bottle of Rescue Remedy, I finally found myself at the store, face to face with the intriguing little vials of flower essences lined up in rows.

Rescue Remedy is probably the most well-known of the flower essences, as it is often recommended as a staple in alternative first-aid kits. It is a blend of the essences of Impatiens (Impatiens glandulifera), Clematis (Clematis vitalba), Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) and Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). Each of these flowers is also available as an individual Bach Flower Essence. Like blends of essential oil in aromatherapy, the synergistic blending of these essences together creates an effect which is stronger than the sum of its parts.

In seeking more information about flower essences, I spoke with Dr. Ann Hammon, a Chicago-area psychiatrist in private practice who began working with flower essences in 1993. I found that her journey also began with Rescue Remedy. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional medication used in psychotherapy, she began utilizing aromatherapy in her practices for relaxation, insomnia, and to counter the effects of certain medications. Her interest in essential oils eventually led to an interest in flower essences, and she began by using Rescue Remedy and then other flower essences personally. After experiencing healing herself, she began to work with the essences in her practice.

"Every flower or plant holds a high pure vibration of personal balance in a specific area. The plant essence can clear that channel for you, allowing you to meet that same energy yourself," says Dr. Hammon. Floral essences, she explained further, work on all levels—physical, emotional, spiritual and mental. "Essences help you to shift subtle energies in emotional and physical bodies. Energy bodies provide a template for the physical body. When the energy field is in balance, the body has a chance to heal." The essences, then, seem to facilitate healing at a much deeper level and can actually change the time frame necessary for healing.

In Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, the authors also emphasize the differences between the essences and drugs. "Because of their vibrational nature, flower essences have no direct impact upon the body’s biochemistry, as do pharmaceutical and psychoactive drugs." Flower essences "encourage rather than compel change....Their effect is evocative, much like the impact of a conversation with a wise and caring friend."

And the gains made using flower essences are ours for life. As Dr. Hammon says, "There is no relapse." We may come back to a certain flower essence, but it will be for healing at a different level than we were able to experience originally. The process, like therapy and other forms of healing, can be compared to peeling an onion. As we heal one layer, the next layer, the next step, is revealed.

Appropriate flower essences can be chosen in various ways. Dr. Hammon began, as many people do, choosing intellectually. By reading descriptions of the issues addressed by various flower essences, we may recognize ourselves and select certain essences with which to begin.While it is obviously desirable to match essences to individual needs, there is no need to worry about selecting the "wrong" remedy. Flower essences have no contraindications. Neither will they create symptoms in a healthy individual.

When Dr. Edward Bach pioneered the modern-day study of flower essences at the turn of the last century, his 38 essences addressed the prevalent psychological concerns of his time. While we certainly have not banished core concerns such as guilt, fatigue, depression, and pessimism, flower essences have continued to evolve over time, with new essences emerging to address continued healing and issues in our current lives. The Flower Essence Society (FES), established in 1979 by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, not only collected case studies and conducted research on the effectiveness of Bach’s original essences, they also extended the established flower essence repertoire to include essences created from native and naturalized North American wildflowers. Two decades later, FES continues to flourish, offering educational programs and providing connections for practitioners throughout the world via their journals and newsletters. Flower essences are being created from indigenous plants worldwide, including the Alaskan Flower Essence Project, Australian Bush Flower Essences and Pacific Sea Essences in Victoria British Columbia. As we grow and heal, we become ready for more growth and healing. The field of flower essences continues to grow as well, inviting us to heal spiritually and creatively.

How flower essences work is not easily explained using our currently limited scientific vocabulary. Their defenders note, though, that our relationship to the earth and other living things is not fully understood or appreciated, either. A little mystery rarely, if ever, hurts.

Resources

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Hammon periodically offers classes on healing with flower essences. She can be contacted at 773-296-2195.

DISCLAIMER: Choosing a holistic approach to medicine means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. Herbs for Health offers a doorway through which to enter the realm of herbal healing, an invitation to further investigation on the part of the reader. It is in no way intended as a substitute for advice from a health care practitioner.

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