Flower and Vibrational Essences are used by millions of people for themselves, their families and their animals every day, all over the world. Perhaps because of their 'flowery' title, it’s easy to assume essences are lightweight in their effect. On the contrary - essences are known to have profound influences on well-being. And the world is now waking up to their incredible benefits and universal applications.

What is an essence?

An essence (the dictionary definition of "essence" is spirit, core, heart, real meaning, quintessence, fundamental nature) is the energetic imprint of nature - the vibrational signature of a flower, crystal, environment, animal - captured in water.

I describe an essence as the energy of nature in a bottle. 'How's that going to help anyone?' my sceptical self asked when first introduced to essences. Well, break us all down to our constituent parts, and what you find at our very core, our essence, is that we are energy. A living, pulsating, magical interaction of energy. Every process in the body depends on energy. Nerve communication, cell division, digestion. Energy. Thoughts and emotion are energy too, and are either in harmony with our own essence, or ‘play off-key’ and distort our natural balance. As science is now showing how thoughts and emotions can influence well-being, to me, it makes perfect sense to treat energy with energy.

Dr Edward Bach and the world of essences.

Dr Edward Bach created the first modern flower essences in the 1920's - The Bach Flower Remedies. In fact essences are an ancient modality, used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Today, there are essences produced all over the world to help us manage the increased complexities of our multicultural society and deal with the myriad of stresses we are exposed to every day in our toxic lifestyles.

Dr Bach's teachings brought awareness that essences do not give us anything we don't have already. When introduced to our energy field, they are reminding us of what it feels like to resonate at the frequency of courage instead of fear. To literally vibrate as love, instead of anger. And to feel peace, instead of anxiety.

Some practical things to know about essences.

They can be used as a one off - e.g. an emergency or stressful situation - Think of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy (Healing Herbs Five Flower version) or Australian Bush Flower Emergency essence.

Or for short term situations e.g. recovering from an operation, adjusting to a new home, a new school.

Or ongoing situations and life challenges - e.g. stress, depression and allergies and here I would recommend an in-depth consultation to look beyond the surface of the manifesting symptom to explore the cause.

Essences do not force change, rather they work gently at your own pace. Essences are 100% safe, with no harmful side effects, and can work alongside any other treatment or medication - medical (e.g. post op - humans and animals using essences are known to recover from their op/anaesthetic much quicker, and with greater ease), complementary, e.g. homeopathic, herbal, aromatherapy, or hands-on treatment of any kind e.g. reiki, acupressure, body massage,  Bowen Therapy, Tellington TTouch for animals.

They are suitable for any age - from in utero, through birth, junior years and adult life to twilight years and passing. They are extremely versatile – use as drops taken orally, add to water or food, use topically on skin, add to face creams and body lotions, use in spray form to mist around personal body and living space, also spray around your workplace, your school, or stroke around your/others energy field after rubbing essences onto your palms. And for animals - stroke onto fur or coat, feathers for birds, mist around their personal space or over bedding, and use in your car.

A Vision for the Future

Because of their universal application, their ease of use and their profound effects, my husband Ian and I hold a vision of working towards essences being embraced by all medical practices, hospitals, schools, social care centres, and for animals in rescue centres, farms, abattoirs, zoos - anywhere that animals are subject to intense experiences and control, or are experiencing extreme stress and fear. As such, we have set up The Essence of Life Foundation to provide such places with information, education and resources to embrace essences for the peace and emotional well-being of people and animals in their care.