What is flower therapy?
The use of blooms for therapy was pioneered by English physician Dr. Edward Bach back in the 1930s. A bacteriologist and homeopath, he introduced the idea of using the essence of flowers for aromatherapy. To tap the healing power of flowers, he prepared medicines by placing blooms in a pot of water and exposing them to the sun for a certain number of hours. He then took the essence and turned them into healing essences and pills.
Dr. Bach discovered a total of 38 flowers which correspond to specific human states. Floral therapy is, in a way, a form of vibrational healing, meaning that it uses energy to heal a patient’s energetic field. This connects to the concept of floral therapy created by color expert Eiseman which suggests that the pattern and colors of different flowers affect our mental states. Additional scientific researches which claim that flowers and plants, in general, affect our mind and emotions support this, too! So you see, that happiness you feel whenever you get a bunch of blooms isn’t just you being sappy–it’s actually a natural response you get from an improvement of your emotional health!
The action of the flower essences raises the vibration of the being.... They cure by flooding the body with the beautiful vibrations of the highest nature - in whose presence there is the opportunity for disease to melt away like snow in sunshine- EDWARD BACH
Flower therapy is of two types:
a) Bach Flower Therapy: Healing certain physical and mental ailments through oils extracted from some special flowers
b) Eiseman Flower Therapy: Enhancing our moods through colors and patterns of floral arrangements.
Bach Flower Therapy
The therapeutic use of flower essence therapy in the treatment of depression and other psychological disorders is not new. Flower essence therapy was introduced by the English physician Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's. It is a form of Aromatherapy. Dr. Edward Bach, also called the father of Flower Medicines, was a London based bacteriologist and consulting homeopath.
Not satisfied with his homeopathic practice, he turned to flowers as a source of medicine. He discovered 38 flowers as corresponding to 38 human states.These flower medicines are prepared by placing flowers in a pot of water exposed to the noon sun for about three hours. The essence thus formed is combined with alcohol, for preservative purposes, and dispensed as liquid or in the form of pills.
Flower essence therapy is a form of vibrational healing, which treats with pure energy to generate changes in the energetic field of the patient. Healing with flower essences is an extension of the time-honored tradition of herbal medicine, successfully returning people and animals to balance and health. Flower essence therapy has proven particularly useful in assisting animals that have been abused, neglected or that have become stressed and anxious.
This is a quick reference guide to each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr Bach. Each remedy is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state. To select the remedies you need, think about the sort of person you are and the way you are feeling.
For more information on each remedy in this list click the relevant link. It might help to read some case studies first to see how they work.
Remedies
Agrimony – mental torture behind a cheerful face
Aspen – fear of unknown things
Beech – intolerance
Centaury – the inability to say ‘no’
Cerato – lack of trust in one’s own decisions
Cherry Plum – fear of the mind giving way
Chestnut Bud – failure to learn from mistakes
Chicory – selfish, possessive love
Clematis – dreaming of the future without working in the present
Crab Apple – the cleansing remedy, also for not liking something about ourselves
Elm – overwhelmed by responsibility
Gentian – discouragement after a setback
Gorse – hopelessness and despair
Heather – talkative self-concern and being self-centred
Holly – hatred, envy and jealousy
Honeysuckle – living in the past
Hornbeam – tiredness at the thought of doing something
Impatiens – impatience
Larch – lack of confidence
Mimulus – fear of known things
Mustard – deep gloom for no reason
Oak – the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
Olive – exhaustion following mental or physical effort
Pine – guilt
Red Chestnut – over-concern for the welfare of loved ones
Rock Rose – terror and fright
Rock Water – self-denial, rigidity and self-repression
Scleranthus – inability to choose between alternatives
Star of Bethlehem – shock
Sweet Chestnut – extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left
Vervain – over-enthusiasm
Vine – dominance and inflexibility
Walnut – protection from change and unwanted influences
Water Violet – quiet self-reliance leading to isolation
White Chestnut – unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
Wild Oat – uncertainty over one’s direction in life
Wild Rose – drifting, resignation, apathy
Willow – self-pity and resentment
The original system also includes an emergency combination remedy. Other pre-mixed combinations are offered by many remedy producers, but they tend to be ineffective because they are not chosen individually.
To get help selecting remedies contact a local Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner.
Eiseman Flower Therapy
While Bach's therapy is all about extracts from flowers, color experts like Eiseman opine that the very colors and the patterning of flowers influences the mental states.
According to Eiseman, flowers in conjunction with their design and color schemes create feelings that enhance our moods.
Additionally, scientific research shows that flowers and plants have a beneficial impact on state of mind and emotions. Rutgers University's behavioral studies have proven that flowers provide a simple way to improve emotional health.
Hence the local florist, who in a weirdly possible way can act as a therapist, could arrange the flowers with specific colors in specific arrangements so as to suit the needs of the customer.
Eiseman identifies five emotional color palettes that are expressed through color combinations in floral arrangements and the flowers that bring them to life.
Nurturing:
A true sense of caring is created by a combination of colors that are fragile, soft and tender. Arrangements in pastel shades and the softest yellows, peaches, warm pinks, creamy whites and subtle greens make us feel safe, snug and loved. Consider a nurturing floral arrangement for a new mother, a sick friend or a grieving loved one - anyone who would benefit from a caring, loving embrace.
Romantic:
A sensation of intimacy, nostalgia and comfort is captured in this color palette, a blend of delicate warm and cool colors with lavenders and pinks at its heart. Romantic arrangements express loving sentiments and admiration to mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, best friends, significant others and brides-to-be. Eiseman flower therapy is just romantic!
Sensuous:
The rich, luxurious color combinations of the sensuous palette set the mood for sophisticated, passionate and even seductive settings. Robust reds and purples, hot pinks and spicy oranges are at the soul of this dynamic floral feeling. Consider a sensuous arrangement for a very special evening or an elegant dinner party - anywhere you want to feel magnetic and extravagant. How sensuous is Eiseman flower therapy? It is just wonderful.
Tranquil:
Serenity and relaxation are the essence of this color scheme. Its peaceful palette, reminiscent of sky and sea, is dominated by clear, light shades of green, misty blues and other cool hues. A vase of tranquility is perfect for busy moms, harried professionals and those who seek a moment of calm from life´s stressful situations. Eiseman flower therapy arrangement just recreates the tranquility of moon.
Whimsical:
Fun-loving, free-spirited, playful feelings are conveyed by the whimsical palette, which is characterized by bold, contrasting colors. Floral arrangements featuring these hues set an upbeat tone and are ideal for birthdays, graduations, promotions and other celebrations.
When it comes to achieving Flower Therapy, all you need to do is just consult a professional florist to ensure your desired emotion is expressed just the way you want it.
Eiseman flower therapy is just practical. Eiseman flower therapy is simple as well. By following these simple tips from the Society of American Florists, anyone can order flowers with confidence, send the perfect floral gift for any occasion, and choose a gift that takes into account the feelings of recepients.
- When ordering floral gifts, describe the recipient´s personality, as well as favorite hobbies or colors. Your florist can match the floral arrangement with the recipient´s personal preferences.
- Tell your florist if the gift is for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary or other personal milestone) or just because. He or she can offer suggestions on how to best create an emotion with flowers.
- If the flowers are for decorating or entertaining, describe the environment where they will be placed so your florist can create an arrangement that complements the style and colors of your home.
Healing flowers for natural health:
Now we’re not saying you have to wait for someone to give you a bunch of flowers to enjoy this kind of therapy. It is the 20th century, and as strong, independent women, we can all go ahead and buy our own bouquet to try this holistic approach to natural health without waiting for a prince charming! Give the following seven florals a try for your DIY flower therapy.
Rose:
The queen of flowers symbolizes many things depending on its color. Red stands for passion, white for innocence, pink for gratitude, and yellow for friendship. Under Dr. Bach’s list, wild roses can help heal apathy and motivate people to take charge by creating positive changes in their health. According to several pieces of evidences, wild roses can also help bring enthusiasm to someone and can be a long-term healing partner for those who want to renew their flow of vitality.
You can use this flower in the form of a tincture, where you need to take it orally, ideally a few minutes before drinking or eating anything. To use it externally, apply your rose flower essence to acupuncture and marma points of the body.
Lavender:
Lavender flower essence is widely known in aromatherapy for its calming properties. In floral therapy, it is mainly prescribed to those in agitated, high-wired states for the refined awareness and spiritual sensitivity that it offers. It is also prescribed for insomnia–just add a few drops of it to an infuser and you’ll be calm enough to be whisked off to dreamland. Just like rose essences, lavender essence can also be taken orally from a dropper bottle or mixed with a glass of water.
Chamomile:
Another popular essence for flower therapy, chamomile is commonly taken in the form of tea. Since the flower is a sun-loving plant, it is closely associated with releasing emotional tension which is usually held in the solar plexus of our body. Other uses of it in flower therapy is in relieving depression and improving digestion.
Jasmine:
Besides from smelling SO good, jasmine flowers and their essential oils are commonly used in botanical medicine. In flower therapy, the blooms of this plant are believed to enhance mental clarity and induce relaxation. It is also said that jasmine was used historically before as an aphrodisiac or as a helpful agent in promoting the flow of breast milk when its flowers are crushed and applied directly on the breasts. To use jasmine oil for natural health, one can apply it to the abdomen to relieve pain like PMS or massage a drop of it over the heart if to invite emotions like love.
Hibiscus:
There are many flower meanings for hibiscus, depending on where you are from. For example, in North America, giving the flower to a female means to complement her perfection, while in the Victorian era, it is a sign of one’s delicate beauty. In flower therapy, the essential oil of this bloom is believed to energize the first and second chakras of the body, helping undo blockages in the spine and lower back. Similar to jasmine, hibiscus is also believed to stimulate passion and sexuality, helping release pent-up forces in the womb. This flower can be taken as a tea or applied directly on the body.
Dandelion:
You might not think much of this flower as something more than just a weed, but dandelions are pretty helpful in flower therapy. Similar to how its seeds drift into the wind, carrying wishes to a lover, the essence of this flower gives the person a love for life. Dandelions are believed to help people get in harmony with others, and ease the psyche of an over-planner and an overthinker. Dandelion can be used as a massage oil to help relax muscles and relieve body tension.
Honeysuckle:
Included in Dr. Bach’s list of healing flowers, honeysuckle is categorized to be helpful to people who are living in the past and having trouble moving on to the present. These are the ones who spend their time looking back to old memories–like how an elderly person would reminisce their younger days out of the belief that they can no longer experience new things. Honeysuckle is a flower remedy that can aid someone in recalling their past without the painful process of reliving it, guiding the person to take joy in the present. As an essential oil, honeysuckle can be used as a massage oil to relieve stress. A few drops of it can also be added to a warm bath for comfort.
Wrap Up:
Flower therapy may be old school, but it is a beautiful type of natural therapy we should all give a try. Not only are they believed to target emotional parts of us that advanced medicine doesn’t always address, but the science behind them are also just so plainly, breathtakingly beautiful.
https://www.bachcentre.com
https://homespahaven.com/flower-therapy/
