Flower essences are close kin of homeopathy. Edward Bach, MD, developed them in the 1930s. He sought a simple therapy for illness that anyone could safely use. Like homeopathy, flower essences (carried in a base of spring water, and brandy as a preservative) contain the vibrational energy patter of a flower, plant, or mineral. Homeopathic remedies, however, create a set of symptoms in a healthy person that matches the condition they are used to treat "like cures like".
Flower essences replace an imbalance with a positive state. For example, mustard, one of Bach's original 38 remedies, is often given for depression and deep gloom. It will not cause depression in a healthy person; but, if someone is depressed, mustard may increase his/her awareness and objectivity of the state. It will also help the person tap into depression's opposite, which is the feeling of lightness and joy.
Flower essences affect the energy body. These odorless essences can help heal emotional issues and mental patterns surface, brining a new awareness and healing. They are not drugs that can be tracked down in the physical body. While they do not affect everyone, many people find that essences gently encourage movement towards positive, life-affirming energy. Sometimes, flower essences cause an intense release of emotion; having access to a therapist of support person when using essences to deal with heavy issues is wise.
I find that flower essences support the healthy part of the person and give objectivity about one's state. Flower essences can be chosen via repertory, by intuition, or by muscle testing. No single method seems more right than others. Some practitioners use only one essence at a time, I often use a combination of no more than three.
