Flower Essences were first prepared in England in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach. After Bach's death in 1936 the torch was passed first to his devoted assistant, Nora Weeks and then to Nickie Murray. In 1988 Julian Barnard, who learned the preparation of Dr. Bach's remedies from Nickie Murray, began his own separate company, Healingherbs, to prepare flower remedies following the traditional methods of Dr. Bach. Since 1991 Flower Essence Services has been proud to be the North American distributor of Julian Barnard's Healingherbs flower essences. Our research in collaboration with thousands of practitioners around the world confirms that the Healingherbs flower remedies have the same potency, efficacy and vibrancy as those originally developed by Dr. Edward Bach.
Positive qualities: Emotional honesty, acknowledging and working with emotional pain, ability to radiate genuine equanimity and inner peace
Patterns of imbalance: Anxiety hidden by a mask of cheerfulness; denial and avoidance of emotional pain, addictive behavior to anesthetize feelings
Arnica Alleve™ can be used preventatively to aid body and soul to maintain equanimity, as well as when there is specific pain and injury. Arnica is known traditionally for its many anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities, as well as for promoting tissue regeneration. It is used in herbal and homeopathic practices to provide restoration from many kinds of bodily traumas, such as bruises, sprains, contusions, various forms of myalgia, hyperextensions, sports injury and recovery from surgery. On a more subtle level, Arnica Alleve™ helps the soul to reestablish its balance and equilibrium from any kind of physical or psychic trauma.
Positive qualities: Trust and confidence to meet the unknown, sensitive attunement to the spiritual world; perceptive awareness of psychic realms
Patterns of imbalance: Fear of the unknown, vague anxiety and apprehension, hidden fears, nightmares; easily startled or frightened
Positive qualities: Tolerance, acceptance of others' differences and imperfections, seeing the good within each person and situation; ability to offer praise to others
Patterns of imbalance: Criticalness, judgmental attitudes, intolerance; perfectionist expectations of others; hyper-reactive to one's social and physical environment due to underlying sensitivity
Calendula is a remarkable restorer of the human flesh, with outstanding anti-inflammatory, vulnerary and disinfectant properties. The maternal, comforting qualities of Calendula Caress™ make it ideal for the delicate skin of infants and children, and as a beneficent balm for birthing and nursing mothers.
Calendula Caress™ bestows a calming, quieting touch and should be used for all forms of irritation and inflammation. Compresses of Calendula can be applied to areas of internal inflammation, such as the digestive organs, or to parts of the body which are swollen, such as the lymphatic glands
Positive qualities: Serving others from inner strength, while nourishing one's own needs; acting from strength of inner purpose, saying "No" when appropriate
Patterns of imbalance: Weak-willed, dominated by others, servile, acting to please; difficulty saying "No;" fatigue and related problems due to self-neglect
Positive qualities: Trusting one's inner knowing, intuition; self-confidence, certainty
Patterns of imbalance: Uncertainty or doubt of one's inner wisdom and truth; invalidating what one knows, over-dependent on advice from others
Positive qualities: Spiritual surrender and trust, feeling guided and protected by a Higher Power; balance and equanimity despite extreme stress or adversity
Patterns of imbalance: Fear of losing control, mental and emotional breakdown; desperate or destructive impulses; acute tension and rigidity
Positive qualities: Ability to cultivate life wisdom, understanding the laws of karma; intelligence derived from life experience
Patterns of imbalance: Poor observation of one's experiences, failure to learn life's lessons, repeating the same mistakes
Positive qualities: Selfless love given freely, respecting the freedom and individuality of others; emotional containment
Patterns of imbalance: Possessive or manipulative behaviors disguised as love, demanding, or emotionally needy; getting attention through negative behavior; self-centeredness
Positive qualities: Awake, focused presence; manifesting inspiration in practical life; conscious embodiment and interest in the world
Patterns of imbalance: Avoidance of the present by daydreaming; other-worldly and impractical ideals; fuzzy or vague states of floating consciousness
Positive qualities: Cleansing and restorative, bringing a sense of inner purity
Patterns of imbalance: Feeling unclean and impure, needing to release physical or psychic toxicity; also: obsessed with imperfection or cleansing rituals
Dandelion Dynamo™ is an excellent tonic for the spring season, but is also an important year-round formula for balancing the spring-like forces in the body and soul. For those who tend toward an overly phlegmatic or lethargic condition, Dandelion Dynamo™ cuts through many forms of congestion and contraction in the body.
Positive qualities: Joyous service, faith and confidence to complete one's task; ability to shoulder tasks effectively
Patterns of imbalance: Overwhelmed by personal or work obligations, feeling unequal to the task required; dysfunctional or scattered response to responsibilities and commitments
Positive qualities: Perseverance, confidence; faith to continue despite apparent setbacks
Patterns of imbalance: Discouragement after a setback; doubt; depression due to a sense of failure
Positive qualities: Deep and abiding conviction and hope; equanimity and light-filled optimism
Patterns of imbalance: Pessimistic attitude, unable to trust or imagine a positive outcome for future events
Positive qualities: Inner tranquility; emotional self-sufficiency; positive solitude
Patterns of imbalance: Talkative and self-absorbed; over-concerned with one's own problems; unconscious usurpation of others' psychic energy
Positive qualities: Loving and inclusive gestures to others; heartfelt compassion; ability to express gratitude to others
Patterns of imbalance: Social isolation; jealousy, envy, suspicion, anger
Positive qualities: Being fully in the present; acceptance of current life conditions
Patterns of imbalance: Nostalgia; emotional attachment to the past, longing for prior condition which seems more appealing
Positive qualities: Dynamic involvement in life's tasks; steady state of energy
Patterns of imbalance: Unexplained fatigue or weariness, correlated to daily tasks or responsibilities that do not fully engage soul commitment and interest
Positive qualities: Ability to flow harmoniously with time and daily rhythms, patient embrace of life events and the pace of others
Patterns of imbalance: Impatience, irritation, hypertension, intolerance; pain due to tension and resistance in the body
Positive qualities: Self-confidence, creative expression, ability to be spontaneous and take risks
Patterns of imbalance: Lack of confidence, expectation of failure, self-censorship, unable to find one's voice or speak one's convictions
Positive qualities: Courage and confidence to face life's challenges; radiant light that shines outward to the world
Patterns of imbalance: Over-exaggerated concern for daily life events; extreme apprehension of new thresholds of experience
The abundant and expansive lunar qualities of Mugwort make it a plant which is highly favored for the feminine reproductive system. Mugwort Moon Magic™ is valued by midwives who use it to stimulate the uterus at the concluding stages of pregnancy and throughout the birthing process, as well as to facilitate lactation for the nursing mother. Mugwort oil is also very helpful for toning and regulating the reproductive system and enhancing female fertility.
Positive qualities: Emotional equilibrium, ability to integrate suffering and joy into a positive whole
Patterns of imbalance: Overly susceptible to depression or despair due to fluctuating life events; bouts of mania followed by depression
Positive qualities: Balanced strength, accepting limits, knowing when to surrender
Patterns of imbalance: Iron-willed, inflexible; over-striving beyond one's limits; taking on more than one can inwardly sustain
Positive qualities: Rejuvenation of life force; energetic depth and longevity; sense of wellbeing; ability to cultivate the conditions for deep rest and renewal
Patterns of imbalance: Complete exhaustion or physical collapse usually due to extreme demand on one's physical forces; resistance to deep rest
Positive qualities: Self-acceptance, self-forgiveness; freedom to move forward despite past mistakes
Patterns of imbalance: Melancholic obsession with past events; over-emphasis on guilt or self-blame, paralysis due to excessive self-criticism
Positive qualities: Compassionate and trusting awareness of others; calm and serene disposition when considering the situation of others or life events
Patterns of imbalance: Obsessive fear and apprehension for wellbeing of others, anticipation of problems accompanied by mental agitation or repetitive worry
Positive qualities: Transcendent courage when facing adversity; ability to assume control in catastrophic situations by remaining grounded and present
Patterns of imbalance: Gripping terror, panic; fear of death or annihilation; lack of embodiment and presence for the immediate situation
Positive qualities: Flexibility, spontaneity, and flowing receptivity; apprehending the spirit rather than the letter of the law
Patterns of imbalance: Rigid standards for oneself or others, asceticism, self-denial; bound by rules, regimens or regulations
Positive qualities: Decisiveness, inner resolve, ability to weigh choices and make judgments
Patterns of imbalance: Hesitation, indecision, confusion and ambiguity; wavering between choices or values
The Self-Heal Creme is based on the remarkable properties of the Self-Heal herb (Prunella vulgaris). A truly universal plant which can be found growing wild in many parts of the world, it belongs to the Mint family. Every member of this plant family exhibits medicinal, culinary, or aromatic qualities, and it includes such plants as the mints, basil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. Prunella has been used for centuries as an external application for skin care, as well as an internal tonic in convalescence. It became so renowned for its healing abilities that it was called “Self-Heal” and “Heal-All” by medieval herbalists, and the “Heart of the Earth” in early American herbals.
In recent years, St. John’s Wort has exploded into prominence, noted primarily for its natural ability to treat symptoms of depression. The essential quality of St. John’s Shield™ is its capacity to carry light into the dark well of the soul, providing a source of inner emotional radiance.
Positive qualities: Unity with deepest part of the Self; sense of inner divinity and wholeness
Patterns of imbalance: Shock or trauma, either recent or from a past experience; need for healing and comfort from the spiritual world
Positive qualities: Spiritual depth, faith derived from encountering adversity; solitude rooted in spiritual communion
Patterns of imbalance: Pronounced despair and agony; feeling of aloneness or abandonment due to a "dark night of the soul"
Positive qualities: Ability to practice moderation, tolerance, and balance; "the middle way;" passionate and embodied idealism
Patterns of imbalance: Overbearing or insistent behavior regarding one's beliefs; intensity bordering on fanaticism; nervous exhaustion from over-striving
Positive qualities: Selfless service, recognition of the individuality of others; inner authority derived from connection to higher spiritual identity
Patterns of imbalance: Domineering, tyrannical, forcing one's will on others; need to subjugate others in order to gain ego strength
Positive qualities: Freedom from limiting influences, making healthy transitions in life, inner strength to follow one's own path and destiny
Patterns of imbalance: Overly influenced by the social expectations or values of family or community, past experiences or beliefs that inhibit the soul's evolution
Positive qualities: Dignity and inner composure balanced with social connections to others; ability to share one's gifts with others
Patterns of imbalance: Aloof, withdrawn, disdainful of "lower" relationships; making distinctions based on class, race or social status that insure separation from others; false pride
Positive qualities: Tranquil disposition, spacious mental state that transcends personal or petty thoughts
Patterns of imbalance: Worry-bound repetitive thoughts, chattering mind; restless and agitated mental condition; insomnia
Positive qualities: Work as an expression of inner calling; manifestation of one's true goals and values; work experiences motivated by a clear life purpose and conviction
Patterns of imbalance: Confusion and indecision about life direction; trying many activities but chronically dissatisfied or restless, lack of commitment or focus; work for survival rather than service
Positive qualities: Will to live, joy and commitment to life despite trials or pain
Patterns of imbalance: Resignation or apathy; inability to embrace life; pain or suffering that paralyzes body and soul; lingering illness which does not resolve itself
Positive qualities: Acceptance, forgiveness, taking responsibility for one's life situation, adaptable to changing fortunes and circumstances
Patterns of imbalance: Feeling resentful, inflexible or rigid emotional memories which turn to bitterness; tendency to blame others or see oneself as the victim
Yarrow has been known historically as a warrior's herb, with such traditional names as "Soldier's Wound Wort" and "Knight's Millefoil." The genus name Achillea refers to the Greek warrior Achilles, whose soldiers carried the herb into battle for psychic protection as well as to staunch the bleeding of wounds. Even its form, a canopy of white flowers, suggests a protective "umbrella" of white light.
Yarrow flower essence has become one of the most widely acclaimed FES essences since it was first prepared in 1978. It has been used extensively with individuals who feel "vulnerable" (literally: "able to be wounded") to the influences of others and their environment. It "knits together" an overly porous aura - the envelope of vital energy that surrounds and protects the body. It encourages a healthy sense of Self, imparting strength, integrity, and clarity of consciousness typical of members of the Composite family.