The Blooms of Summer

On future nostalgia and how to tune into the vibrational healing benefits of flower essences.

“When fireweed turns to cotton, summer will soon be forgotten.”

I heard this saying for the first time this year — I think it’s an Alaska Native adage, but can’t for sure confirm the origins. 

It sure does seem to be true though. 

I love fireweed. Its vibrant, almost neon pink-purple blooms are some of the first to appear once an area has been burned, hence its name. It’s rich in vitamin C, tones the digestive tract, and can make a lovely colored jelly :)

Here in the high deserts of Oregon, August is the season of yellow. Yellow sunflowers, goldenrod, and rabbitbrush line the local trails.

But mixed in, providing that welcome pop of fuschia, is fireweed.

And right now, the fireweed is approaching full bloom, harkening the arrival of what might be an early winter here.

It’s giving me a sense of “future nostalgia”, a descriptor my astrology teacher Merlin uses for Leo Season. I know these precious warm, sunny days won’t last, and I put perhaps a bit too much pressure on myself to make the most of them.

With this, much of my attention is on the blooms — the lovely flowers who might like to lend their energy and become essences in my apothecary.

I love watching the different mini-seasons of flowers that bloom throughout the summer — some lasting only a week or two before they disappear for another year.

This year, I grew a few sacred blooms in my own gardens — clary sage and tobacco Gardening here is a challenge, and it feels like true gift that these plant allies grew to thrive and share their medicine with us! I’ve already made flowers into essences under the full moon, and I’ve been drying the beautiful tobacco leaves for offering bundles.

These new essences aren’t listed in my shop yet, but I have recently added a few others that I’m quite excited about — including the rare gnome plant, which opens us to the abundance of the earth (just a few left), and queen’s crown, which helps us embody our feminine sovereignty.

And yes, fireweed flower essence is in stock! :)

All this attention on the blooms of summer has inspired me to write a complete guide to flower essences.

Flower essences have been part of my life for so long that I sometimes forget that not everyone lives and breathes spiritual botany the way I do. And, from the outside looking in, they almost seem like a snake oil type of medicine…how does infusing a blossom in spring water actually make a difference for your own health and wellness?

The secret lies in vibration, transmission, and resonance. 

This article is designed to give you all the information you’ll need to start working with, or deepen your work with, flower essences. 

But there’s more…

I really love creating little works of beauty. And I really love writing. So I really, really love writing and designing beautiful ebooks. If you’d like all the info in this article in a gorgeous, downloadable, 24-page ebook — with bonus sections! — you can get a copy for free here. Just click the image or button below :)

Now, back to your complete guide to flower essences…

What Are Flower Essences?

Flower essences are liquid infusions of blossoms and light that shift the vibrational state of anyone who uses them. And they’re becoming more popular all the time — because they are one of the most gentle, accessible, and still potently transformational healing remedies available.  

These natural remedies are made from the energetic imprint of flowers. By infusing the blossoms of specific plants in water, we can capture their unique vibrational signature. This means that flower essences work on an energetic level, affecting the subtle energy systems of the body to promote emotional, spiritual, and as a result, physical, healing. 

Unlike essential oils or herbal extracts, flower essences don't contain physical substances — and therefore have no scent — but instead carry the vibrational imprint of a flower’s unique healing qualities. 

Important Note:

Flower essences are not just flowers! The phrase “flower essence” is often used as an umbrella term for essences of all types.

Trees and mushrooms, even if not technically flowers, are found flower essences lines. Environmental essences (which capture the energy of a place, such as a body of water or sacred site) and gemstone essences (which carry the vibration of crystals and stones) also often fall under the general term “flower essence” — and all are beautifully healing in the same vibrational ways.  

The History And Origins Of Flower Essences

The history of flower essences can be traced back millennia, to times when healers and spiritual practitioners recognized the healing potential of vibrational remedies and partnered with nature as a way of life. The modern-day foundation of flower essences, however, is attributed to the work of Dr. Edward Bach.

Dr. Bach was a British physician and homeopath. In the 1920s, he developed a set of 38 individual flower essences — known as the Bach Flower Remedies — each corresponding to a specific emotional state. His belief was that imbalances in our emotional and mental states led to physical illnesses, and by addressing these emotional imbalances, true healing could occur. 

Dr. Bach created the first flower essences based on his intuitive realization that the healing properties of flowers could be transferred to water, which captures the energetic imprint of the plant — something Dr. Masaru Emoto later demonstrated with his famous water experiments. 

A strong proponent of accessibility in healing, Bach used these essences to share healing remedies that could be easily administered and understood by people without specialized medical knowledge. (To this day, Dr. Bach’s work with homeopathy and flower essences continues to influence alternative and holistic healing methodologies.)

How Are Flower Essences Made?

Creating flower essences involves a gentle process that transfers the vibrational imprints of plants to water. 

The most common method is the sun-infusion technique, where freshly picked flowers — gathered with the dew still on them at dawn — are floated on the surface of spring water and left to be infused by the sun's energy, which helps transfer the vibrational healing qualities of the flowers to the water. (I use a moonlight infusion for mushroom essences, though, as the moon and mushrooms have a unique relationship.)

Essences from hardier plants, such as trees, are often made with a boiling method instead of the sun infusion, as Bach felt that simmering tougher plant material in water for 20 minutes more effectively brought out the vibrational imprints. 

Either way, the resulting infusions are then preserved with alcohol to create the mother tincture. Brandy is traditionally used, though many people today use vodka. (I have a 100% Demeter Certified organic grape alcohol I like to use.) For those avoiding alcohol, apple cider vinegar is a good alternative.

The most important part of this process, however, is the state of being of the person making the essences. Partnering with the life force of plants in this way and creating vibrational remedies are sacred arts. 

It’s essential that permission from the plants are granted first, and sensitive makers will communicate with the devas and fae who overlight the blooms, ensuring a more complete transfer of energy. 

Since these are vibrational remedies, the person making the essences must be clear and connected in their own energy, or it could negatively impact their results. Making flower essences takes several hours, and the entire process should be treated as a ceremony.

making sunflower and maraposa lily essences high in the mountains

Understanding The Principles Behind Flower Essences And Their Potential Benefits

The philosophy behind flower essences is based on the understanding that our world is more than physical. Energetic foundations underlie our material world, and our spiritual and emotional lives greatly influence these energetic foundations. 

Bach’s belief was that emotional and spiritual imbalances could manifest as physical ailments, and by addressing the root cause of these imbalances on an energetic level, flower essences facilitate healing and personal growth. 

Today, we use flower essences not just for physical healing, but for all sorts of emotional and spiritual intentions — for shadow work, support during challenging times, opening our hearts to love, and deepening our connection with spirit, to name a few.

Part of the beauty of working with flower essences, and plants in general, is that they are all multi-taskers. For example, you might work with lavender essence to bring balance and harmony to life. Yet lavender will also protect your energy field, cultivate feelings of peace and relaxation, help you sleep better, and harmonize your heart chakra. 

Since flower essences are a subtle healing remedy, you probably won’t notice immediate effects with a one-time use. However, used consistently over time, they do make a difference. 

You’ll likely wake up one day and realize that your thoughts have become more positive, and you didn’t notice it happening. Or your back pain just isn’t bothering you as much, and you’re not sure why. Or you have an inspired idea, seemingly out of nowhere. These are the essences at work!

Here are a few places to watch for signs that the essences are working:

• Your dreams — look for shifting patterns in recurrent dreams, insights, and healing

• Your habits and daily patterns — notice subtle shifts that arise naturally and will make a bigger difference over time

• Your thoughts — again, notice subtle shifts in old thinking patterns, as well as new insights and inspiration

• Your intuition — you’ll begin to come into clearer connection with your inner knowing and meditation may feel easier

• Synchronicities — seemingly ransom blessings are actually the result of your own shifting energy

• Relationship changes — as you change, your relationships with those around will change too

• Physical wellness — you’ll start to just feel better, whether that means having more energy, peace, or joy

How to Use Flower Essences

Flower essences are best used consistently over time. The most common way to use them is to drink a few drops in water four times a day — but you can get creative :) Here is a step-by-step guide to help you start working with flower essences:

1. Choose the Right Flower Essence

Select a flower essence that aligns with your needs. For example, if you’re experiencing general anxiety, you might consider using a flower essence like Aspen. For healing past relationships, twinberry honeysuckle could help.

You can select flower essences by researching your intentions and reading descriptions, through kinesthetic testing, intuitively, or with a personal consultation. 

Looking for more in-depth guidance on choosing your essences? Be sure to grab the free flower essence ebook — it walks you through a fun process!

2. Set Your Intention

Before using your flower essences, take a moment to set your intention or the purpose for using it. Be clear about what challenges you want to address or what positive qualities you wish to cultivate within yourself. This intention will infuse your experience with more healing energy and prepare you to receive the benefits of your essences.

3. Administer the Flower Essence

The most common way to take flower essences is orally — directly under the tongue or in water:

• Direct Ingestion: Place a few drops (usually 2-4) of the flower essence under your tongue. Hold the drops in your mouth for about 30 seconds before swallowing. This allows the essence to be absorbed through the mucous membranes and enter your system.

• In Water: Add a few drops of the flower essence to a glass of water and sip it slowly. This method is especially useful if you find the taste of the essence too strong for direct ingestion.

Either way, you’ll want to take your dose of essences 2 to 4 times a day for at least two weeks. After two weeks of consistently taking the essences, most people notice at least subtle changes. You should continue taking your essences either until your dosage bottle is gone, or until you naturally feel complete — the time when you notice that you just aren’t drawn to keep taking them. 

While taking essences internally and consistently is the most common way to heal and transform with them, there are many wonderful and creative ways to use your flower essences. You can apply them topically, use them in rituals, share them with pets…the list goes on :) 

For a complete list of creative uses for flower essences, grab the free ebook, Flowering Soul.

4. Observe and Reflect:

As you use your flower essences, pay attention to any shifts or changes in your emotions, thought patterns, or overall well-being — I’ve listed several examples above. Keep a journal if possible, noting any insights or observations.

5. Combine Flower Essences (Optional)

You can create personalized blends by combining different flower essences to address multiple aspects of your emotional or mental well-being. If you choose to mix essences, do so in a separate bottle and label it with the intention or emotions you are targeting.

To create your own blend from existing essences:

• Fill a small dropper bottle — 1/2 or 1oz will work — with about 2/3 spring water and 1/3 brandy (or ACV)

• Choose 2 - 4 essences to blend (3 is a wonderful number to aim for)

• Add 2 - 3 drops of each essence you’d like to include to the dropper bottle

• Hold the bottle and infuse it with your intentions

• Take the remedy as described above!

Not sure which essences to include? An experienced practitioner can help you create a custom blend for your particular needs. (yes, I offer this service!)

6. Be Patient and Gentle with Yourself

Flower essences work in harmony with your natural healing process, but they are not a quick fix. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you embark on your journey with the blooms. 

Sometimes, what has been buried or hidden within our psyches emerges when we use flower essences — and this isn’t always easy to confront or integrate.

Find support for your process, whether through a trusted friend, therapist, spiritual healer, or someone else with the skills to hold you during your transformation.

Safety Considerations 

One of the wonderful things about flower essences is that they are so safe and easy to use, with no known side effects or interactions. They usually can be used with animals, children, and the elderly without any problems.

That said, the emotional transformation that may arise with use of flower essences may be intense — you’ll want to have proper support, such as a trusted therapist or holistic healer, for any emotional or mental issues that arise.

And with this, the disclaimer: While flower essences can be a valuable tool, they are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological help when needed. If you are dealing with significant emotional challenges or mental health issues, consider seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner or therapist.

A Few of My Favorite Essences

Working with flower essences opens us to infinite possibilities, as there seems to be an infinite number of plants on this Earth to partner with. 

It’s always nice to begin by really getting to know a few plants deeply, however. The following are just a few of my personal favorite essences — if any of these resonate, you can find my handmade versions of them in the Alchemessence Apothecary. 

Aspen — One of my favorite trees, and one of Bach’s original remedies, aspen helps us trust in the goodness of life by alleviating fear and anxiety of unknown origins.

Elephants Head Flower — Deeply relaxing for the nervous system, elephants head also enhances lucid dreams. I have a whole article on elephants head here.

Fireweed — Of course! I think of this as a phoenix flower, helping us rise from the ashes of our own lives.

Gnome Plant — Seriously powerful medicine. Read more about gnome flower essence in this crazy article.

Queen’s Crown — A stunning, high elevation flower, this is a beautiful ally for ushering the divine feminine into cosmic balance.

Sacred Datura — Poison plants have potent medicine, and Datura helps us transform our shadows at the deepest levels, illuminating and cleansing toxins so we may enhance our intuitive abilities.

Wild Rose — A wild healer for a wild and free heart, this rose helps us open our hearts safely and joyfully. Abundant innocence awakens within our inner child, helping us to remember and act upon our forgotten dreams.

Yarrow — The great protector and healer, yarrow cleanses and protects our energy field, allowing all other healing to take place. I add yarrow to almost every blend I create!

There are many more fun essences to learn about in the apothecary — and I create custom images for each one. I invite you to scroll through and see which ones catch your attention, almost as an oracle card reading. 

I’m also in the process of creating more flower essence combination formulas to support specific purposes more holistically. Stay tuned — and now is a great time to message me with any special requests ;)

Sacred Datura

I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments! What would you still like to know? What are your favorite essences? What benefits have you noticed in your own life? Which combination formulas are you hoping I make?