Over the years flower essences have gained popularity as a healing tool for everything from indecision and impatience to lack of self confidence and jealousy. Safe and gentle, flower essences are tinctures that can be used on adults, cats, dogs, and even children. While there are many different companies creating flower essences from the organic California-based FES Essences, to Alaskan Essences and Australian Bush Flower Essences, the only one known for rescuing one from trauma, stress, and anxiety, is the original flower essence company, Bach Flower Essences.

Bach Flower Essences

Dr. Edward Bach discovered flower essences in the 1930s while looking for a cure for emotional problems, which he believed to be the root of all physical and mental disease. Eventually Dr. Bach extracted essences from 38 original flowers using his intuition and deep connection to the plant world. These herbal infusions were, and still are, made similarly to homeopathic remedies. While in homeopathic medicine the natural substance is crushed and diluted, in flower essence preparation the wildflowers are placed in a glass bowl of spring water and left to drink in the warmth of the sunlight. When sunlight is not available, the flowers are gently boiled. After the water is infused with the flower essences, it is preserved naturally with 27% grape brandy.

Rescue Remedy

If you are new to idea of flower essences, you may want to begin with the most popular flower essence -- Rescue Remedy. A combination of five unique flower essences, Rescue Remedy is known worldwide to help with physical trauma, anxiety, daily stress, and serious emergencies. Some people use it to help calm feelings of anger or frustration, to deal with panic attacks, or to ease feelings of fear. Others employ its healing qualities in more serious cases, such as dealing with death, physical trauma such as a car accident, or any other healing crisis that calls for help dealing with overwhelming emotions.

The five flower essences that make up Rescue Remedy are:

• Rock rose -- for panic or terror
• Impatiens -- for impatience or irritation
• Clematis -- for inattentiveness and scattered thoughts
• Star of Bethlehem -- for shock and trauma
• Cherry Plum -- for irrational and illogical thoughts

If you are seeking to a heal a certain emotional issue in your life, you may want to consult a flower essence therapist or read one of the many books that are available to help you choose the right flower essence for you.