The power of plant medicine and flower essences for optimal health.
Essential Oils and flower essences have long been used to heal mind, body and spirit. But do they really work? And if so, which should you choose and why? We speak to our experts to find out.
Essential oils and flower essences are being used at record levels and for good reason. These freely available plant medicines provide one of the quickest and most effective ways to trigger positive emotional, mental and physical responses within the body.
While this may seem like a recent upward trend, the use of aromatic flowers and plants has played a central role in healing for thousands of years within many cultures from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to Australian Aborginals and Native Americans.
Today, people from around the world are harnessing the healing powers of flowers and plants to boost wellbeing or to supplement professional medical care.
ESSENTIAL OILS are the plant’s immunity and are therefore able to work with our bodies to manage symptoms while enhancing its ability to heal itself. Research has shown that they can aid a myriad of health complaints including digestive issues, cold and flu, headache, back pain, skin problems, allergies, insomnia, stress and anxiety and more.
Seed’s reflexologist, Adele Wimsett, uses doTerra therapeutic grade essential oils within her practice. Said Adele, ‘Many medicines are a synthetic version of plant-based medicines so it’s no wonder essential oils bring such great health benefits. They are great for boosting immunity and supporting wellbeing.
“Unlike others on the market, doTerra oils are highly effective due to their potency and purity. So why use paracetamol to manage head tension when nature provides its own solution with peppermint oil? The research to support the effectiveness of therapeutic grade (not high street oils) is growing, making them an incredible tool to have in your wellbeing toolbox.
“I support lots of mums who are tired of feeling they’re always reaching for the Calpol! These simple to use bottles of wellbeing truly are a must to any natural medicine cabinet.”
FLOWER ESSENCES are plant vibrations or plant energy, held in water. Made with plants, pure water and sunshine, they are 100% natural preparations that work holistically to help bring all aspects of the being into alignment.
Seed’s Craniosacal therapist, Amber Kelly, combines Bach Flower Remedies into her treatments and continues to be amazed by their benefits.
English doctor, bacteriologist, homeopath, and spiritual writer, Edward Bach created Bach Flower remedies in the 1930s – a system of 38 flower essences to help balance the emotional state. After a lifetime of treating sick patients he felt that the key to long term recovery was through an emotional route. Today they are most often used to help overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, shock, fatigue and emotional pain.
Says Amber, “As human beings we are emotional creatures and our emotions guide us, whether we like it or not. Subsequently our minds can easily sabotage our potential as we (often unconsciously) hold onto negative thoughts and feelings, which leave us ill at ease, debilitated, confused, unhappy or just unsure of ourselves. We can get caught up in our thinking and doing instead of being.
‘Sometimes this negative state of mind can develop to a place where not only our mental state is challenged but our physical state too as we feel tired and overwhelmed for example. So, using the Bach Flower system of remedies can be incredibly powerful in helping to calm the mind and balance the whole.
“When using the remedies, we consider an individual in two aspects; your general personality with your patterns and general imprints and also where you are at the present moment in time. We can then create a mix of remedies to address your current emotional state to bring in balance. They are powerful yet gentle and subtle and they work exceptionally well with children and pets too.”
And Seed’s own Medicine Woman and Shaman, Lizzie Nicholson, uses New Zealand First Light Flower Essences within her clinic to help alleviate a myriad of issues.
Says Lizzie, “I first discovered the power of flower essences when my son became ill with a collapsed lung and pneumonia aged just 4. A blend of NZ fern essences cleared the trauma of hospitalisation and fear – they are a potent healing tool.”
New Zealand First Light Flower Essences offers an extensive range of 184 native flower and plant essences that support holistic wellbeing. Home to some of the most ancient and unique flora on earth, New Zealand is recognised by science as being a biodiversity ‘hotspot’, with up to 500 million years of evolution behind its ancient plants, trees and ferns, thus harnessing remarkable beneficial energies when made into flower essences.
The pristine light of each new dawn falls first on New Zealand, hence its name. Lizzie’s essences focus on creating inner transformation, cleansing trauma, awakening the senses, promoting spiritual growth and recalibrating and influencing energetic blockages in the DNA.
TOP 3 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR MEDICINE CABINET FROM ADELE:
On Guard and Oregano – absolute powerhouses for immunity, providing an excellent line of defence during periods of seasonal threats.
Peppermint – historically associated with digestive issues, research suggests that inhaling peppermint oil can decrease hunger cravings, relieve IBS and indigestion. It is also great for supporting with headaches.
Lavender – this must-have oil was used for medicinal purposes as far back as ancient Egypt and Rome this is your go to oil. Research published by the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice indicates that lavender alleviates anxiety, depression and insomnia. It also great for skin sunburn, burns, and anything itchy!
TOP 3 BACH FLOWER REMEDIES FROM AMBER:
Rescue remedy – This is the only ‘combination’ remedy created by Bach, ideal for times when we are shaken by events such as an accident, a fall or an argument for example. Taking the remedy helps us to feel grounded and centred.
Walnut – To help us feel protected and safe. Walnut wraps its magic around you to help you through change such as a new job, teething, puberty, relocation, divorce or menopause.
White Chestnut – Do you go over issues again and again in your mind and feel unable to escape from your circular thinking? The most commonly used remedy in the UK, White Chestnut helps calm the monkey mind and is also great for insomnia.
TOP 3 NZ FLOWER ESSENCES FROM LIZZIE:
No 58 – Ramarama – life purpose releases one’s personal will to a higher will, letting go of negative patterns and fears around life purpose
No 73 – Coastal lobelia – Decisiveness – mental strength and clarity
No 86 – Ancient kauri – Path of the heart – sustains a heart centred healing focus
HERBAL TEAS are another way to tap into flower power. They can be incredibly therapeutic if prepared correctly with high quality organic herbs, and a lengthy infusion time. Not to mention how beautiful they are… Rose tea, Chamomile tea, Calendula tea, Lavender tea are all made from flowers.
To discover more about doTerra oils, contact adele@seedwellness.co.uk
To have your own bespoke Bach Flower remedies mix, contact amber@seedwellness.co.uk
Find out what your ’power flower’ is by having a DOB consultation with lizzie – lizzie@seedwellness.co.uk
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