There are sites I have come across peddling inaccurate information about flower essences. So I thought it wise to share what I was taught in my practitioner trainings and what I wish people understood about how to use these valuable tools. Flower essences are an offshoot of homeopathy (although they are not made exactly the same way or by using the same principles). They were invented by Dr. Edward Bach who was both a conventional medical doctor and immunologist and later became a homeopathic physician. He originally became famous for inventing vaccines from gut bacteria and homeopathic nosodes. He then abandoned his successful London practice and focussed on creating a new modality using flowers that he named the Bach Flower Remedies (“flower essences” in the United States). They are highly dilute and used similarly to homeopathic products in the sense that only a tiny amount is used to stimulate your body’s healing response. Today’s topic is about the terms used to describe different strengths.
Mother Tincture: This is the first step in making flower essences in the field. It is basically solarized flower herb tea (sun tea) that is diluted half and half with brandy and vigorously shook according to Dr. Edward Bach’s instructions. This is NEVER sold or used as flower essence! Mother tincture is NOT flower essence yet. Beware if someone tells you otherwise. If you come across a website teaching you how to make your own flower essences and they stop at this step, the instructions are incomplete.
Stock Strength: The mother tincture is further diluted and shaken to make this strength. This is the most commonly found version of flower essence, often sold in tiny bottles in stores. You could use it directly from the bottle (a few drops under your tongue), but most people use this product to make dosage strength bottles or combination formulas or add a few drops to a glass of water.
Dosage Strength: Ready to use. This is the most practical and economical dosage for normal use. It is made by diluting stock strength further with water and alcohol (or some other preserving agent) and shaking it well. You should also shake it before each use. Dosage strength is rarely found online. This is the strength I sell in 1 or 2 oz bottles. I make it fresh on demand and infused with Reiki.
Use a few drops of dosage strength flower essence directly from the dropper bottle under your tongue or spray a few spritzes of a flower essence spray around your head and body. I never dilute this strength any further. However, people who don’t like the taste of alcohol might choose to add a dropper-full to a cup of tea or juice to mask the taste. Some add a dropper-full to a water bottle and sip it throughout the day.
The Basic Rules for Using Flower Essences
(Stock or Dosage Strength)
- Regularity—use at regular intervals, usually three times a day, every day until the symptoms disappear and stay away even after stopping use.
- More is not more. To increase the dosage during acute situations, take the flower essences more often, NOT more at one time. 4-6 times a day or even more often is more than acceptable. In an emergency (panic, for example), you could use a flower essence that is helping a few times within the same 1-2 hour period before settling down into a more normal dose.
- If you are sensitive or find that the healing process is happening too quickly, use it less often (not fewer drops at one time). Take a break and then try again at this lower dosage rate. Perhaps 1-2 times a day. I used to do this myself—sometimes, for me, the feelings that come up to be addressed need more time to be assimilated.
- If the flower essence chosen does not seem to do anything within a few days, you have not chosen the right one. It can take time for some flower essences to fully do their work—using them for a few weeks to a month or more is quite common. But you should notice some kind of change starting to happen relatively quickly (if not right away). Read more here.
- Different flower essence makers recommend a different number of drops at one time. 3-5 drops is most common (but I’ve seen as few as 2 drops recommended). People are messy online about whether they are discussing stock strength or dosage strength. If you’re taking 2-3 drops and an extra drop comes out of the dropper bottle, relax! I personally use 4-5 drops of dosage strength. (Remember: you could be using this at stock strength—so don’t fret the small stuff!) Just be regular about how much you use and how often. I find that the body/mind gets used to the choice you make and learns to expect it.