Flower essences have been an important additional resource in health care management recently— for myself and for my furry companions.

After one of my cats experienced a medical emergency a few months ago, a family member reminded me about flower essences. We were past the actual emergency, but although she was recovering, her vitality was slow to revive, and she was depressed, lethargic, and detached. Flower essences almost immediately helped her restore her bounce and playfulness.

Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D. has accounted for the effectiveness of flower essences:

“Research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology shows a clear interrelationship between physical illness, stress and emotional outlook. While flower essences don’t address specific physical ailments, such as asthma or cancer, they work on an energetic level to address the underlying emotions, release unwanted patterns, and attract what is right for you.”

Flower and garden essences share a similar concept with homeopathy, but they are thought by some (including Dr. Edward Bach, who began as a researcher of vaccines, then studied homeopathy, then developed Bach Flower Remedies in the 1930s) to be a purer source. Instead of originating from the products of illness, as many homeopathic remedies do, flower essences are derived from nature in bloom.

If you are daunted by homeopathy, flower essences may be a more approachable option. Dr. Bach intentionally designed a system that empowers anyone with access to the essences and literature to treat themselves and their own symptoms. It’s really as easy as reading the descriptions of the 38 essences in his collection and selecting 1–7 that seem appropriate to you (working with a professional practitioner is still an option for those who prefer it).

Many companies make flower essences for people and animals — you might start with a visit to a local herbal shop or pet food store. Often the employees are informed about various products and can point you in the right direction.