Unlock the Secret Language of Flowers: More Than Just Pretty Petals
Remember that feeling of childlike wonder when you held a flower up to the light, marvelling at its delicate beauty?
What if I told you that beauty holds a hidden power, a subtle yet profound way to heal and transform your inner world?
As a medical herbalist, I was grounded in scientific understanding even in the early stages of my career. Herbs made sense to me; their biochemical actions on the body were tangible and logical. Other healing modalities? Well, let’s just say my inner sceptic, honed by scientific training, remained firmly on high alert. But life, as it often does, had a way of challenging my preconceptions.
Whilst employed as the manager of Neal’s Yard Remedies in Camden, London, I had an opportunity to see the power of plant medicine from a refreshing and unique vantage point. Surrounded by an incredible array of natural remedies, I was in a position to explore these different approaches firsthand, not just as an observer, but as someone responsible for the knowledge and recommendations offered within the store. I had a responsibility to get to know the medicines on our shelves, and I took my role seriously, even if I was sceptical, I was being paid to do it!
Imagine a treasure trove of natural remedies – hundreds of herbal teas, tinctures, and then… the enigmatic flower essences. In that apothecary-like atmosphere, where we crafted bespoke blends for every ailment, curiosity got the better of me. I started to play. With both the familiar Bach Flower Remedies and the more exotic Australian Bush Flower Essences, I embarked on a personal exploration, taking each essence for weeks at a time, and observing the subtle shifts within.
The Bach essences were… nice. But the Australian ones? That’s where the magic truly bloomed. My experiences were, quite frankly, transformational.
Take Five Corners, for example. This delicate flower is said to foster confidence. Within days of taking it, my confidence wasn’t just a whisper, it was a shout! My daily bike commute through London’s vibrant streets became a flamboyant display. Think bright pink hot pants, luminous t-shirts – no hiding, just pure, unapologetic self-expression. And then, the moment of pure disbelief: me, in the middle of Camden High Street, popping a wheelie on my bike! Where did that come from? I felt like some kind of ‘cock of the rock’ in female form – a feeling I’d never experienced before.
Years later, in my early 30s, facing the storm of a messy divorce, I was adrift in heartbreak. That’s when Red Suva Frangipani, an essence for grief and sadness, entered my life. Just three days later, I had a dream. I was an elephant, and also the lead singer of a wildly popular Britpop band. On stage, I watched myself, in elephant form, belting out melancholic tunes reminiscent of Morrissey. After the gig, a fan approached me, praising my performance but noting my visible sadness. They were right. Then came the epiphany: “Perhaps you could write some new songs? Happy songs?” It hit me like lightning. Yes! I could change my tune, right now. And I did. I woke up a changed woman. The heavy cloak of mourning had lifted, replaced by a melody of freedom and the thrilling anticipation of new beginnings.
Honestly, I swear these flower essences saved me thousands in therapy bills! What truly excites me about the Australian essences is their relevance to our modern struggles. While the Bach remedies, created over a century ago, still hold value, the Australian essences feel like they’re speaking directly to the challenges we face today. As we evolve, so do the plant teachers that guide us.
Now, I create my own flower essences. It’s a beautifully simple process, harnessing the power of light, water, and a plant for a few hours. It’s a gentle way to extract the healing essence, minimizing our impact on the environment. Making my own essences fosters a profound spiritual connection with the plant, a connection that feels even deeper than using commercially produced ones. That being said, I still love exploring essences created by others, especially those from different countries, offering the wisdom of plants I’ve never encountered. Recently, a friend gifted me an essence made from peyote. While the plant is illegal here, the essence contains no chemical components, making it safe and non-psychedelic. We’re working with the spiritual essence, making it safe even for pregnant individuals or those on medication!
The beauty of flower essences also lies in their simplicity. Just a few drops, two to four times a day, are all it takes. They can be effortlessly integrated into your routine – added to tinctures, teas, even your evening wine or soothing hot milk. The only caveat? They are preserved in alcohol, which might be unsuitable for some. But even then, there are ways to benefit – adding them to a bath or diffusing them into your space with an aromatherapy atomiser.
Today, I weave flower essences into all my clients' tincture prescriptions, and the results are truly remarkable! As a herbalist, I address the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Flower essences have the incredible ability to address the emotional and spiritual roots of physical imbalances, often accelerating healing beyond what traditional herbal remedies can achieve alone. Could flower essences be the secret to my success as a herbalist? After 30 years of exploring their power, I’ve amassed a vast dispensary, filled with both commercial brands and my own creations, many lovingly crafted from plants grown in my garden. This deep connection, I believe, infuses the essence with even greater potency.
I'm so passionate about sharing this knowledge that I integrate flower essences into my shamanic training courses. We delve into a new essence with each gathering, and I teach the art of making them yourself – a powerful and accessible life skill that allows you to connect directly with plant spirit medicine. My deepest desire is for my students to embrace, and be embraced by, the magic of plant spirit medicine. It's incredible to witness the unique and deeply personal connections each student forms with their chosen plant teacher, and the synchronicity that often emerges when multiple students connect with the same plant.
Ready to explore the transformative power of flower essences for yourself?
Here are a few ways you can dive deeper:
Book a 1-2-1 Consultation, In person or Online
If you're ready to explore how these plant spirit medicines can personally support you, I invite you to book a 1-2-1 consultation. Together, we'll delve into your specific needs, crafting a bespoke blend of herbs and flower essences to guide you towards a more balanced and vibrant life. Let's uncover the delicate beauty and hidden power waiting within you.
Learn to Make Your Own
My online course provides you with step-by-step guidance to create your own flower essences, fostering a direct connection with the plant world.
Experience the Magic in Ceremony
Join me for a New Moon Cacao Ceremony where we weave in the wisdom of specific flower essences to align with the cosmic energies of the time. You'll even take an essence home to support your journey throughout the moon cycle!
Deepen Your Knowledge and Practice
For a truly immersive experience, join my in-depth shamanic trainings. You'll learn to work with flower essences on a profound level and unlock the secrets of plant spirit medicine
Explore Existing Essences
There are many wonderful brands available. Besides my own, I highly recommend the Australian Bush Flower Essences, Healing herbs essences (who create the Bach flower essence range) & Plant Consciousness Essences.
The links below will take you my 2 favourite online shops to purchase your essences.
Natural Dispensary
Use my name (Sorrell Robbins) as the Practitioner when creating your account, and use Chamomile015 for a 15% discount.
Plant Consciousness
And Plant Consciousness supply their own range of UK made plant essences.
Flower essences are a gentle yet potent key to unlocking inner harmony and well-being.
They offer a safe, playful, and non-invasive way to tap into the wisdom of the plant kingdom.
What are you waiting for? Come and discover the magic for yourself!
