Flower Power: The Healing Remedies of Flowers

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

This week I will be discussing the work and energy behind "Flower Power". Not only is it a phrase from the 60's associated with peace and the hippie movement, I find the phrase, itself empowering! So this week I am going to explore the nature of "Flower Power"!

The essence of flowers is a subtle, aromatic and volatile liquid extracted from the flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of herbs, bushes, shrubs and trees through distillation. It is a form of vibrational healing, which works on many levels. Flower remedies are homeopathic essences, which benefit a specific mental and emotional state. Below is a small sampling of the power of flowers, with there color, qualities and patterns of imbalance they treat:

Agrimony: (Agrimonia eupatoria) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional honesty, acknowledging and working with emotional pain, obtaining true inner peace.
Patterns of Imbalance: Anxiety hidden by a mask of cheerfulness; denial and avoidance of emotional pain, addictive behavior to anesthetize feelings.

Beech: (Fagus sylvatica) (red)
Positive qualities: Tolerance, acceptance of others' differences and imperfections, seeing the good within each person and situation.
Patterns of Imbalance: Criticalness, judgmental attitudes, intolerance; perfectionist expectations of others; over sensitivity to one's social and physical environment.

Cherry Plum: (Prunus cerasifera) (white)
Positive qualities: Spiritual surrender and trust, feeling guided and protected by a Higher Power; balance and equanimity despite extreme stress.
Patterns of Imbalance: Fear of losing control, or of mental and emotional breakdown; desperate, destructive impulses.

Clematis: (Clematis vitalba) (white)
Positive qualities: Awake, focused presence; manifesting inspiration in practical life; embodiment.
Patterns of Imbalance: Avoidance of the present by daydreaming; other-worldly and impractical ideals.

Elm: (Ulmus procera) (reddish brown)
Positive qualities: Joyous service, faith and confidence to complete one's task
Patterns of Imbalance: Overwhelmed by duties and responsibilities, feeling unequal to the task required.

Gentian: (Gentiana amarella) (purple)
Positive qualities: Perseverance, confidence; faith to continue despite apparent setbacks
Patterns of Imbalance: Discouragement after a setback; doubt.

Honeysuckle: (Lonicera caprifolium) (red/white)
Positive qualities: Being fully in the present; learning from the past while releasing it.
Patterns of Imbalance: Nostalgia; emotional attachment to the past, longing for what was.

Impatiens: (Impatiens glandulifera) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Patience, acceptance; flowing with the pace of life and others.
Patterns of Imbalance: Impatience, irritation, tension, intolerance.

Larch: (Larix decidua) (red), (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-confidence, creative expression, spontaneity
Patterns of Imbalance: Lack of confidence, expectation of failure, self-censorship.

Mustard: (Sinapis arvensis) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Emotional equanimity, finding joy in life
Patterns of Imbalance: Melancholy, gloom, despair; generalized depression without obvious cause.

Oak: (Quercus robur) (red)
Positive qualities: Balanced strength, accepting limits, knowing when to surrender.
Patterns of Imbalance: Iron-willed, inflexible; over striving beyond one's limits.

Pine: (Pinus sylvestris) (red- male), (yellow-female)
Positive qualities: Self-acceptance, self-forgiveness; freedom from inappropriate guilt and blame.
Patterns of Imbalance: Guilt, self- blame, self-criticism, inability to accept oneself.

Rock Rose: (Helianthemum nummularium) (yellow)
Positive qualities: Self-transcending courage, inner peace and tranquillity when facing great challenges.
Patterns of Imbalance: Deep fear, terror, panic; fear of death or annihilation.

Star of Bethlehem: (Ornithogalum umbellatum) (white)
Positive qualities: Bringing soothing, healing qualities, a sense of inner divinity.
Patterns of Imbalance: Shock or trauma, either recent or from a past experience; need for comfort and reassurance from the spiritual world.

Vervain: (Verbena officinalis) (pink/mauve)
Positive qualities: Ability to practice moderation, tolerance, and balance; "the middle way"; grounded idealism.
Patterns of Imbalance: Overbearing or intolerant behavior; over enthusiasm or extreme fanaticism; nervous exhaustion from over striving.

Wild Rose: (Rosa canina) (pink or white) also known as Dog Rose.
Positive qualities: Will to live, joy in life.
Patterns of Imbalance: Resignation, lack of hope, giving up on life; lingering illness.


Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/aromatherapy.htm
Therapeis for healing
mind, body, spirit