Bach Flower Remedies
& Nature Essences

Law / Consultations / Alcohol (or not) / Diagnosis or Choosing / Application / Empowering Young People / Children Making Essences / About the Rescue Formula

About 2100 words

At the 2003 Gathering of the British Flower & Vibrational Essence Association (BFVEA) many members shared an open and wide-ranging discussion about Essences and children. It was my intention to gather information and experience from what I knew would be a rich pool of knowledge among us. I hope this small effort will be a beginning, and that the following chronicle of the discussion, to which I’ve added my own further thoughts, will inform, encourage, and inspire our work with and for children.

For the general public reading this as a web page, I hope this will help you to be aware of the many issues involved with children, and choosing a responsible practitioner.

LAW It is wise for anyone who is involved with Essences - practitioner or otherwise - to be aware of the current laws about usage and prescription. Remember also that the various points of BFVEA Conduct and Ethics of ‘good’ practice apply no matter the age of the person we are working with. Most are common sense and worth remembering with your own children too.

As a practitioner treating others’ children, you are obliged by law to ensure that they have been first been recommended to their doctor for their medical condition. By law, medical attention (i.e. a doctor) must be sought for children under 16.

To treat children under 18 you need permission, best in writing, from a parent or guardian before treatment. Its helpful to have your own simple form ready to use, including space for updated permissions.

Its important that the parent bring the child to the session (no ‘dumping’!). Whether or not its appropriate for a parent to be in on the consultation is individual to each case. (We were reminded that, especially when people are unwell, an unhealthy relationship dynamic of "persecutor-victim-rescuer" may be stimulated. Be aware and take care.) However if you are alone with a child it may be wise to have the door open or ajar. We’re looking to find the balance between what will be a private safe space for the child, and making it be seen (including by the child) that there is no threat to the child from yourself as practitioner.

IN CONSULTATIONS There is a need to protect yourself in your role as a practitioner. It may be important to have a witness, other than a parent, in on a session. Especially when people are not well, negative projections are common and easily made, and ‘the professional’ is an easy target.

HELPING THE CHILD TO SPEAK AND CHOOSE:

• Think about what to call the Essences in the child’s language and relevant to their issues.
• Ask them, “What do you want to feel?” Shift the focus to positive!
• Focus on the theme or issue without jargon bombardment.
• They might create their own affirmation, maybe as a poem.
• It may be appropriate (if possible...) to treat the parent/s as well. It may be worth becoming more aware of the family dynamics. (Raeline, producer Soul QuintEssences, mentioned that her “Spiritual Voyager Cards” could be helpful in this. Available from http://www.essenceworld.com)

Often a parent will speak for a child. We can then, having acknowledged that communication, ask the child to put it “in your own words”. It may be in order to ask the parent to step out. A helpful rule of thumb is to let the child show the way. Ask the child to think about the issue then choose the Essence/s. With the boxes in their lap (or near if there’s lots!) we might say, “Humour me, and tell me what you feel as you hold your hand over each box.” Perhaps as a game. Children have felt cool, warm, tingly, crampy, draughty, or simply feel drawn to a particular Essence. We can observe, watching for signs of resonance whatever sensations of difference they feel, and encourage them.

There are many other 'choosing' aids if they aren’t kinesthetically sensitive - pictures, colours, favourite flowers and gems, sounds, symbols (e.g. with Green Man Tree Essences) and so on.

One observation was that children (and animals) take on a lot that is adult stuff, therefore first see the child with the adult for the full picture, then treat the child. I have witnessed several occasions when a child has picked out an Essence relating to the parent's issue/s. Acknowledge and act appropriately on that. And then ask the child to focus on their own questions and needs.

Remember that parents and other people involved with the child may be surprised at outcomes.

Sometimes simply the empowerment of having their own voice, and responsibility and freedom of choosing for themselves can catalyze a positive shift in their situation or condition.

NO ALCOHOL? If needing to treat orally but not use alcohol, we can make up a dose in a vinegar or (better tasting:) vegetable glycerin base. You can check if the relevant Essence producers can supply their stock in non-alcohol.

Remember that Essences can also work well when applied externally, so alcohol may then not be a problem at all. (Full details for how to use: "This is what you do")

If using Essences in a cream base, check for what if any preservative is added. Tony from Ainsworth’s pointed out that some people have an ill response to preservatives (and other synthetic ingredients).

POINTERS TO HELP DIAGNOSIS / CHOOSING

• Ann Joeffrey and Philip Salmon, in their book on "Bach Flower Remedies and Chakras" have written about the seven stages that we go through in repeating seven year cycles.
• Parents: watch what and how you project onto your child (serious adult business!), and treat yourself and perhaps child accordingly.
• Watch out for children who are victims to parents’ “I know best”. Dr. Bach (ref Heal Thyself and other writing) wasn’t the first nor the last to write strongly about this one! Bach Flower Remedies and other Essences can help to address these issues effectively and compassionately.
• As a parent, its important for us to be aware and wary of becoming too serious in the way that we have lost feeling and sight of our inner child, and joie de vie. Raeline told a story of when she was making an Essence of Fairy Tree at Tara in Ireland. Undoubtedly part of its making was the children who happened to be playing around there. Another adult present for the making perceived this as the children interrupting the ritual, rather than enhancing it. (Not the least, this Essence is about healing / recovering lost innocence).

An anecdote on how children, even when very young, may diagnose more clearly and efficiently for themselves (see also “Empowerment”). When my godson of about 2 1/2 years was visiting with me, away from Mum, he was in distress, crying. His language wasn’t great at the best of times, and through his wails I couldn’t figure out what was upsetting him. Was he missing Mum? Or...? I asked if he wanted "Flowers" (the set boxes were open on the coffee table as usual). He nodded and I said (inspired and fraught!), ’Point to which one you want’. To my amazement he pointed to Red Chestnut (fear for others), and I imagined it didn’t mean anything. But trusting intuition I gave him the drops. He calmed immediately, and was soon able to convey to me that he was indeed afraid for his Mum at home all on her own, would she be OK?

POINTERS ON APPLICATION / USE For detailed instructions, "And This is What You Do"

• Using a spray may be safer, and is also non-invasive
• Breast-feeding babies: Mum takes the Essences.
• Put stock drops in their drinks bottle.
• A stock or dose bottle* of a child-specific mix, that lives in their lunch box – whether one of the all-round ready made helpers (e.g. Indigo Essences’ “The Works”) or their own 'personal current issue' - mix so they can help themselves as needed. *non-alcohol of course.
• In the bath, mmmm.... can add Essences to the bubble bath (and to after bath lotion or cream). Use as helpers rather than as ‘medicine’.
• In the classroom: Teachers and class room assistants can spray spray spray! Not the least for your own health and support.

All in all there are so many ways we can use Essences, and we keep thinking of more. I reckon that, in a write up like this, more important than a long list of ‘ways to use’ would be simply asking children more often, “How would YOU like to use the Essences?” And probably they’ll come up with some fantastic ideas we haven’t dreamt of yet!

EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE Make sure there’s always some ‘rescue / emergency’ formula* at home, and when traveling, where the children can get and use it for themselves and you. This is a prime way for the child to develop independent skill. *Whether Bach's Five Flower*, or other producers' trauma formula that best suits the child and family.

Even better, Dr. Edward Bach imagined a whole set of Bach Flower Remedies in everyone’s medicine cabinet. Children can be amazingly adept at choosing and using them well.

Let them look after their own dosage bottle so they can take it when they want, i.e. hand over control to them.

Allow and encourage your children to choose Essences for you. “Out of the mouth of children, into the mouths of parent”. This can be a great help for opening up honest expression, clearing the air, and growing understanding in relationships. And most children long to be able to help their parents – what a wonderful way this offers!

CHILDREN MAKING ESSENCES: Maria Maw (Unitive Essences) wrote to me about 3 Essences in her Unitive range - Rhododendron, Elderflower, Old Man’s Beard - that were made by children with her help (she finger tested for which plants to use). The children found out what they are for, again with muscle testing help. She found that besides feeling empowered at having made an Essence which many people would benefit from, that were amazed at how simple it is. She reckons they gained enormously from putting their experiences and feelings into words, sharing these, and working with others to come to a joint understanding. They were often amazed that their experiences could be so important!

A ‘P.S.’ to Maria’s note: My “Rainbow Healing Garden”, on the beauteous coast of West Somerset, has been developed partly for the purpose of an Essence making training garden. I regularly set up "Making" teaching days. Children are welcome with adults, as long as it is their choice.

ESSENCES FOR RADIATION / MEDIA EXPOSURE I would be glad to hear further information on Essences you have produced and are using for children using TV and computers, mobile phones, and exposed to other forms of radiation. Not only Essences for dealing with healing from or shielding against radiation (I know that Arthur Bailey and David Beale have already produced such Essences, refer to Essences for Children page or browse the producer's web site BAFEP). Perhaps even more importantly to address the psychological effects. We discussed some details such as the ill effects on young children because of using their visual sense inappropriately too early and the havoc this brings in their development. Whether there are specific Essences for these and other media-related issues, or whether it may be a matter of working with ‘type’ Essences, or related issue, we would be glad for your views, information and experiences.

A NOTE ABOUT THE 'RESCUE' FORMULA Dr. Bach formulated a Very Useful Essences combination of his Remedies. If I would recommend any single bottle of Essences for all people who care for children and animals to always have handy – and I DO! – it would be this. The liquid form combines five of his Remedies. In the cream form a sixth, for cleansing, is added. Because "Rescue Remedy**" is a copyrighted name, other producers call it by different names, so look out for: Five Flower Remedy (Healing Herbs'); Emergency Essence (Crystal Herbs' and Sun Essences'); and Recovery Remedy (Ainsworths'). All of which I can recommend, as well as Bailey's, and David Beale's. Details for all of those on www.bafep.com (** "Rescue Remedy" I do NOT recommend, as, sadly, it is no longer made according to Bach's instructions (it is a homoeopathic preparation). Also, unlike those above which are sold in the full stock form, Rescue Remedy is very highly diluted, so not suitable for further dilution.)

CONCLUSION At the base of all this group discussion were assumptions of the importance of helping children as much as we can and that Essences are among the most appropriate means. If you have ideas, further information, anecdotes and inspirations to offer about these and any other facets of Essences and children, please Contact me. Thanks.

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All information, recommendations and instructions are given intending to support and not replace medical care. Please use "Flower Essences" and all other Lifepower teaching and recommendations responsibly, and seek medical help as appropriate.