Flower Essence: Making Sense out of Non-Scents


© Barbara M. Martin

No. It's not a typo. A flower essence doesn't necessarily smell. Say what? If not for perfume, why on earth else would a person want the essence of a flower? Surely not for pollen! What is the essence of a flower, anyway?

Here's a great site where thousands of kids have their own takes on essences of flowers and lots of other things in life -- (search for flower, garden,or flower garden) but that's not precisely what I'm after this time.

This is a virtual "long story". If you suffer seasonal sneezing or if you wear perfume, cut to the chase at the editor's notes at the end of this article, otherwise hang in for some fun. I hope I can beat out the spell checker on this one and make sense all the way through!

People have used floral scents to perfume their bodies and their environs for centuries. Historical accounts of perfume, such as the Madini family recounts, include some interesting references to the characteristics of various scents -- including special attributes which transcend the mere physical.

But did you know that the fine art of perfumery is perhaps overshadowed by essences?

Essences reach beyond the earthly realm of aroma. I was surprised to discover that flower essences are not necessarily scented. This disappointed me. I honestly LIKE perfume. I even WEAR perfume.

In fact, I was absolutely astounded to learn from Health and Healing News that in fact NO actual plant material is used for plant essences! Although they can be incredibly useful as this so-called "short" list from Spiral Vision shows!

But I was even MORE shocked to discover the *rest* of the world of essences. The World Wide Essence Society article about Nature's Ambassadors covers flower and vibrational essences. "These essences are bottled energy patterns--imprinted in water--derived from natural sources that convey the energetic benefits of a specific flower, gemstone, location, astrological event, or natural phenomenon to the human system. This is a very subtle process."

Well, yeah, subtle. I mean, years ago I used "Herbal Essence" shampoo (the formulation for extra body -- I think Clairol made it.) That kind of essence does not even begin to come close!

Did you know essences are quite the rage today!?! I sure didn't. Some days I think I've spent too much time at the keyboard. Today may be one of them! Maybe I need to get out and experience the common weeds more!

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

43.   Jan 6, 2000 6:53 PM
A great book that has been a huge help to me is "The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood.

http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/AROMATHERAPY ...


-- posted by ZENK


42.   Sep 28, 1997 9:32 AM
Thanks Mike! Be sure to let us know when you write that article! Barbara

Barbara Martin
Eco-Gardens Editor ...


-- posted by Cottage_Garden


41.   Sep 28, 1997 9:05 AM
Hey all! Interesting discussion you have here.
I was planning to write an article on alternative medicine in the coming weeks (being
the medicine editor and all). I think one of the frustrations I ...

-- posted by DrWooMing


40.   Sep 25, 1997 8:12 PM
Did I say something wrong?

Barbara


Barbara Martin
Eco-Gardens Editor ...


-- posted by Cottage_Garden


39.   Sep 25, 1997 9:18 AM
Hi Dan! The frequency is I only surf when I'm procrastinating and I have had a really hectic week with several major deadlines. So I surfed alot! Then I had to go away from my pc to present all the r ...

-- posted by Cottage_Garden





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