Flower Essences For Dealing With Depression and Grief
*Flower Essences For Dealing With Depression and Grief* B Y M A R L E N E K E E L ** *MANY PEOPLE CAN RELATE* to the saying, "Got the blues", the well known expression denoting depression and sadness. This saying often also evokes immediately memories of "feeling blue" at one or more times during their lives. For some, it may also describe their current state of mind. Depression is unfortunately experienced by many people, the exact nature and extent of it varying between individuals. However, common to all is the unhappy, at times debilitating, effects it can have on them and their lives. Feelings ofdespair, hopelessness, grief, sorrow, powerlessness are just some of the feeling that can afflict individuals suffering from depression. Often sufferers will seek some sort of assistance to help them cope and recover. Many turn to prescription medicines, such as Prozac, to treat depression. Some people seek relief from the gloomy feelings experienced via a "buzz" such as shopping or a holiday may impart. Others decide to try other approaches to overcome their depression, such as counseling and/or meditation. Some individuals also find engaging in sport activities helps gives them a "lift". Sadly, others seek turn to drink, drugs, overworking etc to try and "numb the pain". Another approach gaining in popularity is that of flower essence therapy. Flower essences are natural remedies made from flowers. Theyhave been used for centuries and since the 1930s awareness of these wonderful healing agents has grown in the western world. The healing properties of flower essences (remedies) are derived from the life force, vibration, of the flowers. Essences can be used easily to address a myriad of negative emotional states (and sometimes physical ailments.) By dissolving and alleviating negative emotions, they strengthen and enhance one's overall health and wellbeing. Today there are available many flower essences that can be used for depression, sadness and also grief. One of the most well known is *Borage* ( *Borago officinalis**) It instills courage and helps one overcomegrief, sadness, depression and discouragement**. Another popular essence is *Zinnia * (*Zinnia elegans*) which promotes cheer and joy. *Gorse* (*Ulex europaeus*) is also often sought by sufferers of depression as it stimulates vitality, enthusiasm and motivation. *Gentian* (*Gentiana amarelle*) can be of assistance for those who are easily discouraged, get depressed or disheartened. It's helpful for when one experiences doubt, melancholy, skepticism and disappointment. If the cause of one's sadness or depressed state is not obvious (or immediately obvious.) *Mustard* (*Sinapis arvensis*) can be suitable.Thisessence works on depression, gloom or melancholy that appears for no apparent reason. Many people also become aggrieved by world events and/or their relationship to them, in other words the effect world events do *or could* have on them. To deal with such pessimism and despair, *Scotch Broom* (*Cytisus scoparius*) can be used as it helps instill the tenacity, optimism and perseverance to help one cope with such feelings. *Daisy Fleabane* (*Erigeron divergens*) is suggested for anyone who suffers from deep depression and negative thought patterns. It is an uplifting essence, bringing clarity, openness, cheerfulness and a positive desire toward change. *Desert Sunflower* (*Geraea canescens*) also is an uplifting remedy, as is *Wild Cherry* (*Prunus avium*) another important flower essence to help one create a serene and optimistic view of life- hence it is ideal for those who are pessimistic, gloomy and see only the negative side of things. Some further essences which can be beneficial for individuals include: - *Daffodil* (*Narcissus pseudonarcissus*), ideal for those experiencing depression, self-criticism, self-hatred, frustration - *Felicia* (*Felicia aethiopica*), for assistance with feelings of unhappiness, disconnectedness, insignificance - *Flowering Quince* (*Chaenomeles japonica*) to address feelings of despair, hopelessness, depressed anger, pain - *Cucumber* (*Cucurbita sativus*) is helpful for pessimism, defeatism and feelings of not belonging resulting in withdrawal Also appropriate for the issue of withdrawal is *Mimosa* (*Acacia dealbata*), an essence recommended for timid, introverted, independent people who close off from others and subsequently can suffer from feelings of depression. For individuals seeking an essence to give them a "boost" and impart enthusiasm, the uplifting flower essence, *Kinehe* (*Bidens torta*) can prove beneficial. In many situations of depression, grief is often concurrently experienced. Both are often felt, for example, following the break up of a relationship or the loss of a loved one through death. In such painfulsituations, * Hawthorn-May*/*English Hawthorne* (*Crataegus oxyacantha*) can bring much needed support as it softens the pain of separation and grief and helps relieve sorrow. *Wild Rose* (*Rosa arizonace*) is also useful as it helps restore a vital sense of living and assists one to face the deepest pains especially associated with "heartaches". It is recommended for those who show indifference, unresponsiveness, unconcern, and / or have little or no emotion and seem "spiritless". Furthermore, *Wild Onion* (*Allium stellatum*) is an essence that connects us to the root cause of grief and offers protection. It is also helpful to understand that sometimes depression (or sadness or grief) may be "masking" other, deeper emotions. For example, someone withdepression may, on a deep level, still be experiencing shock from an old trauma/stress, for example a bad accident. Such a person would most likely also benefit from essences (or other forms of assistance) to deal with the shock, in other words the *cause* of the depression. One such essence is * Peach* (*Prunus persica*), ideal for deep-seated sadness, for the effects of past trauma or grief which continue to affect the present. Importantly, on another level, depression can at times also be a symptom of a physical illness and if this is so, the illness needs to be diagnosed and treated by a health professional. As flower essences are vibrational in nature, they generally^ can be used alongside orthodox medicine andother healing therapies. For example, for any depression accompanying lingering illness's, *Wild Rose* (*Rosa canina**) can be taken. Furthermore, for those suffering from apathy and who are often sick or ailing due to repressed emotions, *Bell Gardenia* (*Rothmannia globosa*) often can help bring emotional issues into consciousness and restore vitality. There are several methods one can use to select which flower essence(s) is appropriate: reading the essence description, muscle testing (kinesiology), dowsing, intuition etc. Essences are easy to use - most commonly several drops areplaced directly in the mouth or in water/juice. Instructions usually are to be found on the label or accompanying literature. One of the beauties of flower essences is that, unlike many pharmaceutical drugs, flower essences do not have side effects due to their ingredients (unless one is allergic to the preservative e.g. alcohol). For many people, essence therapy, as well as being a supportive and healing experience, is one that does not "interrupt" their daily life as the effects are subtle. However, it is important to understand that sometimes when one uses flower essences, the emotions the essences are "working on" can become more obvious for a while. When marked, this is called a "healing crisis" - i.e. symptoms intensify before they ease - and it indicates the remedy is working. If a healing crisis should occur, stop taking the essences and talk to your essence supplier about possiblycontinuing on an adjusted dose. Today many people seeking a convenient, natural (and cost effective) way to overcome their "blues", their heavy-heartedness, are turning with gratitude to flower remedies - with their many wonderful healing qualities, essences can provide support for symptoms experienced and, if applicable, assistance with the healing of any patterns that may be creating or aggravating these symptoms. And for many sufferers, that is indeed welcome and uplifting news! * nb. Some plants species have a number of varieties e.g. in the Willow family one can find included the varieties Salix *gooddingii* and Salix * bebbiana*. With regards to flower essences, it's important to understand the qualities of the flowers belonging to the different varietiescan have slightly different properties. Hence when ordering an essence based on its description, its important to check the botanical (Latin) name of the flower essence is that which you are after. ** Furthermore, many flower essences have multi- healing qualities. For the purposes of this article, only the relevant qualities are stated, please understand. ^ Essences are usually preserved with brandy- hence its important to read one's pharmaceutical medicine instruction sheet in case alcohol should not be taken whilst on the medication. Furthermore, it's basically wise to advise all of ones therapists (natural and orthodox) of all medicines / remedies one is taking at any given time, in case some interact with or influence others. Floweressences should not replace important medical and / or psychological attention / treatment. The purpose of the information provided in this article is for information purposes, not for the purpose of diagnosis or prescription. No medical claims are made. ** **
