How do I use the remedies?
Shake well, then spray the remedy directly into your (or your child’s) mouth, into drinking water or a bath, or into the air around you/your child. The remedy can also be sprayed onto a person’s body, if there is an awareness of emotion being held in a particular place. Whatever method you use, it is most effective to take the remedy at least four times per day, including upon waking and right before going to sleep. To increase the effect or speed of the process, take more frequently. If you are needing to decrease the pace, take less frequently.
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Can I use more than one remedy at a time?
Yes, when used occasionally for acute situations. There are two ways to use the remedies – for acute crises (like an occasional tantrum, sibling struggle, hard night sleeping, or mommy-on-the-edge moment) or for long-term, more deep-seated issues. All of the remedies can be used in either manner.
In acute cases, you can use the appropriate remedy as often as needed to shift the situation at that time. For example, during a tantrum, you might first spray the “tantrum tamer” remedy around the child when he is in meltdown mode and won’t take it orally. You may need to do this a few times, even multiple times per minute or every few minutes (depending on the severity of the meltdown) until he is willing to take it orally. Then you can give the child a few sprays in his mouth over a few minutes until he calms down. An older child might like to spray it in her mouth herself after the initial external sprays – it can give her a feeling of taking control of her own process. Another example of acute usage would be if your child is having a difficult time sleeping one night, you could use the “snug-as-a-bug” remedy each time he wakes in the night. When you use the remedies in this way, it IS possible to be using more than one. You simply use what you need in the moment on any given day, using the appropriate remedy for the appropriate situation.
The other way to use the remedies is for a deeper or longer-lasting issue. For example, if you have a child who is regularly fearful, insecure, has nightmares and/or trouble sleeping at night, you would want to use “snug-as-a-bug” on a consistent basis. This kind of use is at least 4 times per day, especially upon waking and going to sleep, for a longer period of time. This could be for a month or longer, depending on the issue. For example, a child who has recently moved into her own room might need to use this to ease the transition, possibly for only a week or two. However, the child going through his parents' divorce might need the remedy for several months or longer. You, as a parent, can gauge how long your child needs the remedy and see when your child’s emotional state and behaviors have shifted. In these kind of cases, you would only want to use one remedy at a time, to be able to clearly see your child’s progress through that issue. When you use more than one regularly, too many emotions are being addressed at the same time and the results will be muddy.
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How do they work?
To understand this, you must first understand that everything is made up of energy, which has been proven on many different levels of science. Each flower carries in it an energetic imprint or pattern, which resonates with a particular human emotion, personality trait, or soul quality. When you take a flower essence remedy, the energetic imprint or “essence” of the flower ripples through your energy field, and acts as a catalyst for awareness and change. It works on dissolving the blocks to that flower’s particular soul quality and floods your being with the positive aspect of that quality or emotion. In other words, first the negative aspect is helped to release, and then the positive quality is instilled. For example, taking the flower essence of Mimulus first helps to release fear, then builds the virtue of courage.*
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What will it feel like?
This can vary from person to person, depending on your sensitivity level and emotional openness. You may notice a soothing or peaceful feeling washing over you each time you take a dose. Or, you may not feel a particular effect each time you take it, but rather feel a shifting over time. Often, the first thing that you might notice is an increased awareness of your current state of being, and possibly a deeper understanding of the issues involved. It is usually necessary to have your feelings rise to the surface in order to be released. (Children frequently do not have to go through this stage, as their feelings are often on the surface already.) Soon you should notice a lessening of the initial negative state or emotion, until you no longer feel it. At the same time or soon after, you will feel the opposite, positive state of being increasing and replacing your previous state.*
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What can I do to help my or my child’s healing process?
Be loving, understanding and accepting of your and/or your child’s feelings. Healthy diet, lots of fluids, plenty of sleep, hugs, being present and allowing release without judgment will all be beneficial. For adults, journaling, positive affirmations and self-nurturing can greatly enhance healing. (You can also use flower essence remedies beneficially along with other therapeutic modalities.) Your child will benefit from your loving attention, your noticing/verbalizing their feelings (even for non-verbal babies), reassurance from you that they will soon feel better, and even doing positive affirmations for/with them.
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