History

Paracelsus, a wandering doctor and medical writer of the 15th century, wrote about having been taught the medical uses of dew by the Sufis of Constantinople. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century mystic who wrote extensively on medicine, as well as writing poetry and music and being an accomplished artist, also recommended the use of dew for healing. Because it would be impractical to harvest dew in large amounts, the manufacture of flower essences mimics the way dew is formed.

The first commercial flower essences of modern times were made by Dr. Edward Bach, a British physician, in the 1920s. Dr. Bach had been working at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, researching and preparing new homeopathic medicines, when he was inspired to leave his family, his career, his everyday life, and go in search of a new healing modality for the benefit of humankind. He spent the next few years travelling around the English countryside, sensitising himself to the plants and flowers by drinking the dew that formed on them in the mornings, and preparing his Bach Flower Remedies. In his lifetime he developed 39 Remedies, plus the Rescue Remedy, a mixture of five different plant essences, which is widely used for shock. Since Dr. Bach's time many other systems of Flower Essences have been developed. At Najma Essences we believe strongly that each part of the world has its own particular characteristics and history and should develop a regional system of flower remedies, using local flowers, for healing the people who live in that region.

How are Flower Essences made?

Najma Essences are made according to the method laid down by Dr. Edward Bach.
A clear glass bowl is filled with spring water, and the chosen flowers are carefully laid on the surface of the water. The bowl is left in full sun for between 2 and 4 hours. The flowers are then filtered out and the remaining liquid is bottled and preserved with Lebanese brandy.
We don't pick rare or protected flowers, and we try to use plants that grow far from roads and pollution.

How are Energy Essences made?

Najma Energy Essences are made by energising water in a shrine or an ancient holy place. Usually, one of us is guided intuitively to make an energy essence at a particular place, and at the time we often don't know why. Later, when we research the history and symbolism of that shrine, and the myths and stories traditionally associated with it, we always find a correspondence between them and the information that we receive when we do our 'tuning-in'. Synchronicity is part of the binding fabric of our universe.

How do Flower Essences work?

Nobody really knows exactly how these gentle medicines work, but we think that an 'energetic signature' of the plant is transferred to the water in the bowl, and energised by the sun. Of course some physical substance is transferred too - aromatic oils and other chemical components of the plant - but flower essences are basically subtle, energy medicines, not measurable chemical products like essential oils.
In the last few years there has been a lot of research into the idea of the 'memory of water' - which some believe may be the mechanism by which energy is transmitted in homeopathic medicines. Researchers such as Masaru Emoto and his work on water crystals, and Jacques Benveniste, have both shown that there is something at work here, that water is an extraordinary substance, the nature of which is not fully understood.
All the major religions of the world use water for cleansing or benediction. The priest prays over water to impart holiness; holy words are placed in water to give it healing qualities; certain rivers and wells are considered to have divine or health-giving properties. This is the realm of flower and energy essences. The adult human being is about 70% water, and if water has a 'memory' then our history, all our personal experiences, both happy and sad, are held in our bodily fluids. When the healing 'energy signature' of the flower or energy essence is absorbed into the energy system or the vital fluids of the taker, it resonates with this water and changes happen. The body has great wisdom, and if left to itself it will try to revert to health and to a good pattern. Flower and energy essences assist this process by working on the subtle body, or energy system, which according to Dr. Edward Bach (and many others before and since!) is where ill-health begins. Bach believed that all disease originates from incorrect mental and emotional attitudes which poison the system.

How do we know what the Essences are good for?

During the process of making an Essence we are often guided as to what kinds of conditions or mental states it may help. Sometimes the plant itself may tell you something about its potential uses, through its appearance or how it grows. This is an aspect of the ancient wisdom known as the Doctrine of Signatures. After finishing the making of an essence we conduct several 'tuning-in' sessions, where we meditate, take the essence, and ask for guidance as to its action. By using the essences ourselves, and putting together feedback from others we are able to clarify and verify the information we have received.

Why do we use alcohol in making the Essences?

The energised water contains some plant substance, so a preservative must be used. Dr. Bach preserved his Flower Remedies with brandy, and the international Flower Essence community has continued this practice until now. We prefer to use brandy, which is a living, natural substance, rather than ethanol, which is energetically dead. We now have a local source for great quality Lebanese brandy, made in the Bekaa valley [link] , but we are continually researching new ways of preserving our products. At Najma Essences we hope to develop some room sprays without alcohol, but until then we recommend that you experiment! Go to: 'Choosing and taking your Essence' for more information on ways to take the essences without taking the alcohol into your body.