There are many ways to select essences,some rational and some intuitive.  I believe that using a combinationof methods gives the most beneficial and trustworthy results.

ByDefinition:  Each essence producer markets his or her essences witha definition of what the essence is helpful for.  Choosing floweressences by definition alone places implicit trust in what the producerhas discovered about the essence.  Some essence producers are stringentin conducting research through case studies in order to determine the healingqualities of their essences.  FES, for example, may spend 10-15 yearsaccumulating research on a specific essence before releasing a definition. Their shortest research accumulation period was 4 years, for the MariposaLily (case studies had been flowing in steadily).  But even FES continuesto research the healing qualities of essences which have been in existencefor many years and continues to expand their definitions.  Essencesare relatively new, and having an in-depth understanding of what a particularessence may be capable of takes time.  A particular flower or gemmay have healing qualities which have not yet been discovered. 

Some essence producers receive intuitiveknowledge about an essence and immediately release it to the public withoutfirst validating it by clinical casework.  Intuitive abilities varyfrom person to person, and Dr. Bach didindeed work in this way, experiencing states of suffering and intuitingthe healing qualities of a particular flower by placing a petal on histongue.  However, not everyone is so gifted. 

I believe that selecting essencesbased solely on the definition given by the essence producer is as reliableas the methods used by and the level of intuitive giftedness of the essenceproducer.  Essence definitions vary in reliability, and none are trulycomplete.  There are probably aspects of the healing qualities ofDr. Bach's essences, the oldest set of essences in existence, which stillwill be revealed with time.  If one is going to rely on essence definitionsalone, it is extremely important, in my opinion, to use only the essencesof companies which have been in existence for a long period of time. I use essence definitions in addition to intuitive methods which pick upon the energy of the client and the essence or rely on the symbolic resonanceof the form and color of a flower or gemstone. 

MuscleTesting or Kinesiology:  This involves testing the strengthof a particular muscle (or muscles) to determine whether a thought or substanceis strengthening or weakening to a person.  Some people may be muscle-testedquickly, easily, and with amazingly accurate results.  I have a clientwho can almost determine when she picks up the bottle and before I testher whether an essence is strengthening or weakening for her.  AndI have others whom I have to test several times because there is such aslight degree of change between strong and weak that great sensitivityon my part is required to detect the difference.  Some people haveinternal circuitry wiring problems on a given day, and several differenttechniques have to be used before an accurate reading can be achieved. And then there is the simple issue of getting tired, which may result ininaccurate testing toward the end of a series of tests.  When muscletesting works, it is wonderful and may provide fantastic moments of insight. And when it is iffy, it is best to use it only as a carefully-monitoredverification of other methods. 

Dowsing:  Many books exist on this topic.  Dowsing involves prayer (for me)and the use of a pendulum to pick up the energy of the client and the essence. Although considered an esoteric practice by many, it is used withaccuracy by the United States military.  Some people take to dowsingquickly, while for others it can take some time to reach a point in dowsingwhere one trusts what one receives.  It took me a year to trust mydowsing results, and I still only use dowsing when I am free of any emotionaldesire related to the outcome.  Emotional states and desires may interferewith one's ability to receive truthful (non-influenced) answers. While in theory everyone should be capable of dowsing, the level of giftednessof each practitioner does seem to vary, even from day to day.  I thinkit is arrogant for any dowser to claim 100% accuracy.  However, inspite of all this, I love dowsing and rely on it a great deal for myselfwith amazing (and often very insight-producing) results.  I use itwith clients in combination with other intuitive approaches, a thoroughinterview, and rational selection of essences.  Clickhere to read a typical "dowsing-in-action" story (about my parrot,Pappagallo).

Usingflower cards:  Often a client intuitively knows what flowerhe or she needs by visually responding to the colors and shapes of a flowerthrough looking at flower cards or photos.  Using flower photos can yieldfascinating, insight-producing results.  I prefer to use flower cardsor photos in combination with other rational and intuitive methods of selection.

Basedon Chakras, Meridians or Subtle Bodies:  As mentioned on thepage "How Essences Work," many essence producers correlate their essenceswith specific chakras, meridians, or subtle bodies.  I have found,and Sabina Pettitt of Pacific Essences also teaches, that any essence maystrengthen any chakra or meridian, and it ultimately depends on the individual. Therefore, using other selection methods in addition to chakra/meridian/subtlebody correlations--especially intuitive verification such as muscle testing,dowsing, or flower cards--is the most accurate approach, in my opinion.

Basedon the Doctrine of Signatures:  This involves study of thecharacteristics or attributes of a particular plant (or gemstone, sea creature). Patricia Kaminski, of FES, describes the Doctrine of Signatures in herbeautiful book Flowers That Heal (Newleaf Press, 1998):  "Inalchemical wisdom, the plant is carefully considered for its 'Doctrineof Signature,' what it tells us through its form, gesture, colour, fragranceand habitat.  These signatures then helped the practitionerto understand the resonant correlations between the plant and the humanbeing.  Originally, the doctrine of signatures was developed to helpunderstand correspondences to physical organs, but in flower essence therapythese portraits of the plant have been extended further:  numinousqualitieswithineach plant form resonant chords that reverberate within the instrumentof the human soul" (p. 44).  Patricia, later in the book, gives asensitive description of the healing qualities of the various colors offlowers, ". . .yellow flowers generally have an expanding and lighteningquality.  Their radiance dispels negative energy, breaks up congestionand addresses many depressive states.  Pink flowers tend to have softeningattributes or work with issues which affect sensitivity and other 'tender'spaces within the heart, such as brokenheartedness.  Like the sky,blue flowers are uplifting and spiritualizing, while at the same time providingan enfolding mantle of comfort for the soul. . ." (p. 81). 

RhondaPallasdowney, an herbalist as well as a flower essence therapy practitioner,offers in The Complete Book of Flower Essences (New World Library,2002) further detail on the Doctrine of Signatures.  "The Doctrineof Signatures states that the personality and characteristics of a plantare a statement about its medicinal qualities and properties. . .The plant's'signature' is an encompassing evaluation of the plant's parts--its leaves,root, stem, flowers, buds, seeds, pods, and fruits--as well as its constitution,shape, color, texture, and appearance and the environment in which is grows.. .The color of a plant is another important signature.  For example,red plants. . . are stimulating and warming, and they revitalize the blood"(p. 8).  She then goes on to offer a system of flower color therapybased on colors associated with the chakras. 

Using the Doctrine of Signaturesin selecting essences may involve some study, or it may be as simple aschoosing flowers with strong and deep roots or flowers facing downwardtoward the Earth for a person lacking in groundedness, or creating a lovelypink bouquet for someone suffering from a broken heart.  Consideringall aspects of a plant offers added depth, richness, and appreciation duringthe process of selection. 

I believe that taking all of theabove selection methods into consideration whenchoosing essences is the most thorough approach.  Therefore, in selectingessences for a client, I begin by conducting an in-depth consultation/evaluationand use the information gained in conjunction with reviewing essence descriptions,dowsing, considering the doctrine of signatures of the plant insofar aspossible, and, if a client is physically present, muscle-testing chakrasand/or meridians, and using flower cards or photos.  The element ofritual, involving the repetitive taking of the essence blend with the useof a goal statement determined during the session, further strengthensthe process and helps to inform the unconscious of one's rational, consciouschoice. 

First flower:  Scarlet Fritillarybenefits the blood and the female reproductive system with its fiery, vital,masculine energy (courtesy of FES).

Second flower:  Polyanthus helps promoteabundance consciousness and transforms low self-worth(© Pacific Essences®).

Third flower:  Red Larkspur impartsvital, dynamic energy for leadership (courtesy of FES).

Fourth flower:  Lady's Mantle helpsalign the human heart with the heart of the Earth (courtesy of FES).

Fifth flower:  Yellow Pond Lily easesemotional attachments and promotes letting-go(© Pacific Essences®).

Sixth flower:  Green Rose helps openone's heart to love of and connection with the Earth (courtesy of FES).

Seventh flower:  Chaparral is a cleanserof psychic and physical toxicity (courtesy of FES).

Eighth flower:  Sturt Desert Pea helpsrelease deeply-held emotional pain (courtesy of Ian White, Australian BushFlower Essences).