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

By Definition:  Each essence producer markets his or her essences with a definition of what the essence is helpful for.  Choosing flower essences by definition alone places implicit trust in what the producer has discovered about the essence.  Some essence producers are stringent in conducting research through case studies in order to determine the healing qualities of their essences.  FES, for example, may spend 10-15 years accumulating research on a specific essence before releasing a definition.  Their shortest research accumulation period was 4 years, for the Mariposa Lily (case studies had been flowing in steadily).  But even FES continues to research the healing qualities of essences which have been in existence for many years and continues to expand their definitions.  Essences are relatively new, and having an in-depth understanding of what a particular essence may be capable of takes time.  A particular flower or gem may have healing qualities which have not yet been discovered. 

Some essence producers receive intuitive knowledge about an essence and immediately release it to the public without first validating it by clinical casework.  Intuitive abilities vary from person to person, and Dr. Bach did indeed work in this way, experiencing states of suffering and intuiting the healing qualities of a particular flower by placing a petal on his tongue.  However, not everyone is so gifted. 

I believe that selecting essences based solely on the definition given by the essence producer is as reliable as the methods used by and the level of intuitive giftedness of the essence producer.  Essence definitions vary in reliability, and none are truly complete.  There are probably aspects of the healing qualities of Dr. Bach's essences, the oldest set of essences in existence, which still will be revealed with time.  If one is going to rely on essence definitions alone, it is extremely important, in my opinion, to use only the essences of companies which have been in existence for a long period of time.  I use essence definitions in addition to intuitive methods which pick up on the energy of the client and the essence or rely on the symbolic resonance of the form and color of a flower or gemstone. 

Muscle Testing or Kinesiology:  This involves testing the strength of a particular muscle (or muscles) to determine whether a thought or substance is strengthening or weakening to a person.  Some people may be muscle-tested quickly, easily, and with amazingly accurate results.  I have a client who can almost determine when she picks up the bottle and before I test her whether an essence is strengthening or weakening for her.  And I have others whom I have to test several times because there is such a slight degree of change between strong and weak that great sensitivity on my part is required to detect the difference.  Some people have internal circuitry wiring problems on a given day, and several different techniques have to be used before an accurate reading can be achieved.  And then there is the simple issue of getting tired, which may result in inaccurate testing toward the end of a series of tests.  When muscle testing 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-monitored verification 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 with accuracy by the United States military.  Some people take to dowsing quickly, while for others it can take some time to reach a point in dowsing where one trusts what one receives.  It took me a year to trust my dowsing results, and I still only use dowsing when I am free of any emotional desire related to the outcome.  Emotional states and desires may interfere with one's ability to receive truthful (non-influenced) answers.  While in theory everyone should be capable of dowsing, the level of giftedness of each practitioner does seem to vary, even from day to day.  I think it is arrogant for any dowser to claim 100% accuracy.  However, in spite of all this, I love dowsing and rely on it a great deal for myself with amazing (and often very insight-producing) results.  I use it with clients in combination with other intuitive approaches, a thorough interview, and rational selection of essences.  Click here to read a typical "dowsing-in-action" story (about my parrot, Pappagallo).

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

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

Based on the Doctrine of Signatures:  This involves study of the characteristics or attributes of a particular plant (or gemstone, sea creature).  Patricia Kaminski, of FES, describes the Doctrine of Signatures in her beautiful book Flowers That Heal (Newleaf Press, 1998; available from FES):  "In alchemical wisdom, the plant is carefully considered for its 'Doctrine of Signature,' what it tells us through its form, gesture, colour, fragrance and habitat.  These signatures then helped the practitioner to understand the resonant correlations between the plant and the human being.  Originally, the doctrine of signatures was developed to help understand correspondences to physical organs, but in flower essence therapy these portraits of the plant have been extended further:  numinous qualitieswithin each plant form resonant chords that reverberate within the instrument of the human soul" (p. 44).  Patricia, later in the book, gives a sensitive description of the healing qualities of the various colors of flowers, ". . .yellow flowers generally have an expanding and lightening quality.  Their radiance dispels negative energy, breaks up congestion and addresses many depressive states.  Pink flowers tend to have softening attributes 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 providing an enfolding mantle of comfort for the soul. . ." (p. 81). 

Rhonda Pallasdowney, 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 Doctrine of Signatures states that the personality and characteristics of a plant are 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 therapy based on colors associated with the chakras. 

Using the Doctrine of Signatures in selecting essences may involve some study, or it may be as simple as choosing flowers with strong and deep roots or flowers facing downward toward the Earth for a person lacking in groundedness, or creating a lovely pink bouquet for someone suffering from a broken heart.  Considering all aspects of a plant offers added depth, richness, and appreciation during the process of selection. 

I believe that taking all of the above selection methods into consideration when choosing essences is the most thorough approach.  Therefore, in selecting essences for a client, I begin by conducting an in-depth consultation/evaluation and use the information gained in conjunction with reviewing essence descriptions, dowsing, considering the doctrine of signatures of the plant insofar as possible, and, if a client is physically present, muscle-testing chakras and/or meridians, and using flower cards or photos.  The element of ritual, involving the repetitive taking of the essence blend with the use of a goal statement determined during the session, further strengthens the process and helps to inform the unconscious of one's rational, conscious choice. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eighth flower:  Sturt Desert Pea helps release deeply-held emotional pain (courtesy of Ian White, Australian Bush Flower Essences).