Children respond much quicker to flower essences than adults, as their habit patterns are not as deeply established as ours. There are many helpful essences, and therapists and doctors around the world have found great successes using flower essences with children. Flower essences are a wonderful tool for parents to use to help their children with all sorts of issues, such as fear, negative behavior, trauma, emotional disturbance, learning difficulty, hyperactivity, family disturbance, and lack of self-esteem.

When my daughter Claire was a baby, she would often have long periods of screaming in the evenings. Chamomile flower essence helped her to release the tensions that she held in her stomach area. This is a great essence for mood swings and hyperactivity as well. As Claire was very sensitive to her environment, Chamomile helped sooth her extreme emotional reactions.

When my son was born three years later, Claire had some difficulties with anger and jealousy. Holly essence is the archetypal essence for Universal Love and is very helpful with issues of anger and jealousy. With Holly essence, Claire was able to express her love and appreciation for her new brother, Finn, and be less angry with me. Because she was also needy and sad and often resorted to negative behaviors to get my attention, Chicory essence helped her gain more balance and harmony within the family.

Finn had trouble with night terrors and fears of the dark for a while. Mimulus essence is a remedy for known fears, such as of the dark, bugs, or heights. Aspen is a remedy for fears of unknown things and vague anxieties. I gave them both to Finn along with St John’s Wort essence, which is a very protective essence, especially when there are disturbing dreams. These essences quickly helped him go to bed peacefully and sleep through the night. But, he asks for his “Flower Lessons” when he thinks he needs them.

The one Bach Flower essence that is indispensable is Rescue Remedy, a combination of five essences. It is used for any extreme situation or trauma, be it physical or emotional. With Rescue Remedy, I have seen bumps and blisters disappear before my eyes, raging tears and fits calmed and soothed (this goes for me as well), and panics and terrors eased. When my children have major accidents, I usually gave myself Rescue Remedy first, so I can be calm, steady, and deal with the situation. Rescue Remedy brings one into center and stabilizes the life force in emergencies.

Flower essences are generally taken a few drops at a time, three or four times a day, but with children, morning and before bedtime are fine. Several different essences are often combined together, a few drops of each diluted with water and brandy into a dosage bottle. (Vegetable glycerin can be used as a preservative instead of brandy if you prefer.) They can also be added to water bottles, baths, creams, and even room spritzers. For infants, essences can be dabbed on the temples and wrists.

Of course, I have been using flower essences for myself to help with the many challenges of parenting: Impatiens helps with impatience; Calendula for listening and hearing the true needs of others; Beech for intolerance; Snapdragon for helping me to be gentle with my words, and the list goes on.

My children love the “flower drops” and usually will ask for them when they need them. I am so thankful for this wonderful healing gift from nature and am always happy to share them with others. The Bach Remedies are available at local health food stores, and other essences can be purchased online. Give flower essences a try and see for yourself how beautifully they can help your child be his or her true self.