Flowers are often ideal gifts for people who need a bit of cheering up. So it’s no surprise that, approximately 75 years ago, somebody came up with the idea that flowers could help people with their emotions and to have a more positive outlook.

Dr Edward Bach, who worked as a Harley Street consultant before turning to homeopathy, developed a flower system of 38 remedies made from wild plants, trees and bushes. Each remedy can help a person’s emotional state.

Rather than just handing someone a bunch of flowers, flower essences are available in tiny bottles with a dropper. People can place a few drops on to their tongue or into a beverage.

However, Bach isn’t the only person to have discovered the benefits of flower essences for emotional states. Long before, the Aboriginal people in Australia had discovered similar benefits. Sixty-six essences are now marketed under the Australian Bush Flower Essences range. Other ranges include Peruvian Flower Essences and Andean Orchid Flower Essences of Machu Picchu, both from Peru, Rose for the Heart, Stewart Essences, Santa Barbara Flower Essences and Alaskan Essences.

Most of the big brand names in flower essences sell combination remedies, such as Bach’s Rescue Remedy or Australian Bush’s Emergency Essence. Often found in bathroom cabinets, handbags and office drawers, these combination remedies have found their way into many families’ lives as a quick fix for dealing with stress, shock, bereavement and nerves.

However, despite the popularity and benefits of these types of combination remedies, having knowledge of the full range of essences can be useful for the treatment of specific imbalanced emotional states.

Honeysuckle, for example, can help somebody whose mind is on the past instead of the present. If you’re impatient or always on the go, Black-eyed Susan can help you slow down and find inner peace. Rose for the Heart is the perfect remedy for a broken heart. Columbine is for those with a weak sense of self and can help people appreciate their unique beauty. Showy Oregano is beneficial for teamwork and releases fear of being in groups or in public. Sweet Chestnut is for those under pressure who feel unable to cope with mounting responsibilities.

Professionals in the flower remedies sector can make up combination remedies to help with a specific problem, such as improving concentration at work.

It is also possible to take the DIY approach. You can consult a therapist specialising in flower remedies or peruse brochures in retail outlets, books or online resources. In this way, you may discover that a specific flower remedy or mixing a number of the essences (using a mixing bottle) can help you to work through some emotional issues and might be just what you need to get on in life. There’s plenty of reading material available online and, even if you don’t want to purchase or try a remedy, looking through the various states can be a fun way for a bit of self reflection.

Top tips

Books
There is a wealth of books available online, in bookshops and, on occasion, in health food stores.

Buying remedies
The full range of flower remedies is normally not available in most pharmacies, but it is worth checking with a local health food shop to see what they stock. There is a wide range of websites selling flower essences from all over the world.

Courses
If you would like to become an expert in mixing flower remedies for friends and family or explore it as a career option, it could be worth your while attending a course. These take place in various locations nationwide so look out for local advertising or do an online search for details.