Comments on: Buying Essences at the Stock vs. Dosage–Which are You Getting?

By: Kathrin Woodlyn Bateman

Kathrin Woodlyn Bateman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:58:59 +0000

This is a great forum for conversation! I would also like to mention a point I didn’t see in other comments. There is a wide difference between companies on how they create their stock and dosage essences. for instance I use 3 drops of mother essence per 2 dram (1/4 oz) of stock. I used to sell 2 dram with 3 drops of mother essence and 1 oz stock with 12 drops of mother essence. I have switched my bottle size to 1/2 oz and they are made with 6 drops of mother. I keep the proportions the same. There are some companies that use the same number of drops of mother essence no matter what size the stock bottle. Some practioners feel the different and others claim no difference. There is also at least one producer whose method adds 2 more layers of dilution and still call their essences “concentrate”. I wouldn’t want to do that and yet, there are plenty of satisfied customers of that line and that’s all good. I do also want to point out from the viewpoint of a producer that even when I make the same variety of flower essence as someone else, the essences can be quite different between the different producers. The variety is like a bouquet! It seems that no matter how much we keep ourselves out of the process of essence-making, our energy, our healing beliefs, etc. are all a part of the essence. i’ve come to realize that that’s what draws us to particular lines….they just “feel right”. Blessings, Kathrin at Fox Mountain

By: admin

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:16:38 +0000

Everyone, what a wonderful conversation we have going here! I wanted to comment on a couple of things…

First, looking at some of what’s been reported here, it does seem that we are not at all clear about what Dr. Bach meant by dosage and stock. I personally am not disturbed by this because I believe that he was not the end of the line when it came to how essences have developed, how to prepare and use them, etc. We do, however, have to get our terminology straight in present time, and know what it is we are buying: something to take straight from the bottle, or something we dilute. This to me is the real crux of the issue.

Second, I would NOT assume that all essence strengths are the same based upon a test using a gem elixir. Goodness — gems are NOT flowers! Gem essences are an entirely different beast, in fact. They are so powerful many people just can’t handle them. Therefore, while that experience as reported is no doubt valid, I would not generalize it to mean anything about non-gem essences. Additionally, I would not generalize anything across manufacturers. One’s gem essences may act very differently than another’s upon dilution. — Deborah

By: Moses Siregar

Moses Siregar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:59:29 +0000

I’ve done experiments that have shown me that there is no difference in potency between “stock” and “dosage.”

Working with a gemstone elixir that everyone in my group could immediately feel the impact of (from a stock bottle), we created an instant “tenth” generation dosage mix. We put one drop from the stock bottle into a cup of (only) water. Then shook up the water and placed one drop from that cup into the next cup. Then repeated the process until we got down to the tenth cup.

We then each tried drops from the tenth cup, and to the surprise of many in my group, the potency felt EXACTLY the same as the original stock bottle.

I am thus a firm believer that you cannot dilute the potency of a flower essence, and that the stock/dosage distinction is merely and only about how much alcohol is in the bottle. This is why I advise people merely to refill the bottles of flower essences that they purchase from others, since you cannot dilute the actual impact of it by doing so.

By: Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:05:09 +0000

This is a great conversation and we need more like it. As a producer perhaps I can shed some additional light on the subject. It is actually a legal requirement in the U.S. to state whether an essence is being sold at the stock or dosage level. Most of the older essence companies are in compliance with this and other label requirements. While it is legal to sell dosage bottles, they must be clearly labeled as such. And there is a bit of responsibility on the customer to check the labels of the essences they want and if they are not labeled correctly, notify the producer, or quit buying them. The Alaskan Essences have always been sold at the stock level of dilution, even though it does require the customer to go through a few steps to prepare a dosage bottle. As a practitioner, I very much enjoy and value this process. Again, thanks for the conversation!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:20:50 +0000

What Dr. Bach in his book ‘The Twelve Healers’ called the stock bottle, he meant what we now call the mothertincture. And by ‘This bottle is used for giving doses’ he meant what we now call the stock bottle.

By: Jenny Capuano

Jenny Capuano — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:31:01 +0000

Hello
Fisrst of all, I would like to thank u from the bottom of my heart for ur publication. I am mexican and live in Mexico City, thanks to your zine I´m in contact with magnificent articles and a scope of different flower essences and its uses. I know this is not about ur article, but I wanted to share so you would know that yuo´re also read in different countries and that we appreciate all the work you do.

By: Pat Davis

Pat Davis — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:21:59 +0000

Pat Davis here. I just wanted to share a letter I received regarding Dr Bach and the issue of whether he used stock or dosage level:

Dear Pat Davis,
A friend sent me your article Buying Essences at the Stock vs. Dosage–Which are You Getting? In which you say: However, there is no evidence Dr Bach ever used essences at the dosage level.
However that is not true.
If you will look in his book “The Twelve Healers” you will find in the chapter entitled ” Methods of Dosage” the following: “To prepare take about two drops from the stock bottle into a *small bottle nearly filled with water; if this is required to keep for some time a little brandy may be added as a preservative.
This bottle is used for giving doses, and but a few drops of this , taken in a little water, milk, or any way convenient, is all that is necessary.
*Up to 30 ml (1 oz.) size. Full instructions issued with remedies”
I am a Bach Remedy practitioner since 1967, was trained through the Centre in England, introduced the Bach Remedies into Holland in 1972, and was the European Representative for the Bach Remedy Centre for some years.
Now I am in semi-retirement.
I liked your article as your overall approach is quite clear and sincere about the confusion about stock and dosage.
In all my years of working with the Remedies, I have found direct use of the stock bottle as opposed to using a dosage bottle not as effective. (as was commented on by Vibration Editor, Donna Cunningham, at the end of your article).
Sincerely,
Ioanna Salajan

By: Muriel

Muriel — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:48:56 +0000

As someone who now makes my own and helps other people and animals with essences I think companies who sell dosage strength and do not say so are acting immorally and are cheating. We expect to be buying stock strength as that is what most are.

If you’re selling dosage/treatment strength, be honest and say so.

I do think there is probably a place for selling both as when I started using them I bought Bach and used from the bottle not knowing any better…. waste of money. Now I dilute any I take and find I have better results.

But for the average newcomer to essences it may be helpful to buy dosage strength.

By: Kerie Redgate

Kerie Redgate — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:39:03 +0000

I have been working professionally with commecially available flower essences from around the world since 1986. During that time I have created 90 stock formula combinations and use them mostly as the basis for dosage-level bottles for my astrology clients.
My research has indicated to me that it matters little whether an application of essences is from stock or dosage, as what we are really talking about here is the quantity of brandy and water. as the “carrier substances” for the vibrational frequencies, being the literal “thought-forms/consciousness”, of the flowers, the spiritual emanation of the plant.
Whereas there is a limit to the effectiveness of flower essences in large bodies of water (7 drops applied to the ocean, for example would be overwhelmed by the multitudes of frequencies the ocean contains), as long as we are working within a reasonable ratio of essences to carry subtsance, the essences will be effective in altering brain circuitry. I also agree with Marti that our intention in the dispensary is important and does affect the essences (I use Buddhist mantras).
A major issue in buying flower essences is that stock level bottles contain a higher percentage of brandy etc as preservative and simply have a longer shelf life. And, yes, of course we have a right as consumers, to know whether are buying stock or dosage bottles.

By: Andrea Mathieson

Andrea Mathieson — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:56:44 +0000

Wow!This is a lively discussion. As a producer, I automatically sell all my products at the stock level which then gives the practitioner opportunity to make dosage bottles for their clients, and for lay-people to extend their essences by making their own dosage bottles. I give instructions about doing this and feel this is part of the appropriate spirit of generosity that should come with all flower essences. To hear that this protocol is not standard is distressing because I, like some of the other writers, do not want to move into arbitrary legislation. Again, I appreciate Vibration’s education in making people aware of these issues.

Again speaking as a producer (Raven Essences) I also agree that practitioners do put a ’spin’ in their creative use of my essences within the context of their practice. The versatility or adaptability of essences to many creative variations (some with sound, radionics, on-the-body, with affirmations, or in combination with a wide variety of modalities) is something I have learned to appreciate rather than attempt to control! I am always intrigued and delighted when I hear about a new approach to using the essences. This creativity within the healing paradigm is a healthy sign, in my view.
Good conversation! Andrea Mathieson