Editors' Note: This is an excerpt from the author's newly published book/ebook Flower Essence Practice: For Students, Practitioners, and Other Healing Professionals (Windfall, 2008)
While we cannot say that growing older absolutely means breaking down and becoming ill, we nonetheless find that it may happen at some point to either ourselves or to our loved ones.
So much of the emotional impact of chronic or serious illness
revolves around the theme of adjustment. Adjustments to feeling
unwell, to lesser levels of activity and capability, and changes in
priorities, finances, self-image, and relationships all can
come to the fore at once. Adjustment isn't just for the beginning
stages of an illness. There is a continued need for emotional and
mental adaptation as time goes by, too.
Chronic or serious illness may also produce feelings of helplessness,
frustration, hopelessness, or great sadness. It is common to
experience resentment at being ill or needing others' help, and grief
at losing a way of life. Regardless of the source of the illness,
there is a powerful emotional component which can in and of itself
create a need for treatment, support, and amelioration.
Vibrational essences can be one of the tools used to help with
adjustment to illness. In that they are energetic in nature,
vibrational essences may more readily act upon the non-physical
aspects of our being than upon our physical bodies. Essences are therefore
particularly adept at addressing the emotional/mental aspect of illness,
as they influence our feelings, thought patterns, beliefs, and unresolved
emotional traumas.
Stress and Physical Symptoms
Many chronically or seriously ill people report a noticeable
worsening of their physical symptoms under stress. This may be
because stress has a wide variety of physiological effects on the
body. Exactly how emotions/mind and the physical body relate is
of course a complex question. But a deep, overarching connection is
assumed to exist by many healthcare practitioners. Reduction of
stress and improvement of coping skills may help to control
certain physical symptoms in some types of chronic or serious
illnesses.
Users of vibrational essences may find that as their thoughts and emotions
change, their physical symptoms also shift. Even when the physical symptoms
remain the same, however, the patient's attitude about them can undergo a transformation. For example, the
symptoms might be easier to accommodate to... they might occupy less
of the person's awareness... the person might see their illness in a
new, more accepting light. If the ill person has less of a conviction that
illness negatively impacts their lives, their overall existence may
be significantly better, even if their symptoms don't improve.
Essences as Tools for Adjustment
There are many essences which may address adjustment to chronic or
serious illness. Just a few are below.
- Adjustment Over Time (Whole Energy Essences) is a blend which
helps us accept and flow with change, its focus being on flexibility
and staying-power for the long haul.
- Master Harmonizing Mixture (Whole Energy Essences) is a great
essence for adjusting to any change, large or small. Its focus is on
establishing and maintaining homeostasis, an ongoing achievement of
balance within an environment of constant change.
- Libra Full Moon "Protective Balm" (Whole Energy Essences)
provides an embracing and protective energy. It comforts and helps
create a sense of safety and permission to let others help us.
- Bauhinia (Australian Bush) helps support fluidity and
open-mindedness to change where rigidity or resistance are an issue.
- Bottle Brush (Australian Bush) can help with feelings of
overwhelm in major life changes, encouraging increased calm,
serenity, and coping.
- Five Corners (Australian Bush) addresses self-dislike, especially
of the physical body. If a change in health sees your self-esteem
plummet, this essence may help.
- Olive (Bach) helps in learning awareness of new limits; supports
regeneration, vitality and strength.
- Walnut (Bach) -- A serious or chronic illness may require adjustment across so many dimensions it can represent a deep life transition. Walnut is a classic for transition periods,
helping stabilize emotions and break attachments to the past.
- Willow (Bach) -- Often, there are feelings that a chronic or
serious illness is unfair or unjust, which can lead to bitterness and
resentment. Willow addresses those who feel they are suffering from
misfortune.
Support for Caregivers
Chronic or serious illness doesn't just impact one person at a
time. Regardless of who receives the diagnosis, EVERYONE in the
chronically ill person's life is touched. This includes
friends, family members, and co-workers. Again, essences can be
most helpful. Many of the remedies above can be applicable to
caregivers' needs. In cases where the effects on those around the
ill person are wear-and-tear (either emotionally and/or physically),
consider these as well:
- Pale Yellow Lily (Whole Energy Essences) -- "My Own Strength"
helps access to and realization of the caregiver's inner gifts and
strengths, necessary on an ongoing basis.
- Tiger Lily (Whole Energy Essences) -- "Right Nourishment" --
Usually the needs of the patient come before those of the caregiver,
over time seriously depleting the latter. Tiger Lily helps caregivers
remember to include their ongoing needs in their daily activity. When
lack of rest is the particular issue, see the next essence.
- Restedness (Whole Energy Essences) -- Reminds
caregivers to get the rest necessary to reflect, heal, and care for
themselves.
- Both Macrocarpa and Old Man Banksia (Australian Bush) -- Renews
enthusiasm and returns enjoyment to life in cases of burnout.
- Sweet Chestnut (Bach) -- An "at the end of my rope" remedy. When
there is great despair and great anguish over a situation which must
be endured.
- Hornbeam (Bach) -- For constant fatigue and discouragement,
inability to face the tasks of the day.
- Olive (Bach) -- A classic when regeneration is needed from the
exhaustion and stress that may come from ongoing caregiving.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Bier, PhD, is a holistic healthcare practitioner in private practice in Concord, MA. This is an excerpt from her newly published book/ebook Flower Essence Practice: For Students, Practitioners, and Other Healing Professionals (Windfall, 2008). She is also the author of Healthy Connections: Flower Essences for Better Family, Friend and Work Relationships, The Encyclopedia of Vibrational Essences, and Learning About Vibrational Essences (find all these titles here). She is the maker of Whole Energy Essences, and Publisher/Co-Editor of this Ezine. She is available for private consultations. Read more of her work in Vibration Magazine here.
DESIGN CREDITS: This page was designed by Deborah Bier and Donna Cunningham; photos are from Clipart.com.
The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.
