I’ve done a previous post about flower essences if you are unfamiliar with them. It might help if you have questions about the information that follows.

Flower Essences 101 – Simple Thrift and Herbs

Flower essences are a wonderful therapeutic for emotional challenges. Rescue Remedy, a blend of 5 flower essences, is great as an all-purpose flower essence: the Tylenol of flower essences, maybe! Rescue Remedy contains the flower essences of Star of Bethlehem, Clematis, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Impatiens.

Out of those five, I typically think of only 2 for grief:

Star of Bethlehem: indicated for shock or trauma, where the numbness is unhealthy or not allowing you to function

Rock Rose: for panic – the sheer turning-around-and-wanting-to-run-but-where, wide-eyed fear. It can help to restore courage and control in those moments.

There are others, though, that I think are great for grief.

Honeysuckle: to help let go of the past. For those that want to return to the ‘good old days’ because ‘nothing will ever be the same.’ Can gently bring people into the present and help them stay grounded there.

Holly: brings calm and acceptance, the ability to forgive and make peace with relationships.

Sweet Chestnut: for the ‘dark night of the soul’ when anguish makes you feel cut off from others and God. Helps you to surrender when you have hit rock bottom and are in utter despair; helps you to reach out for love and assistance from others.

Walnut: Supports transitions and strengthens the path from past experiences to present expectations.

Willow: Allows for forgiveness and flexibility in the emotional state to decrease bitterness and resentment. Helps one to flow with the changes of life versus fighting the current.

There are as many flower essences as there are flowers, but I am limiting my blog posts (so far) to the 38 that were developed by Dr. Bach. Flower essences are used four times a day four drops at a time – but you really can’t do too many.

I hope that your season of grief is short, and brings you wisdom, peace, and gratitude for what remains.