Hi everybody,

I'll do my best to answer everyone's questions! And of course I'm not a doctor, etc.

Aaron: Yes, a lot of people use flower essences for pets and horses. Snapdragon essence is very good for animals that bite inappropriately or act aggressively toward other animals in the house.

Nadine & Pamela: Flower essences are vibrational medicine more akin to homeopathic remedies than herbal tinctures or essential oils. Flower essences are made by placing the flowering part of the plant in a bowl of pure spring water and left in the sunshine to absorb the vibrational energy of the plant into the water. Then the flowers are removed. Essences can be made without harming the flower, i.e. by bending the flower into the water without cutting it. The water with the vibration in it, combined with a bit of brandy as a preservative, is called the "mother essence." From the mother essence, stock bottles are made by making a dilution of the mother essence. Flower essences don't have a fragrance or taste other than the water and the preserving agent. (Honey or vinegar can be used in place of brandy if you're making your own essences.)

Nadine: whether the vibration stays in a person "permanently" or wears off over time is highly individual. Some people have certain issues that come and go, and thus they may feel the need for a particular essence at various times in their life. For example, Walnut essence is about confidently breaking free from influences that one has outgrown, and it is conceivable that one could need it at several points in life as you grow and change. Some people may be chronically shy, and thus feel the need to take Mallow or Sunflower anytime they anticipate they will be in a situation with a bunch of new people.

Since the Self Esteem module is one of the most popular, I'll suggest some essences to help with that one first. If any one of these resonates particularly strong for anyone, I can discuss it in more depth:

Sunflower: for contacting your inner confidence and radiance and developing healthy assertiveness. Healthy "yang" energy in men and women.

Buttercup: for believing that one's path in life, however small, is important.

Larch: for confidence in one's talents, competence, and voice. To help people who chronically believe they aren't "enough."

Pink Monkeyflower: for people who resist fully opening up and sharing their true selves with the world, because of a sense of unworthiness or shame.

Walnut: for the confidence to break free from the past, and try new things.

Harebell: for teaching that the self is the main source of validation and love.

Borage: for courage.