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A Short & Sweet Guide to Understanding Flower Essence Dilutions
Learn the differences between Mother, Stock, and Dosage flower essence dilutions.
Nothing on this site has been written by AI.
When it comes to flower essences, not every bottle is the same! There are actually three main dilutions that we work with, and each has a slightly different role. Here’s a short and sweet guide to help you understand and choose the best flower essence options for you!
The Mother Essence
Flower essences are made by infusing spring water with the energetic imprint of fresh plant material, and then preserving this mixture with alcohol. This original essence is known as the Mother — because it births all the following essences :)
The Mother is the most potent essence. It contains the strongest energetic imprint, and is preserved at a 50/50 ratio of water to alcohol. Traditionally, brandy, which is 40% alcohol is used, though I often use an organic grape spirit instead.
Rather than ingesting essences directly from the Mother, we use this original blend to create stock and dosage bottles…
Flower Essence Stock Bottles
Stock bottles are the next level of potency when it comes to flower essences. To create a stock bottle, you take anywhere from 7-13 drops from the mother and add this to a neutral blend of spring water and brandy. Some people like to keep a 50/50 ratio, while others will use 75% water and 25% brandy for stock bottles.These essences are ready to use — you can take them directly on your tongue, add them to water, or turn to other creative uses.
Pretty much any flower essence you buy, from any reputable company (including Alchemessence), will be a stock bottle — but do your homework. If a company doesn’t specifically say that it offers stock bottles, they could be dosage bottles, which are a bit different as you’ll see below.
Flower Essence Dosage Bottle
Dosage bottles are the lightest dilution of flower essences, but no less potent. To create a dosage bottle, you’ll add 5-9 drops from the stock bottle to a neutral blend of spring water and brandy. While the Mother and stock bottles have a shelf life of many years (really, they can last over a decade when stored correctly), dosage bottles fade in potency after a few months. Since they aren’t meant to last as long, they’re usually made with a blend of 80% spring water and 20% brandy.
So what’s the point of a dosage bottle, and why would you choose this over a stock bottle? Dosage bottles are meant to be used for taking your daily dose of flower essences :) By creating a dosage bottle, you extend the life of your stock bottles. Plus, if you’re taking a custom remedy of many essences, it’s often easier to combine several stock essences into a dosage bottle for ease. Some people even find that their systems even respond more to dosage level essences than stock essences.
Alchemessence Flower Essences
Alchemessence single flower essences, combination formulas, and custom formulas are all stock bottle strength, meaning that you can either take them as they are or dilute them on your own to create dosage bottles.
And I have to say, it’s a bit unusual to find custom formulas offered at stock strength rather than as dosages. But this is what I prefer so this is what I share! You can learn more about receiving your own custom flower essence formula here.
Explore Alchemessence Flower Essences
ASTROLOGY | RECIPES | REWILDING | SACRED AROMATICS | SHAMANISM | SPIRITUALITY | WELLNESS
Juniper Stokes is a certified coach, mythoanimist guide, alchemist & artist.
How to Use Flower Essences: A Complete Guide
Flower essences are vibrational remedies that can be used to heal mind, body, and spirit. As gentle, safe, and accessible remedies, they are wonderful allies for anyone wishing to make changes in their lives. Using flower essences is simple and allows you to harness the healing properties of flowers to support your own well-being. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use flower essences for transformation and healing.
Using flower essences is simple and allows you to harness the healing properties of flowers to support your own well-being. In this article, you’ll learn how to use flower essences for personal transformation and healing — including how to choose the right flower essence for you, different ways to take your flower essences, and how to know if they’re actually working!
Psst: If you want to know more about what flower essences are and how they work, take a look at this complete guide to flower essences!
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use flower essences for transformation and healing:
1. Choose the Right Flower Essence
Select a flower essence that aligns with your specific emotional or mental needs. For example, if you are experiencing general anxiety, you might consider using a flower essence like aspen. For healing past relationships or a broken heart, twinberry honeysuckle could help.
You can select flower essences by researching your intentions and reading descriptions, through kinesthetic testing, intuitively, or with a personal consultation.
Looking for more in-depth guidance on choosing your essences? This free guide will walk you through a fun process!
2. Set Your Intention
Before using your flower essences, take a moment to set your intention or the purpose for using it. Be clear about what emotional, mental, or spiritual aspects you want to address or what positive qualities you wish to cultivate within yourself. This intention will infuse your experience with more healing and prepare you to receive the benefits of your essences.
3. Take the Flower Essence
The most common way to take flower essences is orally — directly under the tongue or in water:
Direct Ingestion: Place a few drops (usually 2-4) of the flower essence under your tongue. Hold the drops in your mouth for about 30 seconds before swallowing. This allows the essence to be absorbed through the mucous membranes and enter your system.
In Water: Add a few drops of the flower essence to a glass of water and sip it slowly. This method is especially useful if you find the taste of the essence too strong for direct ingestion.
Either way, you’ll want to take your dose of essences 2 to 4 times a day for at least two weeks. After two weeks, most people notice at least subtle changes. You should continue taking your essences either until the dosage bottle is gone, or until you naturally feel complete — you’ll notice that you just aren’t drawn to keep taking them.
While taking essences internally and consistently is the most common way to heal and transform with them there are many wonderful and creative ways to use flower essences! You can apply them topically, use them in rituals, share them with pets…the list goes on :)
For a complete list of creative uses for flower essences, make sure to grab your free guide, Flowering Soul.
4. Observe and Reflect
As you use your flower essences, pay attention to any shifts or changes in your emotions, thought patterns, or overall well-being. Keep a journal if possible, noting any insights or observations. Sometimes the effects of flower essences may be subtle and gradual, while other times, you might notice immediate changes. You can read more about signs to look for here.
5. Combine Flower Essences (Optional)
You can create personalized blends by combining different flower essences to address multiple aspects of your emotional or mental well-being. If you choose to mix essences, do so in a separate bottle and label it with the intention or emotions you are targeting. An experienced practitioner can also help you create a custom blend for your particular needs.
6. Be Patient and Gentle with Yourself
Flower essences work in harmony with your natural healing process, but they are not a quick fix. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you embark on this journey of self-discovery and healing.
Sometimes, what has been buried or hidden within our psyches emerges when we use flower essences — and this isn’t always easy to confront or integrate. Find support for your journey, whether through a trusted friend, therapist, spiritual healer, or someone else with the skills to hold you during your transformation.
Remember that while flower essences can be a valuable tool for emotional support, they are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological help when needed. If you are dealing with significant emotional challenges or mental health issues, consider seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner or therapist.
Using flower essences can be a beautiful and transformative experience, allowing you to connect with the healing power of nature and nurture your emotional and spiritual growth.
If you’d like to go deeper with your exploration, you’ll want to get my free guide to flower essences here:
Ready to start using essences yourself? I offer a selection of handmade essences in the Alchemessence Apothecary. I created each one myself, in sacred partnership with the plants. A few to get started with are:
You might also like:
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All About Flower Essences: How to Partner with Plants for Whole-Self Healing
Flower essences are liquid infusions of blossoms and light that shift the vibrational state of anyone who uses them. And they’re becoming more popular all the time — because they are one of the most gentle, accessible, and still potently transformational healing remedies available. If you’ve been wondering just what flower essences are, how they work, and how you can use them yourself — this article is for you :)
Flower power is back! Flower essences are liquid infusions of blossoms and light that shift the vibrational state of anyone who uses them. And they’re becoming more popular all the time — because they are one of the most gentle, accessible, and still potently transformational healing remedies available. The plants are here to support us, and in this article you’ll learn exactly what flower essences are, how they work, and how you can start using them for your own healing journey.
As the child of nature-loving hippies, I’ve been using flower essences for just about my entire life. I love them.
For the past decade, I’ve also been making my own flower essences in sacred ceremony out in the wilds — I spend miles and hours wandering through mountains, forests, and fields, allowing the spirits of nature to guide me to the perfect plants.
The result is an ever growing collection of powerful elixirs made from a wide variety of botanical allies — some of which are quite rare and true gifts from the earth.
Flower essences have been part of my life for so long that I sometimes forget that not everyone lives and breathes spiritual botany the way I do. And, from the outside looking in, they almost seem like a snake oil type of medicine…how does infusing a blossom in spring water actually make a difference for your own health and wellness?
Read on to discover the magical, vibrational, and natural power of the flowers!
What Are Flower Essences?
Flower essences are natural remedies made from the energetic imprint of flowers. They are created by infusing the blossoms of specific plants in water, and then preserving with alcohol, to capture their unique vibrational signature.
By working on an energetic level, flower essences affect the subtle energy systems of the body to promote emotional, spiritual, and, as a result, physical healing.
Unlike essential oils or herbal extracts, flower essences don't contain physical substances — and therefore have no scent — but instead carry the vibrational imprint of a flower’s unique healing qualities.
The term “flower essence” is often used as an umbrella term for vibrational essences of all types, as well, including:
Trees and mushrooms — even if not technically flowers, these make wonderful essences
Environmental essences — these capture the energy of a place, such as a body of water or sacred site
Gemstone essences — these essences carry the vibrational imprints of crystals and stones
The History And Origins Of Flower Essences
The history of flower essences can be traced back to ancient civilizations, when healers and spiritual practitioners recognized the healing potential of vibrational remedies. The modern-day foundation of flower essences, however, is attributed to the pioneering work of Dr. Edward Bach.
Dr. Bach was a British physician and homeopath. In the 1920s, he developed a set of 38 individual flower essences — known as the Bach Flower Remedies — each corresponding to a specific emotional state. His belief was that imbalances in our emotional and mental states led to physical illnesses, and by addressing these emotional imbalances, true healing could occur.
Dr. Bach created the first flower essences based on his intuitive realization that the healing properties of flowers could be transferred to water, which captured the energetic imprint of the plant — something Dr. Masaru Emoto later demonstrated with his famous water experiments.
A strong proponent of accessibility in healing, these essences allowed Bach to share healing remedies that could be easily administered and understood by people without specialized medical knowledge. To this day, Dr. Bach’s work with homeopathy and flower essences continues to influence alternative and holistic healing methodologies.
How Are Flower Essences Made?
Creating flower essences involves a gentle and sacred process that honors the essence of the flowers.
The most common method is the sun-infusion technique, where freshly picked flowers are floated on the surface of spring water and left to be infused by the sun's energy, which helps transfer the vibrational healing qualities of the flowers to the water. (I use a moonlight infusion for mushroom essences, though, as the moon and mushrooms have a unique relationship.)
Essences from hardier plants, such as trees, are often made with a boiling method instead of the sun infusion, as Bach felt that simmering tougher plant material in water for 20 minutes more effectively brought out the vibrational imprints.
Either way, the resulting infusions are then preserved with alcohol to create the “mother” essence. Brandy is traditionally used, though many people today use vodka. (I have a 100% Demeter Certified organic grape alcohol I like to use.) For those avoiding alcohol, apple cider vinegar is a good alternative.
From the mother essence, you will dilute just a few drops into each stock or dosage bottle. (I share more about this in the free guide!) Each vibrationally attuned drop imprints the water if your dosage bottle, allowing you to receive full benefits of the elixir in amazingly sustainable ways.
Why Flower Essences Work
The philosophy behind flower essences is based on the belief that emotional and spiritual imbalances can manifest as physical ailments. By addressing the root cause of these imbalances on an energetic level, flower essences facilitate healing and personal growth.
They can assist in alleviating stress, anxiety, fear, grief, and other emotional states, promoting a greater sense of harmony and connection with oneself and the environment.
As a subtle healing remedy, flower essences probably won’t give you an immediate, noticable difference with a one-time use. However, used consistently over time, they do make a difference.
You’ll likely wake up one day and realize that your thoughts have become more positive, and you didn’t notice it happening. Or your back pain just isn’t bothering you as much, and you’re not sure why. Or you have an inspired idea, seemingly out of nowhere. These are the essences at work!
Here are a few signs your flower essences are working:
Your dreams — look for shifting patterns in recurrent dreams, insights, and healing
Your habits and daily patterns — notice subtle shifts that arise naturally and will make a bigger difference over time
Your thoughts — again, notice subtle shifts in old thinking patterns, as well as new insights and inspiration
Your intuition — you’ll begin to come into clearer connection with your inner knowing and meditation may feel easier
Synchronicities — seemingly ransom blessings are actually the result of your own shifting energy
Relationship changes — as you change, your relationships with those around will change too
Physical wellness — you’ll start to just feel better, whether that means having more energy, peace, or joy
How to Use Flower Essences
Flower essences are best used consistently over time. The most common way to use them is to drink a few drops in water four times a day — but you can get creative :)
For a complete guide on using flower essences, take a look at this article!
Why to Use Flower Essences
Flower essences can support a wide range of intentions. Here are a few common ones:
Alleviating anxiety — aspen is one of my favorites for this
Healthy boundaries, energetically and emotionally — try a combination of yarrow and rose
Embodying your worth — I absolutely love queen’s crown as an ally
Enhancing psychic abilities, intuition, shamanic journeying, and lucid dreaming — mugwort and amanita are favorites
Shadow work — the poison plant essences are potent allies, and you can get a full set of them here
Support for times of change — bistort helps us with internal scaffolding, and fireweed helps us re-emerge after having the ground pulled from under us
Sleep and relaxation — elephant’s head is my absolute favorite for this
Tending the mother wound — mariposa lily is a beautiful essence
Deepening your relationship with the Earth — you have to read my article on gnome flower essence!
Plus healthy relationships, healing depression, motivation for life changes, physical changes, and so much more.
Safety Considerations And Potential Side Effects
One of the wonderful things about flower essences is that they are so safe and easy to use, with no known side effects or interactions. They usually can be used with animals, children, and the elderly without any problems.
That said, the emotional transformation that may arise with use of flower essences may be intense — you’ll want to have proper support, such as a trusted therapist or holistic healer, for any emotional or mental issues that arise.
Remember: While flower essences can be a valuable tool, they are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological help when needed. If you are dealing with significant emotional challenges, mental health issues, or physical ailments, consider seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner or therapist.
Flower essences offer a profound and accessible path to holistic healing and personal growth, bridging the gap between nature's wisdom and our own well-being. If you’d like to go deeper with your exploration, grab my free guide to flower essences here:
Ready to start incorporating flower essences into your own healing journey? Explore the wild, sacred essences I’ve created in partnership with the plants in the Alchemessence Apothecary.
Gnome Plant & Meeting the Queen of the Underworld
On finding an exquisitely rare plant and meeting the gnome queen deep in the earth.
On a beautiful, sunny July morning in the mountains of Oregon, I made a discovery that would expand my understanding of reality.
I had quit my full time job of six years just the month before. Tortured by a pompous prick of a manager and tired of suffering physically as well as emotionally, I finally leapt off the ledge of so-called security and into the void of the unknown.
I gave myself the summer to heal (which turned into a year). As much as my mind told me that I would lose everything if I didn’t start making money again right away, my body was forcing me to slow down.
And so, on a random Tuesday, free from the responsibilities I was used to, I took myself on a solo hike through a most beautiful forest, hoping that the spirits of nature could help heal my weary soul.
The hike began in the usual way — a crowded parking lot gave way to quiet trails as I traveled deeper into the woods.
I allowed the trees to bathe me in healing terpenes, brushing my hands on lush ferns as I passed. I waded into icy river shores, praying for the healing waters to cleanse away my pain. I greeted every plant and stone and animal and bird, as is my way in the world.
And then, I looked down and saw a being I’ve never seen before — a gnome plant.
The Rare and Wonderful Gnome Plant
This beautiful and strange plant is extremely rare, and any encounter with her is a true gift. I believe she remains hidden by choice, revealing her beauty only to those who have demonstrated their heartfelt appreciation and love for the earth.
So rare is the gnome plant, hemitomes congestum, that very little is even known about her.
"The Gnome Plant is so secretive and illusive one is as likely to encounter a forest gnome as see one of these deep forest dwellers." — Reny Parker in Wildflowers of California's North Coast Range (originally cited by Jeanne Jackson)
She is the only member in her entire plant family, hemitomes, and she exists only on the West Coast of the United States, from California to British Columbia.
Little is known about the life cycle of this mysterious plant, but we do know that it doesn’t contain chlorophyll, likely feeds on parasitic fungi, and is probably pollinated by a moth of some sort.
When I encountered this marvelous and mysterious plant, her petals were closed, giving her a distinctly succulent look. Delighted and awed, I snapped a few pictures, offered gratitude, and continued on my way.
I had thought that this was the end of my gnome plant encounter. It turns out it was only the beginning.
The Invitation Deepens
A few nights later, I found myself wide awake in the middle of the night. Sleep eluded me, so I decided to use the time to journey and take a shamanic trip into the otherworlds.
As someone who has been practicing shamanic arts for over two decades, I have usual protocols for my journeywork — set an intention, go through a portal, meet my guides, explore…
For some reason though, this time I abandoned my usual process and simply set the intention to travel wherever spirit took me.
As soon as my request was sent, a mole appeared.
Now, I have dozens of spirit animals I work with, but I had never met mole spirit before! All felt divine and safe, so went with the flow and followed the mole deep into the earth.
Deeper and deeper. Darker and darker. We were traveling somewhere entirely new for me.
Finally, the pressure of the earth around me shifted, and I dropped into a vast underground cavern. As my eyes adjusted, I saw that the walls around me were sparkling—precious minerals and crystals of all sorts glimmered from some source of unseen light.
Then I saw her. The Queen of the Underworld. The Queen of the Gnomes.
Meeting the Gnome Queen
Now, I should clarify that this is the language she gave me to describe herself. I’m well aware that many deities bear the title of Queen of the Underworld. And, while the term “gnome” is often used for adorable garden figures with pointed hats—that is not the kind of gnome I encountered.
The queen sat upon a crystalline throne, her pale skin luminescent and shimmering with an ethereal splendor.
Honored to be in her presence, I was told that encountering the gnome plant had been an invitation to her realm, an invitation to work with the magic and medicine of the earth kingdom in a new way. The plant was a portal.
I was shown that this particular realm of gnomes (I believe there are actually many kinds of beings who bear this name) operated much like a bee hive: The queen was the only female, hidden from most in our world, protected and served by the male gnomes.
A World within Our World
The realm of the gnomes exists deep within our earth in a slightly different reality than we’re familiar with — perhaps another dimension, perhaps a different frequency.
Though most are unaware of its existence, this realm is of vital importance to our own world.
The gnomes tend the harmonic balance of the earth’s minerals. They build, move, and attune Gaia’s crystalline structure — and heal her from the extraction that happens in our dimension. The queen is a channel for the life force of the mineral-beings within the earth, infusing them with power and source energy.
The queen told me that those who are called to work with this realm have the ability to channel and harmonize earth grids for Gaia. And, by working directly with the gnomes, they just might receive Gaia’s abundance in surprising ways.
I was being invited to apprentice with the gnome realm.
The queen then shared that I could return to the forest to make a flower essence of the gnome plant — a gift to support my apprenticeship energetically.
Creating a Most Rare Essence
Though encountering even one gnome plant seemed like a miracle the first time, I decided to respond to the queen’s generous invitation and see if I could find this plant once more.
Unsure of whether the gnome plant would still be blooming or whether I could even find it again, I decided to make a date out of my next attempt. I invited my partner, Mike, on an after work hike and dinner picnic to the mountains.
After nearly an hour and a half of driving, we arrived at the trailhead and set out. About five minutes into our hike, Mike said, “Whoa—is this one?”
It was. The queen, true to her promise, had recognized an earth ally in Mike, too (which doesn’t surprise me at all…there’s a reason I’m with this man!).
This time, the gnome flower had opened up into beautiful little blossoms — the divine timing of our encounters perfectly orchestrated. I gratefully and reverently gathered just a few blossoms, placed them in a glass jar, and we continued. Soon, we encountered a second gnome flower…and then a third!
Such a gift to have met so many of these magical and strange beings. Such confirmation for deepening our relationship.
I brought the blossoms home and infused them into local spring water to create a flower essence under the moonlight—a moon infusion seemed appropriate for the queen of the gnomes, somehow.
When I asked if I could share this flower essence and my discoveries with others — the gnome plant, the world of the gnomes, the portal to abundance they offered — I was told to wait. Integration was needed first.
And so, for nearly a year now, I’ve been sitting with this essence, meeting with the queen of the gnomes, waiting for further instruction.
Psst — Want to learn more about flower essences? I’ve created a free starter guide that you will love :)
A Sacred Circle of 13
Now, I’ve finally been granted permission to share this precious essence. But only with 13 people. I trust that the exact people who are meant to work with the queen will feel called to purchase their essences at the perfect time.
It seems possible that I’ll be able to release more later, but for now, I’m following instructions. There may even be a special circle offered, live and online, once all the 13 spots have been claimed. We’ll see.
Are you one of the queen’s apprentices? Find your magical gnome flower essence here:
The Magic and Medicine of the Rose
Perhaps no other flower has been so exalted throughout history, in mythology and for spiritual purposes, as the rose. Discover the magic and medicine of this sacred flower.
Perhaps no other flower has been so exalted throughout history, in mythology and for sacred purposes, as the rose.
The rose appeals to our senses, opens our hearts, and enhances our beauty and health. As June ushers in the rose season here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the perfect time to celebrate the magic and medicine of this sacred flower.
The Rose in History
The symbolism of the rose is highly complex and has inspired a variety of associations across cultures and times. It has represented both heavenly perfection and earthly passion, fertility as well as virginity, and life and death.
Primarily associated with the feminine, this complexity carries into the variety of important women the rose is associated with, from Cleopatra and her magical perfumes to the Queen of Heaven in Dante’s Divine Comedy to the Virgin Mary of Biblical times.
In ancient Rome, the rose was a sign of pleasure, a companion of mirth and wine, and was also used at funerals.
In Middle Eastern traditions, only the red rose was allowed to accompany one into the afterlife.
Roses filled the great gardens of Persia, and according to legend, the first bloom of the rose had an aroma so heady that it caused the nightingale to sing. Overcome by the rose’s perfume, the bird dropped to the earth, spilling blood that turned the first petals red.
In 15th century Europe, the secret society of Rosicrucians chose a rose on a cross as their symbol, for the rose represented the perfection of paradise to these alchemists and philosophers.
Early Christianity associated the rose with the blood of martyrs, and therefore life after death.
Some Native American tribes turned to rose for not just medicine and food, but to keep ghosts away.
And yet, of all that the rose symbolizes, love is perhaps its most enduring association.
Indeed, within the ancient Greek and Roman pantheon, the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite, holds the closest association with the rose.
Have you ever really studied Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus? In addition to sacred myrtle leaf Aphrodite holds, the rose appears floating through the heavens as she emerges from the sea.
The poetess Sappho was christened “the rose the queen of flowers” in 600BC, and has since inspired lovers throughout the ages.
The Rose as Healer
Just as the rose carries rich and complex symbolism, it also offers us one of the most chemically complex essential oils known, containing over 300 compounds, which contribute to the its many healing gifts.
And, when it comes to these healing gifts, ancient uses are almost identical to our modern ones, as we can see in part thanks to extensive medical compendiums like Pliney the Elder’s Natural History.
Though complex, rose medicine is remarkably consistent: the energetic, mental, and physical effects of rose medicine all assist us with the very things rose symbolizes most―love, beauty, and romance.
Perhaps rose’s affinity for both the nervous system and heart center are part of what makes it such a well-known aphrodisiac: Mentally and emotionally, rose is wonderful for soothing a troubled mind and helping you relax, while physically, it nourishes the nervous system, so you can get into your body and enjoy a bit of pleasure.
Interestingly, Rose’s symbolic connections with the heart center and femininity are found in medicinal uses across cultures.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine rose is a well-recognized heart tonic and increases yin, the feminine and cooling energy of the body.
Rose also supports skin care, which enhances beauty, and helps regulate the female reproductive system. (And for this reason, rose as herbal medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy, so do be careful!)
The wild roses of North America were used as food and medicine by many tribes, with similar but even more diverse applications than their European counterparts: Roots were made into hot compresses for reducing swelling, tea was taken for stomach upsets and reducing labor pains, and seeds were eaten to relieve sore muscles.
Today, we still use rose medicine in many of the same ways, as rose is known to soothe digestion, relieve cold and flu symptoms, relax the body and mind, and support the immune system.
On a spiritual and energetic level, rose is cooling, nurturing, and widely associated with the heart chakra. Both the essential oil and flower essence can balance our ability to give and receive love.
In her fascinating book The Fragrant Mind, Valerie Worwood explores the subtle shifts in how different varieties of roses can act upon our energy bodies and our consciousness: She describes Rosa damasca, most commonly found as an essential oil, as a gentle type of rose with a truly feminine personality, one that is pure-hearted and opens us to unconditional love. Rosa centifolia on the other hand, which is what we most often find in botanical absolutes, is passionate, sensual, and erotic, helping us tune into our own sexuality and enjoy life’s romantic pleasures.
As flower essences, Damask rose and other fragrant garden varietals are known to increase feelings of confidence when it comes to sexuality.
I find that wild rose carries rose’s typical connection to the heart center with an added dose of resilience, joy, and independence.
The flower essence of wild rose is known for supporting feelings of love and joy, particularly how they karmically manifest in our physical experiences. According to the Bach Flower Essence Repertory, wild rose can help cultivate a will to live in those who struggle with lethargy or depression.
Rose’s magical uses include cultivating love, peace, sex, and beauty, with its planetary ruler being Venus and its element being water (I love that again, we see the connections between the rose and Aphrodite, as her Roman name is Venus and she was born of the ocean...).
The prolific author of many books on Western magick, Scott Cunningham notes that magical rituals to be done with rose include spells to draw in emotionally satisfying relationships and to enhance inner and outer beauty.
The gifts of rose will affect us in slightly different ways depending on the form of our “medicine”―be it in a tea or tincture, spell, flower essence, essential oil, infused oil, or living flower. That said, here are a few of rose’s many benefits at a glance…
Benefits of Rose
Opening and balancing your heart chakra
Sensuality and appreciating life’s pleasures
Awakening and empowering your erotic, sexual nature and confidence
Enhancing your feminine nature
Love in all its forms―passionate, romantic, familial, friendship, spiritual, unconditional
Supporting the reproductive system―regulating menstruation, toning the uterus
Relaxing, anti-depressant, supports insomnia
Enhancing beauty inside and out―wonderful for mature or sensitive skin, inner confidence
Soothes the nervous system, sedative, cultivating feelings of peace
Releasing negative emotions
Clears heat and inflammation, cool and moist energetics
An emotional stabilizer, relaxes untended tension and provides mothering love
Supports digestion and boosts the immune system
Soothing a tender, broken, or grief-stricken heart
Attracting love and joy into your life
How to Use Rose Magic and Medicine
If you’d like to bring the magic and medicine of rose into your own life, here are a few ideas:
Make a rose petal infused honey, glycerete, or tea
Spritz some rosewater or a rose hydrosol on your skin
Infuse a nourishing oil with rose petals for skin care
Enjoy rose hips dried in tea or fresh in jams and jellies
Add a few drops of rose or wild rose flower essence to water or tea
Diffuse rose essential oil, or a rose-forward blend
Anoint yourself with a rosy perfume or ritual oil
Display a bouquet of organic and sustainable roses
Grow your own roses to really deepen your relationship with rose spirit
Place fresh roses on your altar
Stop and smell the roses whenever you can ;)
May rosy blessings be upon you!
Rose Offerings
You might also like:
A Guide to Perfume Types: Dilutions & Ratios in Natural Perfumes
All About Flower Essences: How to Partner with Plants for Whole-Self Healing
Great Northern Bedstraw: A Beloved and Underrated Wild Plant
References
Mojay, G. (2014). Proceedings from NAHA ’14: The World of Aromatherapy VII: Beyond Aromatics. Seattle, WA.
Battaglia, S. (2003). The complete guide to aromatherapy (2nd ed.). Brisbane, Autralia: The International Center of Holistic Aromatherapy.
Worwood, V.A. (1996). The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, mind, mood and emotion. Novato, CA: New World Library.
Mojay, G. (2000). Aromatherapy for healing the spirit: Restoring emotional and mental balance with essential oils. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Cunningham, S. (2013). Magical aromatherapy: The power of scent (7th ed.). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Keville, K. & Green, M. (2009). Aromatherapy: A complete guide to the healing art (2nd ed.). Berkley, CA: Crossing Press.
Pliny the Elder. The natural history. J. Bostock, M.D. (Ed.). (F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., Trans). B.A. London: Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 1855. (Original work published 77-79 AD). Retrieved from: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137%3Abook%3D13%3Achapter%3D2
Wiles, B. (2018). Mountain states medicinal plants: Identify, harvest, and use 100 wild herbs for health and wellness. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
Kershaw, L. (2016). Edible & Medicinal Plants of the Rockies. Edmonton, AB: Lone Pine Pub.
McIntyre, A. (2010). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Ideal companion for study and practice. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.
Kamininski, P. and R. Katz (1994). Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to North American and English Flower Essences for Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being. Nevada City, CA: Earth Spirit, Inc.
McIntyre, A. (1996). Flower Power: Flower Remedies for Healing Body and Soul through Herbalism, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.
Aphrodisiacs - essential oils, flower essences, and crystals
Aphrodisiacs, named for one of my patron goddesses, the great Aphrodite, enhance sexual desire and pleasure. Some work by helping us relax, while others rev us up. The following are just a few of the many aphrodisiacs you might like to incorporate into your Valentine’s Day ritual.
Aphrodisiacs, named for one of my patron goddesses, the great Aphrodite, enhance sexual desire and pleasure. Some work by helping us relax, while others rev us up. The following are just a few of the many aphrodisiacs you might like to incorporate into your Valentine’s Day ritual.
Crystals
Place some crystals in your bath water to absorb their essences. Place the rest around the ledges of your bath and on your bath tray. You can also add crystal essences directly to your bath water.
Rose Quartz — to open your heart and enhance feelings of love
Garnet — for passion and physical connection
Carnelian — for a healthy sacral chakra and creative expression
Moonstone — for tuning into your natural cycles and enhancing connection and passion
Lapis Lazuli — for enhancing love on a spiritual level
Green Aventurine — for luck in lasting love
Amber — for spontaneous, passionate encounters
Flower Essences
Add 2-3 drops of desired essences to your bath.
All Lilies — for connecting with the divine feminine, healthy sexual energy and expression
Rose — for romantic love and an open heart
Basil — to integrate sexual and spiritual energy
Bleeding Heart — to feel unconditional love
Hibiscus — to enhance sexuality and connection with the body
Pomegranate — for joyful feminine expression
Essential Oils
Add about 6 drops of essential oils to either a bit of oil or bath salts first, and add this blend to your bath once it’s fully run.
Floral essential oils open us to love on spiritual levels and enhance romantic, sexy moods. Warming and spicy essential oils can increase circulation and energy. And citrus scents add joy, ease, and playfulness.
Rose — enhances love and supports a balanced loving heart
Jasmine and Ylang Ylang— seductive, sexy flowers with a special affinity for the sacral chakra
Patchouli — this earthy, musky scent grounds us into our sensual natures
Black Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, and Coriander — these spices can help spice up your sex life
Sweet Orange — adds some playful joy
Myrtle — sacred to Aphrodite, myrtle enhances true love and increases physical pleasure
Lavender — melt away tension
Sandalwood — has an affinity for the sexual centers
Vanilla — warm, playful, and edible
Recipes
These above all go together beautifully—feel free to mix and match anything from these lists. Or, try one of the following magical blends. Each blend can be added to a mist, diffuser, bath, or body oi:
An Erotic Blend — 2 drops jasmine, 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops sweet orange, 1 drop garnet essence, 1 drop amber essence, 1 drop basil essence
A Sensual Blend — 2 drops rose, 3 drops patchouli, 1 drop ginger, 1 drop moonstone essence, 1 drop lily essence
A Loving Heart Blend — 1 drop rose, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop rose essence, 1 drop bleeding heart essence, 1 drop rose quartz essence
A Balancing Blend — 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 1 drop moonstone
A Spicy Blend — 1 drops cardamom, 1 drop vanilla, 2 drops rose, 2 drops patchouli, 1 drop amber essence, 1 drop hibiscus
A Stress Relief Blend — 3 drops grapefruit, 2 drops ginger, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop pomegranate, 1 drop green aventurine
