Floral essences have been around for quite some time, but they were popularized and commercialized in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach, founder of the same Bach Flower Remedies that you can buy at your local natural wellness store today. Dr. Bach believed a foundation of physical health was emotional health and worked to capture the essence of plants to help shift struggling individuals into a better emotional state of being. Using blind trials, Dr. Bach was able to obtain consistent results from 38 different plants, ranging from grief support to increased confidence to serenity. 

So what makes an essence? The technical term is “homeopathic dilution”—using pure alcohol (traditionally, brandy) and water, the plant is soaked in water, diluted in alcohol, and so far removed from the final product that only the energetic essence remains. And although Dr. Bach’s original 38 essences are still sourced from his Oxfordshire garden and bottled using his traditional practices (today, operated by Nelson’s Pharmacies), you can easily create your own essences at home. The best part? You aren’t limited to just plants. 

Because essences are energetic and provide emotional support, you can create an essence out of anything. You can harness the essence of the weather. Of the time of day. Of the comfort of your best friend, or pet. Of a special occasion. Of a place. Anything at all, really. And you can do it using things you probably have around your house. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 small, clean 4oz dropper bottles (ideally amber or cobalt)

A small glass bowl or jar that you really like

2oz pure brandy or clear alcohol* (I use Everclear)

Purified water or moon water

Your flower or plant material, if making the essence of something physical

Bonus points if you properly cleanse the materials you are using! Rather than pulling dusty bottles off an old cabinet shelf and slugging out any glass bowl from your cabinet, consider cleaning the items again as you set your intentions for this project. In addition to a physical cleaning, you can cleanse them with smoke as well. Give each piece a bit of extra love, also considering that you are clearing away old emotional energies that may be surrounding your materials.

Steps: 

1. Start by filling your glass bowl or jar with purified water. If you are using a physical plant, this is the time to take a small cutting of the flower or leaf and drop it into the water, face-up. Make sure you express your gratitude to the plant as you take from it! If you are not using a physical plant and are instead harnessing the energy of a person, animal, weather pattern, etc., it is best to use a jar; take your jar to the person or place you are wanting to make an essence of, and leave it there for 4-6 hours**. 

2. Next, remove the physical material from your bowl, or remove the jar from its location. If you used a physical material, it is a nice gesture to return that material to the earth by burying it, or place it back at the location you retrieved it from. This plant gave some of its energy, and I like to give additional thanks through this returning process. You are left only with water, which you’ll pour into the first of your clean, 4oz dropper bottles, filling it halfway. Fill the other half of the bottle with alcohol. This will be your “mother” solution.

3. Fill your second bottle almost to the brim with new purified water. Next, add 7 drops of the mother solution to your second bottle. Congratulations, you have an essence!

I love essences because the way you use one is entirely up to you. Dr. Bach prescribed 4 drops under the tongue daily or as needed, but I know “need” is an interesting concept when discussing energy. I would ask that you reflect on why you made this specific essence in the first place—did you let it sit in a thunderstorm to fire up your emotions when you need confidence? Did you place it with your best friend, who always provides comfort? Did you use the flowers in your parents’ garden, because it makes you feel protected? Whatever the emotional direction of your essence is, that should be its intended use. 

Store your essence and mother solution in a cool, dry place where they won’t be subjected to much disturbance. I have an antique tea table where I keep my journal, oracle cards and other “witchy” materials, and the occasional bottle of wine. It’s the place that is least subject to clutter, and something that I see every day, which makes it an ideal storing place for an essence. 

*If you are under the legal drinking age, you can use apple cider vinegar. Just be aware that your final essence won’t be as potent, and it may taste a little tart!

**For people-essences, I highly (highly) recommend asking the person’s permission and letting them know your intention. To best harness their essence, keep the jar with you while you do an activity with them, or you can ask them to leave the jar by their bed over as they sleep. This might sound creepy, but honestly, if someone asked if they could make an essence of me, I would be flattered.