Unlike essential oils, flower essences are purely vibrational, said to hold the energetic ‘song’ of a plant in liquid form. A few drops under the tongue, either as needed in the moment or twice daily for longer-standing issues, can help ease emotional and behavioural stresses – even better, they’re perfect for babies and children too.
If you’ve heard of Bach’s famous Rescue Remedy, you’ll already have a sense of how they work. But the world of flower essences has moved on a long way since then. Today there’s a blend for almost any situation. Two of the most popular at Saskia’s Flower Essences are Calm and Confident – perfect for new schools, exams, travel, or general anxiety – and Emotional Relief, a soothing support for those moments when you feel like you might fall apart.
Behind every bottle at Saskia’s Flower Essences is the experience and intuition of its founder, Saskia Marjoram. Based in Wincanton, Somerset, Saskia has spent her life surrounded by plants and flowers. Raised in Stroud, in the Cotswolds, she was pressing flowers and making potions as a child long before she knew it would become her calling.
Her career began in professional gardening and floristry, including a remarkable stint as assistant florist to the then HRH The Prince of Wales. ‘Suddenly, on a very steep learning curve, I was creating flower arrangements at royal palaces, State banquets, and Sandringham shooting weekends’ she recalls. ‘It was hard work and fascinating. I loved working with flowers and (unconsciously) playing with their energy. It was the first time I realised I had a gift with flowers – or they had a gift for me.’
In 2003, alongside friend Christine Felce, Saskia began making her own Bach-style essences at home to support her family’s emotional needs. They were stunned by how effective they were. Word spread, demand grew, and Saskia’s Flower Essences was born.
Almost a decade ago, Saskia added a traditional copper alembic still to her practice, distilling fresh plants into fragrant hydrosols (flower waters). She combines these with flower essences to create therapeutic mists – celebrated for their subtle vibrational qualities as much as their beautiful scents.
Today, Saskia’s days are a blend of retail, consultations, and education. Mornings might find her bottling orders or answering emails; afternoons are for bespoke essence consultations, where she creates personalised blends rooted in her dual calling as gardener and healer. She also serves as secretary of the British Association of Flower Essence Producers, championing vibrational medicine.
How to Take Flower Essences
Because flower essences are vibrational rather than chemical, you can’t overdose or ‘get it wrong.’ Saskia’s Flower Essences bottles suggest 7 drops twice a day under the tongue (or as needed) because it’s easy to remember. But you can take them more often for short-term support – up to four times daily works well – or less often if you prefer.
Think of each essence as a piece of music. If you want to learn the song quickly, listen more often. But if you play it constantly, you stop really hearing it. The same goes for flower essences: give your body space to absorb the message, and trust your intuition about when and how much to take.
You can mix essences too, but keep it simple. Single essences are like soloists; combination blends are like a band. Too many musicians at once and the melody gets lost. We suggest leaving at least four hours between different blends, and if you’re creating your own mix from single essences, limit it to seven or fewer plants so each one has space to shine.
The beauty of flower essences is their flexibility. Pop a few drops into a drinking bottle and sip throughout the day (this works brilliantly for children). Keep a bottle by your bedside or next to the washing-up bowl – wherever you’ll see it and remember. Some people like to take them just before an exam, a dentist appointment, or a date; others use them steadily over weeks to support deeper shifts. There’s no ‘wrong’ way.
Trust Yourself
If there’s one message Saskia would like everyone to take away, it’s this: flower essences give you back responsibility for your own healing. They’re safe, simple, and subjective. Your intuition is stronger than you think – trust it.
If you ‘forget’ to take your essence, it’s often your system taking a break to integrate the changes. If you don’t feel like taking it, that’s fine too. Essences won’t do you any harm, and there’s no wrong way to use them.
As Saskia says, ‘When I start a new blend, I’m often really keen at first, taking it several times a day. Then I forget, and months later I return to it with renewed enthusiasm – just like a favourite album.’
With their gentle power, flower essences are a beautiful way to support yourself and your family through the ups and downs of life.
Bottles start from £5. Find out more at www.saskiasfloweressences.com
