Water Lily Flower Essence

Water lilies are not native to the Pacific Northwest, yet they have adopted our ponds and thrive in our Spokane high-desert climate. One key aspect of the water lily is that these plants must be surrounded by water in order to grow—the plentiful water element is much more essential to their existence than it is for plants that grow in soil and enjoy water from the rain only intermittently. Water supports, holds up, and engulfs the root and the entire stem of a water lily, and only the leaves and flowers float on the surface. Water lilies are fragile, delicate flowers that need the strong, firm anchor of the stem and root; in fact, water lily stems are so thick, these flowers are almost impossible to "pick" with bare hands. Water lily roots are pulled by divers among many indigenous tribes around the world, and the herbal medicines made from them are used for diseases of the female reproductive system, including cancer.

Indications

Difficulties with family relationships, difficulties stemming from upbringing in a rigid, dictatorial, or negative family, relationships that don't grow or flow naturally, intimacy problems of unknown origin, blocks around sexuality, sexual frigidity, reproductive-system health in women and men, neuroses, inexplicable fears that stem from something deep or old; Vata imbalance, and in children, fears that accompany rigidity.

Emotional and spiritual effects

Our water lily flower essence enters quietly, and in fact some may not feel anything at all for the first week or several. Like some homeopathic medicines, it is a slow yet deep remedy. Energetically our water lily essence repairs the flow of energy in the second chakra. The results may manifest themselves as an easier flow through life, an easier time entering or negotiating relationships, easier time shaping our behavior according to our own values and not merely as a repetition of what we were brought up with, and a melting away of strange, inexplicable, often huge and stubborn fears and emotional blocks. It is an essence that washes away negative imprints from childhood that prevented flow and flux. What this essence remedies is rigidity in the personality. For example, it may benefit the person who hates a last-minute change of plans and cannot be spontaneous.

One other manifestation of this flower essence that we have seen in our volunteers is that a person who had a block around generosity now finds it surprisingly easy and natural to know when to be generous and to what degree. Because for this person generosity is an important manifestation of her feelings toward someone (not just a more superficial act), the impulse comes from a deep place, which requires a healthy second chakra (the chakra of intimate relationships).

Physical plane

Roots of water lilies have been used as a precious medicine by indigenous people around the world, including in Australia and by Native Americans. Preparations from these roots were traditionally used in cancers of the female reproductive organs. We suggest using this flower essence as an accompaniment to the medical treatment of one's choice for cancer.

Sources

In part inspired by Matthew Wood's books on herbalism and David Dalton's teachings on lilies as a set of flower essences with particular characteristics.

Directions

Shake the bottle before each use. Take 3 drops at a time onto the tongue or mixed with water 3–4 times a day, between meals and not with coffee.

Store away from sun exposure, excessive heat or cold, electronics, and strong scents. 

Ingredients

Water, gluten-free brandy (from grapes; a preservative), infusion of wild-grown water lily (Nymphaea odorata). Alcohol 22% by volume.

Cautions

Keep out of reach of children. Do not use during pregnancy.