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5 reasons I love using Flower Essences

9/12/2017

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I have always loved flowers and plants. Many of my first memories involve plants, me talking to the trees and flowers, eating plants in the back yard (somehow I just knew which ones I could eat! I don’t recommend you trying this!). About 14 years ago I was first introduced to flower essences and the concept of plant spirit medicine (that each plant has a spirit and a healing capacity on the soul/spirit level). I was amazed at how simple and yet how powerful flower essences are- truly medicine for the soul. ​

​You may be wondering what exactly flower essences are. 
Flower essences are very dilute, unscented and contain only the energetic imprint of the flower. Flower essences are sometimes confused with essential oils although they are actually very different- essential oils are concentrated oil made by distilling plant material, whereas flower essences are made by allowing flowers to sit in a bowl of spring water in the sun (or moon and stars) which then imprints the flower’s energy signature on the water. learn more about them here.

5 Reasons I love to use flower essences

1. Soul medicine

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Flower essences work with the flow of nature, waking up what is lying dormant within us, releasing old patterns that hold us back from truly shining our beautiful light into the world and living our destiny. Flowers speak directly to our soul and heal old emotional patterns allowing our inherent positive qualities to flow freely. They carry profound messages that can be heard and felt. Sometimes you know a shift has occurred but you can’t explain it. There have been many times while working with essences that I heard exactly what I needed to hear, in that moment or I felt deep, much needed shifts in my body.

2. Subtle yet Profound

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​As I said above flower essences work with the flow of nature, they do not force anything, they gently illuminate what we need to see to support deep and profound healing.
Flower essences do not overwhelm or force something to happen, yet they do expand our awareness of what is happening within ourselves. Flower essences open up our consciousness beyond what it is currently able to perceive therefore each person may experience the effects differently. Taking essences can create a variety of experiences, ranging from the very subtle to more obvious.

Some potential affects you may notice:
  • You may experience increased feelings of lightness, happiness and peacefulness.
  • As they gently help us become aware of and shed old patterns you may notice old, undesirable mental and emotional patterns often begin to shift and fall away.
  • Buried emotions that no longer serve us may rise to the surface to be expressed and cleared. This can be uncomfortable for a short period of time yet it is a vital part of the healing process.
  • The flower essences can teach us how to approach things in a new, healthier way once the old patterns shift. You may find yourself more able to act and react in ways that are more aligned with your highest self.
  • As your internal reality shifts you may find your external and/or physical circumstances shifting in positive ways, as when our insides shift, our outer world shifts in response.

3. safe to use with children, animals and very sensitive people

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Flower essences are powerful yet extremely gentle and very safe to use with anyone including children and animals. I have seen amazing results with animals and young children. Some sensitive folks can’t tolerate much in the way of herbs or medications but they are able to easily tolerate flower essences. Even alcoholics, who often can’t tolerate many herbal medicines due to alcohol content, can take them (as they can be blended in something other than alcohol, such as glycerin or vinegar). 

4. accessible (low cost) and environmentally friendly

Flower essences are relatively inexpensive (often about $15 for a supply that lasts 4-6 weeks) compared to many medications and supplements. They are very environmentally friendly as very little actual plant matter is used in creating essences since they are an energetic imprint of flowers. ​

5. I love flowers!

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​I will say it again and again I love flowers! They make me happy to be around, when I am feeling sad I spend time with flowers either in this physical world (hiking in wildflower meadows or visiting a local flower farm) or taking essences so I can connected to them energetically. I have found them to be profoundly supportive in my own healing journey therefore I love to support my patients with this profound medicine. 

Want to know more?!
Want to know more about flower essences and ways they can support your transformational healing journey, come see me!  Learn more about my offerings and scheduling an appointment at either my White Salmon, WA office or my Portland, OR office here. 

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Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Can Help You Heal from Trauma

6/21/2017

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Is trauma impacting your life? Do you feel disconnected from your loved ones, yourself, your body and your environment? Do you want to experience freedom from both the physical and emotional symptoms that are holding you back? Chinese medicine may be the right approach to help you get back in touch with your wholeness and wellness.

What is trauma and who does it affect?
Trauma results from experiencing a perceived (consciously or unconsciously) life threatening event that leaves us feeling out of control and helpless. Most of us have experienced some sort of trauma. The same event can affect each person differently, depending on age, trauma background, family history, genetic make-up, etc. The resulting expressions vary from relatively minor symptoms to completely debilitating physical and emotional manifestations. No matter the severity, trauma often leaves us unable to fully experience life. Trauma does not have to arise from a major catastrophe (war, abuse, rape, neglect, major injuries or illness); other things such as minor car accidents, surgery, natural disasters and loss of a loved one can also result in trauma. Ultimately, trauma is about a loss of connection to our world- our loved ones, ourselves, our bodies and our environment.
 
Is trauma blocking your way to health?
Unresolved trauma can block our road to healing from both emotional and physical dis- ease.  Research is now showing that the amount of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) we have may impact how well we heal from chronic illnesses, as well as affect behavior (e.g. drug and alcohol abuse) and life potential (graduation rates, academic achievement).  If you’re interested to learn more, here is a great TED talk about about the effect of ACEs on health.

However, there is hope! Chinese medicine with its powerful modalities, that include acupuncture, herbs, bodywork and are very effective at resolving the physical and emotional effects of trauma. Chinese medicine does not separate mind and body, and an individual is always treated holistically. It can clear the way to allow for effective treatment of many different health concerns associated with trauma, including but not limited to depression and anxiety, but is also far-reaching to many other chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Clearing the way with Chinese Medicine
Ancient Chinese medical texts tell us that when one’s spirit (their shen) is disrupted by an extreme emotion, it will damage and upset the flow of that person’s vital energy (qi).  When qi and its flow are negatively affected this impacts all of our systems and ability to live fully. Chinese medicine (including acupuncture, herbs, bodywork and energy work) addresses these imbalances at their root by returning the qi to a state of balanced flow, clearing the path to healing. Therefore, someone suffering from past trauma is supported to heal on all levels- physical, mental/emotional, spirit and soul, by this powerful system of medicine.

“I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening- a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation.”
- Peter Levine, Trauma Expert


How does Acupuncture treat trauma?
Chinese medicine is particularly effective in the treatment of trauma as it looks at the root of the disease in addition to treating symptoms. It is like a gardener looking at the leaves and flowers of a sick plant,  the soil in which it grows, and its season and environment in order to truly understand the root cause of its disease. An acupuncturist uses information from your health history, pulse and tongue to guide the treatment.  This modality strives to go deep and address the original wound.  Therefore trauma can be resolved without unearthing the details of the traumatic event and potentially re-traumatizing the individual. It is a great place to start even if you have not yet fully or even consciously processed the events of your trauma, as well as a powerful place to continue your healing journey.

A skilled, trauma-informed acupuncturist will help you:
  • reconnect to your body
  • feel safe in your body
  • re-establish your healthy boundaries
  • release the body memory of past trauma
  • reclaim your energy and vitality
  • increase your stress resiliency

Treatment with acupuncture is effective whether done immediately after a traumatic event or much later, even years.  It is important to find a trauma-informed acupuncturist who can adjust treatment to make sure that the trauma survivor’s needs and safety are prioritized. Healing from trauma is big, courageous work; why not get all the support available?

Want to get some support along your healing journey?
Learn more about my offerings and scheduling an appointment at either my White Salmon, WA office or my Portland, OR office here. 
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 Inez Coppola, LAc | inez.coppola.lac@gmail.com 
White Salmon, WA
 office: 251 N. Main Street, White Salmon, WA | (509) 596-1074
Mailing address: PO Box 793 White Salmon, WA
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