A fabulous road trip last year to far north Queensland and Northern Territory has provided the
opportunity to actually meet the flowers that we use in our daily practice
at Bush Flower Healing and in the pharmacy where Katrina and I also work. Below is an excerpt from my travels at the end of June 2012.
Based in
NSW most of the time means that we are privileged to engage with Sundew, Little
Flannel Flower, Mountain Devil and the majestic Waratah on a regular basis, but
to camp in the savannah or desert at a northern Australian National Park and
come across other ABFE flowers in situ has provided a much deeper interaction
and understanding of the flower essence properties.
In
Porcupine Gorge on the road to Charters Towers, Qld, I instantly recognised
Rough Bluebell. It was a gentle flower with a soft lilac colour and undeniably
strong central stamen that reminded me about it's essence quality to 'cut
through to the point and release one's innate truth'. It was only 30cm high and
the flowers faced towards the ground rather demurely. Each day we walked 1km
down into a magnificent gorge where there was tremendous 'jumping rocks' into
swimming holes and a stunning cliff face in the shape of a pyramid, passing
Rough Bluebell on the way.
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| Rough Bluebell |
Today at
Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) many days drive from the gorge and about four
hours north of Alice Springs, NT, I found the Rough Bluebell in a taller and
drier state. It's lilac colour was much more camouflaged against the dehydrated
leaves and twiggy stems but a pleasure all the same. There are plenty of
unopened buds too so I look forward to returning on tomorrow's sunrise to see if
the brand new flowers have blossomed.
Last week
in Mount Isa, the Tall Mulla Mulla was in full bloom. Positioned vertically and
chatting away merrily on the morning breeze the flowers reminded me that they
encourage one to circulate and socialise. The flowers looked daintier than I
expected their 10cm to be, but with a strength to stand tall all the same.
Sturt
Desert Rose is abundant this winter. I have seen it in north west Queensland
and along the Barkly Highway to Tennant Creek, NT. Once you get used to seeing
the flowers at 130km/hour it is possible to recognise the plant itself amongst
all the other greens on the roadside (taller and stringier). The Sturt Desert
Rose has delicate petals and flower buds similar to a wild rose with a very
faint scent. It has an ornate stamen and a striking blood red centre to remind
me that its essence can be used to release shame or guilt that remains with
someone like a blood stain.
Spinifex!
Once you take a walk past spinifex you will always remember the sharp sting
that it's grassy ends guarantee to deliver. It cuts like fine glass and this
essence can be used for fine cuts, itchy bites and rashes or sunburn.
It's sting is a sharp reminder that spinifex essence can also provide insight
into a person's illness. I have not seen the golden spinifex flower yet but am
in awe of the tangled web that the spinifex grass creates.
As we
journey towards the red centre of Australia, I look forward to visiting Kata
Tjuta and meeting other desert flowers in their natural state. Given the
extreme dryness of the landscape I can appreciate each plant creating such a
wondrous bloom and, in turn, the gift of its' essence for emotional and physical
healing for animals and humankind.
If you would like to try any of these Australian Bush Flower Essences or have further questions, then please find us at Bush Flower Healing
