July 14, 2004

However, from the point of view of flower essence therapy, practitioners have found that each woman's resolution of this issue differs. This resonates with Dr. Bach's central belief that flower essences work best when chosen specifically for the individual, not the outer condition or external disease.

Consequently, the question of libido cannot be measured by a statistical norm, or one "right" answer, but rather helping each woman to determine what is appropriate for her own soul expression and evolution. Some woman have found that flower essence therapy has brought an enhanced or renewed expression of sexual response, once a new level of hormonal balance is achieved. Others have who felt guilty or inferior that sexual desire has diminished, have realized that the same level of sexual activity that took place in another life cycle is no longer what the soul is seeking.

In general practitioners working with menopausal women have found that the question of libido is resolved within the context of the larger body-soul issues which menopause stirs. Following are some of the main flower essences being used:

Alpine Lily Lilium parvum - Helps women to integrate the bodily experience of menopause; to move through physical sensations of pain or discomfort toward a deeper sense of the feminine.

Angelica Angelica archangelica - The herbal Angelica (called Dong Quai) is a classic women's remedy. However this form of Angelica brings an even deeper sense of expansiveness and spiritual relatedness. It helps to relieve the sense of compression or diminishment many women experience during menopause. Instead, one can re-discover a larger sense of self and soul purpose.

Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa - This herb is well know for its estrogen-balancing qualities, but when used as a flower essence it works more energetically to open up blocked energy in the entire pelvic region. It is especially important for women who feel intense feelings of anger, rage or violence during the menopausal transition. It is also helpful for painful and debilitating menstrual cycles.

California Wild Rose Rosa californica - Helps women who feel drained or exhausted during menopause, or who tend to look back to a past life phase rather than forward to their future.
Fairy Lantern Calochortus albus - For women who resist the developmental phase of menopause, especially a psychological need to remain young in an inappropriate way. For a deep fear of aging, or of being seen as "mature."

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - For physical or emotional "dryness," reduced sexual response or sensation. For helping to re-define one's sense of sexuality and integrating soul warmth with physical desire.

Mariposa Lily Calochortus leichtlinii - For completing the mothering phase of life, or for the empty-nest syndrome. Also for helping to transform deep-seated beliefs or superstitions about menopause internalized from one's mother/grandmother.

Pomegranate Punica granatum - A major flower essence for menopause, helping women re-direct the psychic and physical forces of procreativity and reproduction to soul creativity. An important essence for experiencing menopause as a positive and natural outcome of the feminine identity.

Quince Chaenomeles speciosa - Helping women to combine the softer, more feminine and yielding aspects of their identity with emergent feelings of strength and power associated with the inner masculine of each women's soul.

Sage Salvia officinalis - Helps to refine the over-abundance of watery emotions into calmer, more objective feelings. Instills the ability to reflect on life experience and see the movements of one's life from a larger perspective. One of the flower essences which can be very helpful for "water" problems during menopause: increased sweating and frequent urination.

Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata - Addresses the emptiness many women feel during menopause, as a positive experience. Helps to bring a sense of inner stillness, or "pause." Also a deeply cleansing remedy to release accumulated physical and psychic toxins which must be cleared before a new life phase can begin.

Scarlet Monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis - Very helpful flower essence for helping to see hot flashes and other fire manifestations during menopause at a deeper emotional level. This flower essence especially addresses repressed emotional material, such as anger, which may be blocking the vitality and physical energy.

Tiger Lily Lilium humboldtii - To help integrate and balance many energetic fluctuations during menopause, especially helping the masculine forces to remain integrated with the deep feminine.

Walnut Juglans regia - An excellent stabilizing remedy during menopause, helping women to break old links or dysfunctional identities and move forward with a renewed sense of soul purpose and identity.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium - For women who become over-sensitive during menopause and too emotionally expanded. Also for many physical symptoms such as prolonged menstrual bleeding or "flooding."

Lady's Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris - An excellent all purpose flower essence during menopause, helping women to find a larger, positive feminine identity, especially an ability to sense one's physical body as being nurtured by the larger physical matrix of Nature, or "Mother Earth."