Flower Essence vs. Essential Oil: What’s the Difference?
FLOWER ESSENCE VS. ESSENTIAL OIL AT A GLANCE
- A flower essence is an energetic remedy containing the bioenergetic imprint of a flower – the flower's life force – which does not have a scent. These are traditionally taken internally.
- An essential oil is a concentrated aromatic oil, coming from a potent distillation of a plant’s volatile oil (the aromatic compound of the plant). As these oils are so potent, they are often diluted for topical application.
- What we do with both: many LOTUSWEI flower essence blends are available in a mists, anointing oil & serum form for external use only, where they are combined with essential oils to create a luxurious, sensorial experience.
Not sure where to start? Take the flower quiz.
The struggle of the similarity of these two words "essence" and "essential" is REAL. You don't have to tell us!
On top of that, you pick up a LOTUSWEI bottle, read the label, and there they both are: flower essences AND essential oils. So ... what's what? What's really responsible for the magic in each bottle?
We understand the confusion. For a short answer, check out our FAQ page. For a long answer, keep reading!
To say it plainly: LOTUSWEI Mists, Anointing Oils & Serums are all blends of flower essences, plus essential oils! We specialize in both. Our elixirs are the exception: these are just flower essences & honey ... no oil, no scent, and trust me, essential oils wouldn't taste very good. ; )
To avoid confusion with aromatherapy and essential oils, we sometimes call our flower essences: flower remedies.
Flower essences & essential oils are two genuinely different things, made in different ways, doing very different work for our well-being.
Both come from plants, but they are two distinctly unique remedies.
What is a Flower Essence?
A flower essence is the energetic signature of a flower, captured in a bottle. It can also be referred to as: the bioenergetic imprint of the flower or the flower's “chi” or life-force.
By a solar infusion, that energy is transmitted into water ~ Mother Nature’s greatest recording device.
How Flower Essences Work:
When introduced to the human energy field, flower essences harmonize with our subtle energetic body, moving through the energy meridians, like acupuncture, without the needles.
The life force of the flowers activates your energy through your meridian system, the same meridian system that Chinese medicine doctors have been using for thousands of years.
Flower essences act as a tuning fork, removing static and bringing your body closer to harmony. What follows is a shift in state of mind, not a direct physical effect, but rather more joy, more laughter, feeling more peaceful, overall feeling more you.
What is an Essential Oil?
Essential oils are potent distillations or extractions of a plant’s volatile oil: a highly aromatic physical compound of the plant – the part of the plant that makes it smell.
Ever pinch some Rosemary, Mint or Basil leaves between your fingers to smell their divine, energizing scent? That's the volatile oils ~ right on the surface of the leaves!
It's kind of like the blood of a plant. It is a physical substance you can smell across a room.
Essential oils require vast amounts of plant material for a bottle of pure oil, whereas a flower essence can be made from one single plant blossom, which can serve hundreds of thousands of people. Because of the exponential potential of a single flower, flower essences are one of the most sustainable forms of natural remedies.
Why the Carrier Matters:
Because an essential oil is concentrated plant matter, it is typically diluted with a "carrier" substance before it meets the skin. For our flower essence remedies which include essential oils, our carriers vary:
- Anointing Oils: all made with organic jojoba oil
- Serums: all made with safflower oil
- Mists: all made with pure water
Each of these three modalities are made for external use only. Essential oils are not typically used internally, and we don't recommend it!
If you're interested in flower essences for internal use, all of our elixirs are made for dropping on the tongue, or into beverages. These are made with no essential oils.
Flower Essences vs. Essential Oil: Side by Side
| FLOWER ESSENCE | ESSENTIAL OIL | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | The energetic signature of the flower, bottled through a solar infusion process. | A distillation of the plant’s volatile oil, a physical aromatic compound – aka the part of a plant that makes it smell! |
| Scent | None! |
Strong, & that's the whole point! |
| Plant Volume Required | One single flower can serve hundreds of thousands of people. | Vast amounts of a fresh plant is required to create a single bottle of pure essential oil. |
| How to Use | Internally as an elixir, or externally in a mist, anointing oil or serum. |
Applied externally, diluted in oil or water, or diffused into the air. |
| How it Works | Gently moves through the human energy meridians and subtle body to impact the nervous system & state of mind. | Gently moves through the body's bloodstream, by inhalation or topical absorption, interacting directly with the physical body system. |
Why We Put Both in One Bottle
Traditionally, flower essences are taken internally, like a tincture. We offer this traditional method through our elixirs.
As an alternative, we also offer flower essence blends in the form of mists, anointing oils and serums, which of course contain flower essences – plus aromatherapeutic essential oils, so they have a luxurious scent, and are masterfully formulated for a synergistic effect between the two layers (energy & scent) of the remedy.
With our Infinite Love Mist for example:
The flower essences in Infinite Love carry the theme: self-love, self-acceptance, gentleness and kindness.
The essential oils in Infinite Love, including Red Mandarin & Rose Geranium, compliment the flower essences through their scents. This layer, you notice immediately as you're enveloped in the smell of rose petals, honey & citrus.
My Infinite Love spray is like a little moment for me to check in with myself and be mindful. My LMT recommended it to me for my pregnancy and labor and so far it’s been the most incredible opportunity for self care. Even in the middle of my day, it gives me a reason to stop and enjoy something.
Angela B., verified review
So Which is Better for Emotional Support?
Flower essences work on emotional patterns at a subtle, energetic level, and the effect is gradual and cumulative. Essential oils work through scent, and a response to an aroma arrives right away. Together, you get something that meets you in the moment, while something is working under the surface even after the scent fades.
Experiences From Our Community
From 68 five-star reviews, here's how a few members of our community describe the Quiet Mind Aura Mist:
This mist is like an off switch for the mind! As a long-time meditator, I can say that this immediately drops me into a state that took me around a decade to cultivate through seated meditation. The inner voice fades far far far into the background and is replaced with calm, centered, quiet. Powerful stuff! Love to use right before bedtime to surrender into a cozy night’s rest. Thank you for this amazing mist!
Ashley, verified review
Quiet mind is my absolute go to these days . I love it so much and feel that I now never want to be without it. I spray myself and my pillow before going to bed and find that the chatter in my mind diminishes and relaxation starts . If I wake in the night , I reach to my nightstand and do another quick spray .
Gail T., verified review
Combined with inner peace is a winning formula for me.
Are Flower Essences Homeopathic, and Are They Safe?
Similar to homeopathic remedies, flower essences are diluted several times after the original collection of the mother flower essence. The philosophy of extreme dilution overlaps, but they are not the same system, and we would not call LOTUSWEI flower essences 'homeopathic remedies.'
The dilution process for flower essences is also why they are so gentle. The final product contains no plant parts, only the energetic imprint, or life force, of the flower, so even people with allergies can use flower essences safely!
Our elixirs, which are taken internally, have a base of ethically sourced honey. Because of the honey, they should not be given directly to children under one year. Instead, they can be used by mothers who are breast-feeding, to benefit both Mama & child.
Flower Essence vs. Essential Oil: FAQ
Q: Is a flower essence the same as an essential oil?
A: No, they're very different!
A flower essence is an energetic remedy containing the bioenergetic imprint of a flower – the flower's life force – which does not have a scent.
An essential oil is a concentrated aromatic oil, coming from a potent distillation of a plant’s volatile oil (the aromatic compound of the plant)
Q. Why do LOTUSWEI mists and oils use both flower essences & essential oils?
A: We make them this way on purpose! The flower essences carry the emotional theme or energetic pattern. The essential oils carry the scent.
Q: Can I use an elixir and a mist at the same time?
A: Absolutely! Flower essences work together to best benefit your state of being, and if you're drawn to multiple blends, we always recommend following that instinct. We go deeper on this topic in our blog: How to Work with our Flower Essences.
Q: Which flower essence format or modality is strongest (elixir, mist, anointing oil or serum)?
A: They are all equally effective, as long as they are used at the proper frequency: at least 5 times a day, until the bottle is empty, or until you're no longer drawn to those flowers.
This frequency of use allows the flower's energetic signature to sync with our own, and is the biggest factor in the effectiveness – no matter which modality you use.
Start With the Format that Fits Your Lifestyle
The best modality for you comes down to whichever modality you will be inspired to use most in your daily life. If you’re unsure, choose whichever will be most convenient to use five times a day!
- Flower Elixirs ~ for impact from the inside-out: flower essences infused with ethically sources honey, taken internally: five drops, five times a day, under the tongue or in all your beverages. This format is closest to the pure flower essence, like the Quiet Mind Elixir.
- Aura Mists ~ impact through the body's aura: flower essences and essential oils in pure water, misted around the face and shoulders. Explore our Aura Mist Collection.
- Anointing Oils ~ for impact through the body's energy circuits: flower essences and essential oils in jojoba oil. Applied to wrists, neck or any pulse points along the body. This modality is closest to a natural perfume. Explore the Quiet Mind Anointing Oil – fresh, citrusy, herbal & green.
The Aura Mists & Anointing Oils have an added benefit of aromatherapy. Calm your nervous system through the luxurious scents, while the flower essences work on the subtle energetic level.
Here's the trick: choose whichever modality (or modalities) you will be most inclined to reach for 5 times a day.
If you think you'd struggle to remember to use any of the above options 5x/day – you are not alone! In these cases, we recommend trying an elixir, and adding a full dropperful to your water bottle each time you refill it.
If you stumbled on this page because you're looking for support with deep, restful sleep, explore flower essences for better sleep. If you'd like to explore all the possibilities of how to use flower essences as a part of your daily life, explore different ways to use flower essences.
You do not have to pick a side between flower essences & essential oils. That's why we put both in one bottle!
- Want a flower essence only (no scent)? Quiet Mind Flower Elixir, 30 mL · add to cart
- Want both layers at once? Quiet Mind Aura Mist, 50 mL · add to cart
- Not sure where to begin? Let your intuition guide you to the flowers you need: take the flower quiz.
Love & flower petals,
Katie Hess
