Flower essences are liquid vibrational imprints of flowers that can have a profound healing effect on the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical levels of being.  They are typically prepared by placing flowers in a bowl of water in direct sunlight.  The medium, water, captures the essence of the flower medicine and this essence, known as the Mother essence, is mixed with a preservative, such as brandy, and stored in a bottle.  The Mother essence is used in the creation of flower essence formulas.  Gem elixirs and environmental essences are made similarly using gems and specific healing locations.