Any plant can be considered a Master in its own right. They have likely been growing in a particular way and adapting to the ever-changing world (some have had to do this more than others) for thousands of years. But I have to make a distinction here with my work, being that of flower essences made from Master Plants.  

I specifically collect essences from plants that have had, and continue to, massive impacts on their cultures of origin as well as human consciousness and development. My apothecary is by no means exhaustive, I am simply sharing on the plants that I personally have come into deep relationship with.  

Master Plants collectively have come to be known as plants that are predominantly entheogenic, visionary, mind-altering. I do agree with this AND feel there are many plants that still meet this criteria but are not necessary entheogenic, take coffee or tea for example. They are ALL potent medicines, that is certain. And all of them have profoundly impacted human evolution.  

Many of my essence are collected from the flowers of plants that contain potent alkaloids and if not worked with properly can do great damage, like Datura and Brugmansia. Many demand a sacred and ceremonial container under the guidance of a skilled teacher like Ayahuasca, Chakruna, Peyotl, and Chiric sanango.   Properly made flower essences will never contain the presence of the plant constituents, but capture the completely unique energetic signature of the plant that resonates with an aspect of the human emotional spectrum. This, in my personal experience, can lead to incredible healing.  

All of these plants are masterful in their abilities to produce great change within the Heart of Humanity and the psyche of the individual. They are now in our popular culture for this very reason! I’ve referenced this before, but think about the extensive and painful history of how Cacao has made its way across the world. Maybe you aren’t familiar - A wonderful podcast that has covered most of the plants that I’ve made essences with is called ‘The Plants of the Gods’ by ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin, who studied with the ethnobotanical pioneer Richard Evan Schultes.  

These plants are given the title Master Plants or Teacher Plants because of their long standing and intimate relationships with humans…helping to build entire civilizations - like Koka, navigate conflict and purify - like Tobacco, allow us to communicate with the ancestors and time travel - like Chakruna, expanding the global trade route for better or worse - like Camellia. It’s incredible to sit back and think of how these plants left their roots to travel to your local coffee shop or weekend retreat.  

I know for certain that they want to be known for their positive qualities and contributions. Yet we do unfortunately see corrupted humans with dark intentions misusing them and not working with integrity thus resulting in the tainted reputation of plant medicines being “demonic”, “psychotic”, “drugs” etc.   We also see the exploitation, over-harvesting, and ecological damage done to mass production of many of these plants for profit. We see once abundantly wild species now not being replanted as it’s being harvested, resulting in threatened plants and delicate habitats. We see sacred spaces and the serious role of genuine trained medicine people and healers being pushed aside for cocktail ceremonies and weekend trainings for $3,333. We see people hungry for money, power, and status. We see people turning to black magic in the ceremonial space instead of the realms of light and healing. And so much more.  

So to scale back, to try something less extractive, to encourage the use of the precious human vessel while still learning from these amazing relatives and teachers of the plant world, I share the *flower essences* of plants I personally have direct relationships with. They are growing in beautiful, healthy ecosystems and well loved gardens. They are thriving and abundant in medicine, so I feel good sharing what’s come to me in this way.  

Due to the extensive work and service of my beloved husband (@rememberplants on IG), I have been able to personally commune and come to know the entheogenic ceremonial space. And it is through his passion and dedicated hands that they thrive where they have been planted. His relationships with many of these plants is tended to in the NE Peruvian Amazon yearly with our dear teachers, to whom we lovingly donate a portion of sales to to acknowledge the wisdom they share generously with us.  

Thank you for supporting Flores de Florida, Master Plant Flower Essences.