In 1986, Ian created the first Bush Essence, Paw Paw, while attending a kinesiology conference. Shortly before this, he began running a healing circle for people seeking healing, including his close friend Jim Vicary, who was facing terminal cancer. During the meditation segment in the circle, Ian began receiving images of flowers along with insights into their healing qualities and where they should be prepared, leading to the development of many of the first Bush Essences.

Within two years, 30 Single Bush Essences had been identified. Ian released the first Stock Kit, published his first Reference Book and began teaching workshops across Australia, allowing practitioners to begin working with these unique Australian remedies.

In late 1987, Wellbeing Magazine published an article by Ian on the development of the Australian Bush Flower Essences. Regular articles followed, which greatly expanded the awareness of the Bush Essences.

This was the first time Ian had combined Bush Essences together. It was created for one of his patients who was in a coma after a horrendous car accident and not expected to live – which she did and fully recovered.

The first edition of the quarterly newsletter, The Essence, was published and later that year, the first combination remedies were introduced at the Mind, Body & Spirit Festivals in Australia. These included Male Sexuality, Female Sexuality, Slowing, Creativity & Playfulness and Anger Drops, each made from two Essences. Additional blends were also created, including Self-Esteem, Learning & Memory and Vitality. Back then, postage and handling was $1!

During this period, the business was growing quickly. A new edition of the Reference Book was released, expanding the system to 42 Bush Essences and the first full-time staff were employed to help support the growing interest in the Bush Essences.

By the end of the 1980s the Bush Essences were reaching a much wider audience. Workshops expanded across Australia and internationally, including the first held in New Zealand. In 1990 Ian was invited to speak as a keynote presenter at the first International Flower Essence Conference in France.

That same year, Ian's book Australian Bush Flower Essences was published and later translated into several languages, introducing the Bush Essences to practitioners around the world. A third edition of the Reference Book was also released, expanding the system to 50 Bush Essences. Ian presented the Bush Essences at the San Diego Whole Life Expo and Cognis Essence, now known as Focus Essence, was released.

As the Bush Essences continued to grow in recognition, Ian moved his clinic and operations from his home to a nearby Holistic Medical Centre in Allambie Heights. Around this time, he made his first national television appearance with host Clive Robertson. The interview, originally scheduled for four minutes, proved so engaging it extended to nine.

Ian also began presenting regularly at the annual Touch for Health Conference in San Diego, which led to many new international distributors. In 1992 he hosted the Third International Flower Essence Conference in Manly, bringing together presenters from India, France, the USA, Brazil, Australia and England.

During these years, new combination remedies such as Solaris, Confid and Travel Essence were introduced and the first Level 3 workshop was held in Sydney. Ian also taught workshops throughout Europe and South America, helping establish a growing global community of practitioners working with the Bush Essences.

In 1994, a community competition with hundreds of entries renamed Exit Essence to Transition Essence and Heartsong Essence was created, which later became known as Creative Essence.

By the mid-1990s the Bush Essences were gaining strong international interest. In 1995, Ian began training practitioners from other countries to teach the Bush Essences, creating the foundation for a global network of educators. Workshops were held across China, Chile, Singapore, Sweden and the Netherlands.

During this time, the range of combination remedies expanded with the creation of Meditation Essence and Relationship Essence. In 1996, Sexuality Essence was introduced, followed by Adol Essence, Abund Essence and Femin Essence, which was later renamed Woman Essence.

In 1997, the business moved to its current site in Terrey Hills, returning the work closer to the Australian bush that had originally inspired it. By this time, the team had grown to 23 people, both full-time and part-time, including the “petals” who carefully prepared the Essences by hand.

Education continued to grow with the introduction of an advanced Bush Essence workshop, later known as Level 2, building on the existing basic training (now Level 1). That same year, the Bush Flower Insight Cards were launched, offering an intuitive way to connect with the messages of the flowers.

Radiation Essence, later renamed Electro Essence, was also introduced. Across Australia, Bush Essence Insight Groups began forming, bringing practitioners together to share case histories and deepen their understanding of the Bush Essences.

By the late 1990s, the Bush Essence work continued to deepen and expand. In 1998, Marie Matthews travelled to Sydney to help Ian dictate and compile the manuscript for Bush Flower Healing. That same year, the Space Mists and Therapeutic Creams were introduced, expanding how the Bush Essences could be experienced.

In 1999, Bush Flower Healing was published, offering deeper insights, case studies and practical guidance for practitioners around the world. The range of remedies also grew, with Detox Essence, later renamed Purifying, introduced and the stock kit expanding to include 62 Bush Essences.

As the new millennium began, the Bush Essences continued to grow in both reach and depth. In 2000, the Sixth International Flower Essence Conference was held in Brazil, and the first Level 3 workshop was introduced, offering more advanced training for practitioners.

During this time, several Combination Essences were refined and the Bush Essence newsletter expanded as the community grew. In 2002, the White Light Essences were released, created at sacred sites around the world, expanding the Bush Essence system and bringing a deeper spiritual dimension to Australian Bush Flower Essences. That same year a group from Brazil travelled to Australia to attend a workshop organised especially for them.

During the early 2000s, the Bush Essences continued to grow through education and international outreach. The website was significantly upgraded in 2003 and the first workshop in Italy was held, reflecting growing interest across Europe.

In 2004, the Terrey Hills premises were renovated to include a new production area and dedicated workshop space. The Bush Essence newsletter also evolved, becoming an eight-page full-colour publication. That same year the Correspondence Course was launched, allowing students around the world to study the Bush Essences remotely for the first time.

Green Cross, in 2004, released their study of successfully using Electro Essence with children in Belarus who had high radiation levels as a result of the Chernobyl disaster.

International teacher training expanded in 2005 with programs held in Brazil and Sydney, while a new Stock Kit Box was released to house the growing range of Single Essences. In 2007 the Antarctic & Arctic Essences were introduced and Animal Healing was published, extending the reach of the Bush Essences even further.

In 2008, a group from Japan travelled to Australia to attend a dedicated Level 3 workshop.

During this period, Ian travelled to powerful natural locations around the world, preparing new Essences inspired by the unique energies of these environments.

New Essences were introduced from high energy locations in the Amazon, China, Madagascar and Lake Baikal in Siberia. In 2009, Ian also released the Happy Healthy Kids book and the Lake Baikal Essence. By 2010, the Light Frequency Essence range was completed with the release of the Mt Pinatubo Essence. That same year, Level 1 and Numerology workshop DVDs were released, along with the first Oral Spray remedies, including Emergency, Calm & Clear and Woman.

During this period, the Bush Essences expanded into new areas of learning and daily wellbeing. In 2011, the Bush Essences of the Sydney Region DVD was released and the Therapeutic Creams and Space Mists were refreshed with new packaging.

In 2012, the Animal Correspondence Course was introduced, extending Bush Essence education to those working with animals. The Love System certified Organic Skincare Collection was launched was launched that same year, bringing the Bush Essences into everyday self-care.

In 2013, Online Workshops were released, opening a new digital pathway for students around the world to study the Bush Essences.

During this period, the Bush Essence Pendant Collection was introduced. Each hand-blown glass pendant contained Bush Essences at stock strength, offering a unique way to work with the Bush Essences throughout the day.

Several new Essences were also released, including Isis Essence in 2014, Solar Logos Essence in 2015 and Gaia Essence in 2016. In 2017, Rainbow Essence completed the Divine Presence Essence series.

This time also marked the end of an era, with the final printed version of “The Essence” newsletter released in September 2016 after 28 years, before transitioning to a digital format in 2017.

With practitioners, educators and distributors now spanning the world, the Bush Essences continued supporting emotional wellbeing for an ever-growing international community. Workshops, education and practitioner networks strengthened the connection between people, nature and the wisdom of the Australian bush.

After nineteen years without a new single Bush Essence, Calophyllum was created. This flower supports leadership, tolerance, strengthens purpose and spiritual direction. Qualities deeply needed in today’s world and a reminder that Nature continues to provide for the needs of society, when it is needed.

Ian introduced the Year Essence, an annual remedy created to support the emotional themes of each Universal Year. It quickly became one of the most widely embraced Bush Essence products. During this time Sedum was also prepared in Corsica, marking the first Bush Essence created outside Australia.

From a single Essence prepared through meditation to a global system used in more than 50 countries, Australian Bush Flower Essences continues to bring healing, joy and happiness to people all around the world.