Flower Remedies Help Balance Our Emotions!
Bach Flower Remedies, developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s, are a form of alternative therapy derived from flowering plants and trees. As I have said, these remedies are intended to help balance emotional states.
The 7 Flower Groups of Bach Flower Remedies
Dr. Edward Bach categorized the 38 Bach Flower Remedies into seven emotional groups to help identify emotional states and simplify the selection of remedies.
In other words, these groups represent a range of emotional responses that individuals often experience.
Bach Flower Remedies for managing emotional well-being
Each remedy within a group addresses a specific emotional, psychological (mental) state, contributing to the holistic approach of Bach Flower Therapy in managing emotional well-being.
In short, these seven groups are:
- Fear
- Uncertainty
- Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances
- Loneliness
- Over-Sensitivity to Influences and Ideas
- Despondency or Despair
- Over-Care for the Welfare of Others
Let’s look into each of these…
Specific Bach Flower Remedies for…
1. Fear and/or Anxieties:
This group includes remedies for various types of fears and anxieties. Remedies in this group are intended to help individuals face their fears and find inner courage and peace. The flowers in this group include:
- Aspen – For fear of unknown things.
- Cherry Plum – For fear of the mind giving way.
- Mimulus – For fear of known things.
- Red Chestnut – For over-concern for the welfare of loved ones.
- Rock Rose – For terror and fright.
2. Bouts of Uncertainty:
Remedies in this group are meant for those who are uncertain and indecisive. They help individuals to have more confidence in their decision-making and trust their inner guidance. This group includes:
- Cerato – For those who do not trust their own decisions.
- Gentian – For discouragement after a setback.
- Gorse – For hopelessness and despair.
- Hornbeam – For tiredness at the thought of doing something.
- Scleranthus – For those who suffer from indecision.
- Wild Oat – For those who are uncertain of their path in life.
3. Little Interest in Present Circumstances:
This group is for individuals who are not fully engaged in the present, either living in the past or future, or detached from their current reality. The remedies help to bring a greater interest in and connection to the present moment. It includes:
- Chestnut Bud – For failure to learn from past mistakes.
- Clematis – For those who find their lives unhappy and withdraw into fantasy worlds.
- Honeysuckle – For those who live in the past.
- Mustard – For deep gloom for no reason.
- White Chestnut – For unwanted thoughts and mental arguments.
- Olive – For those who feel exhausted in body and mind.
- Wild Rose – For those who are resigned to an unpleasant situation.
4. Isolation or Loneliness:
These remedies are for those who feel lonely or isolated, regardless of their circumstances. The flowers in this group help to foster a sense of connection and openness towards others. It includes:
- Heather – For those who are obsessed with their own ailments and problems.
- Impatiens – For those who are impatient.
- Water Violet – For those who prefer to be alone.
5. Over-Sensitivity to Influences and Ideas:
This group addresses those who are overly sensitive to external influences, ideas, and opinions. The remedies help in developing protection from external influences and fostering a sense of inner stability. It includes:
- Agrimony – Helps those who hide worries behind a cheerful face.
- Centaury – For people who find it hard to say ‘no’ to others.
- Holly – For those who suffer from jealousy, envy, or revenge.
- Walnut – For protection from change and unwanted influences.
6. The Feeling of Despondency or Despair:
For individuals facing deep gloom, despair, or despondency, often due to challenging circumstances or setbacks. The remedies in this group assist in finding hope and inner strength. This group includes:
- Crab Apple – The cleansing remedy, for those who feel unclean.
- Elm – For those overwhelmed by responsibility.
- Larch – For lack of confidence.
- Oak – For those who are struggling and fighting strongly to get well, or in connection with the affairs of their daily life.
- Pine – For those who blame themselves.
- Star of Bethlehem – For shock.
- Sweet Chestnut – For moments when the anguish is too great and seems unbearable.
- Willow – For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to accept.
7. Over-Care for the Welfare of Others:
Remedies in this category are for those who are overly concerned or preoccupied with the care of others, often at the expense of their own needs. The flowers help to balance care for others with self-care. It includes:
- Beech – For those who feel a need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them.
- Chicory – For people who are overly possessive.
- Rock Water – For those who are very strict in their way of living.
- Vervain – For those with fixed principles and ideas.
- Vine – For those who dominate others.
How to take Bach Flower Remedies
Internal Use
The remedies are typically taken orally and are believed to work by transferring the energy or vibrational nature of the flower to the user, thereby changing or stabilizing emotional states.
- Direct Method: The most common way to use Bach Flower Remedies is to take them orally. You can take them directly from the stock bottle; usually, two drops of the chosen remedy are placed on the tongue. Alternatively, you can add a few drops to a glass of water and sip it at intervals.
- Mixing Bottle: For a more personalized approach, especially when using multiple remedies, you can mix them in a treatment bottle. Fill a 30 ml bottle nearly full of water, and add two drops of each selected remedy (up to a maximum of seven remedies). From this mixture, take four drops at least four times a day.
- In Beverages: You can also add drops of the remedy to your favorite beverage like tea, coffee, or mineral water.
External Use
Bach Flower Remedies are primarily used internally, but they can also be used externally. Here’s how they are typically used:
- Topical Application: Although less common, Bach Flower Remedies can be applied topically. This is usually done by adding a few drops to cream or lotion and applying it to the skin, especially on pulse points like wrists or neck.
- Bath: Adding drops of a remedy or a combination of remedies to a bath is another way of external application. This can be particularly soothing and is often used for emotional healing.
- Compress: You can make a compress by soaking a cloth in water with added flower remedies and then applying it to the skin.
General Guidelines
- Dosage and Frequency: There is no strict rule about dosage or frequency. The standard recommendation is four drops four times a day, but you can use the remedies more frequently in times of crisis or less frequently for ongoing support.
- Combination of Remedies: You can combine different remedies according to your emotional state. However, it is generally advised not to mix more than seven remedies at a time.
- Duration of Use: The duration for which you should take the remedies varies. Some people may feel relief quickly, while others might need to use them for a longer period.
- Consultation: While self-selection of remedies is common, consulting a Bach Flower practitioner can provide a more tailored selection based on your specific emotional and psychological state.
Remember, Bach Flower Remedies are intended to address emotional and psychological states and should not replace medical treatments for physical ailments. If symptoms persist or if you have a serious health concern, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
The Process – Bach Flower Remedies
They are typically preserved in alcohol, usually brandy, to maintain their stability and prolong shelf life.
The process of making the remedies involves two main methods: the sun method and the boiling method. Both methods extract the essence of the flowers into water, which is then mixed with brandy as a preservative.
- Sun Method: This is used for most of the flower remedies. Fresh flowers are picked in full bloom and placed in clear spring water under direct sunlight for several hours. This process allows the energy of the flower to be transferred into the water.
- Boiling Method: Used for certain types of flowers, particularly those from trees and bushes. Here, the flowers are boiled in water. The boiling process helps to release the energy of the flower into the water.
After the preparation using either method, the water is filtered, and an equal amount of brandy is added to preserve the essence. This mixture becomes the stock bottle, from which individual remedies are made.
When preparing a remedy for use, a few drops of the stock essence are typically diluted in water.
Some practitioners prepare the remedies using vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as preservatives instead of brandy.
Overall, the traditional and most common method of preservation is with brandy.
Precautions
Bach Flower Remedies are generally considered safe for most people, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
They are a form of complementary therapy used primarily for emotional and psychological balancing and are not known to have significant side effects. However, there are some precautions and considerations to be aware of:
1. Alcohol Content:
The remedies are preserved in alcohol (usually brandy), so individuals with a history of alcohol dependency or those who prefer to avoid alcohol should be cautious. Alcohol-free alternatives are available, often preserved in glycerine or vinegar.
2. Allergic Reactions:
Although rare, some individuals may have allergic reactions to certain plants or flowers. If you’re allergic to any specific flower used in the remedies, it’s advisable to avoid that particular essence.
Interaction with Medications:
There is no known interaction between Bach Flower Remedies and pharmaceutical medications. However, it’s always prudent to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially if you’re taking prescription medications.
Psychological Impact:
While Bach Flower Remedies are intended to help manage emotional states, they should not be used as a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment when it’s needed.
In other words, if you’re experiencing severe or persistent emotional or psychological distress, it’s important to seek professional help.
Quality and Authenticity:
Ensure that you are using authentic Bach Flower Remedies. There are many products on the market, and not all may be of high quality or true to Dr. Bach’s original formulations. You can get them in sets or individually.
Use with Children and Pregnant Women:
While generally considered safe, it’s always advisable for pregnant women and parents of young children to consult a healthcare provider before using these remedies.
Self-Diagnosis:
Self-diagnosing and self-treating emotional issues without professional guidance can sometimes lead to overlooking serious health conditions. Professional guidance can be valuable in choosing the most appropriate remedies.
As I have noted, while Bach Flower Remedies are largely safe, it’s important to consider the above points and consult with a healthcare provider if you have specific concerns or health conditions.
Scientific Evidence is Lacking BUT…
Despite a lack of strong scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is attributed to:
Word of Mouth:
Many people report personal success stories and positive experiences with Bach Flower Remedies. These anecdotal accounts, shared through word of mouth or testimonials, can be powerful motivators to try them.
Holistic and Emotional Well-being:
The remedies are often used as part of a holistic approach to health. People (we) prefer natural or complementary therapies.
Possible Placebo Effect:
On the other hand, some of the benefits reported by users may be due to the placebo effect. This is a well-documented phenomenon where a person feels better after using a treatment because they believe it will help, not necessarily because of any active ingredient in the treatment.
When you think about it, if it works, whatever the reason, why let that hinder us?
Safety:
In short, the remedies are considered safe with no known side effects, they are seen as a low-risk option. The simplicity of using these remedies, often without the need for professional supervision, also contributes to their popularity.
Psychological and Spiritual Aspects:
For some of us, the use of Bach Flower Remedies goes beyond physical or psychological health. They may also be seen as a form of spiritual healing or a way to achieve emotional balance, aligning with certain our beliefs and views.
The Unfortunate Dissatisfaction with Conventional Medicine:
If you’re like me at all, we usually turn to alternative therapies, like Bach Flower Remedies, due to our dissatisfaction with conventional medical treatments. Especially when those treatments have either not provided relief or have caused undesirable side effects.
Although, while many find these remedies helpful, they should be used as part of a balanced approach to health and well-being, and not as a substitute for medical treatment when it’s needed.
Supportive Care:
We can definitely use them in conjunction with other therapies, both conventional and alternative, as a supportive measure to improve our own overall well-being.
Customization and Personalization:
I think that the ability to customize remedies based on our emotional states is quite appealing. In other words, it’s a tailored approach to self-care.
Historical and Cultural Factors:
In addition, the historical and cultural context of Bach Flower Remedies, rooted in the early 20th century and the natural medicine movement, also plays a role in their appeal.
Marketing and Commercial Availability:
I must admit, the effective marketing strategies and the widespread availability of these remedies in health food stores and online also contributes to their popularity..
Above all, it’s important to note that – as it is with any form of therapy – individual experiences and results always vary.
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- The Professional Wallet set contains all 38 x 20 ml BachTM Original Flower Remedies, plus 2 x 20 ml RESCUE Remedy and 1 x BachTM Original Flower Remedies mixing bottle.
- The professional set is elegantly made of soft, durable faux-leather and is easily portable with a side handle. It's light and holds the essences in individual elastic bands and there's even an...
- Each one of the 38 Bach flower essences corresponds to a different emotion or feeling that anyone might experience from time to time.
- Take a single individual essence based on how you're feeling or create a combination of up to seven essences using a mixing bottle.
- Vegetarian & vegan friendly. Suitable for all the family
- The Complete Boxed Set of Genuine Bach Flower Essences x 40 (10ml) Stock bottles, traditionally made
- The 38 Flower Essences of Dr Edward Bach plus two Comforter Essence (the Five Flower Blend). Remedies made to the traditional and Trusted Methods of Dr Bach - direct from the Mother Tincture.
- Premium Quality - For Practitioner or Personal use and the Perfect Gift for lovers of Genuine Bach Flower Essences.
- Suppliers of authentic Bach Flower Essences worldwide for over 40 years.
- The Professional box set is a elegantly made wooden set, ideal for the avid Bach original flower remedies fan
- Contains: All 38 x 20ml Bach original flower remedies, plus 2 x 20 ml rescue remedy and 2x mixing bottles
- With secure holders for each of the essences, they will look well presented every time you open the box
- The clearly marked lid makes finding and selecting the essence of your choice, a quick and easy process
- Take an individual essence based on your needs or create a combination of up to seven essences using mixing bottle