I've noticed a lot of people talking about the Bach Flower remedies, so I thought I had better give you all some more information about the whole range.
You may or may not know, but there are actually 38 different remedies in the Bach set (39 if you count Rescue Remedy)
You can also get “rescue cream” which is for topical application.
One point to note, is that the remedies can safely be used on animals (of all sizes) you just need to match up their personality!
** Who was Bach?**
Dr Edward Bach was a Harley Street Doctor, and a homeopath. He believed that the mind played a vital role in the maintenance of health, and in aiding recovery from illness.
He recognised that peoples personalities had an effect on their health, so in the 1930's he developed the 38 flower remedies that we use today.
** What are the remedies made from?**
The remedies are made from totally natural substances that could be found in Dr Bach's garden, or the areas near to where he lived. They are either single flowers or tree blossoms, or in the case of Rock Water, the water from a natural spring!
In real basic terms the remedies are all made using pure water, the blossoms are placed in the water and it is allowed to heat up (in the sun) for about 3 hours. For the harder wood, it is boiled up in the pure water. The mixture is the mixed with Brandy.
** What are they good for **
Bach flower remedies were specifically formulate to help alleviate certain emotion problems. The remedies are really essences, they are tuning forks for the emotional soul.
They work as all homeopathic remedies do, by treating the individual
** What remedies are there? **
This section I'm afraid can be no more than a list, but I will put a few notes alongside each remedy, to give you some ideas about what they can be used for. If you want to find out more about the remedies, and what they can help with, look at the end of this document, where I give a few pointers of where to get information.
Agrimony - If you put a cheerful face to hide a situation
Aspen - If you are nervous, anxious, or you cannot explain your fears and worries.
Beech - Intolerance and you are very critical
Centaury - If you always say yes, cannot say no, you always want to please.
Cerota - You don't think you have the ability to judge situations.
Cherry Plum - You fear you may loose control, and worry about your behaviour.
Chestnut Bud - You keep repeating the same mistakes. You don't learn!
Chicory - You are overly possessive, and protective.
Clematis - A daydreamer, a general lack of interest.
Crab Apple - You feel unclean, poor self image
Elm - You are overwhelmed by responsibility
Gentian - You suffer despondency and discouragement, you can get depressed when things go wrong.
Gorse - You feel hopeless, and suffer from despair.
Heather - You are talkative, you don't like being alone, you are preoccupied with yourself.
Holly - Extreme jealousy, feelings of hatred
Honeysuckle - You dwell on the past, maybe homesick, or nostalgic.
Hornbeam - Weariness, doubt if you can face the day, "Monday morning feeling"
Impatiens - Impatient, want everything done NOW!!
Larch - If you suffer from lack of confidence, you don't try things, because you know you'll fail.
Mimulus - You have a fear of things which you know about, such as illness, accidents, public speaking etc.
Mustard - You have sudden depression, which comes and goes, but you don't know why.
Oak - Will be tired, but struggle on through a sense of duty.
Olive - You have a general lack of energy, both body and mind. It is good for convalescence.
Pine - You feel guilt, you blame yourself for other peoples mistakes.
Red Chestnut - You are overly concerned for the welfare of others
Rock Rose - If you suffer from any terror, being in an accident, being mugged etc.
Rock Water - You are inflexible, you set high standards, and could be self-domineering.
Scleranthus - If you suffer from indecision, or are uncertain about things.
Star of Bethlehem - This is used to help in the after effects of shock, that can be mental or physical.
Sweet Chestnut - If you suffer from extreme mental anguish "hopeless despair"
Vervain - You push yourself, you have fixed ideas, you can be over-enthusiastic.
Vine - Inflexible, you can be assertive, you use your skills to domineer, always putting people down.
Walnut - You can find it difficult to adapt to change, it is a remedy for major life changes.
Water Violet -You are proud, you prefer to be alone
White Chestnut - This is if you have obsessive worrying thoughts, you cannot let go of things that were bad for you.
Wild Oat - You've reached one of life's cross roads, you don't know which way to go, you have no clear direction.
Wild Rose - You re resigned to the situation you find yourself in, you are apathetic.
Willow - If are resentful, full of self pity, if you feel short changed by life.
Rescue remedy - This is a "combination remedy" it contains 5 remedies, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis, this is Dr Bach's emergency combination. Rescue remedy is generally used in emergencies, such as grief, fear, terror, confusion, it helps you to face up to the situation. You can also get this as a cream, which has added crab apple.
One important point to mention is that if you think you need elements of 2 or 3 remedies, then just put 2 or 3 drops of each in your glass of water, they do not counteract each other.
** How do I take them? **
There are a few ways to take these remedies. The main one that people use, is to get a glass of water, and dilute 2 drops of the remedy into it, and then sip at regular intervals through the day.
The other way is to put the remedy straight from the dropper bottle onto your tongue, again a couple of drops.
The rescue remedy is generally suggested to use 4 drops. When I prescribe these to people, I generally say take whatever dose you are comfortable with, so some only need one drop, others need 5 or 6 drops.
** What other information is there? **
There is a vast amount of information on the use of these type of remedies. Some good sources would include
Also in my shop www.larryshomeopathics.co.uk there are a number of very good books dedicated to Bach Flower Remedies Bach Flower Books
** Where do I get them **
You can get all the flower remedies direct from my shop www.larryshomeopathics.co.uk I use Healing Herbs, who in turn use totally organic ingredients for the remedies. A lot of my clients say this brand of flower remedies are far more effective than other brands they have used in the past. Bach Flower Remedies
Thanks for reading this, and I hope it has given you an insight into what the Flower remedies are all about, and a real basic guide as to what they can be use to treat. There are some good books in the book section of my shop.
If you do have more specific questions, then just contact me.
