Bach Flower Remedies in More Detail
Dr Edward Bach (1886 – 1936) was a respected hospital doctor and homoeopath. Noticing that, in his opinion, every patient that came into his practice had an underlying emotional imbalance no matter what their physical complaint, Dr Bach decided to devote his life to developing a system of healing emotional pain. He investigated the healing properties of plants, trees, water and other natural resources around Mount Vernon, his beautiful Oxfordshire home. Over many years, he developed his Flower Remedies to cover all the basic underlying causes of emotional distress. Although nowadays the remedies are made under licence by the homoeopathic manufacturing company Nelson’s, Mount Vernon is still the headquarters of the Bach Foundation.
Dr Bach grouped his remedies under seven headings, to reflect all the basic emotional imbalances as he perceived them:
Fear (Rock Rose, Mimulus, Cherry Plum, Aspen, Red Chestnut); Uncertainty (Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian, Gorse, Hornbeam, Wild Oat); Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances (Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose, Olive, White Chestnut, Mustard, Chestnut Bud); Loneliness (Water Violet, Impatiens, Heather); Oversensitivity to Influence and Ideas (Agrimony, Centaury, Walnut, Holly); Despondency or Despair (Larch, Pine, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, Oak, Crab Apple); Over-care for the Welfare of Others (Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, Rock Water).
The remedies are made by allowing the plant either to steep in pure spring water in the sun, or by boiling in pure spring water. The healing energy of the plant is transferred to the water which is then mixed with brandy to preserve it. This is the Mother Tincture. The Mother Tincture is then further diluted with brandy to form the Stock remedy.
The key to successful prescribing of Bach Flower Remedies is to understand the negative emotions that underlie your problems. Sometimes it’s easier to get a professional therapist to do this for you, but you can self prescribe these remedies. You can mix up to five remedies together to make a prescription that fits the emotional state that is troubling you. Bach Flower Remedies may be bought from health food shops and some high street stores and supermarkets. However, these outlets do not stock the full range of 38 remedies, so it may be that your particular remedy is not available from this source.
Remember that Rescue Remedy (a mix of 5 of the 38 remedies) can be extremely
helpful in situations that need rescuing, for example after an accident or
in situations of acute stress. Rescue Remedy may not be the best mix
for you for other and more chronic states. For these, you need to assess
your negative emotions and select remedies that apply to these.
Contact Caroline for an e-mail, telephone or personal Bach Flower
Remedy consultation
