What are Bach Flowers?

Bach Flowers are a set of 38 flower essences, developed in the early 1900’s by an English physician, Dr Edward Bach. The most well-known of the Bach Flowers is a combination of 5 remedies, called Rescue Remedy- Cherry Plum / Clematis / Impatiens / Rock Rose / Star of Bethlehem.

Who was Dr. Bach?

Dr. Bach was a successful orthodox medicine, he was a surgeon and medical officer and had a busy medical practice in Harley Street, but he felt dissatisfied with the way doctors worked. They were expected to concentrate on the diseases patients had and ignore how the people who were suffering from these conditions felt. Throughout his medical years, Dr. Bach was exposed to many aspects of healing, and in his work at the hospital, he became interested in homeopathy.

Dr Bach started to develop simple remedies from the nature that surrounded him, that addressed the emotional disharmony he believed was at the heart of the illnesses in those he saw. These remedies were also affordable, so, therefore, were available to many not able to afford treatment for their illnesses. At the age of forty-three (1930), he gave up his lucrative Harley Street practice and left London to concentrate on finding a new system of healing involving plant remedies.

How Do Bach Flowers Work?

Dr Bach described how the remedies work, by saying, ‘They are able, like beautiful music, or any gloriously uplifting thing which gives us inspiration, to raise our very natures, and bring us nearer to our Souls: and by that very act, to bring us peace, and relieve our suffering’, like watching a beautiful scene in nature that leaves you feeling inspired. Bach Flowers fall into the realm of energetic medicines, with most believing that the ‘active ingredient’ in the remedies is the transfer of energy from the living plant material into the water during the process of making the tinctures. It is then the ‘pure energy’ from the plants that can then assist in balancing the emotion/s that they are prescribed to support.

What can Bach Flowers be used for?

Dr Bach believed that people suffered from illness due to the effects of disharmony between body and mind. He thought that symptoms of an illness were the external expression of negative emotional states.

Dr Bach identified 7 fundamental psychological states which he described as the underlying cause of dis-ease in the body and mind. They are:

• Remedies for those who have Fear. The fear remedies are – Rock Rose, Mimulus, Cherry Plum, Aspen, Red Chestnut
• Some of the issues that this group can support are– Fears from both known and unknown sources, those who blush easily and are shy, timid, lack of courage,or who worry and may have night terrors.
• Remedies for those who suffer Uncertainty. The remedies in this group are – Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian, Gorse, Hornbeam, Wild Oat
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Guilt and self-reproach, feelings of shame and being unworthy, those who feel undeserving or have suffered trauma and aftereffects of shock, and also for self-pity and resentment.
• Remedies for those who do not have sufficient interest in Present Circumstances. The 7 remedies in this group are – Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose, Olive, White Chestnut, Mustard, and Chestnut Bud.
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Daydreaming and lack of concentration and those who have a bad memory, those who are accident prone, for homesickness and nostalgia, some who may be submissive and disinterested, and lacking in energy and for convalescence.
• Remedies for Loneliness. The 3 Loneliness Remedies are Water Violet, Impatiens, and Heather.
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Loneliness, anti-social or disdainful behavior, or for those who are self-reliant and private, for impatience and irritation, being accident-prone, and for those who are talkative, demanding attention, and disliking being alone.
• Remedies for those Oversensitive to influences and ideas. There are 4 remedies for ‘over-sensitivity’ – Agrimony, Centaury, Walnut, and Holly.
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Addictions, for those who are unhappy and anxious, unable to say no or timid, passive and quiet, or who are envious or jealous, and for those who need protection from outside influences and aid in adjusting to major changes.
• Remedies for Despondency and Despair. The remedies in this group are – Larch, Pine, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, and Oak Crab Apple.
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Lacking in confidence, feeling depressed, discouraged or inferior, overwhelmed by responsibilities, for those with despair and intense sorrow, or self-pity and resentment or having a poor self-image.
• Remedies for those who Over-care for the Welfare of Others. The 5 remedies in the last group are – Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, and Rock Water.
• Some of the issues that this group can support are – Those who may be domineering, inflexible, intolerant, critical, and lacking in compassion.

Are there any Concerns with Bach Flowers?

In short, no. The flower remedies are natural, being made from flowers and trees. These restorative remedies are non-toxic, non-habit forming and do not interact with any medications. Therefore, they are safe for everyone to use, including children and your pets.

If you would like to know more or have your own personal mix, for any emotional issues or difficulties, you are welcome to make an appointment with Sue. Or you may like to do the 9-module Bach Flower Course at Handcrafted Health. For more information, please see the courses on the main Handcrafted Health page.