The effects of various flowers on our well-being were discovered in the 1930's by Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936), a well-respected homoeopathic doctor. His studies and medical research indicated that ill health is often caused by emotional and mental states rather than just physical weakness of the body.
A famous quote from Dr Bach:
'Any disease, however serious, however long standing will be cured by restoring the patient to happiness, and the desire to carry on with his life work.'Dr Bach suggested that flower remedies can bring hope to the desolate, strength to the exhausted and comfort to the distressed. He discovered this by taking many trips to the countryside and would observe and record how he felt when being near certain plants and trees, and how his mood was influenced in each case.
Dr Bach concluded that for each negative emotional state there is an opposing positive effect to be obtained from the various flower remedies. He originally used twelve remedies, but later discovered positive benefits from many other plants. He came to realise that 38 different plant species encompassed the realm of human emotion. He split these remedies up into 7 groups which relate to emotional states. Dr Bach was a homoeopath, and stressed very strongly, that these remedies were not homoeopathic preparations.
Dr Bach also formulated a combination remedy for use in any sudden difficulty. This he named the rescue remedy or five flower remedy, which uses five of the Bach flowers remedies.
How are the remedies made?
To capture the qualities needed for each remedy Dr Bach developed an ingenious new system of manufacture, which is completely different to the way homoeopathic remedies are produced. He found that simply floating the flowers on glass bowl of spring water in full sunshine allowed the essence to be captured into the water. Obviously, he could not do this easily in less sunnier seasons, so he used a gentle heating method for plants that flowered at these times to make the infusion.
Whichever method he used, the resulting liquid was mixed with brandy to preserve the healing qualities of the flowers and the remedy was produced.
Today there are several brands of Bach flower remedies available. It is important to use products that are identical to the original remedies developed by Dr Bach. He always used flowers from uncultivated species that grow naturally in the wild and used a dilution ratio of 1:240 brandy to flower infusion to make the remedies.
Bach Flowers - Five flower remedy
What is it?
Dr Bach formulated a combination remedy for use in any sudden difficulty, which he designed to promote calmness and restore peace and emotional balance. He named this mixture the rescue remedy or five flower remedy, which uses five of the Bach flowers remedies. The five remedies are:
Cherry plum for fear of losing control
Clematis for passing out or being light headed or distant
Impatiens for irritability and tension
Star of Bethlehem for numbness and trauma
Rock Rose for panic and terror
Uses
Five flower remedy can be used in any kind of emergency, or in circumstances when we need immediate help, before and after moments of difficulty, and upsets of any kind. Typical situations include:
- Going to the dentist, doctor or hospital
- Exam nerves
- Before a driving test
- Before surgery
- After an accident or fall
- Loss of loved one
- Any sudden bad news
It may also be used to treat animals and plants that are in shock or distress
Dosage
Five flower remedy is taken at twice the strength of individual Bach flower remedies so four drops are used instead of two
Five flower cream - This topical application uses the five Bach flower remedies found in the rescue remedy with the addition of Crab Apple for cleansing, so should really be referred to as '6 flower cream'. This cream is for external use only, but can be used for many skin complaints or injuries as it is very gentle and soothing.
Selecting an emotion to choose a remedy
The 38 remedies were grouped by Dr Bach under seven emotional headings. You may be experiencing more than one of these moods at any time, so more than one remedy can be used at the same time.
Decide which of the emotional states are affecting you and choose a remedy or remedies that are specific to you.
Whichever method you decide, try to be honest and select the remedies you feel are appropriate to you but choose no more than 6 from the 38 Bach flower remedies available (five flower remedy can be counted as one of the 6 remedies).
The seven emotions of Dr Bach are: - Fright
- Uncertainty
- Insufficient interest in present circumstances
- Loneliness
- Oversensitive to ideas & influences
- Despondency & despair
- Over-care for welfare of others
Bach flower User-guide
Once you have selected your remedy or remedies using the method of going into the seven emotions or by simply choosing from whole range of 38 remedies, you can take them as follows:
- For short-term situations add 2 drops of each chosen stock remedy to a small glass of water (not tap water). (use 4 drops if using five flower remedy). Sip this mixture at intervals throughout the day until you are feeling better.
- For longer-term use add 2 drops of each chosen stock remedy into a small 30ml dropper bottle containing water (not tap water) (again use 4 drops if using five flower remedy). From this mixture take 4 drops 4 times daily until you have relief.
- Do not drink the mixture all at once, remedies work best from small, regular doses.
- You can take remedies straight from the original stock bottle, which may be convenient, but this has no greater benefit. Five flower remedy is often taken this way in an emergency situation (eg after an accident). Generally remedies are best taken diluted. Mixing is easier this way.
- Do not worry if you have chosen the wrong remedy, there is no harm from this. It simply will not give you the benefit you were looking for, in this case choose another remedy and repeat the above procedure.
- Bach flower remedies are very gentle and have no side effects or contra-indications. In fact they are safe to use by all the family.
