Bach Flower Remedies

The Bach Flowers are a set of thirty-eight healing remedies. They come in liquid form and are taken orally a few drops at a time. They are completely naturally derived and are made directly from specially selected flowers, picked at the time of their blooming that will give them the greatest healing power.

In the early 1930s Dr Edward Bach, a successful and  prominent U.K. physician, became aware that for most of his patients, it was emotional and mental factors that predisposed them  to physical ailments.

Dr Bach, a very compassionate man, wished to  help his patients in a more profound way than seemed possible using  the treatments available to him at the time. Accordingly, he  developed a healing system that could positively influence people on  the subtle levels at which illnesses arise.

Over a number of years he put his sensitivity and scientific training into action to collaborate with nature, and so developed his world-renowned thirty-eight  remedies.

What can the remedies of Dr Edward Bach do?

The Bach Flowers act as a catalyst for positive inner transformation. They can, through raising self-awareness, assist us to transform our most negative states into positive states. Examples of this are;

• Fear ----> Courage
• uncertainty ----> Clarity
• loneliness ----> Independence
• oversensitivity to outside influences ---> Peace of mind
• Despondency ---> Happiness

They can help develop self-esteem, assertiveness,  self-reliance and self-discipline, and above all, spontaneity and  warmth in relationships.

Working with the Bach Flowers is like conspiring with nature to gain emotional security, health and well-being. Like blossoming flowers, we can open up to a deeper understanding and appreciation of ourselves, others and our world.

How do they work?

The best way to understand how the Bach Flowers work is to use them yourself as it is a subjective experience. The inherent life force unique to each Bach Flower is captured and preserved in liquid form. This liquid acts as the medium between plant and person. If someone has strong similarities to the personality profile of a particular remedy, they will be sensitive to it.

In short, the distinctive life-force pattern of the remedy will act as a blueprint for change on the emotional level. The Selective Sensitivity Response can be compared to the way different  people respond favorably to hearing different music, to seeing different paintings, or even to wearing different clothes.  Everyone has a unique and absolutely valid response.

By taking Bach Flowers one develops a raised awareness, not only of the aspects of self that are interfering with one’s quality of life, but also of one’s potential for changing those difficult aspects for the better. O f course we are free to choose what we do with this awareness; no change is forced upon us by the remedies. We are simply offered a view of our full potential.

"I have been using the Bach Flower Remedies in my practice for over ten years. I have found them, including the Rescue Remedy, invaluable when used correctly. I use them almost exclusively instead of tranquilizers and psychotropics. In many cases, they alleviate the problem when all else has failed. The Bach Flower Remedies are extremely sophisticated in their alleviation of specific moods, gentle. Also, potent in balancing the body’s subtle energy fields. Though subtle in their action, the Bach Flower Remedies are not placebos." Herbert Fill, MD, Psychiatrist (former New York City Commissioner of mental health)'

How are they made?

The most common method of Bach Flower preparation is called the Sun Method. Briefly, this involves sprinkling recently-picked blooms over the surface of pure spring water in a  crystal bowl. The bowl is left out in full sunlight for a specified period of time, after which the flowers are removed from the bowl.  The remaining sun-potentised liquid is combined with an equal amount of brandy — a natural preservative. This liquid is oftenreferred to as the Mother Tincture.

The Stock Bottle is prepared by putting two drops of Mother Tincture in a small bottle filled with pure brandy. Stock liquid may be used medicinally by taking one to two drops four times a day. Single or combined remedies are also made from Stock — two drops to a small bottle of brandy and water. This is called a Dosage strength, to be taken four to six drops at a time, four times daily.

Dr Bach also used a Boiling Method to prepare some remedies. It is a similar process to the Sun Method, except that instead of being exposed to the sun, the plant material is boiled.

How to take them?

Bach Flowers are taken orally, either directly onto the tongue via a glass dropper, or in a small amount of water which is sipped slowly. As previously mentioned, the ideal frequency of dose is four limes daily. In acute cases, such as after an accident or other trauma, the remedies may be taken more frequently. Some people add 8-16 drops to their daily bottle of water, and sip the water slowly throughout the day.

We are most susceptible to the healing influence of Bach flowers at bedtime and on arising. At these times, we are usually most relaxed, and so most receptive. Also, during sleep we process much of the day’s stress, and receive insights from the unconscious. The two other doses should be taken as evenly apart across the day as possible. Just before lunch and just before the evening meal are good times.

NB. Other times that are absolutely ideal for taking the remedies are: while having a bath (they may also be put in the bathwater); after meditation and relaxation practices; during therapy or any other time you feel particularly relaxed, secure and open.

Useful Resources-

Click here to download a free copy of The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies by Dr Edward Bach