An Introduction To The Bach Flower Healing Remedies (779 hits)
Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936) was a medical doctor, bacteriologist and homeopath. He is known in homeopathy for the Bach Nosodes, made from bowel flora. In the 1920s he practised homeopathy in Harley Street, London. However, he is better known for his work in creating the Bach Flower Remedies.
Bach had three key insights. First, he observed that people were of a number of different types, according to their outlook on life and personality (just as in homeopathy we have the great constitutional polycrests such as Pulsatilla, Nux vomica and others). Second, he developed his intuitive sensitivity to the point where he was able to experience an emotional state, and then find the support from nature (in the form of an essence from the appropriate flower) that resolved this state. Third, he developed a method of transferring the energy from the trees and flowers that he found helpful to water, which he then preserved with brandy, and so was able to dispense remedies from this source.
Bach worked with his new remedies, in London, Cromer and finally settled for the last years of his life near Wallingford in Oxfordshire. His work was carried on after his death first by Norah Weeks and Victor Bullen, and then by others from the Bach Centre at his house, Mount Vernon in Sotwell. Gradually people around Britain and then the world became intrigued by the benefits of his “drops”.
Bach Flower Remedies are powerful yet gentle healing tools that can catalyse the resolution of deep emotional imbalances, as can homeopathy. Where they differ from homeopathy is firstly that being a complete system of only 38 remedies and one combination there is far less choice than faces the homeopath, even for an acute prescription. Second, there seems to be no possibility of a “proving” – that is an adverse effect of creating the medicine picture in a patient by taking a homeopathic medicine day in day out for a period of time – Bach remedies are not potentised sequentially by succussion, merely by the sun or by boiling, and then a one step dilution to stock essence, and one further to treatment bottle. Aggravations can occur, but they are rare and short-lived. Third, Bach remedies do not appear to have direct effects on the physical body or physical symptoms, as can homeopathy. Instead, they work through the “mentals and emotionals” – the more subtle aspects of a remedy picture. So which specific Bach Remedies do we use for what, and how do we choose? Well, Bach categorised his remedies into the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers and the Second Nineteen.
The Twelve Healers Bach felt these were for our primary soul types, the sort of person we are. He equated these with the soul lessons we have come to learn, such as inner peace (Agrimony), strength and ability to say no (Centaury) and wisdom (Cerato). We can see these types more easily in children – as adults we have accumulated other layers of imbalances – but when we are under pressure our soul type may betray itself.
The others of the Twelve are:
Chicory – to dissolve self-pity and “me, me, me” into generosity of giving; Clematis – to bring dreamers down to earth; Gentian – to resolve discouragement and despondency into the positive quality of faith; Impatiens – to release the quick tense mind into gentleness; Mimulus – from fear of known things into bravery; Rock Rose – to transform terror and dread into courage; Scleranthus – to bring balance and determination from indecision; Vervain – to release over-enthusiasm into quiet and tolerance; and Water Violet – to change a proud aloof or quietly grieving person into the joy of service and taking part in life.
The Seven Helpers Julian Barnard describes these as Support Remedies, for long-term conditions:
Gorse – hopelessness; Heather – fussy introspection; Rock Water – rigidity of attitude; Wild Oat – lack of direction in life; Olive – weariness and exhaustion; Oak – for the strong person who never gives up; and Vine – for a domineering forceful attitude, to bring the quality of calm wise leadership.
The Second Nineteen These (which complete the set of 38 Bach Remedies) relate to emotional states that result from life’s knocks and challenges. They include Holly, for jealousy, envy, revenge, suspicion and greed (in full negative), bringing the quality of love, and Pine which brings self-esteem, relieving a feeling of guilt and self-blame.
Selecting a remedy Choosing a remedy intellectually can be done from knowledge of the person, and their reaction to current circumstances, and reference to one of the small books, leaflets or websites available to help. It is important to be clear about what the exact feelings are – this can be quite easy when we are looking at a friend or someone we know well, but it’s much more difficult to be objective about yourself.
One should aim to choose a maximum of six remedies – and the key point is always to look for the deep issues, not just the surface. “Surface disturbance can stop us seeing deeply” – but when the core issues are healed, sometimes by just a single remedy, many other aspects of our feelings just fall into line.
Choosing can also be done intuitively. However, intuitive choice should always be backed up by reading about the remedy pictures and using your discrimination before making up a treatment bottle. Reading about the ones you’ve chosen can be quite illuminating – and taking them can help you realise the accuracy of your choice.
At some point, if you are drawn to use Bach Flower Remedies, do take the trouble to try and find which your type remedy is – because it is taking this one remedy that will always help bring you back into balance, and, whilst taking it, give you insight into your character.
Treatment bottle Making a treatment bottle involves putting four drops of each chosen essence into a 30ml bottle containing approximately 20 per cent brandy and 80 per cent water. The brandy acts as a preservative. If the bottle is for someone who wishes to avoid alcohol, merely dropping some drops into very hot water will evaporate off the alcohol, or drops can be placed on the wrists, where a rich network of meridians is to be found.
Dosage The recommended dosage is three to four drops on the tongue four to six times daily for as long as needed, for up to about six weeks maximum. The remedies are entirely compatible with both prescribed medication and homeopathy. Sometimes one may be more appropriate than another – intuition and experience are useful guides here. Side-effects are rare, although sometimes people may get short-lived detoxifying symptoms such as a rash or a headache. Aggravations are very uncommon. Once one layer has been treated and felt to change, then it can be useful to reassess and see what lies beneath.
The real fun comes when you start using flower essences proactively, intuitively or intellectually chosen, week in week out for several years. They become teachers and valuable tools to help us transit life’s lessons and experiences relatively effortlessly – but that’s a story for another day!
Feel free to email me at sisterjuanita@yahoo.com for any health questions or concerns you may have.
