How Bach flower remedies help with emotional issues
Bach flower remedies are made from the flowers of 38 separate plants and trees. An English doctor, Dr Edward Bach invented this system in 1934. The most well known and popular one of these is Rescue Remedy™. They are gentle but powerful in dealing with emotional issues. Dr Bach wanted the system to be as simple as possible.
The remedies are divided into 7 groups:
- Face your fears (old name: for fear)
- Live the day (old name: for uncertainty)
- Reach out to others (old name: for loneliness)
- Know your own mind (old name: for insufficient interest in present circumstances)
- Find joy and hope (old name: for despondency and despair)
- Live and let live (old name: over-care for the welfare of others)
- Stand your ground (old name: for those over sensitive to influences and ideas)
Each remedy has keywords as well as positive and negative aspects to the remedy ‘picture’. The remedies aim to gently restore a more positive outlook for the patient. The dosage is 4 drops, 4 times in the day as a minimum dose. This can be taken in any liquid or directly on the tongue. Alcohol-free versions are available for children, pets or anyone preferring this option.
Keywords:
- Agrimony – hide problems behind a cheerful face
- Aspen – unknown fears
- Beech – critical and intolerant of others
- Centuary – easily led and likes to please others
- Cerato – doubting your own judgement
- Cherry plum – fear of losing control
- Chestnut bud – repeats the same mistake
- Chicory – over-protective of family
- Clemetis – day-dreamer
- Crab apple – poor self-image and feels unclean
- Elm – overwhelmed
- Gentian – discouraged after a setback
- Gorse – given up all hope
- Heather – talkative and over-shares
- Holly – Jealous and prickly
- Honeysuckle – mind is stuck in the past and finds it hard to move on
- Hornbeam – lack of motivation
- Impatiens – impatient
- Larch – lack of confidence in your abilities
- Mimulus – specific known fears
- Mustard – deep gloom of unknown cause
- Oak – exhausted but struggles on
- Olive – emotionally exhausted
- Pine – guilt and self-reproach
- Red chestnut – fear for others safety
- Rock rose – terror and overwhelming fear
- Rock water – martyr who is inflexible* (Rock water is made from fresh spring water, not a flower/tree)
- Scleranthus – indecision and uncertainty
- Star of Bethlehem – after a shock/grief
- Sweet chestnut – extreme mental anguish
- Vervain – over-enthusiastic
- Vine – dominant and over-bearing
- Walnut – finds it hard to adapt to change
- Water violet – appear proud and aloof/ like to be alone
- White chestnut – cyclical thoughts
- Wild oat – trying to find your path in life
- Wild rose – apathy and resignation
- Willow – wallowing in self-pity
Rescue remedy™ is actually a mix of 5 flower remedies from the above list: Cherry plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, and Rock Rose. It is very good for emergency situations e.g. sudden bad news, driving tests, exams, before visiting dentist etc.
Bach flower remedies can be mixed to form a custom blend. I use homeopathy and Bach flower remedies, either together or separately to achieve the best possible outcome for my patients. Head over to my Instagram highlights to see me talk about them in more detail.
