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what is it?
Flower essences developed by Dr Edward Bach, a physician, bacteriologist and homeopath in London at the beginning of the 20th century, are said to affect our state of mind and restore the emotional balance required for well-being. Each of the 38 remedies is associated with a particular mood, emotion or personality type. They are claimed to help you deal with difficult feelings like envy or loneliness before they affect you at a deeper level. If you have constant worrying thoughts, for example, White Chestnut is recommended for peace of mind and trust in a positive outcome.
Rescue remedy is used for emotional emergencies or traumas, such as before the dentist or after a shock. It is composed of five remedies: impatiens, clematis, rock rose, cherry plum and star of Bethlehem.
Bach Flower remedies are available from health shops, but a specialist practitioner can help you find which ones are most appropriate for you.
More recently, new flower essences have been developed, using plants from the United States, South America, Australia, India and South-East Asia. These are prepared in the same way as Bach flower remedies and are similarly used for emotional conditions.
what happens
As self-treatment, it's up to you to decide which remedy fits your emotional difficulty and character. Most stockists have charts which are also available from the Dr Edward Bach Centre (see help and info). For instance, if your state of mind is fearfulness, remedy options are rock rose, for terror and nightmares; mimulus, for known fears and shyness; cherry plum, for uncontrollable rage and impulses; aspen, for vague fears and apprehension; red chestnut, for excessive fear on behalf of family and friends.
Teasing out these subtle differences can be challenging and a Bach flower remedy practitioner acts as a facilitator. Most consultations take about an hour during which gentle guidance is offered as you talk through your problems until a remedy becomes apparent.
Taking the remedies is simple. Dilute two drops in a glass of water (four if rescue remedy) and sip at intervals.
what it's supposed to do
Dr Bach intuitively identified the properties of the remedies by holding his hand over a plant. His two methods of making plant essences are still used today. In the 'sun method', flowers gathered at full bloom on a cloudless sunny day are laid in spring water in a glass bowl. This is left in full sun for three to four hours until the blossoms begin to wilt and are lifted out. The remaining water is preserved with a little alcohol and diluted with more spring water before bottling.
The 'boiling method' is used for plants that blossom later when the sun is not so strong. Blossoms, twigs and leaves are simmered in spring water for about 30 minutes. The mixture is cooled, filtered and prepared in the same way as the 'sun method'.
The diluted water is said to retain 'vibrational energies' of the original substance, working in a similar way to homeopathic preparations.
what's the evidence?
There are no scientific studies to support claims for the remedies. In laboratory analysis they contain only water and alcohol.
precautions
Go to the safety first section of 'before you start' for some general precautions to take into account when considering a complementary therapy.
- Remedies are safe for all age groups and can be taken with conventional medicine.
- Always check any symptoms of disease with a conventional doctor.
- Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
how to find a practitioner
Anyone calling themself a Bach flower remedy practitioner should be trained at the Dr Edward Bach Centre (see help and info).
» help and info
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(July 2002)
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