Bach Flower Remedies - Dr.Ramesh Shah

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES

Introduction
The Bach System
The 'Rescue Remedy'
Reference to Bach Remedies
Postscript
Choosing a Remedy
Administering Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies
Information & Addresses

Introduction

This is a brief information on the Bach remedies, which is a very fine system for treating mental disorders in a natural way. It is a personal posting, and not an advertisement from any company. I have however, apart from my own short introduction here, used a small pamphlet from the Bach Centre in England as a text source, as it explains things quite well. A few additions are taken from books and other sources, including my own experience with the system.

The Bach System consists of essences made from 38 different flowers. Each remedy has a specific action upon a certain mental attitude. This way there is a remedy or combination of remedies for any kind of mental disorder.

The Bach remedies are not tranquilizers, which just allay symptoms without dealing with the causes of the mental disorders, like most orthodox chemical medicine does (some of the remedies, though, have strong tranquilizing effects, but they work in a quite different, and positive way). Conversely, they attack problems at the root. Just as our body has its own self-healing properties regarding diseases, wounds etc., our mind and spirit have their own self-healing capacities (actually these things are deeply connected, but that is another story). The Bach remedies stimulate these processes in a natural way, thus creating a true healing of the disorder, without side effects of any kind.

They are excellent in combination with other kinds of mental or spiritual therapy, which seeks to reveal and treat the real causes of mental disorders, rather than covering them up.

The text deals with the issue that mental disorders are the primary cause of physical illnesses. My personal experiences and studies in recent years seems to confirm this viewpoint, though I still have some unsolved questions regarding this subject (sometimes it can be quite tricky to reveal, what it really was that cured a disease; there are many factors involved to take into consideration...). If anyone has comments on this subject, feel free to e-mail me.

The Bach System

The remedies used are all prepared from the flowers of wild plants, bushes and trees, and none of them is harmful or habit forming.

They are used, *not directly*, for physical complaints, but for the sufferer's worry, apprehension, hopelessness, irritability, etc., because these states of mind or moods not only hinder recoverery of health and retard convalescense, but are generally accepted as primary causes of sickness and disease.

A long-continued worry or fear, as is well-known, will deplete the individual's vitality; he will feel out of sorts, below par, not himself, and the body then loses its natural resistance. As peace and harmony is achieved, unity returns to mind and body, closing the circuit as it were and allowing the Life Force to flow freely again, thus providing the body its chance to produce its own *natural* healing.

This system and the remedies were discovered by a doctor who had practised for over 20 years in London as a Harley Street consultant, bacteriologist and homeopath. The late Edward Bach, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.H.P., gave up his lucrative practice in 1930 to devote his full time to seek energies in the plant world which would restore vitality to the sick, so that the sufferer himself would be able to overcome his worry, his apprehension, etc., and so assist in his own healing.

Dr. Bach developed great sensitivity both in mind and body. If he held his hand over a flowering plant, or the flower in the palm in his hand, he could sense in himself the properties of that flower.

Before finding a particular flower, he would suffer in himself, and very acutely, the negative state of mind for which that flower was needed and, at the same time, he was privileged, as he said, to suffer from some physical complaint. Then he would wander about the fields and lanes until he was 'led' to find the flowers which would immediately restore his serenity and peace of mind, and within a few hours the physical complaint would also be healed.

In this way he found 38 flowers to cover all known negative states of mind from which mankind can suffer, categorizing them in seven headings:

Those for anxiety and apprehension.
For uncertainty and indecision.
For loneliness.
For insufficient interest in present circumstances.
For over-sensitiveness to ideas and influence.
For despondency and despair.
For over-care for the wellfare of others.

As the Bach Remedies are benign in their action and can result in no unpleasant reactions, they can be taken by anyone. Stock concentrate Remedies will keep indefinitely - a 10 ml concentrate bottle will make approximately 60 treatment bottles. More than one remedy can be taken at the same time - 2 drops of each chosen Remedy in a glass of water and sipped at intervals, or in a 30 ml (1 fl.oz) drop-bottle filled with spring water (this represents a treatment bottle) from which 4 drops are directly placed on the tongue at least 4 times a day. If the mixture tends to spoil or get sour, which can happen especially in warm weather, whisky, gin, cognac or whatever can be added for conservation (the total alcohol percentage in the mixture should be at least 20 %). If you want to avoid alcohol, you can use 50% cider vinegar or rice vinegar instead.

Litterature and issued instructions are self-explanatory, making it quite simple for sufferers to help themselves and others. If further advice is required a brief description is needed of the person's personality, temperament, general outlook, worries etc., and reasons for same if any. Also needed is any great disappointment or upset which might have left its mark, and what effect it has had on thoughts, actions, outlook and so on.

Please remember - consider the person's attitude, feelings, worries, indecision, timidity, vexations, resentment, possessiveness, hopelessness, lethargy, hatred, overpowering or demanding nature, intolerance, tenseness, etc., and most essentially the reason "why" there is apprehension, worry and fear etc. Only then can the correct remedy(ies) be determined. Physical conditions are only considered as a guide to the person's state of suffering and its subsequent effect on the sufferer's outlook.

It is up to the person to take medical advice if necessary

The "RESQUE REMEDY"

Dr.Bach combined five specific Remedies from the 38 to formulate an emergency composite that he chose to call "Resque Remedy". He saved a fisherman's life in 1930 with this preparation.

Its purpose is to comfort/reassure and calm those who have received serious news, severe upset, startling experiences, consequently falling into a numbed, bemused state of mind.

To nullify the sufferers anguish is of the utmost importance. This helps the natural healing process of one's being to proceed without hindrance. Therefore the "Resque Remedy" is invaluable to keep at hand for immediate use until the arrival of the doctor if necessary. It does not take the place of medical attention.

"Rescue Remedy" is taken orally (4 drops in a glass of water), but can also be applied externally either in liquid or cream form - see the included instruction leflet. *Animals and plants can also benefit from this treatment*.

Reference to Bach Flower Remedies

1. AGRIMONY: Those who suffer considerable inner torture which they try to dissemble behind a facade of cheerfullness. Often used as a remedy for alcoholism.
2. ASPEN: Apprehension - the feeling that something dreadful is going to happen without knowing why. Unexplainable anxiety, presentiments. Anxiety for no known reason.
3. BEECH: Critical and intolerant of others. Arrogant.
4. CENTAURY: Weakness of will; those who let themselves be exploited or imposed upon - become subservient; difficulty in saying "no". Human doormat.
5. CERATO: Those who doubt their own judgment and intuition, seek advice of others. Often influenced and misguided.
6. CHERRY PLUM: Uncontrolled - irrational thoughts. Fear of losing control and doing something terrible, fear of "going crazy". Uncontrolled bursts of temper. Impulsive suicide.
7. CHESTNUT BUD: Refusal to learn by experience; continually repeating the same mistakes.
8. CHICORY: The overly-possesive, demands respect or attention (selfishness), likes others to conform to their standards. Makes martyr of oneself. Interferes and manipulates.
9. CLEMATIS: Indifferent, inattentive, daydreaming, absent-minded. Mental escapist from reality.
10. CRAB APPLE: "The Cleanser Flower". Feels unclean or ashamed of ailments. Self disgust/hatred. House proud.
11. ELM: Temporarily overcome by inadequacy or responsibility, though normally very capable.
12. GENTIAN: Despondent. Easily discouraged and rejected. Skeptical, pessimistic. Depression, where the cause is known.
13. GORSE: Desperate, without hope: "Oh, what's the use". Defeatism.
14. HEATHER: People who are obsessed with their own troubles and experiences. Talkative 'bores' - poor listeners.
15. HOLLY: For those who are jealous, envious, revengeful and suspicious. Those who hate
16. HONEYSUCKLE: For those with nostalgia and who constantly dwell in the past. Home-sickness.
17. HORNBEAM: "Monday morning" feeling but once started, task usually fulfilled. Mentally tired. Procrastination.
18. IMPATIENS: Impatience, irritability. Reacts in an exaggerated manner.
19. LARCH: Despondency due to lack of self-confidence; expectation of failure, so fails to make the attempt. Feels inferior, yet has the ability.
20. MIMULUS: Fear of *known* things, fear of the world. Shyness, timidity, bashfulness.
21. MUSTARD: "Dark cloud" of depression that descends for no known reason which can lift just as suddenly, making one downcast, saddened and low.
22. OAK: Brave determined types. Struggles on in illness and against adversity despite setbacks. Plodders, never resting.
23. OLIVE: Drained of energy - everything an effort. Physically fatigued.
24. PINE: Feelings of guilt. Blames oneself for the mistakes of others. Feels unworthy.
25. RED CHESTNUT: Excessive care of, and concern for, others, especially those held dear.
26. ROCK ROSE: Alarmed, panicky, full of trepidation.
27. ROCK WATER: For those who are hard on themselves - often overwork. Rigid minded, self denying. Ascetic.
28. SCLERANTHUS: Uncertainty/indecision/vacillation. Fluctuating moods.
29. STAR OF BETHLEHEM: For all the effects of serious news, or fright following an accident, etc.. For release from trauma, not matter how old it is.
30. SWEET CHESTNUT: Absolute dejection. Feels one has reached the limits for what one can stand.
31. VERVAIN: Over-enthusiasm, over effort; straining. Fanatical and highly strung. Incensed and frustrated by injustices.
32. VINE: Dominating/inflexible/ambitious/tyrannical/autocratic. Arrogant pride. Considered to be good leaders.
33. WALNUT: Protection remedy against powerful influences, and helps adjustment to any transition or change, e.g. puberty, menopause, divorce, new surroundings. Contrary to CENTAURY the person knows what he wants, but is easily influenced by other people to do something else.
34. WATER VIOLET: Proud, reserved, sedate types, sometimes "superior". Little emotional involvement, but reliable/dependable.
35. WHITE CHESTNUT: Persistent unwanted thoughts. Pre-occupation with some worry or episode. Mental arguments. Constant inner dialog.
36. WILD OAT: Helps determine one's intended path of life.
37. WILD ROSE: Resignation, apathy. Drifters who accept their lot, making little or no effort for improvement - lacks ambition.
38. WILLOW: Resentment and bitterness with "not fair" and "poor me" attitude.
39. RESQUE REMEDY: A combination of Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose, Star of Betlehem. All purpose emergency composite for effects of anguish, examinations, going to the dentist etc.. Comforting, calming and reassuring to those distressed by startling experiences.

Dr. Bach lived and worked in Mount Vernon, England, where he discovered his healing flowers in the fields and hedgerows surrounding the area. The very same wild flower locations are used to this day in the preparation of the Flower Remedies by the present custodians, who are dedicated by legacy, to maintaining the simple method and use of the Remedies as intended by Dr. Bach, and so faithfully carried out by the late Nora Weeks after the doctor's death.

The 38 Remedies cover every negative state of mind known to man, and will (in keeping with Dr. Bach's express wish) remain a complete entity. Therefore no claimed "extensions", "furtherance" or prepared facsimile of the Bach Remedies hold any association with the Bach centre whatsoever.

PostScript

The remedies are made by a special process - a infusion or decoction of the dried herbs will have no effect at all. A few of them are actually slightly poisonous used this way; however this is *not* the case for the remedies, as they are used in low homeopathic potency (they have been tested for toxicity by official authorities and none has been found). For those who want to try to make the remedies themselves, further information can be obtained from me. However, the original remedies are very inexpensive in use (a few dollars a month for a longtime treatment), so I hardly find it worth making them oneselves. Besides you are insured to get a high quality product made by experts when using the original remedies.

The Bach Flower Remedies are dilute essences of plants. Unlike chemical mood-altering drugs, the flower remedies-while effective-are gentle and easy to use.

Although beneficial and benign, these natural flower essences have remarkable emotional and mental balancing effects. Because they act quite gently, they can be used whenever you think they may help you feel better. When choosing a Bach essence, match your overall temperament, personality, and fears, as well as the particular emotional distress being experienced. If no single remedy seems to address all of these concerns, you may combine up to three remedies. (Although there is no danger in blending more than three remedies at any one time, their effectiveness can be diminished in a blend that is too complicated.)

Choosing a Remedy
Once you have identified the primary emotional distress you areexperiencing, use the table on below to find an appropriate remedy. Match the person's personality, temperament, fears, and upset with the suitable Bach Flower Remedy. Bach Flower Remedies are available at many health food stores.

Adminstering Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies are essences of flowers that come in tincture form. The bottled remedy you buy at your health food store is called the mother tincture, and is the most concentrated form available. There are two different ways you can administer a Bach remedy.

Place a drop of the mother tincture into a small glass of noncarbonated spring water and sip this over a period of a few hours. For added benefit, swish the mixture around in the mouth before swallowing it.
If you prefer, you can make a diluted mother tincture. Fill a two-ounce glass bottle with spring water. Add three drops of mother tincture and shake gently to blend. When using a diluted mother tincture, give as per recommended dose.

After giving a flower remedy, observe his response. As the emotional response and behavior change, the need for a particular remedy may cease to exist. Give a remedy until the situation has been resolved. Once themood and emotions have been gently altered, you may need to select another remedy to complete and sustain the alteration. If the destructive emotions have eased sufficiently and his emotional and mental state has come into balance, discontinue the remedy.

Of all the Bach Flower Remedies, the overwhelming favorite of many parents is Rescue Remedy. It is useful in many crisis situations, such as after hearing bad news, before a test, before going to the dentist, after falling down and getting hurt, or after waking up from a night mare. It helps to restore balance and relieve apprehension. It will help calm a child who is crying, afraid, panicked, or tense. Rescue Remedy is particularly good in acute situations in which the cause of your child's distress is not clear-when a child begins crying and feeling intensely frustrated for no apparent reason and refuses to be consoled. Put two or three drops of this remedy in half a glass of water and give it to your child to sip as needed, or administer as you would any other Bach Flower Remedy.

Bach Flower Remedies are dilute essences of plants that treat emotional, mental, and physical distress. As with homeopathic remedies, choosing a flower remedy involves dose observation of your child's emotional state, and then finding a remedy that matches your observations. Many parents report that these gentle preparations are excellent for alleviating stress and easing a sick, uncomfortable, or unhappy child.

Refer the following table for more.

Bach Flower Remedies

Flower Remedy	Primary Expression of Emotion	Underlying Emotional Concerns
Rescue Remedy (a combination of cherry plum, clematis, impatients, rock rose, star of Bethlehem)	Fear; panic; apprehension; inconsolable crying; anxiety; tension; night terrors; unexplained screaming.	This premier flower remedy is excellent for alleviating any crises-caused stress, major or minor. It will help calm an overwrought child, restore balance, and ease apprehension. Whether the cause is an accident, bad news, a nightmare, anxiety over an upcoming test, fear of going to the dentist, an imminent "big day," or anything else, Rescue Remedy calms and alleviates stress. It is particularly useful in acute situations where the cause of a child's distress is unclear, when a child is inconsolable, or appears intensely frustrated and begins screaming for no apparent reason. It is also useful given immediately after a child receives a vaccination. Of all the Bach remedies, parents reports being most appreciative of Rescue Remedy.
Agrimony	Outwardly smiling and brave, inwardly, anguished and suffering. Look deep into the child's eyes. The suffering will show.	A determination to appear cheerful, despite suffering going on underneath. The anguish may be due to a family trauma, a significant disappointment, or anything your child may view as "failure."
Aspen	Fearfulness	Fears that the child can't (or won't) explain, often resulting in many nightmares or difficulty falling asleep.
Beech	Impatience, intolerance.	A tendency to be a perfectionist and to keep to oneself. This type of child is drawn to order, precision, and pure reason, has little patience with others, and rails against an upset in schedule.
Centaury	Shyness, feelings of intimidation.	A weak-willed nature. This child is often pushed around at school or on the playground, has great difficulty standing up for himself, and doesn't want to be noticed.
Cerato	Need for constant affirmation.	Lack of self-confidence; low self-esteem. This child will do a project, then ask you to check it, certain that it is not quite right. He doesn't want to try anything new or go anywhere alone. You may find yourself accompanying this child everywhere.
Cherry Plum	Fearfulness	Fear of situations over which the child has no control. This is the type of child who will never venture on a roller-coaster, for example.
Chestnut bud	Incorrigible behavior.	An inability (or unwillingness) to understand cause and effect or learn from past mistakes. As a result, reprimands may go unheeded. For example, this child may continue hitting a sibling even though he has been punished for it several times. Chestnut bud is especially helpful in alleviating this kind of behavior.
Chickory	Need for constant attention; selfishness; possessiveness; easily hurt feelings.	Insecurity and fear of being rejected. This child has difficulty sharing anything, especially his parents. His feelings are easily hurt and he often feels rejected. He says "mine" a lot, while snatching toys from a sibling or playmate.
Clemantis	Indifference; apathy; short attention span.	A tendency to daydream. This child doesn't seem to care very much about anything. He becomes distracted and preoccupied easily, and appears indifferent to his surroundings. It is difficult to capture and hold his attention.
Crabapple	Excessive neatness; compulsive behavior.	An inability to tolerate disorder or untidiness, which may be related to a child's feelings of shame about his physical condition or appearance. This child's striving for neatness may border on compulsive behavior.
Elm	Feelings of incompetence.	Fundamental feelings of inadequacy. This child may often whine, "I can't," and complains of being incapable of doing things he wants (or needs) to accomplish.
Gentian	Need for much praise and encouragement.	A tendency to become discouraged by any setback, no matter how minor. This child requires much encouragement to accomplish anything. He typically tries something once, and if success is not immediate, he is unwilling to try again. Gentian is especially helpful for a child who is discouraged with schoolwork.
Gorse	Feelings of deep despair, usually after a serious family trauma.	Following a traumatic situation, such as death or divorce, this child knows that "nothing will ever be the same again," and fears that he will never be able to be happy and carefree again. Without denigrating him or denying the child this period of grieving, supply much reassurance. Gorse can help to ease the feelings during this period.
Heather	Self-centeredness.	Utter self-absorption. This child believes the world begins and ends with him. He will talk exclusively (and at length) about his cuts and bruises, problems and concerns.
Holly	Anger; fits of temper	Insecurity and jealousy, such as a feeling of being displaced after the birth of a new sibling, that come out in displays of anger and bad temper.
Honeysuckle	Obsession with happy times from the past; homesickness	A feeling that past times were perfect, and an obsession with comparing them to the imperfect present. This child typically talks of times when he was particularly happy, such as when the family went to grandmother's house on holidays, when his parents were still together, or when an older sibling doted on him. Honeysuckle is also helpful for a child who is homesick, perhaps because of being away from home for the first time.
Hornbeam	Exhaustion.	Fatigue and tiredness that keep a child from joining in family activities or play with other children. As a result, this child misses out on a lot of fun times
Impatiens	Impatience; nervousness; hyperactive behavior.	Feelings of impatience and tension. This child is easily irritated and nervous. Impatiens is also an excellent remedy for a hyperactive child who can't sit still.
Larch	Lack of self-confidence.	Low self-esteem. This child is self-effacing and fears calling attention to himself. Standing in front of the class and giving an assigned presentation is an ordeal for this child. Larch will help bolster a child's self-confidence before taking a test or giving an oral report.
Mimulus	Frequent expressions of fears of one thing or another.	Fearfulness, shyness, and timidity. This child typically talks of being afraid of specific people and/or things, whether teachers, other children, animals, accidents, or monsters. He blushes easily. Unlike the Aspen child, who has fears he can't name, the Mimulus child has fears that are indentifiable and articulated.
Mustard	Sadness	Sorrow and depression. The cause may not be readily apparent, but often these feelings are related to a loss of some kind.
Oak	Constant busyness and bustling.	A 'type-A" personality; a relentless drive to achieve. This child seems to feel that he must be a role model for others; he is an over-achiever who presses on without letup.
Olive	Exhaustion	Continual fatigue; a series of being exhausted to the very core. Gently stimulating Olive is the remedy of choice for this child.
Pine	Feelings of guilt.	A deep, internalized sense of shame and remorse. This child may feel he has done something so awful it can never be forgiven; he may blame himself for everything that goes wrong. Even when the fault lies elsewhere, this child feels guilty inside.
Red chestnut	Inappropriate worrying.	Excessive concern over the well-being of others. This child worries constantly.
Rock rose	Absolute terror; panic.	Irrational fears. This child often suffers from nightmares.
Rock water	Inflexibility, unwillingness to forgive.	A rigid, unforgiving nature, and a need to strive for perfection. This child is very hard on himself, as well as on others.
Scleranthus	Feelings of uncertainty; vacillation.	An inability to make a decision, to choose between different courses of action. This child feels torn between choices and often asks, "Should I do this?" or, "Should I do that?"
Star of Bethlehem	Emotional shock following a life-changing experience.	A traumatic and possibly life-changing event, such as sudden or shocking sad news, a severe scare, an accident, or a significant disappointment, that causes feelings of shock and loss. Star of Bethlehem is excellent for alleviating the physical and emotional shock associated with traumatic experiences.
Sweet chestnut	Anguish and torment.	Feelings of exhaustion and alienation. For whatever reason, this child is in torment and feels very much alone.
Vervain	Tension; drivenesss.	Perfectionism that causes a child to strive so hard that he becomes nervous and tense. This child may have difficulty sleeping normally.
Vine	Selfishness; ruthlessness.	A need to have one's own way, no matter what. This child will do and say anything to swing others his way, and can be utterly ruthless in pursuit of his desires.
Walnut	Tendency to be very easily influenced.	A nature that is sensitive and easily cowed. Even if a proposed course of action is not to his liking, this child will "follow the leader" rather than following the dictates of his own head and/or heart.
Water violet	A tendency to be alone, removed from peers.	An asocial nature that feels no need or desire to to associate with other children. This child prefers to be alone, aloof, and removed, "above" the daily hurly-burly.
White chestnut	Obsessive thinking.	A tendency to dwell on ideas or events without letup. Long after you thought the subject had been forgotten, this child may still be fixated on the same idea. This remedy is very helpful for a child who obsesses about being accepted into a particular group or clique.

If you cannot locate the remedies locally, you can get information from the following addresses:

USA/CANADA Ellon (Bach USA) Inc. P.O. Box 320, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598 USA (Phone 516 825 2229) GERMANY/AUSTRIA/SWITZERLAND M. Scheffer Hp., (Bach Centre German Office), Eppendorfer Landstr. 32, 2000 Hamburg 20, W. Germany. (Tel 040 464624)	AUSTRALIA Nonesuch Botanials Pty. Ldt., P.O. Box 68, Mt. Evelyn, Vic. 3796, Australia (Phone (03) 762 8577) Martin & Pleasance Wholesale Pty. Ldt., P.O. Box 4, Collingwood, Vic. 3066, Australia (Phone 419 9733)
DENMARK Camette, Murervej 16, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark (Tlf 7514 5455 / 7514 5225)	HOLLAND/BELGIUM Holland Pharma, Postbus 37, 7240 AA Lochem, Holland (Tel 05730-2884)

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