Bach Flower Remedies
Bach flower remedies were developed by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), a British physician who believed that illness results out of disharmony between body and mind. Bach flower remedies are dilutions of flower essences, usually offered as alcohol-based preparations. Bach asserted that harmful emotions are the main cause of disease, and he classified 38 negative feelings, each of which he associated with a particular therapeutic plant. Bach flower remedies are therefore only used to treat mental symptoms which are believed to be the root cause of most diseases. Bach remedies are all derived from non-toxic plants, with the idea that positive energy can neutralize negative energy.
Theory of Bach Flower Remedies
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Bach flower remedies are based on a therapeutic system that uses specially prepared plant essences to balance physical and emotional disturbances. Every Bach flower remedy is believed to be related to an area on the surface of the body and negative moods are believed to change the energetic structure in these places which again may be accompanied by pain and disturbing sensations. A flower diagnosis can be obtained by pinpointing these areas on the body map.
Production of Bach Flower Remedies
Bach flower remedies are produced in two ways, by using the „sun method“ or, for the hardier plants, the „boiling method“. For the „sun method“, flowers are picked on a warm summer day in full sunshine and placed in a glass with fresh water. The glass is then put in the sun for two to four hours. According to Bach, the sun transfers the vibration of the flowers into the medium of the water, which thus becomes energetically infused. The flowers are then taken from the water and an equal portion of alcohol is added for preservation. For treatment, the remedy is usually diluted with water and is consumed as an alcohol-based preparation.
For the „boiling method“ flowers and buds are picked and boiled down. The extract is filtered several times and is then mixed with alcohol for preservation.
Use of Bach Flower Remedies
Each remedy is either used alone or in combination with other remedies, and each flower is believed to impart its own specific quality to the remedy. Usually, up to six or seven remedies are mixed together, primarily for emotional and spiritual conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, and stress.
The „Rescue Remedy“ is probably the best-known Bach flower remedy. It is a combination of five flowers, Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock rose, and Star of Bethlehem. The combination of these five flowers is to be used in emergencies and is believed to relieve acute mental stress, anxiety, and even panic attacks. The rescue remedy is avaliable in small spray-bottles or in glass bottles with an eye-dropper and the drops should be taken under the tongue. Rescue remedy is also available as rescue cream to be rubbed into the skin.
There are numerous accounts about successful treatment with Bach flower remedies, although effectiveness and safety have not yet been thoroughly investigated scientifically.
Risks of Bach Flower Remedies
As Bach flower remedies contain alcohol, they should not be taken by people with an alcohol problem. Also pregnant or breast-feeding women should refrain from taking Bach therapies with high alcohol concentration. Alcohol may further cause drowsiness, it is therefore not advisable to drive or operate machines while taking Bach flower remedies. People who are allergic to certain plants or flowers may have unfavorable reactions to Bach flower remedies, although only small amounts of the plant exists in the solution. Finally, treatment with Bach flower remedies must not delay consultation with a doctor or any other health care provider for potentially severe illnesses.
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