| Bach Flower Remedies |
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Flower Remedies are a highly misunderstood and often controversial area of complementary medicine. It is a difficult therapy to view through western scientific eyes. Flower Remedies are addressing ‘emotional medicine’ – not recognised or acknowledged by conventional medicine, which often does not treat the emotions (except maybe sedatives or tranquilisers attempting to numb, bury or escape the felt emotion/s!!) Emotions are a vital aspect in the health of an individual – for example, have you ever suffered from a broken heart?? The death of a loved one? When severe it can be impossible to show up to work let alone do any. Emotional imbalances may in time manifest into physical health issues and need to be carefully considered. The History of Flower Essences Flower Remedies marry the worlds of Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy, utilising the principle of ‘the magic of the minimum dose.’ The remedies focus exclusively on the emotional level. The system of healing was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach who left his thriving Park Crescent practice in London to focus his time on developing his system of emotional medicine in the Welsh countryside. Bach acknowledged, as have many others, that man has three bodies: a physical body, a mental body and an emotional body, and all three need to be in harmony for optimal health. Are we not really programmed to focus solely on the physical body?? There are 38 different Bach Flower Remedies each with its own defining characteristics. These are now commonly sold at most pharmacies and health shops (www.bachcentre.com ). The most acclaimed remedy is ‘Rescue Remedy’ a blend of five different remedies which understandably outsells the individual remedies. It is administered in times of shock, stress, trauma and anxiety (I take it before and during flying! …. And exams!!) Why should I take Flower Essences? The Bach Remedies seek to balance negative emotions to empower us to support ourselves through difficult times in our lives and to help us to develop our positive strengths. A (simplified!) example of a remedy: Red Chesnut – for the overconcern of others and their safety. To help the person focus on their own life, understanding others’ need to experience their life without intervention or hinderance of their own necessary progress (eg. for a mother who is unhealthily over-concerned when their child starts school) [For more information: www.tessajordan.co.uk ] Blending Flower Essences Due to the complexities of our individual human experiences and many levels of emotions added to year by year it is often best to create an individually tailored blend for your unique situation – either self administered or through consultation with a Bach practitioner, who can often diagnose your situation better due to a deep working knowledge of the subtleties of each remedy and often it is very hard to self-diagnose! Up to seven remedies in a personal mix. Bach Flower remedies may also be used with animals. The concept of Flower Essences have expanded over time with many other individuals echoing Bach’s ideas creating their own remedies involving native or common plants in their homelands. The best known of these is Ian Whites ‘Australian Bush Essences’ (www.australianbushessences.com ). Other examples of such remedies include: Alaska (www.alaskanessences.com ), Brazil (www.araretama.com.br ), Canada (www.pacificessences.com ), Ireland (www.indigoessences.com ),The Netherlands (www.bloesem-remedies.com ), New Zealand (www.nzfloweressences.co.nz ), South Africa (www.safloweressences.co.za ), USA (www.aromahealthtexas.com ) Personal Experience Personally I have used Bach Flower Remedies with success –recently my Bach Flower Faith was put to the test - in the middle of hectic exam stress, assignments and case studies, I was due to give an important presentation upon ‘decreasing stress in your life’ and I simply could not get to sleep. My mind was ironically churning and churning away and it was crucial that I was seen to be at my very best the next day to give the presentation. Being a yoga instructor I practiced my deep abdominal breathing focusing releasing tension and stress from my body during the exhalation, which usually works. This night it did not. After one hour I turned the light on disparingly still quite awake. For some reason Reiki did not seem right to use, nor did the herbal tinctures of Passiflora incarnata or Valeriana officinalis which were close by. Finally I walked over to my Bach Flower kit to reach for the virgin ‘White chesnut’ bottle: for ‘white noise’ - “well let’s see if this is all its cracked up to be”. Lieing in bed five minutes later all I could think was “you put all your faith in these natural solutions and they are complete rubbish.” Next thing I was waking up refreshed, energised and early the next morning to the little dog barking next door and an instant smile on my face. White chesnut had certainly grabbed my attention, enough to be mentioned in my talk that day! Scientific Research As stated, the western medical world often frowns upon the concept, where is the scientific proof they claim? The difficulty in conducting research lies in the fact that it is the energy of emotions that attempt to be quantified. Therefore, the research method needs detailed concise planning: including correct diagnosis and administration of the indicated remedy with a large sample size. Although, with time as the complementary medical world grows it is hoped that well-designed properly researched papers are produced by those with completely neutral minds to give sound reliable evidence. Daily Mail – 6 August 2007 – Plymouth University study found that Flower Essences reduced toddlers tantrums. In the meantime, please try for yourself and make up your own mind. I welcome any feedback on your experiences and am very happy to offer any assistance if you wish to know more. I leave you with the words of the highly esteemed natural health practitioner with more than fifty years experience, Jan de Vries: “You can’t argue with results.” SIMPLIFIED KEY WORDS FOR EACH OF THE 38 BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: Remedy for when you feel - Agrimony The need to put on a cheerful face to hide problems Aspen Nervous, anxious, unexplained fears or worries Beech Critical or intolerant of others Centaury Anxious to please everyone and avoid upset or confrontation Cerato Unsure and need reassurance about your own decisions Cherry Plum Desperate, tense and fear of losing control Chesnut Bud Not learning from past mistakes Chicory Possessive of others and hurt by them not recognising what you have to offer Clematis Vague and dreamy, avoiding present pain? Crab Apple A sense of self-dislike and shame, not valuing self Elm Overwhelmed by pressures or responsibilities Gentian Discouraged by setbacks Gorse Despondent and have no hope left Heather Lonely and need other people’s company Holly Angry, frustrated, jealous, suspicious Honeysuckle Nostalgic, homesick, look to the past too much Hornbeam Lost motivation – Monday morning feel Impatiens Impatient, hurried, with a sense of great urgency Larch Lacking confidence Mimulus Fearful of specific things eg. flying, rats Mustard Deeply gloomy without knowing why Oak Tired but still struggle on Olive Completely exhausted Pine Guilt and blaming self – often for no reason Red Chesnut Over-concerned for other people and their safety Rock Rose Terrified and panicky (in Rescue Remedy) Rock Water A strong sense of duty which can get in the way of relaxing Scleranthus Indecision – can’t make mind up Star of Bethlehem Traumatised, shock, grieving Sweet Chesnut In an anguish of painful sadness Vervain Over enthusiastic and want to save the world – today! Vine Domineering and strong willed Walnut Vulnerable because of situations, people, changes Water Violet The need for privacy and to be away from people White Chesnut Busy head full of thoughts that don’t stop Wild Oat Torn in many directions unsure where to focus your energy Wild Rose Complacent, not wishing to strive for anything Willow Sorry for yourself and hard done by = Source: Tessa Jordan www.tessajordan.co.uk |