Bach Flower Essences

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The History of Bach Flower Essences

Flower essences were discovered and developed by Dr. Edward Bach. His set of 38 basic flower essences is still the cornerstone of flower remedies today. His work has provided worldwide inspiration for many others, leading us to over 500 flower remedies today. Dr. Bach was a physician, bacteriologist, pathologist, immunologist, and researcher from England who had an in-depth knowledge of homeopathic medicine. Dr. Bach once wrote that behind every disease lies a person’s fears, anxieties, greed, likes, and dislikes.  A true pioneer and the first to make the connection between the mind and the body. He believed in not only treating the physical symptoms of a disease but also treating the emotional component. He believed that the body would only superficially fix itself if we looked only at the physical symptoms. To completely heal, he believed you had to address the emotional component.

What are Flower Essences

Dr. Bach discovered that when he collected the dew of a plant, the dew had been naturally potentized by the sun. This meant that the sun was able to activate and instill the plant’s healing properties within the dew drops. Dr. Bach created his Bach flower essences using the flower (which was made from the earth’s nurturing), simple water, and the sun. During the remainder of his lifetime, Dr. Bach discovered 38 separate remedies. The remedies are still made according to Dr. Bach’s specific process, which entails the earth, simple water, the sun, and the flower.

How do Flower Essences Work

Bach Flower essences do not work in any biochemical way. It is believed that these remedies contain the energetic imprint of the plant’s life force. To understand how flower essences work, you must believe that the human being is much more than a physical body and is also a life force. Human beings are made up of energy, spirit, and feelings as well. Bach Flower essences are designed to be selected by your state of mind or how you feel. Many times the flower remedy will combine 5 to 6 of them to make a remedy specific to your emotional needs. They are generally safe and effective and can be paired with any other modality. Flower remedies have been used by practitioners for over 70 years. Remember, healing the mind heals the body.

They work very subtly, triggering the healing mechanism within the body as they gently resolve underlying emotional stress. It is the plant’s bioenergetic imprint or frequency that works with the imbalance in the human energy field caused by our emotions. Bach Flower essences can help balance the emotions that can impede our recovery. Most individuals notice feeling more balanced within a couple of weeks; however, deeply rooted emotional problems may need professional guidance.

Using Flower Remedies

Bach Flower essences are simple and effective to use. Some preparations contain alcohol, and you should check ingredients, particularly when selecting products for children or during pregnancy. They are usually taken orally from a dropper bottle. The standard dosage is 2-4 drops four times daily. You can take them directly from the bottle, or you can mix them in a glass of water. They can also be combined with other flower essences. If you choose to do this, you will take 2 drops of each essence and put them in a 1 oz bottle and fill the remainder of the bottle with clean spring water or a mixture of spring water and vegetable glycerin. You can also use them in a cream or lotion base, a salve, the bath, or misting sprayers. Combining Bach flower essences with essential oils is also very beneficial.

Dr. Bach categorized his flower essences into 3 groups and 7 categories of emotions. The 3 groups include the “12 Healers,” which represent a person’s nature or basic personality. The 7 Helpers, which were useful for helping with chronic states of illness, and the remaining 19. He also classified his flower essences into 7 categories of emotions.

Dr. Bach’s Seven 7 Categories of Emotions

Dr. Bach classified his 38 Bach Flower Essences or Remedies according to seven basic mental states. They are as follows:

• Fear – Rock Rose, Mimulus, Cherry Plumb, Aspen, Red Chestnut
• Uncertainty – Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian, Gorse, Hornbeam, Wild Oat
• Insufficient interest in present circumstances – Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose, Olive, White Chestnut, Mustard, Chestnut Bud
• Loneliness – Water Violet, Impatiens, Heather)
• Oversensitivity to influences and ideas – Agrimony, Centaury, Walnut, Holly
• Despondence or despair – Larch, Pine, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, Oak, Crab Apple
• Over-care for the welfare of others – Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, Rock Water)

Dr. Bach – The 12 Healers

• Impatiens – Individuals who do not like restraints and like to be alone. Impatient and irritable.
• Gentian – Easily discouraged by setbacks in life, uncertain about the good things.
• Mimulus – Fear of known things like accidents, pain, water, and the strength to face them.
• Clematis – Preoccupied with fantasy, the daydreamer, someone who needs to focus.
• Agrimony – Individuals who hide their feelings usually behind humor and put on a brave face.
• Chicory – The over-protective, over-possessive mothering type.
• Vervain – Enthusiastic, strong will and can sometimes become overbearing with others.
• Centaury – Can not say no, easily dominated, and exhaust themselves.
• Scleranthus – Difficulty choosing between two things, can not decide and make up their mind.
• Water Violet – Individuals who like to be alone, self-contained.
• Rock Rose – Feeling helpless, panic or terror with or without a reason.
• Cerato – Lacking confidence in your own ability, continually seeking the advice of others to make up their mind.

Dr. Bach’s 7 Helpers

The Remaining 19

• Aspen – Fear of the unknown and the unseen, without knowing why.
• Beech – Critical, intolerant, irritable, for the perfectionist who tends to have trouble tolerating other people’s way of doing things.
• Cherry Plum – Fear of insanity or losing your mind, irrational thoughts or behaviors.
• Chestnut Bud – Difficulty learning life’s lessons and keeps repeating the same mistakes.
• Crab Apple – Feeling unclean or polluted -physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
• Elm – Occasionally feeling stressed about all the responsibilities in their life.
• Holly – Overcome anger, hatred, jealousy, and strong negative feelings.
• Honeysuckle – Dwelling on the past instead of living in the present.
• Hornbeam – Stuck in a rut and having uncertainty about the ability to cope, hopeless.
• Larch – Feeling worthless, lacking self-confidence, or having low self-esteem.
• Mustard – Gloom and depression without a reason. Feels like you are under a dark cloud.
• Pine – Feel guilty, blaming yourself, overhumble. Always sorry when they are not at fault.
• Red Chestnut – Fear for others, anticipating trouble, feeling bad things are going to happen.
• Star of Bethlehem – All types of shock, accidents, bad news, a trauma.
• Sweet Chestnut – Ultimate despair, hopelessness, feeling there is no way out.
• Walnut – Protect yourself from outside influence during changes in your life. So you can develop your life without hassles.
• White Chestnut – Mental chatter, overactive mind.
• Wild Rose – For those who seem to drift through life without eventuality, fatalists.
• Willow – Suffer adversity, feeling you have been treated unfairly, blaming others.

You can shop for flower essences here for extra emotional support. We can also create a custom blended Bach Flower Remedy as well. I have done this for many, many customers, and they say it really helps them balance their emotions.

References: Alternative Medicine The Definitive Guide by Trivieri and Anderson;
Healing Remedies by C. Norman Shealy