The natural healing essence of Bach Flower remedies

by Sylvia Sensiper

Many medical practitioners have come to believe that mental and spiritual well-being is an important way to maintain good health and fight off disease. But for Dr. Edward Bach, this maxim was the absolute key to health; his ultimate contribution was the creation of a natural system of healing based on 38 flower remedies. The Bach Flower Essences aim to transform negative attitudes associated with disease into positive ones that promote good health. According to Dr. Bach, the bodys natural ability to fight off disease is strengthened if ones emotional life is in balance.

Bach developed the flower essences and treatment plan in the 1930s, after a successful career as a medical doctor and bacteriologist. Today, his work is carried on at the Dr. Edward Bach Centre in his former home in Mount Vernon, England. The Centres trustees and colleagues, who continue to produce the essences and educate people about their use, have received thousands of testimonials from people all over the world as to the effectiveness of the treatments. This gentle homeopathic remedy is one way to reach an emotional equilibrium and eliminate the stress associated with negative attitudes.

"About two years ago, I noticed I was getting sick a lot during periods of heavy stress," says Debra D., an elementary school teacher and mother of two, "so I started using the Rescue Remedy--a combination of five of the Bach flower essences. It seems to help me stay relaxed and calm, and I dont come down with so many colds and sore throats."

During his work at the London Homoeopathic Hospital in the early 1920s, Dr. Bach developed a series of oral vaccines based on intestinal bacteria that purified the intestinal tract. These treatments had a positive effect on the general health of his patients, but Bach disliked the fact that the vaccines were created from bacteria, and continued to search for a gentler and purer method of healing.

In 1930, Bach was inspired by a nature walk through the dew-laden fields of Wales. Shortly after, he began to experiment with his flower essences and shortly thereafter, to treat patients.

In Heal Thyself, a short book published in 1931, Dr. Bach wrote that disease is "entirely the result of a conflict between our spiritual and mortal selves." The flower essences provide a means of dealing with that conflict. The 38 flower remedies are divided into seven groups, each representing basic conflicts that prevent us from being whole: fear, uncertainty, insufficient interest in present circumstances, loneliness, over-sensitivity to influences and ideas, despondency or despair, and over-care for the welfare of others. Within each group, various essences deal with specific conflict within the broader category. For instance, fear can take the form of inexplicable fears, fears for other people, general terror, everyday fears, or fear of losing ones own mind. A different flower remedy is recommended for each of the particular situations.

In choosing a particular flower essence for treatment, it is important that you look for the root cause of your problem. This can be difficult, as most problems are complex and interrelated with other issues. Beech, for example, is recommended for people who are constantly critical, are intolerant of other peoples shortcomings, have a strong sense of their own superiority, and can be judgmental and arrogant.

To determine the most appropriate flower remedy for your situation, you can consult a book. You can also find an objective partner or a trained counselor. You can probably find a helpful self-diagnostic pamphlet anywhere the Bach Flower Essences are sold. The remedies can be taken with other medications, including other homeopathic prescriptions, and are usually diluted in water or juice and sipped periodically during the day. As with many forms of natural medicine, the changes will most likely be gentle and undramatic, and people around you may notice the subtle changes before you do. There are no side effects, but the flower essences may allow suppressed symptoms to arise--a common occurrence with any kind of healing process.

Over time, you may determine that another flower essence is more applicable to the situation. The flower essences are not harmful if you pick one that is inappropriate, but you wont gain the benefit you hoped for if youre not using the right essence.

When Bach died in 1936, his work was dutifully carried on by two trusted colleagues, Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen, who continued to prepare the flower essences for the next 44 years, until Noras death in 1978. At that time, the work was turned over to other partners with whom they had worked over the years at the Bach Centre in England. Today, a Charitable Trust and Educational Foundation has been established to ensure that Dr. Bachs work and the principles of his philosophy remain available to those who are interested. The trustees of the Bach Centre are responsible for preparing the Bach Flower Essences from Dr. Bachs original instructions, and many of the same plant locations are still in use.

As we look for more ways to heal the connection between the mind and the body and prevent disease, you may find that Bachs gentle approach to dealing with fundamental attitudes and mind sets is just what the doctor ordered. Designed as a treatment for you, not your symptom or disease, the Bach Flower Essences can help heal emotions that are impeding recovery from physical ailments.

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