An Introduction to the Bach Flower Essences

National Public Health WeekApril 1 – 7, 2012

Susan Archibald, PhD

What are the Bach Flower Essences?

The remedies to be described are beneficent in action, and cause no aggravation nor reaction for their effect is to uplift"

- Dr Edward Bach, 1930

Each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr Bach is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state. To select the remedies you need, think about the sort of person you are and the way you are feeling.

Photo used with permission

The 7 Headings

For fear

For uncertainty

For insufficient interest in present circumstances

or those overly sensitive to influences and ideas

For despondency or despair

For loneliness

For over care

For welfare of others

Photo used with permission

Essences for Those Who Have FearROCK ROSEThe rescue remedy. The remedy of emergency for cases where there even appears no hope. In accident or sudden illness, when the patient is very frightened or terrified, or if the condition is serious enough to cause great fear in others. If the patient is not conscious the lips may be moistened with the remedy.

“…terror and fright…”

MIMULUSRemedy for fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, dark, being alone, or misfortune. Also can be used for the fears of everyday life. Remedy can be used for those people who quietly and secretly bear their dread, and do not freely express these emotions to others.

“…fear of known things…”

Essences for Those Who Have FearCHERRY PLUMRemedy for those struggling with fear of the mind being over-strained and of reason giving way, and those struggling with the thoughts or impulse of fearful and dreaded things.

“…fear of the mind giving way…”

ASPEN

Vague unknown fears, for which there can be given no explanation or no reason. The patient may be anxious of something terrible going to happen, though he/she knows not what. These vague unexplainable fears may haunt by night or day. Sufferers often are afraid to tell their trouble to others.

“…fear of unknown things…”

Essences for Those Who Have Fear

RED CHESTNUT

For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people.

Often these individuals do not worry about themselves, but for their loved ones, frequently anticipating that some unfortunate thing may happen to them.

“…over-concern for the welfare of loved ones…”

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTYCERATO

For those who have not sufficient confidence in themselves to make their own decisions. These people may constantly seek advice from others, and are often misguided.

“…lack of trust in one's own decisions…”

SCLERANTHUS

Those who are unable to decide between two things—first one seeming right then the other. These individuals are usually quiet people, and often bear their difficulty alone because they are not inclined to discuss it with others.

“…inability to choose between alternatives…”

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTY

GENTIAN

Remedy for those who are easily discouraged. Individuals may be progressing well in illness or in the affairs of their daily life, but any small delay or hindrance to progress causes doubt and becomes disheartening.

“…discouragement after a setback…”

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTYGORSEFor those experiencing very great hopelessness or who have given up belief that more can be done for them. Under persuasion or to please others, they may try different treatments while assuring those around that there is so little hope of relief.

“hopelessness and despair”

HORNBEAMFor those who feel that they have not sufficient strength,mentally or physically, to carry the burden of their life; the affairs of every day seem too much, though they generally succeed in fulfilling their task. Remedy for those who believe that some part of mind or body needs to be strengthened before they can easily fulfill their work.

“tiredness at the thought of doing something”

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTY

WILD OAT

Remedy for those who have ambitions to do something of prominence in life, who wish to have much experience, and to enjoy all that which is possible for them—to experience life to the full.

Their difficulty is to determine what occupation to follow—although their ambitions are strong, they feel they have no apparent calling. This may cause delay and dissatisfaction.

“…uncertainty over one's direction in life…”

NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCESCLEMATIS

For those who are dreamy, drowsy, not fully “awake,” or those who have no great interest in life. Individuals may be quiet people, not really happy in their present circumstances and living more in the future than in the present—in hopes of happier times, when their ideals may come true.

“…dreaming of the future without working in the present..”

HONEYSUCKLE

For those who tend to live in the past, perhaps a time of great happiness, or dwelling on memories of a lost friend, or ambitions which have not come true. Often, these individuals do not expect future happiness such as they have had.

“…living in the past…”

NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES

WILD ROSE

For those who, without apparently sufficient reason, become resigned to all that happens, and tend to glide through life without any effort to improve their experiences and find some joy. In other words, a remedy for those individuals who have surrendered to the struggle of life without complaint.

“…drifting, resignation, apathy…”

NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCESOLIVE

For those who have suffered much mentally or physically and

are so exhausted and weary that they feel they have no more

strength to make any effort. Daily life is hard work for them,

without pleasure.

“…exhaustion following mental or physical effort…”

WHITE CHESTNUT

For those who cannot prevent undesired thoughts, ideas, and arguments from entering their minds. Usually these thoughts arise

when the interest of the moment is not strong enough to keep

the mind full and thoughts of worry will impede. The presence of unpleasant thoughts drives out peace and interferes with being able to think only of the work or pleasure of the day.

“…unwanted thoughts and mental arguments…”

NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCESMUSTARD

For those who experience periods of gloom, or even despair, as though a cold dark cloud has hid the light and the joy of life. It may not be possible to give any reason or explanation for such changes in mood. Under these conditions individuals may feel its impossible to appear happy or cheerful.

“…deep gloom for no reason…”

CHESTNUT BUD

For those who do not take full advantage of observation and experience or take a longer time than others to learn the lessons of daily life. These individuals can find themselves making the same mistakes on different occasions without taking past mistakes into account.

“…failure to learn from mistakes...”

LONELINESS

WATER VIOLET

For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Remedy for those very quiet people who do not speak much and, when they do, it is very gently.

These individuals tend to be very independent, capable, and self-reliant, and are free of the opinions of others. Often clever and talented, their peace and calmness is a blessing others.

“…pride and aloofness…”

LONELINESSIMPATIENSFor those who are quick in thought and action and who wish all things to be done without hesitation or delay. When ill they are anxious for a hasty recovery.

These individuals can find it very difficult to be patient with people who are slow and will endeavor to make such people quicker in all ways.

They often prefer to work and think alone, so that they cando everything at their own speed.

“…impatience…”

LONELINESS

HEATHER

For those who seek the companionship of anyone who may be available, as they find it necessary to discuss their own affairs with others, no matter whom it may be. These individuals tend to be unhappy if they have to be alone for any length of time.

“…self-centredness and self-concern…”

OVER-SENSITIVE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS

AGRIMONY

The jovial, cheerful, humorous people who love peace and are distressed by argument or quarrel. Though generally they have troubles and are tormented and restless or worried in mind or body, mask their fears behind humor. In addition, these individuals may abuse drugs or alcohol to stimulate themselves and help bear their trials with cheerfulness.

“…mental torture behind a cheerful face…”

OVER-SENSITIVE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS

CENTAURYFor kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others and may overtax their strength in their endeavors.

Their good nature leads them to do more than their own share of work and in so doing they may neglect their own particular mission in life.

“…the inability to say 'no’…”

OVER-SENSITIVE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEASWALNUT

For those who have definite ideals and ambitions in life and are fulfilling these goals, but on rare occasions are tempted to be led away from their own ideas, aims, and work by the enthusiasm, convictions ,or strong opinions of others.The remedy offers constancy and protection from outside influences.

HOLLYFor those who sometimes are attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy, envy, revenge, and suspicion. They may suffer much within themselves, often when there is no real cause for their unhappiness.

FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIRLARCHFor those who do not consider themselves as good orcapable as those around them, who expect failure, who feel that they will never be a success, and so do not venture or make a strong enough attempt to succeed.

“…lack of confidence…”

PINEFor those who blame themselves. Even when successful they think that they could have done better and are never content with their efforts or the results. They are hard-working and suffer from the faults they attach to themselves. Sometimes they will even claim responsibility for the mistakes of others.

“…guilt…”

FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIRELMThose who are doing good work, are following the calling of their life and who hope to do something of importance, and this often for the benefit of humanity.At times there may be periods of depression when they feel that the task they have undertaken is too difficult, and not within the power of a human being.

“…overwhelmed by responsibility…”

SWEET CHESTNUTFor those moments when people experience anguish so great it seems to be unbearable. When the mind or body feels as if it has reached the limit of its endurance. When it seems there is nothing but destruction and annihilation left to face.

“…Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no

light left...”

FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIRSTAR OF BETHLEHEMFor those in great distress under conditions that may produce great unhappiness, such as the shock of serious news, the loss of a loved one, or the fright following an accident. This remedy can bring comfort to the shock.

“…shock…”

WILLOWFor those who have suffered adversity or misfortune andfind these difficult to accept as they judge life much by the success which it brings. These people may become embittered or take less interest and activity in thosethings which they had previously enjoyed.

“…self-pity and resentment…”

FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIR

OAKFor those who are struggling to get well or in connection with the affairs of their daily life. They will try one thing after another, though their case may seem hopeless.

These people may feel discontented with themselves ifillness interferes with their duties or helping others but they are also brave—fighting against great difficulties,without loss of hope or effort.

“…the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion…”

FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIRCRAB APPLEThis is the remedy of cleansing. Cleansing may be something of little importance or can be cleansing of a more serious disease or ailment.

For people who are anxious to be free from the one particular thing which is greatest in their minds and which seems so essential to them that it should be cured.

“…the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred…”

OVER-CARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERSCHICORYFor those who are very mindful of the needs of others; they tend to be caring for children, relatives, friends, always finding something that should be put right. They are continually correcting what they consider wrong, and enjoy doing so. They desire to be near their loved ones.

“…selfish, possessive love…”

VERVAINThose with fixed principles and ideas, which they areconfident are right, and which they very rarely change.They are strong of will and have much courage when they are convinced of those things that they wish to teach. In illness they struggle on long after many would have given up.

“…over-enthusiasm…”

OVER-CARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERSVINEFor very capable people who are certain of their own ability and confident of success. They often feel that it would be for the benefit of others to follow their lead. They may be of great value in emergency.

“…dominance and inflexibility…”BEECHFor those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in their life as well as the good growing within. So as to be able to be more tolerant, lenient, and understanding of the different way each individual and all things are working to their own definition of perfection.

“… intolerance…”

OVER-CARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS

ROCK WATERThose who are very strict in their way of living; they denythemselves many of the joys and pleasures of life because they consider it might interfere with their work.

These individuals are hard masters to themselves. They wish to be well and strong and active, and will do anything to keep them so. They hope to be examples to others who may then follow their ideas and be better as a result.

“…self-denial, rigidity and self-repression…”

Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy® is a unique combination of five Bach®

Original Flower Remedies all working on emotional

imbalances associated with daily stressful situations:

•Rock Rose–for terror and panic

•Impatiens–for irritation and impatience

•Clematis–for inattentiveness and to counteract faintness

•Star of Bethlehem–for shock

•Cherry Plum–for irrational thoughts and lack of self control

“Every single person has a life to live, a work to do, a glorious personality, a

wonderful individuality." Dr. Edward Bach, The Original Writings 

The Bach Centre

The Bach Centre

Questions?

References

Bach, E. (1933). The twelve healers and other remedies: The definitive edition. Brightwell-cum-Sotwell,

Oxon. UK: The Bach Centre. (Copying and distribution of this publication is allowed for non-commercial purposes provided nothing is altered. All other rights reserved.)

The Bach Centre. (2009). Retrieved on 3/16/2012 from http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm.