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Bach Flower Remedies
The Bach Flower Remedies are the discovery of Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936)
a successful Harley Street physician & homeopath. Bach found he could
harness the energy of wild flowers to address specific emotional states.
The remedies offer excellent support during the ups & downs of daily
life. They are ideal for when we feel out of sorts, stressed or tired
but have no specific diagnosis. Flower remedies support the fight against
illness by helping us to cope with emotions such as anxiety, depression,
anger & trauma. Using the remedies doesn’t suppress negative
attitudes, but gently transforms them into positive ones. This process
aids us in healing & for maintaining good health.
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Dr Bach intended the remedies to be used & prescribed by the layperson,
as well as by qualified health professionals - they are extremely safe
to use. The remedies can be taken on their own or with conventional, herbal
or homeopathic medication (tell your homeopath). The flower remedies have
no unwanted side effects & are non-addictive. There are no physical
“healing crisis” reactions associated with the use of Bach
Flower remedies. They can safely be taken by people of all ages from newborn
babies to elderly people. The remedies can also be used for treating plants
& animals – even fish!
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Bach also created a mixture of five flowers called Rescue Remedy. It helps
to calm & centre the patient when faced by challenging, stressful
or traumatic situations, so that healing & balance can come about
more readily. Many people carry Rescue Remedy or Five Flower Remedy around
with them in case of accident, emergency or upset.
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A simple way of taking 1 or 2 remedies is to add 2 drops of each remedy
from the stock bottle, to a glass of water & sip at regular intervals
until relief is obtained.
If need be, you can combine up to 7 remedies in a treatment bottle. You
can do this yourself or have one made up at the Haelan Centre to your
requirements.
Take 4 drops from the bottle (directly on the tongue or in a drink) at
least 4 times a day, until the bottle is finished.
You can take the remedies as frequently as you need to. The body is most
receptive to flower remedies just after waking & before going to bed
at night. Hold the dose in the mouth for a few moments before swallowing.
Drops can be added to any hot or cold drink (except strong coffee, chemically
flavoured or fizzy drinks).
The remedies may also be added to baths, massage oils, or creams. If you
feel an emotion in the body (for instance in the solar plexus area, throat,
forehead or belly) you can rub a few drops from the treatment bottle directly
into the area to rebalance energy, the effect is often immediate.
For Rescue Remedy or Five Flower Remedy follow instructions on the label.
If you cannot give the drops by mouth, rub a few drops behind the ears.
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For fluctuating moods the Remedies may work quite quickly, you may observe
immediate or very quick results. Children and animals also tend to respond
rapidly. If the emotion is deep seated, a longer course of treatment is
often required. Usually you will notice a shift in about three weeks (taking
the drops at least 4 times a day). The change occurs naturally and undramatically,
there is no healing crisis or reaction.
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To make up a treatment bottle you will need a 30ml dropper bottle, quality
brandy, good bottled water, & stock bottles of the remedies that you
need, Bach recommended using no more than 7 remedies per bottle. You can
buy everything except the brandy at the Haelan Centre).
Add a small amount (roughly a 5ml) of brandy to the dropper bottle; then
add 2 drops of each of your chosen remedies (if using Five Flower remedy,
use 4 drops, this counts as 1 remedy); then top up with water. Label the
bottle with the date, name & list of remedies. The bottle should be
used within 3 weeks of making up the remedy.
If you do not want to use alcohol to preserve the remedy, use cider vinegar
instead. Remember you don’t have to buy lots of different remedies;
we can make up a treatment bottle for you if you wish (see below).
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The remedies work well to help alleviate the trials and tribulations in
the life of a child. They offer a gentle support for many common problems
including: fear of the dark (mimulus, aspen); nightmares (aspen); jealousy
of younger sibling (holly); temper tantrums (cherry plum); manipulative
behaviour (chicory); attention seeking (heather); bullying (vine); being
bullied (centaury); learning difficulties, potty training (chestnut bud);
lack of confidence (larch); shyness, timidity (mimulus), giving up easily,
despondent (gentian); starting new school, moving home (walnut). These
& any other remedies can be combined in a treatment bottle or taken
alone. Add to the child’s drinks, baby’s bottle, or rub a
drop behind the ear.
For the best results, the parent/carer of the child will benefit from
using the remedies too!
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Common problems that the remedies can help with are: relocating animals
(walnut); aggressive behaviour (holly, vine, cherry plum); pining for
owner (honeysuckle); nervousness (aspen); abused animals (rescue remedy,
centaury, mimulus); very ill animals (gorse, sweet chestnut); training
(chestnut bud). Add the drops to the animal’s water bowl or rub
into skin at the edge of the ear.
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We can make up treatment bottles for you at the Dispensary, with up to
7 remedies of your choice. We use organic brandy & the Healing Herbs
Organic Bach Flower Remedies. Treatment bottles cost £3.50. Alternatively
you can make an appointment with Lara
Grove for a Bach Flower Remedy
Consultation.
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The 38 Remedies, Wigmore Publications – this is a good clear, simple
introduction for everyone.
Bach Flower Remedies, Edward Bach – in his own words.
Bach Flower Therapy: A Complete Approach, Mechthild Scheffer, –
a more in depth look at the remedies.
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AGRIMONY
For those who are “always smiling”, despite inner turmoil
Ability to confront the dark side in oneself or in others
ASPEN
Anxiety or fear from astral or emotional plane
Fearlessness, groundedness, access to higher spiritual spheres
BEECH
Narrow-minded, intolerant, critical; for allergic reactions
Sympathy, tolerance; reconnection to fellow humans
CENTURY
Easily exploited, submissive, passive, easily led
Self-determination, self-realisation, able to say “no”
CERATO
Distrusts own judgement; thirst for information and advice
Development of intuition; trusting inner wisdom
CHERRY PLUM
Fear of letting go & losing self-control; sudden temper
Openness & composure, strength, courage, spiritual insight
CHESTNUT BUD
Repeating same mistakes or unhelpful habits; slow to learn
Capacity for digesting & learning from experience
CHICORY
Attention seeking, possessive, self centred, manipulative
Warmth, kindness, sensitivity, secure in oneself
CLEMATIS
Withdrawal into imagination; absent minded, dreamy
Lively interest in bringing creative ideas to realization
CRAB APPLE
Obsession with perfection, order, purity; self-disgust
Sense of perspective; recognising & transforming unresolved issues
ELM
Capable, yet feels inadequate; overwhelmed by responsibility
Natural leader, responsible, reliable, confident, altruistic
GENTIAN
Sceptical, discouraged, pessimistic; depression (known cause)
Faith in the process of life; can sees “silver lining” in
the cloud
GORSE
Hope is given up, despairing, resigned, chronic disease
Coming to terms with destiny, gains inner strength and hope
HEATHER
Needs to exteriorise emotions; lacks interest in others’ needs
Empathy, good listener, strength, confidence, able to give
HOLLY
Jealousy, envy, resentment, anger, hard heart; longing for love
Opens the heart to all encompassing love; inner harmony
HONEYSUCKLE
Living in the past, regret; refusal to accept new developments
Lives in the present, honours the past, adapting to change
HORNBEAM
Mental weariness, boredom, “Monday morning feeling”
Clear head, lively mind, renewed pleasure in life, tonic effect
IMPATIENS
Impatient, rushed, frustrated inside, reactionary, restless
Quick thinking but patient, gentle & empathetic; independent
LARCH
Feels inferior, lacks confidence, inaction due to fear of failure
Greater self-esteem; makes an effort, perseveres despite setbacks
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MIMULUS
Fear of known things, e.g. illness, spiders; nervous, shy, timid
Able to face the world with courage and sensitive understanding
MUSTARD
Unexpected depression or despair that comes & goes suddenly
Inner serenity, cheerfulness & stability through rough & smooth
OAK
Work-a-holics; overachieving; ignoring natural impulse to rest
Endurance, reliability, common sense; able to withstand stress
OLIVE
Exhaustion of body, mind & spirit following illness or work
Strength and vitality; coping with extreme demands cheerfully
PINE
Clings to guilt feelings, blames oneself, apologetic, despondent
Accepting & taking responsibility for faults; able to forgive
RED CHESTNUT
Excessive concern & worry for loved ones; over-protective
Radiates positive thoughts of well-being & security to others
ROCK ROSE
Frozen in fear; panic, nightmares, accidents, emergencies
Heroic; able to grow beyond oneself in crisis situations
ROCK WATER
Rigid views, hard on oneself, ascetic, suppressed inner needs
Open-minded; able to bring great ideals to fruition; inner peace
SCLERANTHUS
Going from one extreme to another; restless mind, indecision
Concentration, determination, finds inner balance, soothing presence,
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Past or recent energetic trauma from shock, accident or abuse
Inner strength, clear mind, vitality, adaptable energy system
SWEET CHESTNUT
Hopeless despair, anguish; difficult periods of transformation
Embarks on a new stage of development; able to believe again
VERVAIN
Over-enthusiastic, evangelical, highly-strung, irritable, bossy
Able to motivate, inspire & support others, flexible, caring
VINE
Bully, power hungry, domineering, inflexible, aggressive, dictator
Wisdom, good leadership qualities, helpful to others
WALNUT
Courage & steadfastness during times of major life change
Remaining true to oneself, open to the new, free of the past
WATER VIOLET
Self-contained, reserved, proud, difficulty in approaching others
Self confident, gentle, tactful, humble, wise, loving, dignified
WHITE CHESTNUT
Head full of circling thoughts, mental hyperactivity, worry, insomnia
Able to think clearly & calmly; constructive thought, balanced mind
WILD OAT
Talented yet confused about direction & vocation, frustrated, bored
Fulfils potential, finds mission in life, has clear ideas & ambitions
WILD ROSE
Apathy, resignation, lack of interest, lack of motivation, feels empty
Revives the spirit, renews interest in life, improves energy & motivation
WILLOW
Self-pity, bitterness, resentment, blaming, moody, directs anger inwards
Positive attitude, recognises “as within, so without,” takes
responsibility
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