Understanding flower remedies

Who developed flower essences?

Flower essences were first developed, as we know them today, in the 1930’s by a Doctor Edward Bach. As well as being a well respected harley street doctor, he was a homeopath and had spent many years researching the role of intestinal toxemia in the development of chronic disease.  From this work he evolved the 7 bach nosodes, which are still in use today.

He was a man who loved nature and felt impelled to spend his life looking for a simple and gentle way of bringing people to health. A man who preferred to learn by experience rather than books,  his observations over his working life brought him to the conclusion that all disease originates in the mind as negative emotions and unhelpful thought patterns. Much was done to help a patient’s symptoms, but nothing to help their distressed state of mind , which he believed to be the primary force in fostering poor health, the improvement of which is instrumental in a good recovery.

He deduced that if you could make a person happy the natural processes of the body would heal itself. He experimented with natural remedies made from flowers and found them very effective, so without a backward glance, he left his lucrative work and spent the next six years tramping the british countryside. During that time he came to understand the basic human personality types, with their emotional states and he found flower remedies to balance them. He developed a collection of remedies, known the Bach Flower Remedies, which have been found to be very effective in calming the mind and emotions, plus promoting well being. 

Now, in the 21st century, we are beginning to understand the role of our emotions in the development of disease, and need to treat the whole person, but in dr bach’s times this was a radical idea.

What are flower essences?

They are liquid herbal remedies, made of flowers. During the essence making process, the life force of the flowers becomes suspended in water, which is then preserved in brandy. Flower essences are put under the heading of vibrational medicine, which also includes crystal and environmental essences. It is thought that they work by setting up a resonance/or vibration within the system, which seems to activate a positive energetic response in the individual.

Here is a definition of a flower essence:
A catalyst that initiates positive change, helping us to come into balance, harmonising emotions and relieving negative feelings.

So what are the Bach Flower Remedies?

They are a set of  40 little 10ml bottles containing mainly brandy.  They are labelled as flowers or trees,  e.g. Agrimony or Oak. These little bottles are called ‘stock’  and are what you buy over the counter. This is economical medicine as you can make up to 120 dosage bottles from each stock bottle.  

How do you know what to take?

You choose a remedy for how you feel about your problem and your life. Each flower essences has specific negativity  for which it is  recommended e.g. fear, depression etc. Talking to a therapist or friend can help to clarify what exactly you do feel and a matching combination of up to six/seven remedies are chosen.

How many different combinations of remedies can you make up from the 38 remedies?

The greatest asset of flower essences is that they are extremely flexible and can be combined into an infinite number of combinations, enough to suit everybody.

Preparing a dosage bottle for the Bach Remedies:

• Almost fill a 20/30ml dropper bottle with spring water, these being available from your local pharmacy or the Sun Essence website.
• Add one teaspoonful of brandy as a preservative, vodka may also be used. Add cider apple vinegar or glycerine if you want to avoid alcohol.
• For babies and animals one can make up a dosage bottle without preservative, in which case the bottle must be kept in the fridge.
• Put 2 drops of each chosen essence into the bottle.
• Label with name, date and contents.
• Shake well.

How do you take them?

Bach remedies are taken internally, 4 drops  4 times a day, particularly first thing in the morning last thing at night, and then spaced through the day.  It is important to remember to take them, as regularity is the key. A poor response to a combination is more likely to be due to taking them intermittently rather than an incorrect choice of essences.
N.B. Other makes of essences, i.e. Australian bush remedies,  may suggest different dosages. All are correct.

Take essences in a glass or bottle.

Essences for long-term treatment can be taken in a glass of water or bottle. Add 2 drops of each chosen essence to the glass/bottle and stir/shake well to activate essences. Sip four times a day, making a fresh batch daily.
Please note, this is not the most economical way to use the remedies.

Take as a one off dose.

Put 2 drops from a chosen stock bottle in a small glass of water and sip. This is very effective for a passing mood, e.g. tiredness or impatience. Essences are absorbed more efficiently when diluted in water, but in an emergency, they can be taken directly from the stock bottle, simply put 2 to 4 drops under the tongue and hold in your mouth.

How can alcoholics take flower remedies?

As there is brandy in flower essences, they do not seem to be a good choice for alcoholics. You can however add cider apple vinegar as a preservative, and then add the drops to a teaspoonful of boiling water to evaporate any remaining alcohol in the dose.

How long do you have to take them?

Minor problems can clear quite quickly, more deep seated difficulties may take several bottles, however improvement is usually felt from the first bottle, so it is not disheartening to carry on for some months.

Many people like to take a dosage bottle for three weeks then allow a further week for integration and also to consider what to put in the next bottle. Interestingly, this brings the treatment into a four week cycle, which is in harmony with the moon’s cycle and therefore life.

Are they safe to take?

They are totally safe to take internally, you can give them to babies, children animals and also your plants.  They have no side effects, only the ones you want. They are so highly diluted that only a trace of the original flower water is present.

In view of their brandy and water content they are classed as a food. You can have confidence in their absolute safety as you can buy them over the counter without restrictions.

Can you take too much?

You can take too little, as it’s important to keep the doses regular. However,  taking too much is not a problem – you could drink the whole bottle, but it would only be equivalent to one dose!  You could drink the whole set, and all that happen is you might feel a bit tipsy! So, taking more than enough is a waste.

Do the essences  interfer with any thing else you are taking?

As they do not directly affect the physical level, any normal medication can work alongside the flower remedies unaffected. Psychotropic drugs can slow down the effect of remedies but saying that, their effect is still very useful. All treatments and other therapies seem to be enhanced as the flower remedies create a more positive frame of mind. Homeopaths are not always keen on flower essences alongside their treatments as it can mask the effects of their chosen potencies.

How are they made?

The first nineteen are made by the sun method. Choose a cloudless, sunny day. Perfect blooms are floated on fresh, natural spring water which is contained in a clear glass bowl.  The bowl is left on the ground near to where the flowers grow for three to four hours. During this time the sun light releases the life force from the flowers into the water. When the flowers have faded they are removed and the energetic water is preserved with an equal amount of brandy. A dilution of this ‘mother’, which lasts indefinitely, makes the stocks that you buy.

The second nineteen, which are mainly trees, are made by the boiling method. Newly flowering twigs are picked to fit and fill a clean pan and fresh water added to cover. This is brought to the boil and simmered for half an hour. It is filtered when cooled and the resultant  liquid preserved in brandy. This is called the ‘mother’ and a dilution of this makes the stocks you buy.

If a new state of mind comes up do you need to make up a new dosage bottle?
No, just clarify what new remedy is required and add it to the existing bottle.

How do we know what the flowers healing qualities?

The process of unveiling the healing qualities of a flower essence begins with the doctrine of signatures, which is rooted in medieval cosmology. Physicians of the day used this approach to find healing plants for their patients. The understanding behind the principle is that there is a visible message on the plant, which determines its role in terms of healing. Just as a graphologist can read a person through their writing, so a plant may be read through its growth pattern. This may include the colour of the flower, root structure, shape of leaves, preferred place of growth, the general shape of the plant, how it fruits, its yearly cycle, historical uses, folk law and so on. The message may be obvious, as in the case of the dandelion, it is yellow like jaundiced person, so is thought by herbalists to be good for liver problems. It does in fact cleanse the body, so is actually beneficial in such cases.

Modern flower essence makers explore the visual message of the plant but may also attempt to tune into nature’s intelligence to verify the information. Dr bach could hold his hand over a flower and know intuitively what it would do. With the first nineteen, his research made it clear what he was looking for and he found a flower whose doctrine of signature exactly matched. For the second nineteen the process was different, he felt the feeling within himself, often to extremes and then went out to find the correct plant. In form and function, julian barnard is able to show that the doctrine of signatures is scientific and follows basic rules. In the american version of the book, there is an appendix précising the basic guidelines, a treasure if you are interested in this.

Examples:
Aspen – Populus tremula
Aspen leaves tremble when there is not a breath of wind, and the aspen types shakes and quivers with fear for no apparent reason.

Mimulus – Mimulus guttatus
Inherent in this flower is a huge courage as it can choose to live precariously, hanging from a bank half in the water. It’s roots go down deep, so it knows it is safe. Mimulus types find similar courage as this essence makes them aware of the strength and safety deep within themselves.

Mustard – Sinapsis arvensis
The mustard plant appears suddenly on seemingly bare land, an expanse of glowing yellow flowers, which brightens and cheers the mind of the depressed mustard type.

Is there a general combination that can be used for all kinds of ills and spills?

Yes there is a highly effective, synergistic blend of five different bach flowers that was developed by dr bach for all emergency situations. It was developed through his own practice and observation and displays amazing recuperative properties. It contains cherry plum, rock rose, star of bethlehem, impatiens and clematis. It can be used for any kind of emergency or circumstances when we need immediate help, before and after moments of difficulty or any kind of upset.
Take four drops in a drink and sip over ten minutes, the effect is cumulative. If no water available put drops on tongue.
Available under many names – originally called rescue remedy, is now also called 5 flower formula, sos, emergency,  first aid, comfort and reassure.

Can you use them topically?

Flower essences can also be used externally. Some people say they are more effective this way.  Use in baths, creams, oils, lotions, sprays, compresses.
Here is a typical recipe. Use the same proportions with oil for massage,  or still spring water to make a spray.

Preparation of a flower essence cream

Ingredients: hyper-allergenic, non-perfumed base cream, essential oil (if required), flower essences of choice
Equipment: jar with cap, lolly stick or straw

Instructions:
• Fill jar with 50grams cream using lolly stick
• Add 4 drops of each chosen essence and 4 drops of essential oil
• Mix with a lolly stick or stiff straw, and discard

Directions for use: Apply to affected area twice daily, or as required

How do they work?

There are lots of ways of explaining how they work. As you now understand,  the flower essences are designed to relieve stress. They work on the more subtle levels of the system i.e. Our feeling levels, not on the physical levels.

Consider this way of looking at it. They can turn you away from your negativity and towards the positive side of your nature. You have everything already inside you – you’ve just lost touch with it. Flower essences can be seen as a bridge that puts you back in touch with that part of yourself. The essences support you while you get used to working with that part of yourself again. Once the link is firmly re-established, you have no need of the remedy.

How do they make you feel?

It is difficult to describe as it can be so ‘natural’ because you are feeling the best of yourself.  People report. ‘I just feel lighter,’ ‘I feel more myself,’  ‘I feel more relaxed and calm,’  ‘I feel more uplifted,’ ‘I have a sense of greater well-being.’  your family will often notice a change before you do. The flowers always embody the positive and their natural vibrations help us to be happy and return us to health

What do they do for you?

They can aid emotional healing and strengthen the whole person. They seem to lift you above your problem so you can view it from a new perspective which may offer you more choice. We need to remember that on one level we are whole and that our strengths are always there – we have just lost sight of them. As the flower essence supplies us with the strength we can’t access, we can get used to feeling strong again and in so doing re-claim our lost self.

Can they help us to change? There are often payoffs in being ill, so we must really want to change. We also need to recognise the link between body and mind.  During the healing process we may encounter difficult parts of ourselves, it’s never easy to be confronted with one’s real nature if we perceive it as not very nice! But flower remedies can help us change our state of mind and come to terms with it. They can turn hatred into love, resentment into forgiveness, so many people take the remedies for self development and to become the best of themselves.

In our urban lives we have lost our natural connection with nature. Time in nature is very calming and healing, think about holidays by the sea. Flower essences can give us some of the healing power of nature in a bottle and reconnect us to our true source.

Is there ever a negative reaction to taking flower essences?

Depends on how you look at it! Some essences are said to be catalysts or openers, i.e. Holly and wild oat and star of bethlehem. As they are taken they will focus out the underlying difficulty and show you the true reason for the problem, which may be temporarily uncomfortable. Often our feelings get hidden away, and not acknowledged, but they must be dealt with in order for us to move on and heal. Once it is clear what the problem is a suitable remedy can be chosen to deal with it or sometimes the catalyst itself will quickly transform the energy positively. On the odd occasions this happens, most people welcome it, and understand what is happening. However some people can find this difficult and may suggest that the essences are making them worse.  Some caring support and a brief explanation is usually all that is needed.  You can suggest they reduce the dose and take some emergency essence.

Giving an essence without knowledge.

This has been called an act of love, form another point of view it is control, and an invasion of that persons choice and privacy. It is talking their responsibility away from them