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The 38 Bach Flower
Remedies
Dr Bach’s career is covered in Dr
Edward Bach and His Flower Remedies. This article looks closer at the
38 flower remedies identified by Bach.
Contents
How the Remedies Work
The flower remedies all help to rebalance the "negative emotional
states" of
the sufferer. There is as yet no scientific model, which explains
exactly how
the remedies work. However after more than 60 years of usage, the manner
in
which the remedies should be used has been pretty well confirmed.
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Selecting the required remedies
The way to select the remedies required is forget the physical symptoms
and
to talk listen and observe. Think about the sort of person you dealing
with,
about his or hers current emotional state (How the person feels right
now).
By doing the above, one gets a set of keywords describing the negative
state(s)
and it is now possible to select the remedies that match.
More than one remedy can be selected. On their web site, the Bach Centre
state
that it is quite usual to take six or seven remedies together. It is
also not
uncommon to end with a greater selection of remedies. When this happens,
one
should keep eliminating remedies based on the age of the emotional state
- select
what is valid for today’s negative states.
Why not just mix all the remedies together and have a single mix for
every problem?.
Apparently Dr Bach did in fact try this out but found that it simply
didn't
work. Choosing to many remedies looses some of the efficiency of the
correct
remedies.
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Preparing the Remedies
The tinctures which you purchase come as liquids preserved in Brandy.
The alcohol is used to prevent the water used to dilute tinctures from
going
"off".
The standard way of mixing the remedies is to put two drops of each
selected
remedy into an empty 30ml dropper bottle and toping up with water and a
preservative
if required. A preservative is required for long-term storage and when
the bottle
cannot be kept cool. A teaspoon of brandy - about 5mls - is enough for
this
purpose. Alternatively you can use cider vinegar or vegetable
glycerine.
This is called the treatment bottle
To get rid of any alcohol, you can put the drops of tincture into
boiling water,
tea etc. and this should evaporate most of the alcohol. It will not
affect the
potency of the remedies.
When no "preservative" is used, a bottle can last 2-3 weeks, provided
the preparation
is kept cool and contamination is avoided by not letting the your tongue
touch
the opening of the bottle or the dropper.
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Dosage
There is no difference in potency or speed of effect between taking a
dilution
and taking neat stock remedy.
One should stop taking the remedies the symptoms have improved; just as
you
only take a remedy when need it, you stop taking it when it is not
indicated.
The selected remedies can be taken in liquid or applied externally.
The amount of remedy taken is not important as long as the minimum dose
is taken
- and the minimum dose is the amount you get if you take 2 drops from a
treatment
bottle.
Is also possible to put 2 drops of tincture (4 in the case of the Rescue
remedy)
into a glass of water (see http://www.bachcentre.com/
centre/take.htm).
The frequency with which a remedy is taken varies from every few minutes
in
urgent cases to once every 2-3 hours (four times a day) for
long-standing cases.
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Safety
The flower remedies have no side effects nor can they cause a negative
state
to appear. If any side effects were to be looked for it would be in the
medium
used to dilute the remedies or in what could be caused by consuming
small amounts
of brandy (or other "preservative" - see ‘preparation of remedies’).
The Frequently Asked Questions" web page at the Bach Centre states that
it is
safe to take the remedies during pregnancy.
Because the Bach flower remedies work by clearing out negative emotions,
it
can happen (on rare occasions according to the web page) that this
cleansing
process can take the form of a rash, or of unexpected feelings being be
stirred
up. If there appears to be an aggravation, it may be that a different
remedy
is required, as the scenario has changed.
There are no limitations on how remedies are combined.
The flower remedies are different from homeopathic remedies in that
their effectiveness
is not affected by sunlight, heat, tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, strong
spices
and aromatherapy oils. They are also not affected by x-rays.
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Therapeutic effect
The speeds at which remedies take effect depend, just like in
homeopathy, on
how chronic a condition is. The more chronic or deep-rooted a condition
is,
the longer it takes to treat (weeks or month).
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Beyond the 38 Flower Remedies
In the book "What Really Works", Susan Clarks mentions that an American
healer
Richard Katz has found a 100 additional flower remedies. It is now
possible
to find flower remedies based on plants from all over the world. An
advantage
to this would be that people on other continents can treat themselves
with local
remedies. However, one must remember that as there is no way to
objectively
review any therapeutic claims, it is not possible to know if the claims
are
justified. The Bach Centre also doesn’t approve of new remedies. On
their "frequently
Asked Questions" web page, they have a question which reads "Why doesn't
the
Bach Centre approve the use of other flower essences?". Their anser is
"Interestingly,
some of the essences that have been produced in recent times have been
made
using plants and flowers that Dr Bach specifically excluded, or plants
that
he tried and rejected for one reason or another. Others seem to be old
herbal
remedies "rejuvenated&q uot; by being prepared using Dr Bach's
methods.
Dr Bach wanted his work to be kept simple so that everyone could use it,
and
the 38 remedies he found are enough when used in combination to treat
every
conceivable range of human emotions. Before he died he warned that
attempts
would be made to change his work and make it more complicated, and his
assistants
promised always to uphold the simplicity and purity of his methods. The
same
promise was made in turn by the current curators of the Centre who are
proud
to continue this work."
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A List of the 38 Remedies
The table below lists the 38 remedies. The table contains, for each
remedy,
its common English name, its Latin name, the major heading and a brief
summary
of indications. Information for the table was obtained from "The 12
Healers
and Other Remedies" and from http://www.bachess
ences.com/pages/fr_remedies.htm.
(goto table showing remedies by Latin names / by
major headings)
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The 38 remedies by their common English names
English Name | Latin
Name | Major Heading | Brief
Description |
| Agrimony | Agrimonia Eupatoria | Over-sensitive to
Influences and Ideas | Putting on a cheerful face to hide problems |
| Aspen | Populus Tremula | Fear | Fears and worries of unknown origin,
nervous and anxious |
| Beech | Fagus Sylvatica | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Critical and intolerant of others |
| Centaury | Centaurium Umbellatum | Over-sensitive to
Influences and Ideas | Difficulty in saying no, anxious to please |
| Cerato | Ceratostigma Willmottiana | Uncertainty | Doubtful of own ability to judge
situations |
| Cherry Plum | Prunus Cerasifera | Fear | Fear of losing control and
of irrational thoughts and/or impulses |
| Chestnut Bud | Aesculus Hippocastanum | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Failure to learn from experience, repeating the same
mistakes |
| Chicory | Cichorium Intybus | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Over-protective, possessive, selfish |
| Clematis | Clematis Vitalba | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Day-dreaming, lack of interest in present |
| Crab
Apple | Malus Pumila | Despondency. Despair | Poor self-image, feelings
of shame, sense of uncleanliness |
| Elm | Ulmus Procera | Despondency. Despair | Overwhelmed or burdened by
responsibility |
| Gentian | Gentiana Amarella | Uncertainty | Easily discouraged, hesitant,
despondent |
| Gorse | Ulex Europaeus | Uncertainty | Hopelessness and despair,
pessimism |
| Heather | Calluna Vulgaris | Loneliness | Self-absorbed, dislike of being alone,
excessively talkative |
| Holly | Ilex Aquifolium | Over-sensitive to Influences and
Ideas | Feelings of extreme jealousy, bitter, envious,
suspicious |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera Caprifolium | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Living in the past, feeling homesick |
| Hornbeam | Carpinus Betulus | Uncertainty | Monday morning feeling,
emotional exhaustion |
| Impatiens | Impatients Glandulifera | Loneliness | Impatient,
irritable |
| Larch | Larix Decidua | Despondency. Despair | Lack of self-confidence,
feeling of inferiority without envy |
| Mimulus | Mimulus Guttatus | Fear | Fear of known things,
shyness |
| Mustard | Sinapis Arvensis | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Deep gloom for no apparent reason |
| Oak | Quercus Robur | Despondency. Despair | Exhausted but struggles
on |
| Olive | Olea Europaea | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Emotional burnout |
| Pine | Pinus Sylvestris | Despondency. Despair | Self-reproach,
guilt |
| Red
Chestnut | Aesculus Carnea | Fear | Overanxious or over-concerned for
others |
| Rock
Rose | Helianthemum Nummularium | Fear | Terror, sudden alarm,
nightmares |
| Rock
Water | - | Over-care for Welfare of Others | For those who are overly strict with
themselves |
| Scleranthus | Scleranthus Annuus | Uncertainty | Indecisive, unable to
decide between two options |
| Star
of Bethlehem | Ornithogalum Umbellatum | Despondency. Despair | After-effects of fright,
grief or shock |
| Sweet Chestnut | Castanea Sativa | Despondency.
Despair | At
the limits of endurance, deep despair, bleak outlook |
| Vervain | Verbena Officinalis | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Over-enthusiastic, argumentative with fixed principles and
ideas |
| Vine | Vitis Vinifera | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Strong-willed with a tendency to be domineering or
inflexible |
| Walnut | Juglans Regia | Over-sensitive to Influences and
Ideas | Facing major life changes, needing protection from the
influences of others |
| Water Violet | Hottonia Palustris | Loneliness | Prefer to be alone,
proud |
| White Chestnut | Aesculus Hippocastanum | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Unwanted thoughts, preoccupations and worries |
| Wild
Oat | Bromus Ramosus | Uncertainty
| Uncertainty as to the correct path in life, dissatisfied with
current lifestyle, can't decide which path to follow |
| Wild
Rose | Rosa Canina | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Resigned, apathetic, making little effort to improve
situations |
| Willow | Salix vitellina | Despondency. Despair | Resentment, feelings of
self-pity |
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The 38 remedies by their Latin names
Latin Name | English
Name | Major Heading | Brief
Description |
| Agrimonia Eupatoria | Agrimony | Over-sensitive to Influences and
Ideas | Putting on a cheerful face to hide problems |
| Populus Tremula | Aspen | Fear | Fears and worries of unknown origin,
nervous and anxious |
| Fagus Sylvatica | Beech | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Critical and intolerant of others |
| Centaurium Umbellatum | Centaury | Over-sensitive to Influences and
Ideas | Difficulty in saying no, anxious to please |
| Ceratostigma Willmottiana | Cerato | Uncertainty | Doubtful of own ability to judge
situations |
| Prunus Cerasifera | Cherry Plum | Fear | Fear of losing control and of
irrational thoughts and/or impulses |
| Aesculus Hippocastanum | Chestnut Bud | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Failure to learn from experience, repeating the same
mistakes |
| Cichorium Intybus | Chicory | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Over-protective, possessive, selfish |
| Clematis Vitalba | Clematis | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Day-dreaming, lack of interest in present |
| Malus Pumila | Crab Apple | Despondency. Despair | Poor self-image, feelings
of shame, sense of uncleanliness |
| Ulmus Procera | Elm | Despondency. Despair | Overwhelmed or burdened by
responsibility |
| Gentiana Amarella | Gentian | Uncertainty | Easily discouraged, hesitant,
despondent |
| Ulex
Europaeus | Gorse | Uncertainty | Hopelessness and despair, pessimism |
| Calluna Vulgaris | Heather | Loneliness | Self-absorbed, dislike of being alone,
excessively talkative |
| Ilex
Aquifolium | Holly | Over-sensitive to Influences and Ideas | Feelings of extreme
jealousy, bitter, envious, suspicious |
| Lonicera Caprifolium | Honeysuckle | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Living in the past, feeling homesick |
| Carpinus Betulus | Hornbeam | Uncertainty | Monday morning feeling, emotional
exhaustion |
| Impatients Glandulifera | Impatiens | Loneliness | Impatient, irritable |
| Larix Decidua | Larch | Despondency. Despair | Lack of self-confidence,
feeling of inferiority without envy |
| Mimulus Guttatus | Mimulus | Fear | Fear of known things,
shyness |
| Sinapis Arvensis | Mustard | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Deep gloom for no apparent reason |
| Quercus Robur | Oak | Despondency. Despair | Exhausted but struggles
on |
| Olea
Europaea | Olive | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Emotional burnout |
| Pinus Sylvestris | Pine | Despondency. Despair | Self-reproach,
guilt |
| Aesculus Carnea | Red Chestnut | Fear | Overanxious or
over-concerned for others |
| Helianthemum Nummularium | Rock Rose | Fear | Terror, sudden alarm,
nightmares |
| - | Rock Water | Over-care for Welfare of Others | For those who are overly strict with
themselves |
| Scleranthus Annuus | Scleranthus | Uncertainty | Indecisive, unable to decide between
two options |
| Ornithogalum Umbellatum | Star of Bethlehem | Despondency.
Despair | After-effects of fright, grief or shock |
| Castanea Sativa | Sweet Chestnut | Despondency.
Despair | At
the limits of endurance, deep despair, bleak outlook |
| Verbena Officinalis | Vervain | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Over-enthusiastic, argumentative with fixed principles and
ideas |
| Vitis Vinifera | Vine | Over-care for Welfare of
Others | Strong-willed with a tendency to be domineering or
inflexible |
| Juglans Regia | Walnut | Over-sensitive to Influences and
Ideas | Facing major life changes, needing protection from the
influences of others |
| Hottonia Palustris | Water Violet | Loneliness | Prefer to be alone,
proud |
| Aesculus Hippocastanum | White Chestnut | Not Sufficient Interest in
Present Circumstances | Unwanted thoughts, preoccupations and worries |
| Bromus Ramosus | Wild Oat | Uncertainty
| Uncertainty as to the correct path in life, dissatisfied with
current lifestyle, can't decide which path to follow |
| Rosa
Canina | Wild Rose | Not Sufficient Interest in Present
Circumstances | Resigned, apathetic, making little effort to improve
situations |
| Salix vitellina | Willow | Despondency. Despair | Resentment, feelings of
self-pity |
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The 38 remedies by their Major Headings
Major Heading | English
Name | Latin Name | Brief
Description |
| Despondency. Despair | Crab Apple | Malus Pumila | Poor self-image, feelings
of shame, sense of uncleanliness |
| Despondency. Despair | Elm | Ulmus Procera | Overwhelmed or burdened by
responsibility |
| Despondency. Despair | Larch | Larix Decidua | Lack of self-confidence,
feeling of inferiority without envy |
| Despondency. Despair | Oak | Quercus Robur | Exhausted but struggles
on |
| Despondency. Despair | Pine | Pinus Sylvestris | Self-reproach,
guilt |
| Despondency. Despair | Star of Bethlehem | Ornithogalum
Umbellatum | After-effects of fright, grief or shock |
| Despondency. Despair | Sweet Chestnut | Castanea
Sativa | At
the limits of endurance, deep despair, bleak outlook |
| Despondency. Despair | Willow | Salix vitellina | Resentment, feelings of
self-pity |
| Fear | Aspen | Populus Tremula | Fears and worries of unknown origin,
nervous and anxious |
| Fear | Cherry Plum | Prunus Cerasifera | Fear of losing control and of
irrational thoughts and/or impulses |
| Fear | Mimulus | Mimulus Guttatus | Fear of known things,
shyness |
| Fear | Red Chestnut | Aesculus Carnea | Overanxious or
over-concerned for others |
| Fear | Rock Rose | Helianthemum Nummularium | Terror, sudden alarm,
nightmares |
| Loneliness | Heather | Calluna Vulgaris | Self-absorbed, dislike of being alone,
excessively talkative |
| Loneliness | Impatiens | Impatients Glandulifera | Impatient, irritable |
| Loneliness | Water Violet | Hottonia Palustris | Prefer to be alone,
proud |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Chestnut Bud | Aesculus
Hippocastanum | Failure to learn from experience, repeating the same
mistakes |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Clematis | Clematis Vitalba | Day-dreaming, lack of
interest in present |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Honeysuckle | Lonicera Caprifolium | Living in the past,
feeling homesick |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Mustard | Sinapis Arvensis | Deep gloom for no apparent
reason |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Olive | Olea Europaea | Emotional
burnout |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | White Chestnut | Aesculus
Hippocastanum | Unwanted thoughts, preoccupations and worries |
| Not
Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances | Wild Rose | Rosa Canina | Resigned, apathetic, making little
effort to improve situations |
| Over-care for Welfare of Others | Beech | Fagus Sylvatica | Critical and intolerant of
others |
| Over-care for Welfare of Others | Chicory | Cichorium Intybus | Over-protective,
possessive, selfish |
| Over-care for Welfare of Others | Rock Water | - | For those who are overly strict with
themselves |
| Over-care for Welfare of Others | Vervain | Verbena Officinalis | Over-enthusiastic,
argumentative with fixed principles and ideas |
| Over-care for Welfare of Others | Vine | Vitis Vinifera | Strong-willed with a
tendency to be domineering or inflexible |
| Over-sensitive to Influences and Ideas | Agrimony | Agrimonia
Eupatoria | Putting on a cheerful face to hide problems |
| Over-sensitive to Influences and Ideas | Centaury | Centaurium
Umbellatum | Difficulty in saying no, anxious to please |
| Over-sensitive to Influences and Ideas | Holly | Ilex
Aquifolium | Feelings of extreme jealousy, bitter, envious,
suspicious |
| Over-sensitive to Influences and Ideas | Walnut | Juglans
Regia | Facing major life changes, needing protection from the
influences of others |
| Uncertainty | Cerato | Ceratostigma Willmottiana | Doubtful of own ability to judge
situations |
| Uncertainty | Gentian | Gentiana Amarella | Easily discouraged, hesitant,
despondent |
| Uncertainty | Gorse | Ulex Europaeus | Hopelessness and despair,
pessimism |
| Uncertainty | Hornbeam | Carpinus Betulus | Monday morning feeling, emotional
exhaustion |
| Uncertainty | Scleranthus | Scleranthus Annuus | Indecisive, unable to decide between
two options |
| Uncertainty
| Wild
Oat | Bromus
Ramosus | Uncertainty as to the correct path in life, dissatisfied with
current lifestyle, can't decide which path to follow |
Dr Bach made one combination remedy, the Rescue remedy for emergency
cases. This remedy consists of Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock
Rose and Star of Bethlehem.
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Further Reading:
Collected Writings of Edward Bach (includes "The Twelve Healers &
Other Remedies")
On the Web:
The Bach Centre (http://www.bachcentre.com) has a
"Frequently Asked Questions" page http://www.bachcentre.com/c
entre/faq.htm
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