What Are Bach Flower Remedies?

Bach Flower Remedies were created by British Physician Edward Bach (1886 to 1936). Bach was House Surgeon at the University College Hospital in London, where he trained. He also worked as a bacteriologist, pathologist, and in the fields of on vaccination and homeopathic nosodes. In 1930, he gave up his practice to devote himself to the new system of medicine he had been devising.

Dr. Bach believed that emotions were the cause of disease and he created seven categories of negative emotions: fear, uncertainty, insufficient interest in present circumstances, loneliness, oversensitivity, despair, and over-care for others. He divided each of these categories into 38 feelings, and he associated each of these with a healing plant. He has written numerous books about his theories, such as Heal Thyself, and a book about the remedies, called The Twelve Healers. His remedies can be used for all ages and all stages of life, and are even used on animals.

Many of his remedies are made by infusing plants in spring water, by exposing them to the sun via the “sun method.” Flowers are placed in a glass bowl filled with water and left in the sun for two to four hours. The sun then transfers the flower’s energy, or vibration, into the water, according to Dr. Bach. This was then preserved by the addition of brandy in Bach’s day, and alcohol today. Some remedies are made by a boiling method, especially with those plants that bloom during cooler (less sunny) weather. This extract is then filtered and mixed with the alcohol preservative. All of the remedies are still made by hand in England. The flower remedies are different from essential oils made from the same plants because the Bach remedies have no smell and are believed to have no side effects because of the manner in which they are infused.

Bach was said to come down with the condition of his patient before they came to see him. He would then treat himself, and then know how to treat them when they arrived for their appointment. He is most well known for the creation of Rescue Remedy, a compound used in emergencies or trauma.

Rescue Remedy is made of Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Clematis. It is recommended for use in any stress or trauma, from a job interview to labor pains, or sleeplessness. It also comes as a cream to be used for bruises, sprains, burns, etc. Many people use Rescue Remedy to combat the effects of jet lag, as well as physical traumas, such as accidents and falls.

Four clinical trials have been conducted with Bach’s Flower Essences and results are inconclusive, however millions use the remedies worldwide. The remedies have been used to treat depression, pain, and anxiety and do not seem to interfere with any other treatments or medications.

The Flower Essence Remedies are still manufactured at the Bach Centre in England, according to Dr. Bach’s original work. The remedies now include treatments for animals and a remedy for sleep. They are usually utilized as liquids but are also sold as creams. The Bach Centre offers training courses as well as links to practitioners from around the world, via their website.

Edward Bach was one of the first to use botanical medicine to treat energetic illnesses with botanical potentized remedies. His work was groundbreaking. As we continue to look for answers to the question of brain chemistry, Dr. Bach will stand as an inspiration to those seeking a link between the mind body and mood.