Heal yourself with Dr Bach’s 38 Flower Remedies

Flower Remedy System: discovered by Dr. Edward Bach, the 38 flower remedies using the power of nature to “heal thyself”

Flower remedies sounds like something little fairies might be concocting in the back garden to an eight year old’s imagination, however a clever fellow named Dr. Edward Bach, managed to put some weight behind the notion that flower power is far more than a hippie movement, it is a natural cure to an extensive range of ailments. Having been a traditional form of medicine since ancient times, the idea of flower remedies that heal human illness is nothing new. In our modern times when medicine comes in pill form or via a drip we needed some encouragement to believe that something so pretty, wild and natural could hold such powerful properties. If it wasn’t presented by a person in a white coat, it wasn’t going to work. So Dr. Bach saw that if his remedies were to be taken seriously then the white coat was a necessity!

You’ve probably heard of Dr. Bach’s rescue remedy, but have you heard the story behind the man that saw a need for alternative medicine in the early 1900s? As a young boy Bach was incredibly interested in illness and its cure. He very soon realised, on studying people close to him, that there was more to how a person suffers and recovers than just cause and treatment. He noticed that certain personality types reacted in similar ways and that orthodox medicine at the time was not a cure all for everyone, nor did he believe he was relieving symptoms rather than healing his patients and started to believe strongly in seeing and treating the patient as a whole, and an individual rather than a set of common symptoms.

He began to look into the study of immunology and eventually moved into pathology and homeopathy finding similarities in his work to that of Samuel Hahnemann – the founder of homeopathy – whereby he takes the stance to “treat the patient not the disease”. During his earlier work he had identified only seven personality types which, by the time he was delving into more natural remedies, he found there were more and went on to place people into ‘type groups’ studying further and further into the many factors that make up a person in search of a way to develop a more effective and valid way to treat people naturally. From 1928-30 he discovered his first few flower remedies having visited Wales and on seeing the positive results in using them as treatments he was so encouraged he left all his modern medicinal work, closed his practice in Harley Street, London and focussed all his attention on flower remedies, much to the shock and dismay of his fellow medical practitioners. None could fathom the switch and radical turn his work was taking. He was a very highly respected doctor up until this point and many of his colleagues struggled to understand his passion for plants. He was challenged by a great many peers for his direction change yet nothing made him waiver, he was convinced by his mission. The result was his eventual discovery of 38 different remedies, together with the two unique methods of preparation that he developed for them.

Guide to the flower remedies as defined by bachcentre.com and a description of their use by Dr. Bach himself from – The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies :

Agrimony – mental torture behind a cheerful face

Dr Bach’s description:

“The jovial, cheerful, humorous people who love peace and are distressed by argument or quarrel, to avoid which they will agree to give up much. Though generally they have troubles and are tormented and restless and worried in mind or in body, they hide their cares behind their humour and jesting and are considered very good friends to know. They often take alcohol or drugs in excess, to stimulate themselves and help themselves bear their trials with cheerfulness.”

Aspen – fear of unknown things

Dr Bach’s description:

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

Beech – intolerance

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them. And, although much appears to be wrong, to have the ability to see 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 final perfection.”

Centaury – the inability to say ‘no’

Dr Bach’s description:

“Kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others. They overtax their strength in their endeavours. Their wish so grows upon them that they become more servants than willing helpers. 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.”

Cerato – lack of trust in one’s own decisions

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who have not sufficient confidence in themselves to make their own decisions. They constantly seek advice from others, and are often misguided.”

Cherry Plum – fear of the mind giving way

Dr Bach’s description:

“Fear of the mind being over-strained, of reason giving way, of doing fearful and dreaded things, not wished and known wrong, yet there comes the thought and impulse to do them.”

Chestnut Bud – failure to learn from mistakes

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who do not take full advantage of observation and experience, and who take a longer time than others to learn the lessons of daily life. Whereas one experience would be enough for some, such people find it necessary to have more, sometimes several, before the lesson is learnt. Therefore, to their regret, they find themselves having to make the same error on different occasions when once would have been enough, or observation of others could have spared them even that one fault.”

Chicory – selfish, possessive love

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are very mindful of the needs of others; they tend to be over-full of care 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 that those for whom they care should be near them.”

Clematis – dreaming of the future without working in the present

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are dreamy, drowsy, not fully awake, no great interest in life. Quiet people, not really happy in their present circumstances, living more in the future than in the present; living in hopes of happier times, when their ideals may come true. In illness some make little or no effort to get well, and in certain cases may even look forward to death, in the hope of better times; or maybe, meeting again some beloved one whom they have lost.

Elm – overwhelmed by responsibility

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those 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.”

Gentian – discouragement after a setback

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are easily discouraged. They 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 soon disheartens them.”

Gorse – hopelessness and despair

Dr Bach’s description:

“Very great hopelessness, they have given up belief that more can be done for them. Under persuasion or to please others they may try different treatments, at the same time assuring those around that there is so little hope of relief.”

Heather – self-centredness and self-concern

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are always seeking 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. They are very unhappy if they have to be alone for any length of time.”

Holly – hatred, envy and jealousy

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who sometimes are attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy, envy, revenge, suspicion. For the different forms of vexation. Within themselves they may suffer much, often when there is no real cause for their unhappiness.”

Honeysuckle – living in the past

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who live much in the past, perhaps a time of great happiness, or memories of a lost friend, or ambitions which have not come true. They do not expect further happiness such as they have had.”

Hornbeam – tiredness at the thought of doing something

Dr Bach’s description:

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

Impatiens – impatience

Dr Bach’s description:

“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. They find it very difficult to be patient with people who are slow, as they consider it wrong and a waste of time, and they will endeavour to make such people quicker in all ways. They often prefer to work and think alone, so that they can do everything at their own speed.”

Larch – lack of confidence

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who do not consider themselves as good or capable 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.”

Mimulus – fear of known things

Dr Bach’s description:

“Fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, of dark, of being alone, of misfortune. The fears of everyday life. These people quietly and secretly bear their dread, they do not freely speak of it to others.”

Mustard – deep gloom for no reason

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are liable to times of gloom, or even despair, as though a cold dark cloud overshadowed them and hid the light and the joy of life. It may not be possible to give any reason or explanation for such attacks. Under these conditions it is almost impossible to appear happy or cheerful.”

Oak – the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion

Dr Bach’s description:

For those who are struggling and fighting strongly to get well, or in connection with the affairs of their daily life. They will go on trying one thing after another, though their case may seem hopeless. They will fight on. They are discontented with themselves if illness interferes with their duties or helping others. They are brave people, fighting against great difficulties, without loss of hope or effort.

Olive – exhaustion following mental or physical effort

Dr Bach’s description:

“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.”

Pine – guilt

Dr Bach’s description:

“For 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 much from the faults they attach to themselves. Sometimes if there is any mistake it is due to another, but they will claim responsibility even for that.

Red Chestnut – over-concern for the welfare of loved ones

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people. Often they have ceased to worry about themselves, but for those of whom they are fond they may suffer much, frequently anticipating that some unfortunate thing may happen to them.

Rock Rose – terror and fright

Dr Bach’s description:

“The rescue remedy. The remedy of emergency for cases where there even appears no hope. In accident or sudden illness, or when the patient is very frightened or terrified or if the condition is serious enough to cause great fear to those around. If the patient is not conscious the lips may be moistened with the remedy. Other remedies in addition may also be required, as, for example, if there is unconsciousness, which is a deep, sleepy state, Clematis; if there is torture, Agrimony, and so on.

Rock Water – self-denial, rigidity and self-repression

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who are very strict in their way of living; they deny themselves many of the joys and pleasures of life because they consider it might interfere with their work. They are hard masters to themselves. They wish to be well and strong and active, and will do anything which they believe will keep them so. They hope to be examples which will appeal to others who may then follow their ideas and be better as a result.”

Scleranthus – inability to choose between alternatives

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who suffer much from being unable to decide between two things, first one seeming right then the other. They are usually quiet people, and bear their difficulty alone, as they are not inclined to discuss it with others.”

Star of Bethlehem – shock

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those in great distress under conditions which for a time produce great unhappiness. The shock of serious news, the loss of some one dear, the fright following an accident, and such like. For those who for a time refuse to be consoled this remedy brings comfort.”

Sweet Chestnut – Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those moments which happen to some people when the anguish is so great as to seem to be unbearable. When the mind or body feels as if it had borne to the uttermost limit of its endurance, and that now it must give way. When it seems there is nothing but destruction and annihilation left to face.”

Vervain – over-enthusiasm

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those with fixed principles and ideas, which they are confident are right, and which they very rarely change. They have a great wish to convert all around them to their own views of life. 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 their duties.”

Vine – dominance and inflexibility

Dr Bach’s description:

“Very capable people, certain of their own ability, confident of success. Being so assured, they think that it would be for the benefit of others if they could be persuaded to do things as they themselves do, or as they are certain is right. Even in illness they will direct their attendants. They may be of great value in emergency.”

Walnut – protection from change and unwanted influences

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who have definite ideals and ambitions in life and are fulfilling them, 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 gives constancy and protection from outside influences.”

Water Violet – quiet self-reliance leading to isolation

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Very quiet people, who move about without noise, speak little, and then gently. Very independent, capable and self-reliant. Almost free of the opinions of others. They are aloof, leave people alone and go their own way. Often clever and talented. Their peace and calmness is a blessing to those around them.”

White Chestnut – unwanted thoughts and mental arguments

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who cannot prevent thoughts, ideas, arguments which they do not desire from entering their minds. Usually at such times when the interest of the moment is not strong enough to keep the mind full. Thoughts which worry and will remain, or if for a time thrown out, will return. They seem to circle round and round and cause mental torture. The presence of such unpleasant thoughts drives out peace and interferes with being able to think only of the work or pleasure of the day.”

Wild Oat – uncertainty over one’s direction in life

Dr Bach’s description:

“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 take life to the full. Their difficulty is to determine what occupation to follow; as although their ambitions are strong, they have no calling which appeals to them above all others. This may cause delay and dissatisfaction.”

Wild Rose – drifting, resignation, apathy

Dr Bach’s description:

“Those who without apparently sufficient reason become resigned to all that happens, and just glide through life, take it as it is, without any effort to improve things and find some joy. They have surrendered to the struggle of life without complaint.”

Willow – self-pity and resentment

Dr Bach’s description:

“For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to accept, without complaint or resentment, as they judge life much by the success which it brings. They feel that they have not deserved so great a trial, that it was unjust, and they become embittered. They often take less interest and less activity in those things of life which they had previously enjoyed.”

I find his work fascinating not only in its intensity but that it has stood the test of time and is valid and effective to this day. One should always carry some Rescue Remedy around with you, you never know when it might be needed!