My healing journey with the Bach flower remedies, in the early 1980s, began one of those lovely old bookstores, where you wish you had all day to sit and read. On this particular day, in Victoria, B.C. a small blue book literally dropped off the shelf in front of me. I opened the wee paperback and started to read, finding myself immediately drawn into the words and writing style. I was overcome with strong feelings of peace and felt that I was reading at that moment, exactly what I was meant to read. I don't know if you have had that experience. It was so empowering. I bought the book of course. That book changed my life. The idea of supporting emotional healing with the Bach Flower Remedies, is very near + dear to my heart. I immediately embraced this poignant story + soon afterwards, started down the path to a very detailed study of these remedies.
Here's the current issue of HEAL THYSELF by Dr Edward Bach (via Amazon affiliate link)
HEAL THYSELF by Dr Edward Bach
Buy Now →
I read it that night. (I've read it hundreds of times.) When I returned home to Toronto the following week, I discovered that "Ellon Bach", the then 'American branch' of the Bach work, was sending a teacher to train people locally as Bach Flower counselors. I signed up on the spot. The following year was transformative. The classes were phenomenal. Dr Bach's teachings have inspired me and my work with his flower essence remedies have helped 100s of people over the last 30 years. I am truly blessed to have found this incredible system ~ gentle yet forever powerful.
There's another book which is more readily available:
The Essential Writings of Dr. Edward Bach: The Twelve Healers and Heal Thyself
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“The Greatest gift that you can give to others is to be happy and hopeful yourself; then you draw them up out of their despondency.”
Edward Bach
The Bach Flower Remedies ~ It's all about simplicity.
I remember being so amazed when I realized his intentions. He wanted to create a system of healing for everyone. He believed (as I do) that our emotions and our emotional states deeply and directly affect our physical and mental selves. He wanted this 'system of healing' to be accessible to all and to be understood by each and every family. I've always tried to share this simple fact and encouraged my clients, when interested, to embrace this idea.
Feeling overwhelmed? Take this remedy.
Feeling fearful.. there are different ways we feel fear.
Learn how to tell which remedy is for what emotion. It's simple and it works.
The flower remedies have been described as such "Flood the body with the opposing energy and bring back balance"
I know that this is a longer post than my normal 'quick read'. It's a story that has long captivated me so I truly wanted to share it here. I've wanted to talk to you about these remedies for many years.. There is much written about this special man, but here's a little bit of the story for you.
The Bach Flower Remedies are a big part of my life. I tend to use them the way he intended. (or at least I try to do so) I'm busier than many -- and yet I try to 'check in' with myself and reflect on my feelings and make myself an appropriate 'remedy bottle'. Sometimes it's a quick 'swig' from my bottle (yes.. my remedy bottle) on my way out the door. Sometimes I am more organized and bring it with me. Ideally we want to take our remedy 3-4 x daily.
As a Bach Flower therapist, I encourage people to get in touch with 'what's going on' in the moment and take the appropriate remedy.
******I see clients locally and via Skype or phone and find the remedies are as effective today as they were when I discovered them, 30+ years ago ********
So HOW do we use the Bach Flower remedies?
Each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr Bach is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state. Just pause, take a good breath, and think about how you are feeling. Dr Bach created the entire system with the idea that each household would own a "remedy kit" and understand the remedies and be able to help each family member live a full, happy healthy life by being able to make adjustments to emotional imbalances often, with very healing results. He believed that the 'balanced emotional body' would have a very positive affect on the physical body. These are my words.. wanting to distill a very long story into a couple of sentences. The bottom line? This system of healing has been a gift in my own life.
This list, with a tiny explanation, will give you a very basic idea but there is more information about each remedy, of course. For further study, check out some reference info at the end of the post.
Agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face (source)
Aspen - fear of unknown things (source)
Centaury - the inability to say 'no' (source)
Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions (source)
Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way (source)
Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes (source)
Chicory - selfish, possessive love (source)
Clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present (source)
Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred (source)
Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility (source)
Gentian - discouragement after a setback (best alternative at present--> (source)
Gorse - hopelessness and despair (best alternative at present--> (source)
Heather - self-centredness and self-concern (source)
Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy (source)
Honeysuckle - living in the past (source)
Hornbeam - tiredness at the thought of doing something (source)
Impatiens - impatience (source)
Larch - lack of confidence (source)
Mimulus - fear of "known things" (source)
Mustard - deep gloom for no reason (source)
Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion (source)
Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort (source)
Pine - guilt (source)
Red Chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones (source)
Rock Rose - terror and fright (source)
Rock Water - self-denial, rigidity and self-repression (source)
Scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives (source)
Star of Bethlehem - shock, grief (source)
Sweet Chestnut - Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left (source)
Vervain - over-enthusiasm, tendency to 'take over' (source)
Vine - dominance and inflexibility (source)
Walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences (source)
Water Violet - quiet self-reliance leading to isolation (source)
White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments (source)
Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life (source)
Wild Rose - drifting, resignation, apathy (source)
Willow - self-pity and resentment (source)
The original system also includes an emergency combination remedy. Other pre-mixed combinations are offered by many remedy producers, but they tend to be ineffective because they are not chosen individually.
The Bach Flower Remedies -- this is a powerful, traditional crisis remedy: "Rescue Remedy"
..is the most used, but in fact is not 1 remedy' at all. Instead it's a blend of five different essences:
- Rock Rose
- Impatiens
- Cherry Plum
- Star of Bethlehem
- Clematis
This combination was created by Dr Bach to deal with emergencies and crises - the moments when there is no time to make a proper individual selection of remedies.
Rescue Remedy is designed to help deal with immediate problems. It is probably the most "well known" of the Bach Flower remedies. Oftentimes it is the only remedy used and -- this is not how the 'system' was intended.
It is without a doubt an amazing combination. It doesn't replace the 37 remedies, however.. It does come in very handy at times..
It can be used to help us get through any stressful moments, from last-minute exam nerves, a public speaking engagement or the aftermath of an accident.
Otherwise, this healing system is designed so that we get in touch with our feelings and we create a combination of 'healing essences' to bring balance back to our day.
It is most likely available at your local health food store but if you'd like it delivered via online order ~ here's an affiliate link for RESCUE REMEDY.
NOTE: I am never without Rescue Remedy -- I have several bottles..
Always have in a bag when traveling. One in my purse for everyday -- always an extra for whatever is needed.
“And may we ever have gratitude in hearts that the great Creator in all glory has placed the herbs in the field for our healing.” Edward Bach
HEAL THYSELF (that first book I mentioned above)
Check it out here.
If you are interested in learning more, there's a super book; it has "Heal Thyself" included + a more detailed blurb but each of the remedies.
You can take a look at it here.
This is the latest edition of the book I still use to this day! Written in Dr. Bach's own words.
Over the years, many have written more about his work and the remedies themselves. They offer their own interpretations and although I tend to rely on my intensive training and 30+ years of experience, these books do offer incredible insight for study.
There are many additional books for more study and so many are so fascinating!!
Here's to our continued health + quest for feeling better and better -- Mind Body Spirit --
Until next time , Carol xo
p.s. Please contact me if you are interested in a Bach Flower consultation -- Thanks.
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