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MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information
MEDICINAL THERAPIES
BACH FLOWER REMEDIES
(Floral Essences)
HISTORY
The use of floral essences to promote good health dates back to the early 20th century English physician Dr. Edward Bach (pronounced "batch"). A London doctor and homeopath, he made studies of his patients and concluded that harmful emotions (negative emotions), such as despair or fearfulness, could lead to physical disease. Bach was dissatisfied with medicine's focus on disease rather than on health and vitality. While he was inspired by homeopathy, he sought remedies that did not rely on homeopathy's "like-cures-like" theory, or the use of a toxin to combat a toxin and the homeopathic law of potentization. In 1930, Bach gave up his practice as a bacteriologist and homeopathic physician to devote his attention to finding a new system of healing. He was sure that if he looked in nature, he would find a healing method that would address emotions and mental states that cause imbalances and poor health. He based his concept on the spiritual principles, not the physical, believing natural, simple methods would help harmonize the soul and heal the body. He soon found that when he treated patients with plant-based remedies, energy paths were unblocked and good health restored.
He was convinced that flowers possessed healing properties, which he used to treat emotional problems and so restore health and harmony to mind and body. Dr. Bach developed his Flower Remedies and began to produce his remedies, which are made by infusing or boiling plant material in springwater. He identified these by holding his hand over each flower in the belief that he could intuitively discern its healing properties. By 1936, Bach's flower remedies were being made commercially. Bach Flower Remedies and other flower essences are today popular around the world, and are now available from natural outlets worldwide. They are often taken for self-help during times of emotional crisis or stress and are mainly used to treat negative emotional states, including fearfulness, uncertainty, disinterest, loneliness, over-sensitivity, despair and excessive concern for other people. They can also be used for physical symptoms arising from emotional problems.
DESCRIPTION OF FLOWER ESSENCES
Floral essences have no scent and should not be confused with essential oils or the materials used for aromatherapy. Flower essences contain the life-force energy released from flowers at the peak of their bloom. This energy is then released into water. This "Mother Tincture" is usually preserved in brandy to prevent bacterial growth and then diluted. The floral essence that results is used medicinally by placing a few drops on the tongue or by adding drops to a small glass of water to be sipped at regular intervals.
CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER
Although practitioners in other fields - for example, homeopathy, naturopathy, and aromatherapy - may prescribe Bach Flower Remedies in certain cases, Dr. Bach developed his remedies primarily for self-help use. Several remedies may be taken together, and the selection is generally based on the patient's assessment of his or her emotional state. However, some people select the individual remedies by holding a pendulum over each in turn (dowsing).
Bach remedies are not intended directly to relieve the physical symptoms of an ailment. Dr. Bach believed that harmful emotions were the main cause of disease, and he sought to treat moods such as fear, anger, guilt, and depression in order to restore the harmony of mind and body necessary for good health.
Dr. Bach classified the various moods into seven categories, which he then subdivided into 38 negative feelings, each one associated with a particular plant. He also developed a compound, Rescue Remedy, to be taken for shock, panic, and hysteria.
Remedies are prepared by infusion, with flower heads placed on the surface of pure springwater and left to infuse in direct sunlight for three hour, or by boiling short lengths of twigs with flowers or catkins in pure springwater for 30 minutes. After either process the water is retained and preserved in brandy.
Bach remedies are sold in 10 ml and 20 ml "stock" phials, containing individual remedies in a concentrated solution form that should be diluted in fruit juice or mineral water, rubbed on the lips or behind the ears, or dropped directly on the tongue. The doses is usually four drops of solution, repeated four times a day. For immediate problems, the dose may be repeated every 3-5 minutes until symptoms subside. Remedies should always be stored in a cool, dark place.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
Floral essences interact with an "energetic web" surrounding the body. When we are healthy, this is in balance. Emotional factors and some personality traits can create imbalances and make our daily lives difficult. Bach found that specific essences could address these emotional factors and traits so that vitality was restored and physical ailments were healed. Floral-essence practitioners today rely on this basic principle. While some adhere to Bach's system of specific essences for specific traits, others use their own methods.
APPLICATION
Many practitioners feel it is best to take floral essences individually. If you choose to make a combination, keep it simple; never combine more than two or three essences. The easiest way to take essences is to place the drops on or under the tongue. Make sure you do not let the dropper touch your mouth.
Dosage recommendations are to take 2 to 3 drops when you wake and again at bedtime. For severe cases, you may need to take another dose at midday. Continue taking the essence until you see some improvement. Forgetting to take a dose is often a sign you no longer need the support of the essence.
Always store floral essences in brown- or blue-glass bottles to protect them from sunlight.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING BACH FLOWER REMEDIES
Taking the 38 Bach Flower Remedies: Dilute two drops in a small glass of water and sip at intervals throughout the day or until relief is obtained. Replenish as necessary For longer term use, add 2 drops to a 30 ml dropper bottle, top up with mineral water and take 4 drops from this solution 4 times daily, or more frequently if necessary until relief is obtained. Up to 6 or 7 Remedies may be taken together if required.
Taking the Bach Rescue Remedy: Dilute 4 drops in a small glass of water and sip at frequent intervals until relief is obtained.
If necessary 2 drops of your Bach Flower Remedy or 4 drops of your Bach Rescue Remedy can be dropped neat onto the tongue, or rubbed onto the lips, behind the ears or on the temples and wrists.
How often or for how long you take Bach Flower Remedies depends on you. If your mood is just fleeting or you are in a bit of a crisis you may only need one dose, but if you have been feeling the same for some time, there is no set limit as to how long you can take your chosen Remedy or Remedies.
Bach Flower Remedies are available in handy 10 ml bottles (Bach Rescue Remedy also available in 20 ml) and fit easily into your bag or briefcase, or on your desk. They can be taken by women, men, children and pets - even plants have been known to benefit. And they can be used in conjunction with any conventional or complementary medicines.
Remember, Bach Flower Remedies are completely natural, and safe to be used at any time, by all the family.
STATE OF MIND BACH FLOWER REMEDY Rock Rose for terror and nightmares.
Mimulus for known fears and shyness.
Cherry Plum for uncontrollable rage and impulses.
Aspen for vague fears and apprehensions.
Red Chestnut for excessive fear on behalf of family and friends. Cerato for lack of confidence in making decisions.
Scleranthus for indecision and mood swings.
Gentian for hesitation, and for doubt and despondency due to past disappointments.
Gorse for despair and hopelessness.
Hornbeam for "Monday morning" tiredness and procrastination. Wild Oat for dissatisfaction and lack of motivation.
(In Present Circumstances)Clematis for escapism and lack of concentration.
Honeysuckle for nostalgia and homesickness.
Wild Rose for apathy and resignation.
Olive for sapped vitality and exhaustion.
White Chestnut for preoccupation with worry.
Mustard for melancholy.
Chestnut Bud for failure to learn from mistakes. Water Violet for aloofness and reserve.
Impatiens for impatience.
Heather for self-absorption, self-obsession, and excessive desired for companionship.
Agrimony for concealed problems.
Centaury for anxiety to please.
Walnut for periods of transition.
Holly for negative feelings such as hatred or envy.
Larch for lack of self-confidence.
Pine for guilt and self-respect.
Elm for a sense of overwhelming responsibility.
Sweet Chestnut for unbearable anguish.
Star of Bethlehem for shock and grief.
Willow for resentment and bitterness.
Oak for those losing the strength to fight.
Crab Apple for those feeling ashamed or unclean.
FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERSChicory for possessiveness, selfishness, self-pity, and over-protectiveness toward others.
Vervain for the argumentative and overbearing.
Vine for the ruthless and dictatorial.
Beech for the critical and intolerant.
Rock Water for self-denial and narrow-mindedness.
There are now hundreds of essences beyond Bach's original 38. These are available at health-food stores and online. You can also make floral essences yourself.
Herbal Remedies: Bach Flower Remedies & Bach Flower Essence Tincture Products
Herbal Remedies: Bach Flower Remedies / Bach Flower Essence Information
Herbal Remedies: Bach Flower Remedies For Children
Herbal Remedies: Bach Flower Remedies For Animals & Pets (Cats, Dogs, & Horses)
MOTHER TINCTURE What you will need:
Scissors
Purified springwater
Glass bowl
Tweezers
Glass jars with lids
Brandy or cider vinegar
1. Wash all equipment with hot, soapy water. Don't let your hands touch the flowers or the solution; wear gloves.
2. Select flowers that are almost fully open. Using clean scissors, snip 3-5 flowers (more if the flowers are tiny).
3. Place 1 quart of purified springwater in a glass bowl and float the flower petals on top of the water.
4. Put the bowl and its contents in direct sunlight for 3-5 hours.
5. Remove the flowers from the solution with clean tweezers. What remains is the undiluted floral-essence solution, also called the mother tincture.
6. Fill jars halfway with brandy or cider vinegar and top with the floral-essence solution.
7. Put lids on the jars, and label each jar with the name of the flower and the date the solution was made. You can store essences in dark bottles.
EXTRA TIP: Because their alcohol content is negligible, essences do not interfere with prescription medications and are safe for children and the elderly. Even veterinarians are using them. Plants respond as well: Consider giving Star of Bethlehem to your plant to lesson the trauma of transplanting.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY PRECAUTIONS
Consult your health care provider before embarking on any non-conventional form of treatment if you have any medical condition or symptoms of illness.
Do not stope taking any prescribed medication without first consulting with your health care provider.
Tell your complementary practitioner about any prescribed medication you are taking, and any other complementary treatments you are receiving.
Tell your health care provider about any complementary treatments you are taking. This includes herbal remedies and nutritional supplements as well as treatments.
Do not embark on vigorous exercise without first consulting with a health care provider if you have any serious medical condition, such as back pain, high blood pressure, or heart disease, or if you are pregnant.
Do not begin a course of complementary therapy without first consulting with your health care provider (or midwife) if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to conceive.
Advise your practitioner if you have any sexually transmitted disease.
Consult your health care provider before allowing babies or infants to receive complementary treatments, since some treatments, such as enemas and certain herbal remedies, are unsuitable for small children.
See your health care provider if symptoms persist or worsen.
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