'Health depends on being in harmony with our souls.' Dr. Edward Bach

 

The Bach Flower Essences (the name is correctly pronounced 'Batch') were developed earlier this century by Dr. Edward Bach, M.B, B.S, M.R.C.S, L.R.C.P, D.P.H, a Physician and Homoeopath, who spent his life searching for the purest methods of healing. Prepared from non-poisonous wild flowers, their purpose is to achieve a balance between the mind, body and spirit, gently correcting the emotional upsets that give rise to physical symptoms or delay recovery from an illness.

 

In the 1900s it is increasingly recognised by both medical doctors and natural therapists that the mind and emotions play a vital role in the state of our health. These factors were of prime importance to Dr. Edward Bach when he developed his essences over fifty years ago.

 

He wrote:

'Disease of the body itself is nothing but the result of the disharmony between soul and mind. It is only a symptom of the cause...and...it is our fears, our cares, our anxieties and such like that open the path to the invasion of illness...Remove the disharmony, the fear, the terror, or the indecision, and we regain harmony between soul and mind, and the body is once more perfect in all its parts.'

 

The Flower Essences were specifically designed to treat 'our fears, our cares, our worries and so on,' so that 'we not only free ourselves from our illness, but the herbs...in addition...leave us happier and better in ourselves.'

 

Today, these safe, gentle essences are used world-wide by private individuals, medical and complementary Health Practitioners, Psychotherapists and Counsellors, Dentists, Veterinaries and Healers. Over the years the Bach Centre at Mount Vernon in Oxfordshire has received thousands of testimonials from patients and practitioners vouching for their effectiveness.

 

The purpose of the essences is to support the patient's fight against illness by relieving the depression, anxiety, traumas and other emotional factors that impede physical healing. They can also be used preventatively, at times of anxiety and stress, and are particularly helpful for the many people who feel generally tired and unwell without a specific medical diagnosis.

 

The essences may be taken on their own or in conjunction with medical or other treatment; they will not conflict with medication, including homoeopathic remedies.

 

It is important to note that they are not intended as a substitute for medical treatment and no medical claims are made for them; should symptoms persist, you are advised to consult your medical Practitioner.

The essences are completely safe, have no unwanted side effects and are non-addictive. They are gentle in action and can safely be taken by people of all ages from new-born babies to the aged. They are also beneficial for animals and plants.

'Health is our heritage, our right. It is the complete and full union between soul, mind, and body; and this is not a difficult far-away ideal to attain, but one so easy and natural that many of us have overlooked it.' Dr. Edward Bach.

 

What Are The Bach Flower Essences?

There are 38 Essences for specific emotional and mental states, plus a 39th, the Rescue Remedy, a composite of five essences designed for emergencies.

37 of the 38 are based on single wild flowers and tree blossoms, all growing naturally in the British Isles, apart from Vine, Olive and Cerato. The exception, Rock Water, is made from water from a natural spring with healing properties, near Mount Vernon.

How Do They Work?

Bach Flower Essences, like other forms of natural medicine, take effect through treating the individual, not disease or the symptoms of disease. They work specifically on the emotional/spiritual condition of the person concerned. Thus two people, say with arthritis, may benefit from quite different essences. One may be resigned to their illness, while the other may be impatient with it, so different essences will be appropriate to each person.

The effect of taking the essences is not to suppress negative attitudes but to transform them into positive ones; stimulating one's own potential for self-healing and freeing the physical system to engage fully in fighting disease and stress.

 

According to Dr. Bach, each flower or plant used has a specific, emotionally healing effect. 'The action of these essences is to raise our vibrations and open up our channels for the reception of our Spiritual Self, to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault which is causing harm. They are able, like beautiful music,...to raise our very natures,...to bring us peace and relieve our sufferings.'

Now that the role of energy in medicine is becoming more widely accepted, practitioners who use the essences believe that their very pure vibrations interact with the subtle energy system of the patient, healing and harmonising at the spiritual, mental and emotional levels.

People do not have to be physically ill to benefit from the essences. Many of us go through times of difficulty and fatigue when negativity creeps in; at these times the essences are invaluable in restoring the balance before physical symptoms appear.

 

Do They Have A Placebo Effect?

No. This has been amply shown by the fact that the essences are very effective with both animals and babies, as well as helping people with little faith who try them as a last resort. Plants also benefit from the essences; gardeners find that giving Rescue Remedy on re-potting, for example, helps the plants to flourish after being moved.

 

How Long Will They Keep?

In their concentrated form in stock bottles, they will keep almost indefinitely in a cool cupboard or drawer, though it is advisable to replace them after five years. Very occasionally a sediment may form during storage; this is quite harmless, and can be filtered off.