Many people have heard of Rescue Remedy however some are
unaware of the other remedies within this system. Bach designed these to be
used by all however he did intend them to be used in a particular way. When
used as Bach intended the flower remedies are an incredibly powerful and safe
tool to aid healing and help in personal development.
Around the turn of
the centaury Edward Bach was a physician working in a London hospital when he
noticed that even though patients had the same diseases they were suffering
very differently. On talking with them
more he realised that at the heart of each person’s problem was an emotional
issue. “Thus, behind all disease lie our fears, our
anxieties, our greed, our likes and dislikes. Let us seek these out and heal
them, and with the healing of them will go the disease from which we suffer.” E
Bach (The 12 Healers and other remedies).
Although physical
conditions can be linked to emotions, and this is exactly where Edward Bach
first began his investigations, Bach Flower Remedies are purely for emotional
states and should always be selected as such.
Many of us have had a headache
however there are few who suffer with it exactly the same, as Bach discovered,
and for this reason the focus should be on how the person is experiencing the
headache emotionally when using Bach Flower Remedies. “Take
no notice of the disease, think only of the outlook on life of the one in
distress.” E
Bach (The 12 Healers and other remedies). Also in focusing on the individual and their
emotions, changes can often be detected long before physical symptoms’, illness
or disease occurs. How often have you
noticed that you are reacting differently or not feeling quite right only to
have some physical manifestation occur after?
This is the difference that Bach Flower Remedies have – they look at the
changing person, moods, reactions and emotions to maintain balance and with it
good health.
It
is hard not to focus on the physical as after all it is the most obvious.
Likewise it can be hard not to link the emotional to the physical when there
are many out there showing how affirmations and meditations can help heal us
physically. Essentially they are using
the power of the mind to heal which is a valid and important skill to use. Louise Hay has done some amazing work on
Meta-physical conditions and she provides affirmations to help clear negative
thoughts and limiting beliefs to help improve physical conditions. These affirmations can work very well along
side Bach Flower Remedies, as any therapy does, and can be useful as a guide to
direct questioning about the root issue i.e. If someone has a headache which
Louise Hay says is invalidating the self, self criticism and fear; you may ask
if there is anything the person is worried or anxious about. The primary focus with Bach Flower Remedies however
should always be on how the person is feeling regardless of physical conditions.
The healing energies of the remedies will then support all other work, therapy
or treatment.
Bach designed his
remedies to be able to be used by all – layperson and professional alike. “It
is its simplicity, combined with its all-healing effects, that is so wonderful.
No science, no knowledge is necessary, apart from the simple methods described.” E
Bach (The 12 Healers and other remedies).
This may make you wonder why anyone would train in this system of
healing or why you would pay for it. The
answer is objectivity of another listening, observing and sensing what we often
shut down or ignore.
Bach began by testing
on himself. He found an initial 12
healers that he deemed so important that he released a booklet about them
before the other remedies had been found.
These first 12 were Rock Rose, Mimulus, Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian,
Clematis, Water Violet, Impatiens, Agrimony, Centaury, Chicory and
Vervain. The fact that these are the
first may also give an indication on how Bach himself was feeling as he found
himself on the brink of discovery and finding a new healing system.
Each
remedy has its own qualities and healing energies and while there are many that
seem similar, i.e. Mimulus and Aspen for fear, with a little investigation into
the issues and feelings below the surface the correct remedy with become
apparent. An example of this would be
someone with a fear of dogs. The initial emotion is fear however the question
which will always get to the bottom of thinks is “why?” Are they scared due to the size of the dogs
or is it the noise they make? If so this
would indicate Mimulus which is for fear of the known (what is there and
apparent at the time). If the fear is
because they fear that the dog may bite them, may chase them or may jump up;
then Aspen would be more appropriate as this is for fear of the unknown (what may
happen or what they imagine is going on).
This is where a Bach Flower Remedy practitioner can be helpful just as a
watchful and mindful observer may be.
Most
people know and have used Rescue Remedy which is a combination of 5 (as in the
liquid) or 6 remedies (as in the cream).
This is the only pre-prepared treatment bottle Bach accepts and it is
particularly useful in extremely stressful, highly demanding or very emotional
situations. It is not however intended
as a long term treatment or solution. Rescue
Remedy helps in the immediate ‘crisis’; when there is not the time, or often
the inclination due to the situation, to find the remedies needed for long term
healing. Just as first aiders put a
dressing over a wound till the hospital can assess it so should we use Rescue
Remedy.
At
times we could easily go through and select most if not all 38 remedies! This may seem like a good cover all approach,
however with Bach Flower Remedies (and many other holistic healing systems)
less is more. For this reason no more
than 7 remedies should be selected at any one time.
To
help with selection and understanding of remedies Bach put them into 7
different categories; Uncertainty, Oversensitivity, Fear, Over care for others
welfare, Loneliness, Insufficient Interest in the Present Circumstances and
Despondency and Despair. Each of the 38
remedies fit into one of these categories, see below with Rescue Remedy being
separate.
Uncertainty: Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian, Gorse, Hornbeam, Wild Oat.
Over-sensitivity to influences and ideas: Agrimony, Centaury, Walnut, Holly.
Fear: Rock Rose, Mimulus, Cherry Plum, Aspen, Red Chestnut
Over-care for welfare of others: Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, Rock Water.
Loneliness: Water Violet, Impatiens, Heather.
Insufficient interest in present circumstances: Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose, Olive, White Chestnut, Mustard, Chestnut Bud.
Despondency or despair: Larch, Pine, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, Oak, Crab Apple.
Once
the remedies have been selected 2 drops from each stock bottle is added to 30
mls of spring water to create a ‘treatment bottle’. From this treatment bottle at least 16 drops
are taken each day, more if needed. These drops can be spaced out throughout
the day or split so that half are taken upon rising in the morning and half
when retiring for the evening. The great
thing about these drops is that they can also be added to any food which often
is the easiest way for those not able to carry a treatment bottle around with
them all day.
Some
have likened the process of healing with Bach Flower Remedies to peeling an
onion where the releasing of surface emotions only uncovers another layer and
yet another. It is through continuing to
acknowledge and recognize these changing emotions that healing and clearing
really occur. Bach Flower Remedies have
no known side effects so there is only benefit from continuing with remedies
until emotions issues have be dealt with and cleared. If a remedy is not the right one for you then
it simply will no longer have an effect.
The time has come to select a new treatment bottle.
Bach
Flower Remedies have been around for decades now yet their potential in healing
and well-being is still only just being discovered. Have you tried them and enjoyed their
benefits? I’m happy that you have such a
great tool. If not maybe now is the
right time for you!
Arohanui
Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz
