Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936) was a medical doctor, bacteriologist and homeopath. He is known in homeopathy for the Bach Nosodes, made from bowel flora. However, he is better known for his work in creating the Bach Flower Remedies. Bach Flower Remedies are powerful yet gentle healing tools that can catalyze the resolution of deep emotional imbalances. Bach remedies do not appear to have direct effects on the physical body or physical symptoms; instead they work through the “mentals and emotionals” – the more subtle aspects of a remedy picture. Bach Flower Remedies are an all-natural product derived from 38 flowers. These incredible natural remedies have no known side effects and work by treating the individual, rather than the symptoms. Dr. Bach believed that negative moods and emotions were responsible for the breakdown in health that leads to illness and determined that treatment had to address patients’ emotional and mental states.
Dr.Bach had three key insights. First, he observed that people were of a number of different types, according to their outlook on life and personality. Second, he developed his intuitive sensitivity to the point where he was able to experience an emotional state, and then find the support from nature (in the form of an essence from the appropriate flower) that resolved this state. Third, he developed a method of transferring the energy from the trees and flowers that he found helpful to water, which he then preserved with doctors brandy, and so was able to dispense remedies from this source.
According to Bach, the remedies work through the life force energy or vibration that is transmitted from the flowers to the tincture. This vibration interacts on a subtle energy level with the individual to rebalance the conscious and unconscious and dissolve old patterns of behavior. By alleviating negative feelings and relieving the underlying emotional and psychological problems of the patient, a physical healing is enabled. Patients sometimes experience a worsening of their symptoms before an improvement. Dr. Bach’s 38 flower remedies each address one of the seven psychological causes of illness: fear, uncertainty, insufficient interest in present circumstances, loneliness, over sensitivity to influences and ideas, despondency or despair and over care for the welfare of others.
Each flower is believed to have very specific qualities, and they can be taken alone, in combination or together with other flower remedies.