Bach Flower Remedies

Edward Bach (1886-1936) entered medical school in London in 1906 at the age of 20 and graduated five years later. He practiced conventional medicine from 1912 until 1919 when he joined the staff of the London Homeopathic Hospital as a pathologist and bacteriologist. Impressed with the work of Hahnemann, the father of homeopathic medicine, he developed seven nosodes (homeopathic remedies) from the seven types of bacteria that he had associated with chronic illness. At the same time he noted that patients with the seven different types of intestinal bacterial pathogens exhibited particular personality types or temperaments. He began to prescribe his nosodes solely by observing the patients’ personality types and temperaments.

Bach did not like using pathogen-based nosodes and began to use herbs and plants in place of intestinal bacteria in homeopathic remedies. After using flowers as the basis for developing several homeopathic remedies he sold his medical practice and in 1930, at the age of 43, he left London for the English countryside. Over the course of the next six years he developed 38 flower remedies and the more well know Rescue Remedy. Dr. Bach died at the age of 50 in 1936.

Dr. Bach’s Philosophy

Dr. Bach’s philosophy about healing and life are set forth in his short book, Heal Thyself. The crux of his philosophy is summarized in two statements:

·         “The main reason for the failure of modern medical science is that it is dealing with results and not causes . . .

·         Disease is in essence the result of conflict between Soul and Mind, and will never be eradicated except by spiritual and mental effort.” (Centre, 1997, 9-10)

As an N.D. I believe that the body has the wisdom and knowledge to heal itself, give appropriate rest and nutrition.  The body, mind and soul want to be in harmony.  I think that Dr. Bach envisioned such a change process when he wrote:

“The prevention and cure of disease can be found by discovering the wrong within ourselves and eradicating this fault by the earnest development of the virtue which will destroy it; not by fighting the wrong, but by bringing in such a flood of its opposing virtue that it will be swept from our natures." (Centere, 1997, 18)

Dr Bach felt that the correction of mental attitudes could treat a disease at the energetic level before it became grossly pathological, thus halting the disease process before it becomes physical, and assisting the healing process when a disease does become physical. This ability, according to him, results because the mental (psychological or emotional) component of dis-ease may cause the physical problem. Disease can only be treated when the cause is removed; any other treatment only masks the underlying problem.

Flower Remedies

Dr. Bach developed the flower remedies from his understanding of homeopathy. However, the flower remedies differ from homeopathic medicine in several important ways. Homeopathic medicines are prepared according to the Law of Similars that states that a homeopathic medicine that causes the symptoms of a disease in a well person will cure the same symptoms in a person who is not well. Flower remedies are not formulated according to this law. Flower remedies are harmless and will not cause adverse reactions or symptoms in the user.

Homeopathic medicine is prepared using extreme dilution, as are flower remedies. In addition, homeopathic medicines are also prepared using a specific rhythmic method that imparts energy to the medicine. Flower remedies are not so prepared.

In the course of his work Dr. Bach identified 38 different flowers and the emotional or psychological states that they affected. You can download a free PDF questionnaire from the resource page on my web site (www.dr-dave-nd.com) that can be used to identify appropriate flower remedies. As you read the statements in the questionnaire you will be able to identify the mental state that each flower remedy treats. Dr. Bach was never concerned with why the flower remedies work, just that they work.

Given a modern view of quantum or vibrational healing we might postulate that the link between illness and personality that Dr. Bach observed results from the development of dysfunctional energetic patterns within subtle bodies. We know that Dr. Bach felt that disease resulted from a soul-mind conflict.  The vibrational energies of the flower remedies help realign the personality (mind) with the energies of the Higher Self or subtle bodies.

As issues are cleared, new problems or concerns may surface; consequently the specific flower remedies needed by a client change over time. Thus you may want to reuse the questionnaire from time-to-time. For example, a person with weight issues may indicate frequent self-image problems (Crab Apple), a feeling of hopelessness and despair (Gorse), and a feeling of guilt because of overeating (Pine).  A week later, the feelings of hopelessness and guilt may be gone, only to have been replaced with feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities (Elm) and a need to find some direction in life (Wild Oat). When this happens you may want to prepare a new flower remedy formulation.

Reference

The Dr. Edward Bach Centere, The Bach Flower Remedies, Revised Edition, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1997.