The 38 Bach Flower Remedies were created by the English physician and homeopath, Dr. Edward Bach, to help enable the mind, body, spirit in the recalibration and reconnection of a specific emotional disconnect that exists within what he classified as the 7 emotional states. These are:
1. Fear (known and unknown),
2. Uncertainty,
3. Insufficient interest in present circumstances,
4. Loneliness,
5. Oversensitivity to influence and ideas,
6. Despondency or Despair and
7. Over care for the welfare of others.
To address the problems associated within these 7 emotional states, Dr. Bach created 38 remedies that speak directly to the emotional imbalances associated within a particular emotional problem. He believed if these emotions were left untreated, they carried the potential to manifest as physical disease in the body.
Let’s take the emotion Fear for example. The remedy for known fear is Mimulus. This remedy is recommended for fears that can be identified such as thunderstorms; loud noises, snakes, or whatever the fear is that can be named. The remedy for unknown fear is Aspen. This remedy helps to correct emotional issues associated with fears that cannot be identified and have no reason of explanation. This is common in those suffering from anxiety disorders and panic attacks; they are anxious, frightened and cannot explain why.
Consultations or work ups can average between 60 to 90 minutes sometimes 2 hours depending on the amount of information and discussion needed to secure a complete picture of the emotional issues and help gain a better, more in-depth understanding and perspective of the emotional problems that need help. Once the remedy needs are established, a remedy bottle is made by adding 2 drops of the remedy tincture from the stock bottle (up to 7 remedies can be added) to the remedy bottle in approximately 1.77 flu oz. of spring water (not tap or filtered), taken by dropper, 4 drops, 4 times a day. Bach remedies will not interfere with any Rx medications and can be taken with or without food. Follow up consultations are $70 for one hour and include a refilling of the remedy bottle or perhaps a needed change in remedies depending on the progress or to address any new emotional changes that may have occurred.
I am often asked how will I know they are working? It will depend on the individual, the level of emotional disharmony and how deep seeded the emotional issues are. You will know they are having a positive effect when you begin to sense a shift in how you feel towards the problem. These shifts in feeling can be described as coming to peace with an emotion, such as fear of something known. It may not feel as threatening as it once did. Some people notice a difference in how they feel almost immediately, while others may take as long as a year or more. When my husband passed away in 2013 I began taking Star of Bethlehem for grief and loss. It took me almost 2 years, taking the remedy everyday before I felt like I had finally turned the corner.
Bach remedies are excellent for pets suffering from issues like fear, aggression, and despondency and basically for all the same reasons we use them. Once the remedy needs are established, they are either rubbed directly onto the ears, pads of their feet or two drops added to their water bowl (spring water only). I have had great success treating my cats and dogs with the Bach remedies.
For a more in-depth understanding about what each of the 38 Bach Flower remedies do, please visit the Bach Centre:
https://www.bachcentre.com/en/remedies/the-38-remedies/