Do Bach flower remedies really work?
The answer is an astounding “yes.”
At least they do for countless people who’ve tried them.
My professional training is in Hahnemannian homeopathy.
But Bach flowers are widely respected among most homeopaths.
Most of us use them and recommend them to clients, family and friends.
I learned about these homeopathic flower essences when my children were little.
Both of my children developed chronic health problems as toddlers.
Quickly, I became disillusioned with mainstream medicine.
Regular doctors didn’t offer a solution.
So, instead, I delved into alternative medicine.
My children responded so well to homeopathy.
We also did diet changes and other forms of holistic healing.
One of the things I learned about was Bach flower remedies.
A chiropractor we were seeing at the time told me about these essences.
“They’re amazing. You’ve got to try them,” he insisted.
Do Bach Flower Remedies Really Work?
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Our chiropractor was practically giddy over Bach flower remedies.
Since he knew a lot about natural health, I decided to do some research.
I learned that these remedies (also called essences) were created by a famous British homeopath.
His name was Dr. Edward Bach, MD.
He was trained as a medical doctor.
But a life-threatening illness pushed him in another direction.
As a young doctor, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Thinking he had just a short time to live, he threw himself into research.
That’s because he wanted to use his remaining time to leave a legacy.
Much to everyone’s surprise, including his own, the cancer went away.
Dr. Bach became a believer in the mind/body connection.
He was convinced that living for a purpose saved his life.
Bach Flower Remedies and Homeopathy
Dr. Bach branched out into homeopathy.
This is a form of medicine developed in Germany, more than 200 years ago. It works on the principle of “like cures like.”
Many modern homeopathic remedies are made from highly diluted poisons.
Taken full strength, they’d create a certain set of symptoms.
But, diluted beyond recognition, they appear to leave an energetic imprint.
Taking a remedy that matches your symptoms helps the body heal.
At least that’s the theory behind modern homeopathy.
However, from what I’ve read, Dr. Bach became disillusioned with regular homeopathy too.
That’s because it can cause uncomfortable “aggravations.”
This means the symptoms you’re trying to get rid of can intensify, before they go away.
Also, regular homeopathy is not user friendly.
It requires precision and skill.
For a chronic case, it’s nearly impossible for someone without a lot of homeopathic knowledge to choose the right remedies.
One of the beauties of Bach flower remedies is that you can select them yourself.
You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of Bach flowers here.
Bach Flower Remedies Efficacy
The very first bottle of Bach flower essences I purchased is a formula known as Rescue Remedy.
It’s by far Dr. Bach’s most famous creation.
Rescue Remedy is a a blend of five flower essences that together are believed highly effective for alleviating shock and trauma.
I took Bach Rescue Remedy during a very stressful time in my life.
My dear grandmother, whom I loved so much, was dying.
She required full-time care, at home.
Keeping her out of a nursing home was something we wanted to do.
She was terrified of these facilities.
But it took a toll on the family.
Does Rescue Remedy Really Work?
So, one evening, when things were particularly stressful, I took a few doses of homeopathic Rescue Remedy.
This brought immediate relief.
I stayed calm until I took one too many doses.
Now I know better. My body usually needs just one dose of Rescue Remedy. (Per crisis.)
For me, taking extra doses increased my anxiety.
I’ve owned the same bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy for two decades.
It still works but I’ve since bought another bottle.
Rescue Remedy is something I always want in the house.
Because it works so well and so reliably.
Bach Flower Remedies Do They Work?
Tnose of us who use flower essences are convinced they work.
But is there any actual proof?
Yes.
A study Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, published in 2007, looked at flower essences and pain relief.
They didn’t relieve physical pain.
However, 88 percent of the subjects reported a better mental outlook.
Another study published in Complementary Health Practice Review found that Rescue Remedy could indeed reduce anxiety in high-stress situations.
(Rescue Remedy is designed for acute shock and stress.)
But it’s impossible to separate the body from the mind.
A 2014 study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that rats given Rescue Remedy had beneficial physical changes, in their blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
What Are Flower Essences and How Do They Work?
I’ve used several other different Bach flower remedies and they also seemed to do the job intended.
I only have to take a few doses, regardless of what it says on the bottle.
Below is a short description of some of the other 38 Bach flower remedies.
These remedies are designed to be mixed together, if necessary.
Mimulus – This may be a good remedy for someone with identifiable and known phobias, such as spiders, dark places and speaking before a crowd. (You can get it here)
Aspen – This, on the other hand, is considered better for people with vague fears that can’t be pinpointed. (You can get it here)
Centaury – This for those people known as “empaths,” those kindly souls who can’t say “no.” People with these character traits may have been bullied. (You can get it here)
Bach flower remedies really do work.
They have a valued place in my homeopathy practice.
They are good for hypersensitive patients, as well as for patients who want a slightly different form of homeopathy.
Bach flower remedies are meant to work on the emotional level.
So case taking focuses on emotional complaints, instead of physical symptoms.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Although I’m not a doctor and I can’t give medical advice, and I can’t promise or guarantee results, But I can share my own knowledge of regular homeopathy and Bach flower remedies.
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