The Bach Flower Remedies are a system of medicine discovered in the 1920s and 1930s by Dr Edward Bach, a well-known bacteriologist, physician and pathologist. While many of us are familiar with Rescue Remedy, there are actually 38 different plant based remedies which can help you to manage the emotional demands of everyday life and in the event of major change. The effect of taking the remedies is not to suppress negative emotions but to help us to be present to them without getting overwhelmed or stuck in them. Rescue Remedy contains a combination of 5 remedies and is often used in times of stress, crisis, trauma or upheaval and may help to ease feelings such as panic and shock so that you feel calmer and more in control. Or if the stress or crisis is on-going it may be beneficial to consider a more personal combination of up to 7 remedies specific to your situation. While it is possible to choose your own remedies, Jo is a fully qualified Bach Flower Practitioner so has in-depth training on the subtle differences between the remedies and can also assist with exploring your emotional state more fully, to ensure you use the most beneficial combination.
Bach flower remedies are gentle in action, have no unwanted side effects and can be taken by people of all ages from new-born babies to elderly people. They can also be taken during pregnancy and are a safe way to deal with the ups and downs this life changing experience can bring.
The following is a list of the 38 remedies and a brief sentence. These are the extremes of the remedies, there is so much more to understand than just these few words. If you are local to Tauranga and can call into the Bethlehem Health Shop we have books available for you to read more information about each remedy. If you would like to purchase online but are finding it hard to choose which remedies to include in the blend you may like to try the Balanced and Centered blend. More info is available by choosing that page in the navigation menu
Agrimony - puts a cheerful face to hide problems Aspen - fears and worries for no specific reason, fear of unknown things Beech - intolerance, critical and intolerant of others Centaury - the inability to say 'no', anxious to please, weak willed esp around other more dominant personalities Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions, seeking advice and confirmation from others Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way and loosing control, sudden outbursts of rage Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from experience, repeating same mistakes Chicory - self-pity and selfish, possessive love, can be over-protective Clematis - dreaming of the future, lack of interest in the present Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for poor self image Elm - overwhelmed and burdened by responsibility Gentian - discouragement after a setback, hesitant and despondent Gorse - hopelessness and despair, extreme pessimistic Heather - self-centeredness and self-concern, wants to talk about their problems excessively Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy, suspicious and aggressive Honeysuckle - living in the past, feeling homesick or nostalgic Hornbeam - tiredness at the thought of doing something, 'Monday morning' feeling, lacking motivation Impatiens - impatience and irritability Larch - lack of confidence and feels inferior Mimulus - fear of known things such as flying, spiders, public speaking Mustard - deep gloom for no reason Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion, strong sense of duty Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort, convalescence remedy Pine - guilt and blaming themselves for the mistakes of others Red Chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones Rock Rose - terror and fright Rock Water - inflexibility, sets very high standards for themselves Scleranthus -indecision and uncertainty Star of Bethlehem - shock, grief or fright Sweet Chestnut - extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left Vervain - over-enthusiasm, with fixed ideas and principles Vine - dominance and inflexibility, strong willed and assertive Walnut - helps when facing major change and protection from unwanted influences Water Violet - pride and aloofness, private and prefers to be alone though can feel isolated White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments, mind preoccupied with worries Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life Wild Rose - drifting, resignation, apathy Willow - self-pity, resentment and bitterness
Rescue Remedy contains Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Impatiens and Clematis. Rescue Remedy Sleep has these same five remedies as well as White Chestnut.