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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.