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Dr. Edward Bach, well-respected English physician and homeopath, left his successful practice in 1930 and began a study of flower essences. He was greatly influenced by the writings and work of Paracelsus (master physician and alchemist during the 1500s) and Hahnemann.
Bach made the revolutionary discovery that it was not the disease that needed treating, but the moods and characteristics of the personality of the patient. Using his background in homeopathy, he developed remedies using 38 non-poisonous plants. Although Dr. Bach could offer no scientific explanation as to why the remedies worked, he could show thousand of successful case histories.
Since the Bach flower remedies were created during the depression era, many people believe that they seem to reflect the climate of that time. Remedies such as depression, discouragement, and fear are among the 38 remedies. There is also a focus on emotions such as resentment, guilt, hate, and the feelings of being a victim.
Bach had accumulated over 50 years of clinical case studies before his death.
What are Bach flower remedies?
Although similar, there are major differences between homeopathy and flower essences, one of which is that homeopathic remedies are diluted as many as 200 times, while most flower remedies are potentized only six times. Thus, the more potent homeopathic treatment should be undertaken only by a trained, licensed homeopath, whereas flower remedies are considered safe to use and self administer.
Of all the remedies, Bach flower remedies are the most commonly available. FES (Flower Essence Services) in California have created 72 major remedies since 1978 and are continuing to research hundreds more.
The remedies themselves are a life force of plants that are collected from the energy field or aura of the plant. It is what gives them their vitality. It is the existence of energy around them, the life force energy of the plant that is captured by picking flowers at dawn at the height of the flower's vitality. The flowers are then placed in water in the sunlight for several hours. The resulting liquid is enhanced in a variety of ways, diluted and strengthened many times, and then bottled. The essence is then mixed to suit your particular concerns.
Do the remedies really work?
A study was done by Michael Weiglas for his PHD dissertation and is described in The Flower Essence Journal. It was a double blind study done to test the effectiveness of using Bach flower essences. The group that did the best took four remedies, the group that took seven remedies did poorly.
Kirlian photographs also show the effects on people when they take remedies by showing a weak aura before and then a vibrant one after taking remedies.
How to select Bach flower remedies.
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Tuning in. When you hold a particular remedy that is good for you it will feel hot or pulsing with energy. If it does not, then pick another. Observe your own feelings about the essences. Dr. Bach was known to hold a flower and know the feeling it was meant to alleviate.
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The pendulum. You can hang a crystal, ring, etc. On a long chain and dangle it over the remedy. Find a definite yes and no answer first and then begin on the essence. Try to stay detached from the answer or you could influence the result.
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Muscle testing. You’ll need a partner. Standing with arm out to side let your partner ask you yes/no questions and test the answer by applying pressure to your arm. Yes answers generally show little resistance while no answers stand firm.
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Paper test. Write the name of the remedy on a slip of paper and test the paper.
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Experiment until you find which method is best for you and cross check it. Timing is crucial, each essence deals with where you are right now.
How many is too many?
In a group study, the group receiving four essences showed the highest rate of improvement, the group taking seven remedies experienced more difficulties and higher drop out rate. So the rule of four is used. However, one could be fine for you.
Many essences are made by more than one company and the preference on deciding which one is totally up to you, the user. Since flower essences are an intuitive process, some companies may find different, or additional attributes to flower essences. They may even have some meaning that is not immediately apparent.
Personalized Bach Flower Remedies
I have formulated my own questionnaire with questions segregated into the 7 major categories and have had great success with this method. If you are interested and would like to receive your own personalized Bach Flower Formula, click here.
