BACH FLOWER REMEDIES

By: Gleason Center Editors, E. Bozik

Bach Flower Remedies help the body heal itself while gently restoring balance. They were discovered in the 1930’s by British physician, bacteriologist, and pathologist- Edward Bach, M.D. Bach believed the root cause of disease began with negative emotion. Therefore, Bach Flower Remedies are focused on treating a patient’s emotional and mental state. This homeopathic therapy is a powerful tool in healing trauma, managing chronic pain, and promoting self awareness.

Bach Flower Remedies include 38 wildflower essences (or remedies) each associated with a basic human emotion:

Agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face
Aspen - fear of unknown things
Beech - intolerance
Centaury - the inability to say 'no'
Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions
Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way
Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes
Chicory - selfish, possessive love
Clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present
Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred
Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility
Gentian - discouragement after a setback
Gorse - hopelessness and despair
Heather - self centeredness and self concern
Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy
Honeysuckle - living in the past
Hornbeam - tiredness at the thought of doing something
Impatiens - impatience
Larch - lack of confidence
Mimulus - fear of known things
Mustard - deep gloom for no reason
Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort
Pine - guilt
Red Chestnut - over concern for the welfare of loved ones
Rock Rose - terror and fright
Rock Water - self denial, rigidity and self repression
Scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives
Star of Bethlehem - shock
Sweet Chestnut - extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left
Vervain - over enthusiasm
Vine - dominance and inflexibility
Walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences
Water Violet - quiet self reliance leading to isolation
White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life
Wild Rose - drifting, resignation, apathy
Willow - self pity and resentment

​How do you know which remedies you need? This is based on your personality, current state of health, physical symptoms, and emotional response to illness. A homeopathic practitioner who is trained in Bach Flower Remedies can help select which of the essences may benefit you.

Bach Flower Essences are highly diluted and preserved in water and alcohol, usually brandy. Two drops of each remedy (up to six remedies) may be taken orally on the tongue or diluted in a glass of water. Bach Flower Remedies may also be applied topically, rubbed onto temples or wrists. For chronic health concerns, a personal remedy may be designed and taken daily.

Bach Flower Remedies are best when taken with intention and in combination with other therapies. They are especially transformative when used alongside positive daily affirmations. No known side effects have been attributed to Bach Flower Remedies. However, patients recovering from alcoholism and addiction should be aware that Bach Flower Remedies contain diluted brandy.

The above list of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies has been adapted for educational purposes from The Bach Center.

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