A quick word from your sponsor… if you like what you read at Tumbleweed, I’d be oh-so-grateful if you’d leave me a comment or press ‘like’.
It gives me an idea of what speaks to you, and where we’re going in future. It’s also a wee pat on the back, which I’m not immune to :)
On to the main event!
Take a few drops of honeysuckle and hornbeam, add a dash of water violet, finish with a drop of centaury, and you have a powerful remedy for mild depression. If this scenario sounds like you should have a cauldron handy while you chant ‘bubble, bubble, toil and trouble’, you may surprised to learn it was developed by a medical doctor named Dr. Edward Bach.
Dr. Bach, now a famous name in integrative medicine, was a well known British doctor and bacteriologist working in London in the 20s and 30s.
Bach became frustrated by a medical system that ignored the whole person. He was well ahead of his time in that he believed emotional well being was key to overall health.
He eventually gave up his lucrative medical practice and devoted his life to exploring the use of flowers and plants to create a simple, natural and gentle approach to emotional balance.
And so Bach remedies were born.
Flower essences vs. herbal remedies
To be clear, flower essences are not herbal remedies. The two are often confused.
An herbal remedy is a tea or tincture made of parts of a plant, used for medicinal purposes and to enhance overall health. An herbal remedy often does both simultaneously - think mint tea, which is delicious and refreshing, and also soothes the digestive system.
A flower essence, on the other hand, is an energetic remedy. It is targeted at an emotional imbalance, rather than a physical imbalance.
A flower essence lands somewhere along the spectrum of homeopathy and energy medicine. As the name suggests, the essence of the plant is present, but the physical plant is not.
Stay with me, folks! The notion of energetic medicine often makes people roll their eyes.
Trust me, it works.
Energetic medicine is where the world of integrative medicine meets science - quantum science, that is. Just because we can’t quantify something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist (*see, LOVE).
Whatever life dishes up, there’s a flower essence for that
It isn’t necessary to understand the minutiae of flower essences to benefit from their healing properties.
Flower essences are an accessible and little known conduit to emotional health, and they’ve been my secret weapon for years.
Feeling downtrodden, uninspired, put upon, or rage-y? There’s a remedy for that. Dismal, irritated, lonely, or terrified? Flower essences are a lifeline. End of your rope, can’t take. one. more. thing. on. your. plate: Bach has you covered.
The beautiful thing about the Bach remedies is that, as they have no active physical constituents, they can be safely taken alongside medication. One necessary caution is that they are usually prepared in a base of alcohol. If alcohol is a problem for you, non-alcoholic versions can be ordered online.
Enough about the fine print! Let’s get into what Bach flower remedies can do for you. And what they can do is miraculous.
Rescue Remedy is your go-to
Rescue Remedy is Bach’s best selling brand for a reason. It was developed as a remedy for severe emotional shock, but it turns out it works for just about everything, including getting you to sleep.
Everyone should have rescue remedy in their pharmacy.
I personally have one in my purse, one in my travel bag, and one by my pyjamas if I feel I’ll have trouble sleeping. It’s also safe for animals, by the way. Should you have an anxious pet, a few drops in the water bowl can work wonders.
Emotional rescue on the way
While Rescue Remedy is a proprietal blend of flower essences, the remaining 38 remedies are single source and target specific emotional imbalances.
Since there tends to be overlap between the remedies, it’s accepted practice to blend up to 4-5 at a time (note: the website says 7, but I find the sweet spot is 3).
The Bach website is an excellent resource for finding the right blend, and has ample tools to walk you through this process. Dr. Bach himself handily grouped the remedies into seven categories to help you find your way.
Should you wish to browse the 38 individual remedies to see what speaks to you, you can find that here.
If you prefer a little guidance, certified practitioners are available through the website.
“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails.”
Dolly Parton
We all fall. We all fail. But it doesn’t have to be a permanent state of affairs.
When you have a rough patch, and we all do from time to time, we have resources we can call upon. Friends, family, a therapist, a good laugh, a good doctor - and yes, flower essences too.
These tiny bottles hold a deceptively mighty wealth of healing properties drawn from the natural world, a world it is easy to forget we belong to. And they’re right there for the taking.
I used to use Rescue Remedy for years! Your post has just reminded me to find some and start again. Thank you x
I'm thinking to integrate them as part of my consultation recommendations depending on client needs.