The flower remedies aim to balance negative emotions by transforming them into positive emotions. They do not suppress negative emotions, but instead the negative emotions are removed by encouraging the corresponding positive emotion. For example, if you are suffering from a lack of confidence and fear of failure, the relevant remedy would be taken to increase confidence and remove feelings of despondency. The remedies are invaluable for restoring emotional balance before symptoms of physical ailments appear. They allow us to take a step back from our emotions and deal with them in a more positive way.
There have been various theories over the years as to how exactly the flower remedies can work to restore our out-of-balance emotions and indeed it is still not fully clear. One theory is that the flower remedies work to subtly change our own energy or vibrations, other theories are that the flower remedies trigger chemical releases in the brain which cause our emotions to change. What is clear however is that Bach Flower Remedies are an extremely subtle and effective way of putting our emotions back on track.

Dosage and timing

Just a few drops (about 4-8) at a time are sufficient. For serious or acute conditions the remedy can be given as often as needed, even every few minutes. For most behavioral problems, we recommend 3-4 times a day for 2-4 weeks. If the response to the remedy is adequate by that time, you can begin to wean off by decreasing the frequency of administration. You may need to add a dropper-full to drinking water or give once a day long-term for some problems.

Animals and Bach Flowers

The Bach Flower remedies are non toxic and will not adversely affect any other animals in the household. It is fine to put the remedy in a common water dish. In some cases we may even want to treat multiple animals in this way. The Bach Flowers work through a principle of resonance; if the animal needs the remedy, the remedy will act. If the particular remedy is not correct, there will simply be no effect.

Remedy plants

There are 37 plants in total within the Bach system, and they are classified in three categories:

The Twelve Healers

Twelve plants that Dr Bach associated with particular personality types, the essences from which can be used to help with particular failings of the personality type and promote beneficial changes.

Method Personality Virtue Failing
Agrimony
 Agrimonia eupatoria
 Sun Torment Stillness Torture
centaury Centaurium umbellatum Sun Servant Strength Weak
Cerato Ceratostigma willmottianum Sun Foolish Wisdom Self- distrusting
Chicory Chicorium intybus Sun Demanding Love Self- pitying
Clematis Clematis vitalba Sun Dreamer Gentleness Indiffer- ent
Gentian Gentiana amarella Sun Depressed Understanding Discon- tented
Impatiens Impatiens glandulifera Sun Irritable Forgiveness Impatient
Mimulus Mimulus guttatus Sun Nervous fear Sympathy Fearful
Rock Rose Helianthemum nummularium Sun Terrified Courage Terrified
Scleranthus Scleranthus annuus Sun Indecision Steadfastness Full of indecision
Vervain Verbena officinalis Sun Fervent Tolerance Intense
Water Violet Hottonia palustris Sun Isolated Joy Aloof

The Seven Helpers

For certain of his patients, whose conditions had become habituated, Bach found that their true nature was obscured and did not fit into the categories of the twelve healers. For these, essences made from the seven helper group may be considered.

Method Chronic condition
Gorse
 Ulex europaeus
 Sun Hopelessness
Heather Calluna vulgaris Sun Talkative
Oak Quercus robur Sun Persevering
Olive Olea europaea Sun Exhaustion
Rock Water Aqua None Strict idealist
Vine Vitis vinifera Sun Domineering
Wild Oat Bromus ramosus Sun Lack of direction

The Second Nineteen

For treating the emotional response to traumatic events. Dr Bach described them as ‘acting on a different planet they are more spiritualised and help us to develop that inner great self in all of us which has the power to overcome all fears, all difficulties, all worries, all diseases.’

Method Emotional state
Aspen
 Populus tremula
 Boiling Unreasoning fears
Beech Fagus sylvatica Boiling Critical
Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera Boiling Loss of control
Chestnut Bud Aesculus hippocastanum Boiling Unable to learn from mistakes
Crac Apple Malus sylvestris Boiling Feeling unclean
Elm Ulmus procera Boiling Overwhelmed
Holly Ilex aquifolium Boiling Hatred and anger
Honeysuckle Lonicera caprifolium Boiling Living in the past
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Boiling Mental or physical tiredness
Larch Larix decidua Boiling Loss of confidence
Mustard Sinapis arvensis Boiling Depression
Pine Pinus sylvestris Boiling Self-blame
Red Chestnut Aesculus carnea Boiling Imagining the worst
Star of Bethlehem Ornitholagum umbellatum Boiling Needing comfort from shock
Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Boiling Utter desolation
Walnut Juglans regia Boiling Unsettled during life change
White Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Sun Mental congestion
Wild Rose Rosa canina Boiling Apathy
Willow Salix vitellina Boiling Resentment and self-pity

All the twelve healers and seven helpers are prepared by the sun method. All but one of the second 19 are prepared by the boiling method.

Sources: Bach remedies, Sanfte Therapien

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