Emotional First Aid for Uncertain Times
He was a medical doctor who abandoned drugs and orthodoxy to find a healing power in flowers – a power he said could help people suffering different emotional states. Such was his success that nearly 100 years later his name and remedies are known and used the world over.
Dr Edward Bach was an English bacteriologist and pathologist who eventually walked away from a successful Harley Street practice to find more effective healing solutions in nature.
In1917 the Englishman was doing hospital work helping soldiers returning from France when he collapsed; surgery diagnosed a malignant tumour and he was given three months to live.
Determined to make the most of his remaining time, Dr Bach returned to work to keep progressing his work into vaccines. He became more holistic in his outlook and began to see a parallel with his work into vaccines and the principals of homeopathy.
By 1919 Dr Bach took a job at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital and later began collecting plants and flowers looking for more gentle remedies than the bacteria he once worked with. He believed his sense of purpose had saved his life.
By 1930 he left London to spend the rest of his life developing what is now known as Bach flower remedies. By testing thousands of plants he found 38 remedies he felt corresponded to particular emotional and personality states.
Dr Bach believed physical illness began first with disharmony in the mind, where emotions such as fear, resignation, and unhappiness lowered the body's vitality and allowed disease to present.
He said the remedies could be used in conjunction with any other form of treatment – or could achieve great results used alone.
Anyone who regularly uses the Bach flowers can attest to their subtle but powerful effects in uplifting the mood and increasing feelings of wellbeing. They have a powerful place in being a first step in helping keep a family well.
Marianne Stobie, a tutor at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies (www.wellpark.co.nz) recommends the following Bach remedies:
Key remedies for the family
• Rescue Remedy – for stress or emergencies from car accidents to exam failures
• Elm – for the person who feels overwhelmed by work and responsibilities and temporarily feels unable to cope
• Walnut – helps people adapt to life changes such as puberty, changing jobs
• Impatiens – for feelings of being impatient, irritable or angry
• White Chestnut – when persistent thoughts play over and over
Key remedies for children – Bach flowers are safe for using with children
• Larch – for someone lacking confidence, the “I can’t” person; helpful before exams
• Mimulus – for fear or apprehension
Key remedies for the unwell
• Crab Apple – dislike or disgust for the body – from acne to being overweight; for long term degenerative conditions
• Wild Rose – when illness has left people feeling weary and resigned
Key remedies for the elderly
• Honeysuckle – for someone living in the past and unable to move forward
• Aspen – for fear of the unknown, being afraid to tell others of their troubles and fears; for fear of death
Marianne says Bach flowers work to address a negative picture and help to create feelings of balance.
“For example you can use the remedy Hornbeam to help a person who feels a heavy weariness, where they feel they doubt they can cope – to feeling they can face the day with more energy and positivity.”
The remedies are inexpensive and can be purchased from health food shops or natural practitioners.
They are available in liquid or tablet form and are taken by placing under the tongue.
Dr Bach died in 1936 aged 50; he had spent the last years of his life working helping people free of charge.