An Overview of Bach Flower Essences
The Bach Flower Essences are all natural, very dilute solutions made from spring water, brandy (in very small amounts as a preservative), and the petals of specific flowers. They are used to help balance the emotions and bring about a state of equilibrium in living organisms and have been successfully used with people and animals.
The Bach Flower Essences may be used individually or in combination. Rescue Remedy is the only combination remedy prepared and sold ready-made; it contains five essences and it typically only used for emergencies or extremely stressful situations when the subject is in a state of mental or physical shock, terror, or panic.
The Bach Flower Essences are very safe. The only contra-indication is hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Since the botanical component is so dilute, a reaction is very unlikely. Grape alcohol is used as a preservative, so the essences may be unsuitable for those sensitive to alcohol.
Bach Flower Essences are not used to treat physical disease, but rather the emotional state of the patient. They can be used to help restore fear and anxiety, anger, grief, and many other emotions. Common sense and numerous research studies have shown how stress can have a negative impact on the immune system. Anything that we do to to reduce or relieve stress, including use of Bach Flower Essences, has the potential to positively affect our immune system and thus aid in maintaining physical health.
History of the Bach Flower Essences
The Bach Flower Essences were discovered by Dr. Edward Bach, a Welsh physician practicing medicine in the early 1900’s. Trained in convention allopathic medicine, Dr. Bach observed that his patients’ recovery seemed to have as much to do with their emotional health as it did with any physical condition.
Dr. Bach’s area of expertise was bacteriology, but as he became more intrigued with the emotions of his patients, he started to study the work of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathic medicine. Homeopathic medicine emphasizes treating the “whole” patient including their emotions and mental state, rather than focusing exclusively on physical symptoms. As a result of his research, Dr. Bach developed seven nosodes to treat intestinal disease. A nosode is a homeopathic remedy made from a pathological specimen. The Bach nosodes are made from bacteria found in the bowels. As Dr. Bach began to use the nosodes with his patients, he observed that he could select the appropriate curative nosode for his patients based solely on their emotional state.
Tips on Using Rescue Remedy
Bach Rescue Remedy, the most well known of the Bach Flower Essences, is a combination flower essences formula created specifically for addressing stress in emergency or crisis situations. The essences used in this formula help with trauma and shock (Star of Bethlehem), terror and panic (Rock Rose), hysteria or loss of control (Cherry Plum), impatience and agitation (Impatiens), and faintness and stunned feelings (Clemantis). It is usually only used for acute or emergency situations, but can be used for treating chronic conditions, when appropriate. It can help after an accident or in any situation that causes extreme anxiety, nervousness, or terror. Rescue Remedy often has an immediate calming effect, and is safe, gentle, and non toxic. It may be taken as often as needed without fear of overdosing.
Treating Pets with Rescue Remedy
Rescue Remedy is not, however, a magic, instantaneous, solution for long standing behavioral problems. While it can be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety of a timid animal, it will not make them into a gregarious, “gotta love everybody” dog. Nor will Rescue Remedy remove your pet’s natural instincts, although it can help your pet to adapt those instincts to its environment.
