How to Use Bach® Flowers
The Bach Flower Essences are liquid essences made from non-toxic plants and waters. The series consists of thirty-eight individual essences and a combination formula of five found in Bach® Rescue Remedy used for extremely stressful or emergency situations.
Rescue Remedy (includes: Cherry Plum, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, and Clematis) works quickly – folks often find relief in minutes. It can be used several times per hour until calmness is achieved. Since this is a combination of essences, one would take four drops in the mouth or sipped in a glass of water. Rescue Remedy is also available in a spray formula – very convenient for folks on-the-go.
Bach® Rescue Cream contains the five essences noted above and Crab Apple and is used topically for minor cuts, bruises, bug bites. Many use the cream for ‘secretary’s fingers’, diaper rash, sunburn, chapped lips and as a massage cream.
The essences are gentle, safe, non-addictive, can be used safely with other methods of health care, have no side effects, and are used very effectively during pregnancy, with infants, children, and adults into the senior years. They are typically taken orally – four drops four times a day. They can be added to beverages, soft foods and can be taken topically by rubbing on the pulse points.
Bach Flowers can be taken individually or in combination by using up to seven essences at once. A combination formula lasts about three weeks.
- Take two drops of any individual essence under the tongue or in a glass of water.
- Or combine two drops of each essence of your choice and mix with spring water to make your Bach Flower formula.
- If mixing with other essences Rescue Remedy counts as one essence.
Bach Flower Essences address the emotional state of an individual and take into account one’s mood and personality traits as well. Bach Flowers help to decrease negative emotions and turn them into positive ones.
When choosing an essence for fatigue, for example, try to discern the underlying cause of the fatigue.
- Feeling overworked mentally and physically, exhausted or recovering from illness? Use Olive
- Do you feel like you just don’t want to do what you have to do? Do you feel tired just thinking about what you have to do? Use Hornbeam
- Typically you can handle all challenges ahead, but one more thing has been put upon you; you don’t think you can handle any more - you don’t think you can go on. Try Elm
- Are you typically multi-tasking, over-responsible and need to keep on and do not take time to rest? Use Oak
When choosing essences to deal with depression, consider the underlying cause for the feelings:
- Feeling low due to a disappointment: Gentian
- Sadness that comes and goes: Mustard
- A sense of hopelessness: Gorse
- Deep despair, loss, anguish, mourning: Sweet Chestnut
Some report rapid results – a feeling of calm, a sense of peace, clearer thinking, less sense of physical tension. However, the longer the negative behavior or emotional state has been experienced; one may need more time to experience relief.
These marvelous flowers can be taken in short intervals to relieve changing moods, or over a longer period of time to address a deeper issue. You may use the same combination or re-evaluate your need for other essences, as you may experience relief from your original complaint and other feelings may arise in your healing process.
As the Bach Flowers are used to address negative feelings, if one feels well and has little complaint the essences may not be necessary.
NOTE: The Bach Flowers are never chosen based on physical symptoms. This system of healing hones in on feelings and emotions in order to increase one’s ability to attain wellness.
Mary Ann Dittmeier and Find Your Balance, Inc. do not diagnose or treat illness. Seek the advice of your medical or natural health professional for diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and physical illnesses.