Bach Flower Essences FAQs

Bach flower remedies comprise 38 essences made from nature to treat every possible emotion

THE 38 REMEDIES

Agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face 

Aspen - fear of unknown things

Beech - intolerance

Centaury - the inability to say 'no'

Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions 

Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes 

Chicory - selfish, possessive love

Clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present 

Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred

Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility 

Gentian - discouragement after a setback Gorse - hopelessness and despair

Heather - self-centredness and self-concern Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy 

Honeysuckle - living in the past

Hornbeam - tiredness at the thought of doing something

Impatiens - impatience

Larch - lack of confidence 

Mimulus - fear of known things

Mustard - deep gloom for no reason

Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion 

Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort

Pine - guilt

Red Chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones 

Rock Rose - terror and fright

Rock Water - self-denial, rigidity and self-repression 

Scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives 

Star of Bethlehem - shock

Sweet Chestnut - Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left

Vervain - over-enthusiasm

Vine - dominance and inflexibility

Walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences 

Water Violet - pride and aloofness

White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments 

Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life

Wild Rose-drifting, resignation, apathy

Willow-self pity and resentment

Two methods are used to make remedies. Most of the more delicate flowers are prepared using the sun method. This involves floating the flower heads in pure water for three hours, in direct sunlight. Woodier plants, and those that bloom when the sun is weak, are generally prepared by the boiling method - i.e. boiling the flowering parts of the plant for half an hour in pure water. In both cases once heat has transferred the healing information  in the flowers to the water, the energised water is mixed with an equal quantity of brandy. This mix is the mother tincture. Mother tincture is further diluted into brandy (at a ratio of two drops of mother tincture to 30 ml of brandy) to make the stock bottles that you see in the shops.

Just as a beautiful sunset or a photograph can move us so that we feel more at peace, so taking a remedy uplifts us in a gentle way and helps us be the best we are. There are many theories about the mechanism the remedies use to achieve this. Most believe the active ingredient in the remedies is a kind of energy or vibration that is transferred from the living flower to the water during the process of making the mother tinctures. Some believe the energy forms a pattern in the water; others talk of quantum mechanics and spiritual vibrations. Attempts to capture this energy have produced beautiful Kirlian photographs showing distinct patterns and colours for different remedies - but little hard research has been done. Any firm conclusions are just speculation.

The real proof that these flower energies exist, however, is the effect they have on people, animals and plants.

A useful analogy is with the world of colour. There are only three basic colours (red, blue yellow), yet every visible colour can be produced when they are combined. In the same way there are 38 basic states of mind. Combining them gives hundreds of millions of variations.

Sometimes you're so immersed in an issue/s that its hard to see 'the wood for the trees'. It can help to have an objective view . BFRPs are people from all walks of life who share a dedication to Dr Bach's ideals of simplicity and self-help. Dr Bach believed in treating people as individuals. The most effective mix is always one chosen for you personally. A practitioner will help you decide on the best mix for how you feel right now. BFRPs aim to teach you the remedies as you go, so that you will be able to help yourself and your family in future – but always be able to call on your practitioner for help and assistance when you need it.

Fear

Uncertainty

Insufficient interest in present circumstances

Loneliness

Over-sensitivity to influences and ideas

Despondency or Despair

Over-care for the welfare of others

All the below descriptions are taken from 'The Twelve Healers and other Remedies' written by Dr Edward Bach in 1936

Aspen

Vague unknown fears, for which there can be given no explanation, no reason. Yet the patient may be terrified of something terrible going to happen, he knows not what. These vague unexplainable fears may haunt by night or day. Sufferers often are afraid to tell their trouble to others.

Cherry Plum

Fear of the mind being over-strained, of reason giving way, of doing fearful and dreaded things, not wished and known wrong, yet there comes the thought and impulse to do them. 

Mimulus

Fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, of dark, of being alone, of misfortune. The fears of everyday life. These people quietly and secretly bear their dread, they do not speak freely of it to others. 

Red Chestnut

For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people. Often they have ceased to worry about themselves, but for those of whom they are fond they may suffer much, frequently anticipating some unfortunate thing may to happen to them. 

Rock Rose

The rescue remedy. The remedy of emergency for cases where there even appears no hope. In accidents or sudden illness, or when the patient is very frightened or terrified, or if the condition is serious enough to cause great fear to those around. If the patient is not conscious the lips may be moistened with the remedy. Other remedies in addition may also be required, as, if there is unconsciousness, which is a deep, sleepy state, Clematis; if there is torture, Agrimony, and so on. [Bach: Twelve Healers and Other Remedies 1936] 

Cerato

Those who have not sufficient confidence in themselves to make their own decisions. They constantly seek advice from others, and are often misguided. 

Gentian

Those who are easily discouraged. They may be progressing well in illness or in the affairs of their daily life, but any small delay or hindrance to progress causes doubt and soon disheartens them. 

Gorse

Very great hopelessness, they have given up belief that more can be done for them. Under persuasion or to please others they may try different treatments, at the same time assuring those around that there is so little hope of relief. 

Hornbeam

For those who feel that they have not sufficient strength, mentally or physically, to carry the burden of life placed upon them; the affairs of everyday seem too much for them to accomplish, though they generally succeed in fulfilling their task. For those who believe that some part, of mind or body, needs to be strengthened before they can easily fulfil their work.

Scleranthus

Those who suffer much from being unable to decide between two things, first one seeming right then the other. 

Wild Oat

Those who have ambitions to do something of prominence in life, who wish to have much experience, and to enjoy all that which is possible for them, to take life to the full. Their difficulty is to determine what occupation to follow; as although their ambitions are strong, they have no calling which appeals to them above all others. This may cause delay and dissatisfaction. 

Chestnut Bud

For those who do not take full advantage of observation and experience, and who take a longer time than others to learn the lessons of daily life. Whereas one experience would be enough for some, such people find it necessary to have more, sometimes several, before the lesson is learnt. Therefore, to their regret, they find themselves having to make the same error on different occasions when once would have been enough, or observation of others could have spared them even that one fault. 

Clematis

Those who are dreamy, drowsy, not fully awake, no great interest in life. Quiet people, not really happy in their present circumstances, living more in the future than in the present; living in hopes of happier times, when their ideals may come true. In illness some make little or no effort to get well, and in certain cases may even look forward to death, in the hope of better times; or maybe, meeting again some beloved one whom they have lost. 

Honeysuckle

Those who live much in the past, perhaps in a time of great happiness, or memories of a lost friend, or ambitions which have not come true. They do not expect further happiness such as they have had. 

Mustard

Those who are liable to times of gloom, or even despair, as though a cold dark cloud overshadowed them and hid the light and the joy of life. It may not be possible to give any reason or explanation for such attacks. Under these conditions it is almost impossible to appear happy or cheerful.  

Olive

Those who have suffered much mentally or physically and are so exhausted and weary that they feel that they have no more strength to make any effort. Daily life is hard work for them, without pleasure. 

White Chestnut

For those who cannot prevent thoughts, ideas, arguments which they do not desire from entering their minds. Usually at such times when the interest of the moment is not strong enough to keep the mind full. Thoughts which worry and will remain, or if for a time thrown out, will return. They seem to circle round and round and cause mental torture. The presence of such unpleasant thoughts drives out peace and interferes with being able to think only of the work or pleasure of the day.  

Wild Rose

Those who without apparently sufficient reason become resigned to all that happens, and just glide through life, take it as it is, without any effort to improve things and find some joy. They have surrendered to the struggle of life without complaint. 

Heather

Those who are always seeking the companionship of anyone who may be available, as they find it necessary to discuss their own affairs with others, no matter who it may be. They are very unhappy if they have to be alone for any length of time. 

Impatiens

Those who are quick in thought and action and wish all things to be done without hesitation or delay. When ill they are anxious for a hasty recovery.  

Water Violet

For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Very quiet people, who move about without noise, speak little, and then gently. Very independent, capable and self-reliant. Almost free of the opinions of others. They are aloof, leave people alone and go their own way. Often clever and talented. Their peace and calmness is a blessing to those around them.  

Agrimony

The jovial, cheerful, humorous people who love peace and are distressed by argument or quarrel, to avoid which they will agree to give up much. Though generally they have troubles and are tormented and restless and worried in mind or in body, they hide their cares behind their humour and jesting and are considered very good friends to know. They often take alcohol or drugs to excess, to stimulate themselves and help themselves bear their trials with cheerfulness.  

Centaury

Kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others. They overtax their strength in their endeavours. Their wish so grows upon them that they become more servants than willing helpers. Their good nature leads them to do more than their own share of work, and in so doing they may neglect their own particular mission in life.  

Holly

For those who are sometimes attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy, envy, revenge, suspicion. For the different forms of vexation. Within themselves they may suffer much, often when there is no real cause for their unhappiness.  

Walnut

For those who have definite ideals and ambitions in life and are fulfilling them, but on rare occasions are tempted to be led away from their own ideas, aims and work by the enthusiasm, convictions or strong opinions of others. The remedy gives constancy and protection from outside influences.  

Crab Apple

This is the remedy of cleansing. For those who feel as if they had something not quite clean about themselves. Often it is something of apparently little importance: in others there may be more serious disease which is almost disregarded compared to the one thing on which they concentrate. In both types they are anxious to be free from the one particular thing which is greatest in their minds and which seems so essential to them that it should be cured. They become despondent if treatment fails. Being a cleanser, this remedy purifies wounds if the patient has reason to believe that some poison has entered which must be drawn out.  

Elm

Those who are doing good work, are following the calling of their life and who hope to do something of importance, and this often for the benefit of humanity. At times there may be periods of depression when they feel that the task they have undertaken is too difficult, and not within the power of a human being. 

Larch

For those who do not consider themselves as good or capable as those around them, who expect failure, who feel they will never be a success, and so do not venture or make a strong enough attempt to succeed. 

Star of Bethlehem

For those in great distress under conditions which for a time produce great unhappiness. The shock of serious news, the loss of someone dear, the fright following an accident, and such like. For those who for a time refuse to be consoled this remedy brings comfort. 

Pine

For those who blame themselves. Even when successful they think they could have done better, and are never content with their efforts or the results. They are hard-working and suffer much from the faults they attach to themselves. Sometimes if there is any mistake it is due to another, but they will claim responsibility even for that. 

Sweet Chestnut

For those moments which happen to some people when the anguish is so great as to seem to be unendurable. When the mind or body feels as if it had borne to the uttermost limit of its endurance, and that now it must give way. When it seems there is nothing but destruction and annihilation left to face. 

Oak

For those who are struggling and fighting strongly to get well, or in connection with the affairs of their daily life. They will go on trying one thing after another, though their case may seem hopeless. They will fight on. They are discontented with themselves if illness interferes with their duties or helping others. They are brave people, fighting against great difficulties, without loss of hope or effort. 

Willow

For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to accept, without complaint or resentment, as they judge life much by the success it brings. They feel that they have not deserved so great a trial, that it was unjust, and they become embittered. They often take less interest and less activity in those things of life which they had previously enjoyed. 

Beech

For those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them. And, though much appears to be wrong, to have the ability to see the good growing within. So as to be able to be more tolerant, lenient and understanding of the different way each individual and all things are working to their own final perfection.  

Chicory

Those who are very mindful of the needs of others; they tend to be over-full of care for children, relatives, friends, always finding something that should be put right. They are continually correcting what they consider wrong, and enjoy doing so. They desire that those for whom they care should be near them. 

Rock Water

Those who are very strict in their way of living; they deny themselves many of the joys and pleasures of life because they consider it might interfere with their work. They are hard masters to themselves. They wish to be well strong and active, and will do anything which they believe will keep them so. They hope to examples which will appeal to others who may then follow their ideas and be better as a result.  

Vervain

Those with fixed principles and ideas, which they are confident are right, and which they very rarely change. 

Vine

Very capable people, certain of their own ability, confident of success. Being so assured, they think that it would be for the benefit of others if they could be persuaded to do things as they themselves do, or as they are certain is right. Even in illness they will direct their attendants. They may be of great value in emergency. 

Bespoke Treatment Bottles can be provided by B A Wellbeing for £15 plus P&P. These are ideal if you know what essences you need and don't want to make up your own.

There are several brands of Bach Flower Essences such as those made by Nelsons, Healing Herbs and Ainsworths but there are many more and it is advised to find a brand you like. 

B A Wellbeing does not recommend any specific brands

Nelsons essences are found in many health food stores and chemists and can be bought from the Bach Center direct here https://www.bachcentre.com/shop/product-category/individual-remedies/

Ainsworths Essences in Caterham can be bought from the shop in Caterham or on line here https://www.ainsworths.com/shop/category/Bach-Flower-Remedies/

Healing Herbs essences can be bough on line here https://www.healingherbs.co.uk/product-category/bach-flower-essences/