Bach Flower Remedies

What are Bach Flower Remedies?

Bach house
Dr. Bach's home, Mt. Vernon, in England

Flower remedies are liquid extracts, generally taken by mouth, that address issues of emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. They are safe and gentle, because, like homeopathic remedies, flower remedies are vibrational in nature: there is no physical part of the plant remaining once the remedy is prepared. Bach Flower Remedies can be taken with any other medicines, food, or drink without ill effects. They are prepared quite simply, so there is no complicated technique or equipment needed; the two methods of preparation involve either sunlight or boiling. In both cases, the heat transfers the energy of the flower to the water.

How do the Flower Remedies work?

There are 38 Bach Flower Remedies, each prepared in spring water from the flower of a wild plant, tree, or shrub. A small amount of brandy may be added as a natural preservative.  Each flower deals specifically with a particular mood or aspect of the personality. They are remedies for feelings, like fear, anger, anxiety, or sadness.  They do not treat physical illnesses directly, but, by restoring equilibrium in the mind, they allow the body’s natural capacity to heal and to restore harmony in the body.

How do you take Flower Remedies?

There are two ways to take Bach remedies. The simplest is to place 4 drops from the treatment bottle dropper onto your tongue 4 times a day until relief is obtained. You can also add the drops to water, or other beverages, or to food if that is more convenient. What is critical is to space the doses over the whole day.  Also, more is not better, so you will not experience quicker results if you increase the dose—you will only waste the remedy.  

How long do Flower Remedies take to work?

There is not a single definitive answer because each person is unique. Generally, emotions that have developed quickly will not take too long to resolve, and perhaps only a few doses will be sufficient. But for a deep-rooted and firmly established problem that has evolved over a period of months, years, or even decades, healing will be much more gradual, and will take longer. The remedies are there to guide us and to restore our natural balance.