Bach Flower Remedies

Category 5 - calmness, courage

2009-04-18T22:49:00.000+12:00

Rock Water

Water Violet

Vervain

Impatiens

Beech

Vine

Chicory

Holly

Heather

Willow

Category 4 - tolerance, understanding, love, sympathy

2009-04-16T22:47:00.000+12:00

Rock Water

Water Violet

Vervain

Impatiens

Beech

Vine

Chicory

Holly

Heather

Willow

Category 3 - faith, optimism, joy, strength

2009-04-15T22:45:00.000+12:00

Mustard

Gorse

Sweet Chestnut

Hornbeam

Olive

Category 2 - attentiveness, involvement in life

2009-04-12T22:40:00.001+12:00

Honeysuckle

Chestnut Bud

Walnut

White Chestnut

Crab Apple

Clematis

Wild Rose

Oak

2009-04-11T21:52:00.000+12:00

Positive outcome - courage, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - lack of confidence, low self-esteem

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 of effort.

Negative aspects of personality:
Incessant effort,plodding on, struggling and persevering against all odds. Not giving in, but despondency and despair through lack of progress. Reliable, dependable and dutiful. Overwork - others lay their burdens and responsibilities on them. Discontented if anything interferes with their duty. Brave without loss of hope. Shattered when their strength suddenly goes. Uncomplaining.

Behavioural symptoms:
Strong. Rigid in body. Head held high, chest raised. Tight lips. Heart problems, nervous breakdowns, collapse.

Characteristic expressions:
"I must be strong"
"I won't give in"
"I must keep going at all costs"

Positive Outcome:
Courage, able to fight against the odds without loosing hope or despairing. Persevering, reliable and strong. Stable.

Elm

2009-04-10T21:42:00.001+12:00

Positive outcome - capable, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - inadequacy, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Elm: For 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.

Negative aspects of personality:
Temporary feelings of inadequacy, of being overwhelmed by responsibility. Despondency from constant attempts to reach perfection. Capable, efficient and intuitive, become indispensable in work, but tire temporarily from being overburdened. Occasional feelings of not being able to cope or continue. Dedicated and generally happy to take responsibility.

Behavioural symptoms:
Strong and fast. Broad back and upright posture. Solemn, serious, looks confident. May suffer chronic stress and extreme exhaustion. Folic acid and anaemia.

Characteristic expressions:
For those in positions of importance who have others dependent on their decisions. eg. heads of schools, parliamentarians, health practitioners.

Positive Outcome:
Confident, self-assured, capable. Able to take on great responsibility, knowing help will always be there when needed. Direct their greatest capabilities towards helping others.

Pine

2009-04-09T21:38:00.000+12:00

Positive outcome - self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - guilt, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Pine: For those who blame themselves. Even when successful they think they could have done better, and are never satisfied with the decisions they make. Would this remedy help me to stop blaming myself for everything?

Negative aspects of personality:
Guilt, self-reproach. Blames self, feels unworthy. Condemns, critical and constantly apologising. Over-conscientious - set high standards for themselves. Undermined by negative self concept. Feel undeserving of love. Despondent. Unsure of taking responsibility. Take blame for mistakes of others. Apologise for own existence. Need tremendous verbal reassurance.

Behavioural symptoms:
Headaches
Tiredness
Cringing
Eyes downcast
Hand covering mouth
Suicidal

Characteristic expressions:
"I'm sorry!"
"No, it's my fault!"
"I'm stupid, aren't I"
"If only I'd..."
"I feel worthless"
"I could have done better"

Positive Outcome:
Realisation of self-worth. Perseverance, self-assurance. Ability to take responsibility and help others if called upon to do so. Genuine humility. Do not dwell on past mistakes.

Centaury

2009-04-08T21:23:00.003+12:00

Positive outcome - strength, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - weak-willed, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Centaury: Kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others. They overtax their strength in their endeavors. 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.

Negative aspects of personality:
Over anxious to please. Weak-willed. Easily exploited. Docile, timid, quite, conventional, submissive. Lacks individuality, follows others advice. Easily dominated. Good natured. Taken for granted. Serves willingly. Look for strong personalities in others, rather then in themselves.

Behavioural symptoms:
Easily tired. Lacks vitality. Often pale and languid. Dark rings under eyes. Shoulder and back problems. May manifest illnesses to avoid having to say "no".

Characteristic expressions:
A 'yes man', always in agreement.
'Doormats'
Looks like a victim, head bowed, eyes cast down.

Positive Outcome:
Personal strength. Still quite and gentle, but maintains individuality, knowing when to give and when to say no. Confident, quite determination. Not hindered or exploited by others. Serves others quietly and wisely.

Larch

2009-04-07T21:18:00.003+12:00

Positive outcome - determined, steadfastness, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - inferiority, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

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

Negative aspects of personality:
Feels inferior. Anticipation and fear of failure, so does not try. Admires others. Feels doubt and despondent about self. Can disguise by appearing overconfident. Evade responsibilities by indulging in feelings of inadequacy. Hesitant, cowardice. Dislikes being alone - likes company of a stronger person. No clear ego image, can't handle change easily.

Behavioural symptoms:
Thumb sucking. Feet turned in. Children holding tightly to mother's hand. Sits with hunched shoulders and arms folded. Needs physical support. Agoraphobia. Impotence.

Characteristic expressions:
"What's the point of trying?"
"I know I won't be able to do it, so why try."
"I can't..."
The class bully type (a cover up).

Positive Outcome:
Steadfastness. Willing to try and not be discouraged by the results.Determined, confident, persevering. Ability to take risks, have new adventures, feel enthusiasm about life. Know that if they fail, it wasn't because they didn't try.

Cerato

2009-04-06T21:13:00.003+12:00

Positive outcome - self-trust, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - indecisive, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

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

Negative aspects of personality:
Lacks confidence, so repeatedly seeks advice of others. Doubts own ability and easily led by others. Misguided, gullible, foolish, indecisive. Vacillating, distrusts self to be intuitive and original, imitates others. Need for self-reinforcement, lacks sense of identity. Unstable changeable, uncertain, unreliable.

Behavioural symptoms:
Changeable physical symptoms. Non-specific illnesses. Insomnia. Constantly moving around. Raises voice at end of sentence.

Characteristic expressions:
"What do you think?"
Uses cliches. Talkative, asks a lot of questions, drains others.

Positive Outcome:
Trust in self to act regardless of the advice of others. Ability to choose action, to be decisive and intuitive. Confidence, quite assurance in self.

Gentian

2009-04-05T21:08:00.003+12:00

Positive outcome - self-realisation, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - doubt, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Gentian: For 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.

Negative aspects of personality:
Doubt, pessimism, easily discouraged. Negative attitude. Uncertainty and lack of faith causes depression. Sceptical. Depression caused by temporary setback in progress. Almost enjoy being melancholy. Afraid of rejection. Uncertainty in giving to others in relationships.

Behavioural symptoms:
Glum face - looks gloomy and sad. Large stature. Folded arms or clasped hands. Shoulders raised and rounded.

Characteristic expressions:
""I've let the side down"
"I give up"
For children who greet with open arms and are rejected.

Positive Outcome:
Self-realisation. Gives confidence and conviction, perseverance and optimism. Remedy gives 'heart', the realisation that as long as you do your best, there is no failure. No obstacle is too great to be overcome.

Wild Oat

2009-04-04T20:53:00.004+13:00

Positive outcome - decisive, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - uncertainty, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Wild Oat: For 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.

Negative aspects of personality:
Uncertainty and indecision as to which path or career to follow as there are too many options. Spread self in too many directions, feel dissatisfied and frustrated because of unchannelled talent. Start something and not finish it. Fear of commitment. Can put things together for others but not for self. Despondent, bored, drifter. Often very clever with good learning ability.

Behavioural symptoms:
Restless, random movements, illnesses with constantly shifting pains.

Characteristic expressions:
'A jack of all trades and master of none'.
Good managers and coordinators, often working in 'alternative lifestyle' positions.

Positive Outcome:
Decisive of direction in life, definite ideas and ambitions and prevent anything interfering with that decision. confident, happy, useful.

Scleranthus

2009-04-03T14:55:00.006+13:00

Positive outcome - poised, calm, clear-headed, self-assurance, confidence and perseverance

Negative state - indecisive, lack of confidence, low self-esteem

Scleranthus: For those who suffer much from being unable to decide between two things, first one seeming right then the other. They are usually quiet people, and bear their difficulty alone, as they are not inclined to discuss it with others.

Negative aspects of personality:
Indecisive, uncertain, hesitant, procrastinates, changeable, erratic. Unstable, restless. Inability to decide between two options.Bares difficulties alone. Lacks concentration. Scattered energy. Not able to cope with pressure or extremes of mood (joy, sadness, laughing, crying). Lack of balance and poise.

Behavioural symptoms:
Quite. Erratic conversations. Postural imbalances. Poor balance. Travel sickness. Changeable symptoms, unsteady gait, ambidextrous. For loss of limb or organ. General nausea, vertigo, dizziness, concussion. Chemical/hormonal imbalances. Manic depression. Use after shock therapy.

Characteristic expressions:
'"I don't know..."
"I can't decide between the two..."
"It makes me dizzy thinking about it."

Positive Outcome:
Poised, balanced, quick to take action. Confident, self-assured. Calmness and determination. Clear-headed. Self-reliant in decision making, knowing the choice will be the right one.

Category 1 - self-assurance, confidence, perseverance

2009-04-02T22:15:00.004+13:00

Scleranthus

Wild Oat

Gentian

Cerato

Larch

Centaury

Pine

Alternate Categories - Positive Outcomes

2009-04-02T14:44:00.004+13:00

While many of the classifications are obvious, it appears that Dr. Bach, with his great sensitivity and deep understanding of the remedies, based some of his category choices on the underlying reason as to why people exhibit such a negative state.

However, as such reasons may not always be immediately apparent, Dr. Bach's divisions have been rearranged into five alternate categories. These categories are mainly to ease choosing or prescribing a remedy from the most obvious negative moods of the personality but also they are grouped according to the similar positive aspects/outcomes that each type needs to develop.

Following are the five alternate categories as detailed by Vicki Piper in Nature & Health (Vol 5, No. 1, 1983), with changes and additions.

Category 1 - self-assurance, confidence, perseverance

Category 2 - attentiveness, involvement in life

Category 3 - faith, optimism, joy, strength

Category 4 - tolerance, understanding, love, sympathy

Category 5 - calmness, courage

The suggested physical symptoms for each flower remedy need not always be present. According to Dr. Bach's philosophy,physical illness are merely a reflection of an unhealthy mental state . If a negative mood is a recent development, it need not yet have become obvious in the physical body.

Likewise, the characteristic expressions are not essential but are noted as a guide for ease of recognition of a particular type of personality.

With any division into categories, there may be certain negative emotions which could fit into a number of groups. It is important to realise that each remedy does stand on its own but can have aspects of many others.

When choosing a remedy, firstly locate the most outstanding disturbing moods - not every negative aspect need be relevant, just look for the general tendency and to the positive outcome, that is, how you would like to feel. Once one (or two) pivotal remedies are found, try to give a direction to the cure by supporting these with two or three others. These may come from any of the groups - the divisions for merely for ease of choosing or prescribing.

Bach Flower Remedies

2009-04-01T15:25:00.001+13:00

Dr. Edward Bach, though a qualified and practicing doctor, pathologist and bacteriologist, came to the conclusion that "the personality of the individual was of more importance then the body in the treatment of disease".

Over six years, towards the end of his life, he scoured the countryside and private gardens in search of healing agents which would remove negative emotions and attitudes , thereby enabling the body to restore itself to health, happiness and well-being.

He discovered 38 herbal remedies which cover every negative state of the mind known to man. In "The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies", Dr. Bach divided the negative states of mind into seven groups under the following headings to help diagnosis and remedy selection:

Fear

fear of known things - Mimulus
fear or over-concern of others - Red Chestnut
fear of mind giving way - Cherry Plum
terror - Rock Rose
fears and worries of unknown origin - Aspen

Uncertainty

Monday morning feeling - Hornbeam
hopelessness and despair - Gorse
discouragement, despondency - Gentian
uncertainty and indecision - Scleranthus
uncertainty as to correct path in life - Wild Oat
seeks advice and confirmation from others - Cerato

Insufficient interest in present circumstances

lack of energy - Olive
unwanted thoughts, mental arguments - White Chestnut
lives in the past - Honeysuckle
failure to learn from past mistakes - Chestnut Bud
dreaminess, lack of interest in present - Clematis
self-centred, self-concern - Heather
impatience - Impatiens

Loneliness

deep gloom with no origin - Mustard
resignation, apathy - Wild Rose
proud, aloof - Water Violet

Oversensitive to influences and ideas

hatred, envy, jealousy - Holly
weak willed and subservient - Centaury
mental torment behind a brave face - Agrimony
protection from change and outside influences - Walnut

Despondency or despair

lack of confidence - Larch
exhausted but struggles on - Oak
self hatred, sense of uncleanliness - Crab Apple
after effects of shock - Star of Bethlehem
resentment - Willow
overwhelmed by responsibility - Elm
self reproach, guilt - Pine
extreme mental anguish - Sweet Chestnut

Over-care for the welfare of others

domineering, inflexible - Vine
over enthusiasm - Vervain
intolerance - Beech
selfish, possessive - Chicory
self repression, self denial - Rock Water