Bach Flower Remedies "wonderful as it may seem, relieve your patient of the mood or moods such as are given in this system of healing, and your patient is better" - Dr. Edward Bach, 1936
Please watch the videos on the right about the life of Dr. Edward Bach and his discovery of Bach Flower Remedies
Category 1 - Lack of confidence, low self esteem + Self-assurance, confidence and perseverance
Scleranthus
Indecisive,
uncertain, hesitant, procrastinates, changeable, erratic, Unstable, restless.
Inability to decide between two options. Bears difficulties alone. Lacks
concentration. Scattered energy. Not able to cope with pressure or extremes of
moods, alternating moods. Dithering
Positive
- 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. Good for exams stops procrastination
Wild Oat
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 un-channelled 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 cleaver with good learning ability.
Positive
- Decisive of direction in life. Definite ideas and ambitions and prevent
anything interfering with that decision. Confident, happy, useful. Focus for
study
Gentian
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
Positive
- 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 overcome.
Cerato
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.
Positive
– Trust in self to act regardless of the advice of others. Ability to choose
the correct action. To be decisive and intuitive. Confidence, quiet
assurance in self.
Larch
Feels
inferior. Anticipation and fear of failure so does not try. Admires
others. Feels doubt and despondence about self. Can disguise by appearing
overconfident. Evade responsibilities by indulging in feelings of
inadequacy. Hesitance, cowardice. Dislikes being alone – likes company of
a stronger person. No clear ego Image. Can’t handle change
easily. Children who lack self-esteem are timid, bullied. Sometimes
they present as superior and they are the bullies (only way to get others to
notice/like them).
Positive
– 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 is not
because they did not try.
Centuary
Over anxious
to please. Weak-willed. Easily exploited. Docile, timid, quiet,
conventional, submissive. Lacks individuality. Follows others
advice. Easily dominated. Good natured. Taken for granted.
Serves willingly. Look for strong personalities in others rather than
themselves. Women who can’t assert themselves – the doormat - totally
dominated – the martyr.
Positive
– Personal strength. Still quiet and gentle but maintains individuality,
knowing when to give and when to say no. Confident quiet
determination. Not hindered or exploited by others. Serves quietly
and wisely.
Pine
Guilt and self
reproach. Blames self, feels unworthy. Condemns, critical and
constantly apologising. Over conscientious – sets 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. Never satisfied with their success
Positive
– 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.
Elm
Temporary
feels ofinadequacy, 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 over burdened.
Occasional feelings of not being able to cope or continue. Dedicated and
generally happy to take responsibility
Positive
– 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.
Oak
Incessant effort, plodding on, struggling and persevering against all
odds. Not giving in, despondency and despair through lack of
progress. Reliable, dependable and dutiful. Overwork – others lay
their burdens and responsibilities on them. Discontentedif anything
interferes with their duty. Brave without loss of hope. Shattered when
their strength suddenly goes. Uncomplaining
Positive
– Courage able to fight against the odds without losing hope or
despairing. Persevering. Reliable and strong. Stable
Category 2 - To be inattentive, pre-occupied,
obsessive + Attentiveness, involvement in life
Honey-Suckle
Lives in the
past and holds on to it. Homesickness, nostalgia, full of regrets,
of lost ambitions of friendships, past loves. Glorifying the past.
Dreamy. Lack of observance and interest in the present. Escapes into a
romanticised view of the past. Absorbed with memories.
Positive
– Move forward. Break bonds with the past. Ability to move on
(progress) and to retain the wisdom of past experiences while letting go of
that experience itself
Chestnut Bud
Repeats the
same mistakes again and again. Slow to learn life’slessons . Lack
of observation of life. Failure to improve on previous experiences.
Careless, often impatient. Desire to rush into the next situation.
Inattentive.
Positive
– Learn life’s lessons. Ability to watch and learn to be readily
observant of what goes on around you. To be attentive of the
present. Learn from every experience. See yourself as others do.
Walnut
Oversensitive to strong outside influences. For any major physical or
emotional changes in life (teething, puberty, change jobs, houses).
Protection against psychic or cosmic influences – feels insecure. For
deep-seated negative patterns or habits, or for breaking family ties.
Beginning or ending a relationship.
Positive
– Breaks old links. Can follow own beliefs with Perseverance and
determination, free from the influence of others And unaffected by adverse
environmental conditions
White
Chestnut
Mental
confusion. Tortured by persistent and unwanted thoughts where the mind
cannot rest. Worries, mental arguments,thoughts go round and round in
head, unresolved – causes, inattention, confusion, fatigue, lack of
concentration, pre-occupation, unproductive thinking. Mentally
overstimulated may result in depression
Positive
– Clarity of thought. Can be attentive to daily activities. Peace and
calmness mentally. Undisturbed by outside influences Can control own
thoughts and use them constructively. At peace with oneself.
Crab Apple
Sense of contamination. The ‘cleanser’ for those who feel mentally or
physically unclean. Self-dislike, self-disgust. Despondency, depressed by self.
Obsessed with detail with own appearance. Trivial thoughts, fussy, finicky.
Overly houseproud. Minor problems become out of all proportion. Pre-occupation
with trivia, self cleanliness. For internal and external cleansing.
Positive
– Regain perspective. Ability to control own thoughts and develop an objective
view of life. Broadmindedness. Restores sense of proportion.
Clematis
Daydreaming,
indifferent, vague, inattentive, preoccupied, absent-minded – good
children’s remedy. Avoids unpleasantness by escaping into
fantasy. Lack of vitality. Prefers to be alone. Impractical,
idealistic, dreaming of a better future but no motivation in the present.
Withdraws into a world of illusion and
unreality. Imaginative, lack of aggression, absence of fear. For
unconsciousness.
Positive
– Attentive, very interested in life, in the present. Involved, full of zest,
artistic, sensitive to inspiration. Can control and master own thoughts
and use these with great capability because he can now see a purpose to
life. Realisation of true potential.
Wild Rose
Apathy,
resignation, gloom, lack of ambition, of vitality, interest and effort.
Weary, flat, lack of emotional energy, vitality, effort. Cannot be
bothered. Drains others of energy. Loss of will to fight back –
don’t try. Unhappy, resist change, doesn’t want to make any effort to
improve. Willingly give up struggle. Inner collapse.
Positive
– Involvement, vitality and a lively interest in life, both in one’s own
circumstances and those of others. Enjoyment of friends. Happy,
involved and enjoys making an effort
Black
depression from an unknown cause, which comes and goes for no apparent reason.
Gloom, hopelessness, misery, melancholy, deep introversion, despair, utter
sadness, loss of interest, guilt. Pessimism while the depression lasts
Positive
– Joy and peace. An unshakable inner serenity, stability and optimism
which enables a person to readily overcome any depression
Gorse
Utter
hopelessness. Great despair. Belief that no change is possible
resigned. Loss of will to improve the situation. Lack of ambition, of
interest. Give up and wait for outside help. Soul depression.
May try to please others but thinks it futile. Feels an inherited
condition means suffering all of
life.
Positive
– Hope after long series of failures or set-backs. Faith and Certainty in overcoming
difficulties. Gives fight, strength and hope. Lifts the Soul
Sweet Chestnut
Extreme
anguish and despair. Mental torment, desolation, intense hopelessness ,
inner-suffering, reaching the limits of endurance a sense of loss of
emptiness. A void – feels absolutely alone. No hope, no peace. A
confrontation with self. Generally keep great distress to him or herself.
The soul is suffering deeply, after loss or great sadness.
Positive
– Faith in spite of unbearable anguish, to ask for help. Strength. Resourcefulness. From experience of anguish you
find the understanding and desire to help others in distress.
Hornbeam
Weariness, a temporary state of tiredness. Mental or physical fatigue.
Doubts own strength to cope. “Monday morning” feeling. A morning after
remedy. General lassitude. Wakes feeling tired. Everyday tasks are tiring,
although this may pass when he/she becomes interested in an activity.
Positive
– Energy, certainty and strength. Fortifies mentally and physically.
Encourages effort. Use if a big workload is coming up. Belief in own
ability and strength even if the task may appear
formidable
Olive
Exhaustion
after long-term stress and suffering. Total fatigue – mind and body, drained
of strength. Mental fatigue, weakness, lack of interest.
Unhappiness. No pleasure in life. Too tired to eat, to sleep. Vitality
completely sapped. For those who have no time for relaxation.
Positive
– Strengthening with peace of mind, calmness. Become interested in life.
Vital and strong. Trust life and give strength to sustain and help overcome difficulties.
Category
4 - To
be inflexible, impatient, intolerant, + Tolerance, understanding, love, sympathy
Rock Water
Self-denial,
self repression. Rigid, tight, righteous. Like to set an example. Self
martyrdom. Strict aesthetic way of life. Inflexible, fanatical – ruled by theories
and values. Attempt to be perfect. Don’t interfere with others. Spiritual
pride. Strong defence mechanisms.
Positive – Flexibility, tolerance. Idealists, but will
listen with open minds and If necessary change their earlier beliefs. Ability
to enjoy life in a relaxed way. Experience joy and peace in their lives and
this inspires others
Water Violet
Proud,
upright, reserved, aloof. Enjoy being alone – need lots of personal space and
solitude. Feel superior. Disdainful, condescending. Quiet, averse to
company. Independent. Polite, controlled, self-contained. Suffer in silence. Dislike interference by others
Positive – great gentleness, peaceful, show dignity
and grace. Sympathy and understanding.
Wise counsellors, showing great empathy when serving others. Very
capable, practical, intuitive and observant.
Vervain
Over-enthusiasm
causing strain and tension. Forceful, dogmatic, overbearing. Fixed ideas and
principles. Live on nervous energy. Overload selves with work. Incensed
by injustices. Desire to convert others to their point of view. Argumentative,
fanatical, must complete things. Impatient, highly strung. Strangle creativity
of others.
Positive – Calmness, wisdom and tolerance. Realisation
that others have a right to their own opinions – can listen to others and be
open-minded. Flexible. In control of self. Serenity of mind.
Impatiens
Impatient, independent, hasty and quick both mentally and physically.
Irritable, dislike interference, impetuous. Intelligent and
intuitive yet intolerant and frustrated with those slower than they. Demanding,
bored without direction. Short outbursts of temper.
Positive
– Understanding and tolerance of others. Sympathy and gentleness. Calm,
capable, decisive, clever, intuitive
Beech
Intolerant,
critical, arrogant, judgemental, dissatisfied, irritable, fault-finding. Easily
annoyed by another’s habits. Lack humility. See only the negative aspects.
Short tempered. Compulsion to find minor faults. Want accuracy of small
details, demand order and discipline
Positive
– tolerance, true understanding and recognition of another’s plight. Humility.
Ability to forgive. See good and beauty in everything around them.
Vine
Domineering,
inflexible, demanding, tyrannical. Set impossible tasks. Very competitive
and ambitious. Authoritarian leaders, capable and sure of their own ability.
Confident. Demand others do it their way, demand unquestioning obedience.
Bossy. Greedy for power, have to win. Cannot tolerate weakness.
Cruel streak
play on weaknesses of others.
Positive
– Sympathy, a wise and sympathetic leader/teacher who lovingly guides others
and inspires others with his strength and certainty. Cool and collected
in an emergency.
Chicory
Possessive,
self-centred. Self love, egocentric. Craves attention. Direct others lives.
Criticises and corrects others. Uses emotional blackmail. The fretful
child who
wants to be carried, always wants others near. Bossy, demanding bossy,
demanding attention. Easily hurt, feel rejected. Behaviour may stem from guilt
feelings from religion or childhood.
Positive – to give to others without expecting anything in
return. To care selflessly
for others. Loving, understanding others have their own lives to lead
without
interference.
Holly
Lack
of love for others. Jealousy, hate, envy, distrust, suspicion. For any strongly
negative state opposed to love. Fault-finding, angry, argumentative,
violent, temperament, wanting revenge. Aggressive, intolerant, irritable.
Oversensitive to insults, real or imagined.
Positive
– Loving, happy, tolerant and giving. Not expecting anything in return. Happy
for others. Gain understanding of what the real problem is beneath the anger.
Heather
Conceit
over-concern with self. Rapid and incessant talkers, always conversing about
themselves and giving irrelevant and boring details. Dislike being alone.
Greedy for attention. Selfish, self-centred, full of self pity. Lack of
interest for others - sap others energy
Positive
– Selfless- willing to help others, put own worries aside to give full
attention to another’s problems. Sympathetic, understanding
Willow
Resentment.
Bitterness, self-pitying. Feel victims of fate. Focus on negative side.
Complaining. Unresolved suffering. Leading to bitterness. Despondent,
irritable, sulky, petulant. Smouldering anger, difficult to resolve. Loss of
interest in life. Blame others – refuse to accept own responsibility.
Self-centred, self-justifying.
Positive
– Optimism. Understanding and recognition of own responsibilities. Cease
blaming others – take responsibility for own fate. Selfless with renewed faith
in life
Anxiety
and mental torment hidden behind a cheerful face. Superficially carefree,
concealing deep mental torture. Jovial, makes light of own troubles.
Uncomplaining. Seeks stimulation to escape problems. Restless. Worries
about future.
Positive
– Calmness and clarify, can see own problems in a lighter vein and can
genuinely laugh at the insignificance of these worries. True optimist
and peacemaker. Inner peace and free from turmoil.
Red Chestnut
Over-concern
for others. Worry anxiety, overprotective. Anticipates the worst.
Projects anxiety, negative imagination. Self sacrifice – take on problems of
others.
Positive
– Encouragement. Ability to remain calm, courageous and helpful in emergency.
Mimulus
Fears
from a known origin, specific fears – fear of the outside world e.g. heights,
spiders, death etc. Phobias, shyness, timidity, introversion, strong
feeling of insecurity
Positive
– Courage and understanding. Ability to face problems in a calm steady
manner. Composure
Aspen
Fears of an
unknown origin, inexplicable, vague fears. Anxiety, sudden apprehension.
Agitation, imagination runs wild. Fears of the mind, often associated with
death or religion. Fear of going to sleep at night, of bad dreams.
Positive
– Fearlessness, faith to be adventurous and to experience life unafraid. Joy
and love of life.
Rock Rose
Terror,
extreme fear, fright, panic for self. Habitual panicers. Hysteria,
runaway fear. For emergencies and accidents, for the horror of those
involved and those observing.
Positive
– Heroic bravery, courage, selflessness, great fearlessness – willing to risk
own life for others.
Star of Bethlehem
After affects
of trauma, shock, sorrow or grief. Numbness, sadness, despondency, withdrawal. Severe fright. Refuses to be
consoled. For delayed psychological shock, past or present, including birth
trauma. For all accidents. also for those who like to shock others.
Positive – Re-integration. Calmness and clarity. Ability to
‘move on’ without being
affected by the distress of the past – picking up the pieces
Cherry Plum
Fear of losing
control, desperate fear of mind giving way, of doing something dreadful. Fear
of insanity. Hysteria. Greatly distress and desolate. Obsessive
Fears.
Delusions. Deeply depressed.
Positive
– Inner peace and calmness, courage. Ability to endure great mental or
physical stress and still remain calm
How to combine Bach Flower Remedies
When a person, or loved ones are bombarded with negative feelings and
emotions, Bach Flower Remedies come to the rescue. They are a simple,
convenient way to get back on track and feel more balanced and in
control of life. See the quick reference chart above and pick which
flower remedy meets your emotional needs. You don't have to have every
negative emotion listed under the flower remedy, The flower remedies are easy to
mix, buy an amber glass dropper bottle (30ml or 50ml), fill almost to the top with
fresh, still, filtered water and then add 2 drops of the individual flower
remedy. Finally add a few drops of brandy to act as a preservative. Bang
the bottle on its base, and take 4 drops under the tongue, take as
often as needed. Or add 10-15 drops to a bottle of water, or tea and drink
throughout the day.