Alternative Medicine: The Bach Flower Remedy

Since emotional difficulties can manifest themselves as physical ailments, happiness is sometimes thought to increase the chances of good health. Curing the mind before it resorts to physical illness, the Bach Flower Remedy provides a series of preventative supplements.

Created in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach, the Bach Flower Remedy is a reputable alternative medicine remedy. Comprised of 38 natural extracts, the Bach Flower Essences are a collection of plant and flower extracts commonly believed to promote happiness and, subsequently, health. The technique focuses on the body's ability to heal itself with additional help from natural elements.

As a student and house surgeon at The University College Hospital in London, Bach was dismayed by the way medical doctors looked solely at diseases and never the person who was suffering. He abandoned scientific methodology and focused on utilizing natural inclinations to promote happy human health.

The Bach Flower Remedy utilizes essential oils intended to promote emotional well-being. They are meant to flush out negative emotions without side-effects or aggravations. The 38 extracts in the Bach Flower Remedy are intended to equalize every possible mental state, ranging from fear and envy to pride and impatience.

Each remedy is designed to work over a period of weeks, depending on how strongly the discontent is felt. In dire cases, however, Bach created a rescue remedy composed of five plant extracts: Cherry Plum for fear and loss of self-control, Clematis for the recurring inability to live in reality, impatiens for impatience and frustration, Rock Rose for calm and poise in the face of terror and Star of Bethlehem for shock and feelings of emptiness.

In times of extreme stress, when finding a healthy mental balance is crucial, the rescue remedy is recommended. Available in a crème and spray, the remedy is applied the instant a crisis occurs. Crab apple can be added to the crème for purity and cleansing.

Though some criticize the method, saying it is only effective as a placebo, many people have attested to improved mental states after taking the treatments.

Though he claimed no averse reactions would occur by combining treatments, Bach recommended no more than seven remedies be used at once. The treatments are given orally. Bach recommended two drops be mixed with water or dropped directly onto the tongue, behind earlobes or rubbed onto the wrists. Up to four drops can be taken four times per day.

The Bach Foundation in Mt. Vernon, England, hosts classes to train professionals to utilize the Bach Flower Technique in their practices. There are three levels to the courses. A level one course provides basic background information on all 38 essential extracts, offering a situational analysis to teach professionals when to use which everyday remedy. Level two courses provide a greater depth regarding the philosophical foundations for the process, while teaching students about human moods and common remedy pairings. Finally, level three courses are strictly for professionals who work daily with the Bach Flower Remedy. This course offers consultation training and, upon completion, experts can join the Bach Foundation's International Register of Practitioners.