Edward Bach
Dr. Edward Bach (1886–1936) was a British physician who initially studied medicine and worked as a surgeon, bacteriologist, and pathologist. In 1919, he shifted his focus to homeopathy, discovering seven homeopathic nosodes still in use today. In 1928, he began developing a system of healing with flower remedies, starting with Impatiens, Mimulus, and Clematis. By 1930, he left London to explore nature and medicinal plants, eventually creating a system of 38 flower remedies to treat the most common negative moods that afflict mankind. [1]
Dr. Bach passed away in 1936, shortly after publishing The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies, which described his flower remedies and their preparation methods. His work was continued by his assistants, Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen, who founded The Bach Centre in Oxfordshire, where Dr. Bach had spent his final years. [1]
Discovery Of Bach Remedies
By 1932, Dr. Bach had discovered twelve flower remedies, which he described in a booklet entitled Free Thyself. In the spring of 1933, he published two articles: “Twelve great remedies’ and ‘Twelve healers’. These twelve healers were as follows: [1]
- CHICORY (Cichorium intybus)
- MIMULUS (Mimulus luteus)
- AGRIMONY (Agrimonia eupatoria)
- SCLERANTHUS (Scleranthus annuus)
- CLEMATIS (Clematis vitalba)
- CENTAURY (Erythraea centaurium)
- GENTIAN (Gentiana amarella)
- VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis)
- CERATO (Ceratostigma willmottiana)
- IMPATIENS (Impatiens royleii)
- ROCK ROSE (Helianthemum vulgare)
- WATER VIOLET (Hottonia palustris)
In the autumn of 1933, Bach expanded the system with four new remedies and published the book The Twelve Healers and Four Helpers. The four helpers were the following plants, or remedies:
- GORSE (Ulex europaeus)
- OAK (Quercus pedunculata)
- HEATHER (Calluna vulgaris)
- ROCK WATER
In July 1934, Dr. Bach published the second edition of his book, which contained three additional flower remedies – Olive, Vine and Wild Oat – and it was published under the new title The Twelve Healers and Seven Helpers. The seven helpers are-
- Hopelessness( Gorse)
- Despondency from over work (Oak)
- Self centered talkativeness (Heather)
- Hard master on to oneself, with urge to inspire others ( Rock water)
- Lack of motivation & incentive (Wild oat)
- Mental emotional & physical weariness (Olive)
- Domination on others (Vine)
By the autumn of 1935, Dr. Bach had discovered nineteen new flower remedies, as well as the boiling method of preparing remedies, these 19 remedies inserted into the remaining stock of the book Twelve healers and seven helpers and on Dr. Bach’s 50th birthday, 24 September 1936, the book The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies was published. [1]
19 Remedies are-
- Fear of losing mental balance( Cherry plum)
- Vague fears or foreboding (Aspen)
- Fear of others welfare ( Red chest nut)
- Mental fatigue (Hornbee)
- Longing for past happiness , nostalgia ( Honey suckle)
- Feeling of powerlessness (Wild rose)
- Lack of mental tranquility( White chest nut)
- Depressive & gloomy (Mustard)
- Immaturity of mind / emotions , failure to learn from mistakes (Chest nut bud)
- Vexation & jealousy (Holly)
- Easy impressionability (Walnut)
- Shame or feeling of uncleanness (Crab apple)
- Resentment of bitterness (Willow)
- Sadness ,grief or shock ( Star of bethlehem)
- Despair or faithlessness (Sweat chest nut)
- Being overwhelmed (Elm)
- Guilt or selfblame (Pine)
- Loss of self-confidence ( Larch )
- Intolerance & criticism( Beech)
Benefits of Use Bach Remedies [1]
- Only 38 remedies, easy to remember their indication.
- No potencies so no issue to selection of potency
- No elaborate study
- No question of overdosing and side effects.
- Very simple & easy to understand No side effects
- Natural
- Suitable for home use
- Complementary with all other therapies
- Safe for babies and pregnant women
- In doubtful cases when the selection difficult ,flower remedies can bring out the symptoms and clear the path.
- Cost effective
Bachflower in Homoeopathy
- Bach Flower Remedies are increasingly being utilized in homeopathy, psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine. Dr. Bach believed that illness stemmed from imbalances within the personality, where inner psychological disturbances eventually manifest as physical ailments. By closely observing cases, he noted the unique catalytic effect of Bach remedies in enhancing homeopathic treatment.
- These remedies are applied to a wide range of mental health conditions, as categorized by the American Psychiatric Association. While homeopathy considers the totality of symptoms—encompassing both the mind and body—the Bach remedies focus specifically on addressing the emotional or mental imbalances that underlie illness and hinder healing. Comprising 38 remedies derived from flowers, trees, and bushes, they aim to restore emotional balance in individuals.
- A key benefit of using Bach remedies in conjunction with homeopathic treatment is their ability to deepen the healing of mental and emotional issues, which are crucial for overall recovery.
- When administered alongside homeopathy, Bach remedies help release the emotional or mental imbalance that initially triggered the illness.
- These remedies prove valuable not only for chronic conditions but also for acute diseases.
- Once healing is initiated, Bach remedies can prevent temporary emotional imbalances and ensure lasting mental and emotional well-being, thus enhancing the long-term effectiveness of homeopathic treatment.
- Bach remedies act as catalysts in the healing process.
- They help open up the case, triggering the discovery of deeper health issues or underlying emotional disturbances.
- Additionally, they reduce the likelihood of short-term aggravations that can occur following a high dose of homeopathic medicines when used together.
Research Till Now About Bach Flower Remedies
There has been a lot of research on Bachflower remedies, some of them given below-
Title– The relationship between homeopathy and the Dr Bach system of flower remedies: a critical appraisal.
Conclusion– It is concluded that although both systems are clearly different, some common ground exists and that both systems may have a complementary role which is perhaps insufficiently recognised. [2]
Title– Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with partial crossover-
Conclusion– We conclude that Bach-flower remedies are an effective placebo for test anxiety and do not have a specific effect. [3]
Title– “Flower remedies”: a systematic review of the clinical evidence.
Conclusion– The hypothesis that flower remedies are associated with effects beyond a placebo response is not supported by data from rigorous clinical trials. [4]
Title– Bach flower remedies used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children–a prospective double blind controlled study.
Conclusion– There is no statistically significant difference between the effects of Bach flower remedies compared with placebo in the treatment of children with ADHD. [5]
Title– Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control? A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect, and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief
Conclusion– The use of Bach flower remedies has brought about positive emotional changes in the majority of clients in this study. Whilst it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion as to significance of the therapeutic value of these remedies in relation to pain above that of a placebo, the results are encouraging. In particular, relief of negative emotions and promotion of positive thought including how clients opened up about, and dealt with, emotional issues. The indication is that potential for Bach flower remedies as a therapeutic agent in the relief of pain does exist and is worthy of further qualitative and quantitative investigation through robust, purpose-designed studies to replicate and progress the results shown here. [6]
Title– Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic review- Most of the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of BFRs has a high risk of bias.
Conclusion– We conclude that, based on the reported adverse events in these six trials, BFRs are probably safe. Few controlled prospective trials of BFRs for psychological problems and pain exist. Our analysis of the four controlled trials of BFRs for examination anxiety and ADHD indicates that there is no evidence of benefit compared with a placebo intervention. [7]
Title– When less is better: a comparison of Bach Flower Remedies and homeopathy.
Conclusion– Extensive testing has produced mixed or equivocal results regarding the efficacy of both of these health care systems. While a variety of positive outcomes have been frequently recorded with Homoeopathy and BFR treatments, it is likely that the placebo effect operates to a significant extent in both approaches. [8]
Title– The management of menopause with complementary and alternative medicine using an experimental model: ovariectomized rats
Conclusion– Our results suggest that the flower essence She Oak could have an anxiolytic effect in OVX rats, but that the combination therapy of the She Oak and Bush Fuchsia could avoid the effects of the She Oak. [9]
Title– Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats
Conclusion– Bach flower Rescue Remedy was effective in controlling glycemia, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol and may serve as a strategy for reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. This study provides some preliminary “proof of concept” data that Bach Rescue Remedy may exert some biological effects. [10]
Title– Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Conclusion– The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief. [11]
Title– Efficacy of Flower Therapy for Anxiety in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Conclusion– The anxiety symptoms, binge eating, and RHRs of the individuals treated with flower therapy decreased, and their sleep patterns improved when compared with those treated with the placebo. [12]
Therapeutic Indication
FOR LONELINESS
Heather– Those who cannot stand loneliness and cannot stand being alone; they are often alone because people avoid them, because of their habit of talking too much about themselves and their problems.
Impatiens – They are alone because they are not synchro- nised with the pace of other people; they like to do everything fast, are not a team player and prefer to do everything by themselves and at their own pace; other people’s slowness angers them, as does waiting in line, and in these situations, they tend to explode with anger, to quarrel and swear.
Water Violet – They love being alone and choose to be alone, but this makes them lonely in the long run; they are aware of their positive qualities, so others sometimes see them as arrogant and conceited.
For Fear
Aspen – An undefined fear of unknown cause.
Cherry Plum – Fear of losing sanity, fear of madness and loss of control.
Mimulus – A defined fear of known origin.
Red Chestnut – Fear for others, for the welfare of the people close to us.
Rock Rose – Panic fear with physical manifestations, such as heart palpitations, trembling hands, etc.
For Despondency Or Despair
Crab Apple – Feeling dissatisfied with their physical appearance.
Elm – Feeling overwhelmed because they are not able to perform all their tasks, due to the overwhelming amount of responsibility they have taken on, although they know that they are otherwise able to perform all tasks.
Larch– Feeling discouraged because they have no self-confidence, and do not trust their knowledge and abili- ty to perform a task.
Oak – A very responsible person who has a lot of obligations to fulfil and does not have time to rest.
Pine – Feeling guilt and remorse for something they have done, or taking the blame of others on to themselves.
Star of Bethlehem – A person has experienced a stressful and shocking situation.
Sweet Chestnut – Feeling desperate because they fail to remove the suffering and pain they feel, and the condition becomes unbearable and intolerable.
Willow – A person is resentful because of an unfortunate or unjust event that has befallen them.
For Insufficient Interest In Present Circumstances
Chestnut Bud – They keep repeating the same mistakes from the past.
Clematis – They are not present in the now because in their thoughts they are in the clouds and in the world of imagination, and they expect that they would be better off and happier in the future or somewhere else, or with another person.
Honeysuckle – They are not present in the now because they live spiritually in the past, in times more pleasant than now.
Mustard – Although they have no reason for depression and bad mood, they are not happy and satisfied in the present moment and feel as if a black cloud is hovering over them.
Olive- Due to fatigue, they are not present in the now, as they are run-down or exhausted after a disease or after making an effort of some kind.
White Chestnut – They are not present in the now be- cause their mind is following some parallel flow of thoughts, because they are worried, because they are going over and over some old traumas and injuries, and they cannot get rid of those thoughts.
Wild Rose – They are not aware that they are just vegetating in the present moment, without enjoying life and with- out doing things that would make their present moment more beautiful and fulfilling.
For Over-Care For Welfare Of Others
Beech – They think that they do everything best and, for the benefit of the other person, they draw that person’s attention to all their flaws and the things they are doing wrong.
Chicory – They want to have their loved ones with them possessively, because they think they are best off with them.
Rock Water– They think that they do everything best and believe that, with a strict regime and lifestyle, they will inspire others to follow their example, so they would also have a good life.
Vervain – Activists, they think that their role is to save the world, the planet, other people, animals, and convince oth- ers that they should, for their own benefit, side with them, with the way they act and think.
Vine – They believe that they know what is best for others, and order them how to behave, what to do and how to live.
Beech – By criticising others they want to get them on the right track.
Chicory – Manipulates others so they will act as they want and in line with what they think should be done.
Rock Water – Tacitly, they want to show others, through their personal example, how to live and work properly, hoping that others will follow their example.
Vervain – By convincing and persuading others, they convey their beliefs and attitudes about what they are.
For Those Over-Sensitive To Influences And Ideas
Agrimony– They do not talk about their problems, but hide them behind a smile; they love being in fun company as this is their way to forget about their problems, and may be prone to abuse of alcohol and other vices.
Centaury – They are easily manipulated by others, unable to fight for themselves, yield when asked to do something, and even though they know they should refuse, are not able to say ‘no’.
Holly – Vindictive people, who very easily become jeal- ous and suspicious.
Walnut – Although they make a decision, they are some- times diverted from their path, so they don’t stick to their decisions and commitments.
For Uncertainty
Cerato – Insecure about their decisions, do not trust their own intuition, so ask others for advice.
Gentian – After a setback, they are discouraged and think they will fail, having previously failed.
Gorse – They lack faith in their success or improvement, and are convinced they will not succeed, so give up.
Hornbeam – They lack the mental and physical strength to do the tasks ahead of them, often putting things off.
Scleranthus – They are not sure if they will make the right decision, whether it is a big decision or just a trivial matter, but still, they do not ask others for advice.
Wild Oat – They are insecure when it comes to choosing a life direction when they are at a crossroads.
Rescue Remedies [1]
Bach also discovered a unique combination of 5 remedies which aim at restoring calm to a person in acute emergency situation. They are of great value immediately after accident or similar situations of shock and panic, where there is faintness, trembling or failing of normal physical functioning.
Rock rose : To counter act terror and panic
Cherry plam : To balance intense tension and fear
Clematis : To reduce faintness or coma
Impatiens : To counteract inner turmoil & tension
Bethlehem : To reduce shock, trauma, sadness
Rescue remedy can also be used as a daily remedy in acute situations of intense nervousness & tension when the vital force needs to recharge & recuperate.
Reference
- Klikovac Ana, Bach Flower Remedies for a Happy & Balanced Life 2nd edition, New Delhi; B. Jain, 1 July 2024
- van Haselen RA. The relationship between homeopathy and the Dr Bach system of flower remedies: a critical appraisal. Br Homeopath J. 1999;88(3):121-127. doi:10.1054/homp.1999.0308
- Walach H, Rilling C, Engelke U. Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with partial crossover. J Anxiety Disord. 2001;15(4):359-366. doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(01)00069-x
- Ernst E. “Flower remedies”: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002;114(23-24):963-966.
- Pintov S, Hochman M, Livne A, Heyman E, Lahat E. Bach flower remedies used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children–a prospective double blind controlled study. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2005;9(6):395-398. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2005.08.001
- Howard J. Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control? A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect, and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2007;13(3):174-183. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2007.03.001
- Thaler K, Kaminski A, Chapman A, Langley T, Gartlehner G. Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009;9:16. Published 2009 May 26. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-9-16
- Halberstein RA, Sirkin A, Ojeda-Vaz MM. When less is better: a comparison of Bach Flower Remedies and homeopathy. Ann Epidemiol. 2010;20(4):298-307. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2009.11.006
- Bello SR, Batestusso RS, de Oliveira CG, Fonseca FL, de Almeida RG, Azzalis LA. The management of menopause with complementary and alternative medicine using an experimental model: ovariectomized rats. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2010;36(2):219-223. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01144.x
- Resende MM, Costa FE, Gardona RG, Araújo RG, Mundim FG, Costa MJ. Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. Complement Ther Med. 2014;22(4):719-723.
- Rivas-Suárez SR, Águila-Vázquez J, Suárez-Rodríguez B, et al. Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):18-24. doi:10.1177/2156587215610705
- Fusco SFB, Pancieri AP, Amancio SCP, et al. Efficacy of Flower Therapy for Anxiety in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2021;27(5):416-422. doi:10.1089/acm.2020.0305
