Bachblüten Anhang 2
[Elaine Lewis]
Uses:
Emotional shock or panic
FaintingAcute grief
Children or dogs or cats afraid to go to the
doctor or dentist
Broken bones
Burns
[Krishnaamurthy]
Dr. Krishnaa Murthy explains how Bach remedies work and identifies the
mindset that matches various remedies.
Dr. Bach’s remedies are derived from thirty-seven non-toxic wildflowers.
Where are they? All these thirty-seven flowers, are found together in their
natural habitat inone
place only, called Mount Vernon, a small village in the thick English
forest.
Discovered and Introduced by Dr. Edward Bach, M.B.B.S., and M.R.C.S. of
London around the year 1936.
Only if the reader understands how these 38 remedies are prescribed, not
only diseases are cured in just one-day treatment but even problems in life can
be solved and difficulties can be overcome in no time. Let us now learn the
unique ‘method’ of selecting the remedies for various conditions and
situations.
Let me equip you with the knowledge of these remedies to manage any
situation, or cure diseases in places where a doctor is not readily available
and for diseases for
which allopathy has no cure, including those, which are called terminal
illnesses.
Let us now take an actual case:
A patient was in bed in a hospital after major abdominal surgery. For
two days after surgery, due to pain (because the surgical wound takes seven to
ten days to heal)
he was weeping and having sleepless nights; the attending doctor gave a
painkiller, which would stop pain for a short period only.
The doctor cautioned that the painkiller should not be taken frequently
and so the patient had to put up with the pain. On the daily routine, the
doctor said that it would
take another 7 days for the wound to heal completely and then only the
patient would be discharged. On one hand, he had pain; on the other, had
sleeplessness due to pain.
The above condition is seen invariably after many surgeries. We gave him
two Bach Remedies viz., Cherry Plum and White Chestnut, to be taken one pill
from each, (chewable) every fifteen minutes, till the pain stops completely. He
took these two remedies together, about seven times, the pain stopped and he
slept well that night.
Next morning, the doctor, on his rounds saw the wound having healed
almost completely, and therefore said that he would discharge him the next day!
Now, here comes the first and last lesson for the new comer. It is not
correct to say that these remedies are good painkillers. The method of
prescribing Dr. Bach Remedies
is unique and different from all other existing medical systems and if
you are prepared to understand and learn the following, you can become a
successful Bach practitioner too.
Any bodily disease or problem in life—if it makes the affected person
weep, cry or shed tears, can be cured/solved by the Bach Remedy Cherry Plum. The
reader has to understand this before going any further. We do not treat
pathology or disease, but just consider the outward manifestation only—how each
person reacts during his illness
or sufferings/problems in life.
Now, to the next remedy White Chestnut. Again, this remedy is not a
painkiller. This remedy is for any complaint, which disturbs your ‘daily routine’.
The longest daily routine necessary and essential for all of us is sleep. White
Chestnut can cure any complaint (underlying pathology) which disturbs your
daily routine (in the above case
it is sleep).
In the above case, non-healing of wound caused pain, which in turn,
caused sleeplessness.
Be it cancer, headache or abdominal pain (whatever the scan report may
say) if that disease (or even, problems in life like poverty, unemployment
etc.) makes the patient weep, Cherry Plum would cure any disease or underlying
pathology (whatever terms the allopath or ayurved may use).
White Chestnut would cure any complaint (or underlying pathology) if
that bodily disease or problem in life does not allow the affected person to
get natural sleep.
Again, please do not take down notes that the Bach Remedy White Chestnut
is a sleeping pill. No! Not at all! White Chestnut would cure any disease, if
it disturbs your daily routine (the main and indispensable daily routine for
all of us is a six-to-eight-hour sleep).
The above patient too asked me whether the two remedies were good
sleeping pills. That is a completely wrong notion. Laymen do tend to conclude
like this. I explained to him that the pain stopped and so she slept. Again, it
was nighttime and so she slept.
(Allopathic sleeping pills would give you hangover next morning but this
patient had no such side effect.) Again, I further explained that only because
the wound healed quickly, the pain stopped. If I had simply given a sleeping
pill, it would not have helped in the quick healing of the wound.
The following would illustrate to the reader how Bach Remedies are
prescribed.
Let us take an actual case of five persons, all of whom developed pain
in abdomen after taking food in a not-so-hygienic restaurant. In other medical
systems, a doctor would prescribe uniformly one remedy to all the five persons
for ‘food contamination.’
Let us now listen to each of them.
Shyam: “In hotels they don’t meticulously clean the plates; in the name
of cleaning, they simply dip the plates one by one in the same bucketful of
water and that is all. Probably someone with a contagious disease might have
eaten food before us and through the bucketful of water it might have spread to
all of us and thus we have gotten this abdominal pain.”
Arun: “They use half-perished vegetables and substandard oil for cooking
to make more money and we are suffering because of them.”
Patel: “Spicy hotel food never agrees with my stomach. I always try to
avoid it. Had I avoided it, I would not have got this pain.”
Anand: “Probably I might have committed some sin and I am now paying for
my past sins with this abdominal pain.”
Raghuram, on his part, says: “I am afraid I may develop diarrhoea and
consequent dehydration. I better see a doctor immediately.”
Shyam is over-conscious of filth, contamination, contagion etc. The
remedy for this mind symptom is Crab Apple. This remedy cured him.
Arun blames the hotel owner for using substandard provisions for
preparing food in the hotel. For blaming others for one’s difficulties, the
Bach Remedy is Willow.
This remedy cured him.
On his part, Patel regrets for not having avoided certain items in hotel
food. He regrets. For regretting, the remedy is Honeysuckle.
Anand has guilt feeling or self-contempt. For blaming oneself or for
guilt complex, the relevant Bach remedy is Pine. This cured him. Raghuram is
afraid of developing dehydration. For fear of known things, the Bach remedy is
Mimulus.
In the above five instances, though the complaint is uniform in all the
five individuals, viz., abdominal pain, the reaction or words used by them are
totally different from
one individual to another.
Practitioners of other medical systems would simply ignore the above
statements; they would treat all of them for food contamination, and it means
hospitalization, taking medicines for a few days etc.
In Bach Remedies, the cure is almost instantaneous. Each Bach flower
corresponds with one of the qualities and its purpose is to strengthen that
quality so that the personality may rise above the fault that is the particular
obstacle.
On reading the above, most readers at once may rush to the hasty but
wrong conclusion that this system is based on psychoanalysis and they must know
psychology to ‘probe deep into the mental faculty of the patients.’ No, not at
all!
Of course, a patient walks in with a physical complaint, but if only we
allow them to continue, they invariably end up with a mind symptom. It is,
therefore, the real cause behind the disease, which is of utmost importance,
the mental state of the patient himself, not the condition of the body (Edward
Bach).
It is sufficient if you simply listen to the patient by allowing him to
talk; nothing more and nothing less. The patient details his suffering. Those
around him remark what they have observed about him. The practitioner listens
without interrupting him to identify his remedy. Every interruption breaks the
train of thought of the narrator, and all he would have said at first does not
again occur to him in precisely the same manner after that.
Thus and therefore, the reader may carefully note that we are not
introducing or advancing any theory or principle, but they are as actually seen
by us in all persons from time immemorial.
From the above we can easily infer that mighty Nature, in her vegetable
kingdom, has provided a complete “treat-yourself” method where the patient
indicates the remedy
by some words or body language. This Dr. Bach Remedies system is based
on Eternal laws—never changing and having no exceptions!
Words told by the patient (from time immemorial) and the relevant Bach
remedies for them:
“Even my enemy should not get this type of suffering (which I
have)”—Sweet Chestnut.
“No one on earth should get this type of suffering (which I have) – Rock
Rose.
“Leave me alone. Do not give me directions”—Impatiens.
Persons requiring the Bach remedy Beech are over conscious of order and
arrangement of things kept neatly arranged at home or office.
Persons requiring the Bach remedy Crab Apple are over conscious of dirt,
filth, contamination, contagion etc. Even after shaking hands with others, he
would go and wash
his hands. He is also over conscious of his ugly appearance. You can
never see him with unshaven face or with his hair not combed. Never wears dirty
or torn clothes.
What would you get by learning and using these remedies?
A Tamil saying states that all we have so far learnt/studied is only the
size of a handful of sand; what we are yet to learn is the size of our whole
earth. Unfortunately, even
out of the handful of what we have learnt, more than ninety-nine per
cent is incorrect. Suppose, even a two per cent of what we had learnt/studied
had been correct, all of
us would by now be living the life of a maharaja (emperor).
These Remedies enable you to know the meaning, value and significance of
various things exactly and accurately. Precision and versatility is the culture
of Dr. Bach Remedies. Thus, by taking suitable remedies, all your difficulties
dilute away and thus you are able to increase your income and lifestyle.
To illustrate our claim that 99% of all we have studied/learnt is wrong,
let us go to the following few questions and see how exactly Bach Remedies give
the correct answers
to them:
What is the use of encyclopaedia?
Which medical doctor is said to be having a
Midas touch?
What is the right and only solution to cure
addictions?
Use of Encyclopedias:
Almost all readers, even a college professor would say that an
encyclopedia is a reference book to know all about a particular thing. That is
a low-key approach.
The correct answer is something different. To prove this, let us quote a
medical case here:
A sixty-year-old Westerner with pain in his left knee for two years came
to me for treatment after going to various specialists in vain. After listening
to his complaints and looking at him, I directed him to a dentist to remove any
decayed tooth because that particular type of knee pain of his was due to that.
He insisted that I see the x-ray and laboratory test reports taken on
the advice of chief ortho doctors in the city. I refused and so he went away. He
continued with drugs, physiotherapy etc. Six months after this, he got
retirement and went to his motherland Canada. There he consulted his family
physician for his knee pain. That doctor too, after looking at him, directed
him to a dentist. He went to the dentist, learned that a tooth was decayed and
got it pulled out; the very next day his knee pain vanished permanently.
Now the question is, why was it possible for the author of this book as
well as the Canadian doctor to diagnose that the decayed tooth was the cause
for his knee pain, while the leading allopaths in Chennai were giving drugs,
recommending physiotherapy etc.
The answer is very simple. Both that Canadian doctor and I have studied
British Encyclopaedia of Medical Practice (12 volumes) as a textbook. Therefore,
there is no chance of our making wrong diagnosis; also no need to send a
difficult case to a so-called senior physician etc.
The common person wrongly brands doctors good at differential diagnosis
to be having Midas. How did the author of this book come to know the exact use
of encyclopaedias? A Bach Remedy called Cerato enabled the author know and
learn the correct use of encyclopaedias.
From the Bach Remedy Cerato, we learn that
Textbook is for passing an examination to get
a degree or diploma.
Encyclopaedia is the textbook for
professionals to become a wizard in their respective field (if at all anyone
has written an encyclopaedia on his profession.)
Real causes of diseases/sufferings of men are known by the use of Bach
Flower Remedies alone; nowhere else do we get correct answers for our problems
and sufferings.
Let us examine one of the social evils viz., ‘addiction’ and learn how
Bach Remedies reveal the only right solution:
Walnut is the name of one of the thirty-eight Bach Remedies and it is
for all types of addictions and bad habits. i. e., where the patient is doing
one and the same bad thing repeatedly over and over again with his
fingers/hands—chain smoking, drinking alcohol daily, tobacco chewing, taking
several cups of coffee/tea, or the dirty habit of thumb-chewing or nail biting.
Wherever we prescribed the remedy Walnut for addiction, sooner or later
they not only gave up the habit but simultaneously also soon started learning
instrumental music (or painting) and thus started performing in stages earning
one or two thousand rupees for each two-hour performance as compared to their
earlier income of mere 5-7 thousand rupees that too working in an office for 8
hours x 30 days.
The point now before us is, “What has ‘playing instrumental music or
painting’ to do with addiction?” In both cases, the person does the same thing
repeatedly with rhythmical movement of his fingers/hand.
Smoking cigarettes or nail-biting or taking heroin daily is the
‘NEGATIVE’ aspect of Dr. Bach Remedy Walnut. Playing instrumental music or
painting is the ‘POSITIVE’ aspect of the same remedy.
From the above we can easily infer that mighty Nature tells all addicts:
“I sent you on earth to learn and play instrumental music (or painting) and
earn one or two thousands daily. However, you did the mistake of studying
science or accountancy to earn a mere few thousand rupees once a month only.
To remind you of your job on earth I made you an addict. Now realise
your mistake, take daily the Bach remedy Walnut which not only enables you on
the one hand give up the bad habit but also, on the other hand, learn
instrumental music and earn a few thousand rupees for each 2-3 hour
performance.”
Addiction is not a punishment given by Nature but a chiding only.
Thus, Dr. Bach Remedies DO NOT ‘TREAT’ OR ‘CURE’ human beings but just
change them from ‘negative’ to ‘positive’ types. On one hand Walnut enables
addicts completely give up the bad habit; on the other, it simultaneously
enables them to learn and master instrumental music/painting, irrespective of
their age.
We, therefore, call Sitar Ravishankar of North India and Veena Gayathri
of Tamil Nadu (in the West the counterparts are Violinist Shehu Yehudhi
Menhunin and Pianist Elton John) as “POSITIVE Walnut-type persons.”
Had the parents of these instrumentalists done the mistake of
discouraging their learning instrumental music and insisted on their becoming a
graduate, they would have ended up as a diploma/degree holder working in an
office for a mere 5-10 thousand rupees per month and later becoming the worst
addicts to alcohol, drugs etc.
From the above, we get the lesson (by the study of Dr. Bach Remedies)
that in de-addiction centres, we must teach instrumental music/painting and
this alone is the only correct solution to cure addictions. Will the concerned
authorities wake up at least now?
Let us now turn our attention to another Bach remedy called Cherry Plum
This remedy is to be prescribed for the following symptoms:
(i) Mind giving way; or, fear of
loss of reason;
(ii) Irresistible temptation;
(iii) Suicidal disposition.
‘Uncontrollable’ anger, unbearable thirst, insatiable appetite, cannot
wait for
food when hungry.
A diabetic patient with Cherry Plum negative mentality cannot avoid
sweets
on seeing it when served in dinner parties.
Suicidal disposition: “A person
commits suicide because of unbearable chronic abdominal pain that resisted
treatment by the best doctors.” Cherry Plum cures the underlying pathology and
so the pain is cured completely and permanently. Not only colic. For that
matter, any disease that makes the sufferer cry or weep with pain.
“Man commits suicide due to poverty.” This also appears occasionally in
dailies. Again, in the case of suicidal disposition due to poverty, when Cherry
Plum is prescribed, it gives the victim sufficient mental balance enabling him
to find ways and means of earning sufficient money; therefore, suicidal
disposition disappears.
Persons who weep with ‘unbearable’ pain in any part of his body
(whatever may be the name of his disease). Cherry Plum is not a painkiller but
it cures the underlying pathology thus relieving the pain. The best place to
illustrate the use of Cherry Plum is the labor ward in any maternity hospital.
(Dr. Bach Remedies are thirty-eight in all. Every person would be of one
remedy-type only, at a given time. Thus, roughly three out of every hundred
persons would be Cherry Plum type). Go to the veranda of any labor ward and you
would be hearing the shouting, crying or weeping of three out of every one
hundred expectant mothers.
See also
In Praise of Homeopathy
The child wants to come out but the mouth of the uterus does not dilate.
Thus, it causes “unbearable” pain making the mother cry. We give Cherry Plum at
this time to these women (say, 1-3 doses every 5-15 minutes). Soon they have normal
delivery.
At this point, please do not note that Cherry Plum is for “easy
delivery.” Not only painful delivery but in all diseases or problems in life
where the affected person cries/weeps with ‘unbearable’ pain (or resorts to
suicide) Cherry Plum is to be prescribed and it cures him. In the case of life
problems making them resort to suicide, the remedy enables them to
automatically find ways and means to solve their problems.
‘When his reputation is at stake a person commits suicide.’ This symptom
is covered by another Bach remedy viz., Agrimony.
I called aside the above women to whom Cherry Plum was prescribed for
‘unbearable pain’ and advised them to take daily one dose of the same remedy.
They said, “Sir, we have delivered the baby. Why more medicine?” I advised them
that this remedy would enable them know as to why they got such ‘unbearable’
labor pain for hours together and to prevent all future sufferings (be it
bodily diseases or problems in life) that make them weep or cry.
They started taking the remedy. After a few weeks it was noticed that
all of them started learning vocal music (irrespective of their age) and after
a year or so were performing in music clubs and stages which gave them immense
satisfaction in life besides more extra money!
Mighty Nature indirectly tells the above women: “I sent you on earth to
learn vocal music and derive great satisfaction in doing something for which
you are made; it makes you to be at peace with yourself, besides letting you
earn the money you need and keeping you free from ill-health.”
The question now before us is: What is the connection between ‘vocal’
music and ‘crying with pain or problem in life?’ In both instances, ‘voice’ is
used continuously in high pitch. Tongue/throat is used to make noise/voice as
well as to taste delicious food. Therefore, another use of the Bach Remedy
Cherry Plum is “irresistible temptation” or “unable to observe diet
restrictions.”
From the Bach Remedy CHERRY PLUM, we learn that those weeping/shedding
tears should start learning vocal music. We call ‘weeping with pain or
resorting to suicide due to problem in life’ as ‘NEGATIVE ASPECT’ of Cherry
Plum.
‘Singing’ is the ‘POSITIVE ASPECT’ of the remedy.
We may, thus, call Michael Jackson or Madonna of the West and M. S.
Subbalaxmi, Sudha Raghunathan, Sowmya of South India and Latha Mangeshkar of
North India as positive Cherry Plum personalities. Suppose, parents of these
vocalists had insisted on academic education, bank job, etc., by now they would
have developed problems in life or diseases making them weep or cry with pain.
Let us now look at some more persons who need the remedy Cherry Plum.
Persons taking frequent cool drinks every time
they go in the hot sun; (‘unbearable’ thirst)
Short-tempered persons who shout and scream in
anger. ‘Uncontrollable’ thirst, ‘uncontrollable’ anger, appetite etc. are the
symptoms of Cherry Plum.
Those who cannot observe diet restrictions.
“Irresistible temptation.’’
Those resorting to suicide, e.g., to put an
end to their pain in abdomen when the best doctors failed to cure them with
their medicines.
Persons committing suicide due to poverty.
Parents beating their children in anger.
Teachers and masters beating their students in
anger because the latter is not learning in spite of repeated coaching.
By now, the reader would have learnt what we mean by ‘positive’ and
‘negative’ types. We find that there are thirty-eight types of persons only in
the world. If a person is positive, he need not take any Bach remedy. Negative
type may take his respective remedy to become positive. This is the secret of
Bach remedies and that is why it is able to cure gently, quickly and
permanently that too without any side effects.
Addiction As Viewed in the System of Bach Flower Remedies:
In de-addiction centres, the same drug is given to all alcoholics.
Persons thus treated, of course, give up alcohol and do not take even if it is
offered. However, because of the side effects, he becomes dull, stupid, lazy,
lethargic etc., and is unable to concentrate in discharging his official duties
and responsibilities at home.
Alas! After six months, when the drug goes out of his body, he starts
consuming double the quantity of what he had been taking earlier. It is a
stereotyped method where humans are treated like animals and thus the patients
suffer from side effects.]
This is because the same remedy is given to all addicts (as done in
veterinary practice) for alcoholism. In the Bach remedies system, we do not
treat ‘addiction’ but we treat ‘personalities’ of the addicts. Hence no side
effects. We individualise the victims.
Let us examine a few alcoholics. The type of classifications herein
below is not anybody’s theory but they have been in existence from time
immemorial.
(REGULAR DRINKERS): Symptom of the victim (addict):
Walnut: Here, it is a matter of sheer habit. The question of giving up
alcohol/tobacco does not arise because the victim does not even think of
attempting to give up this habit. For once, if he misses his drink, his hand
would shake and subsequently suffer from withdrawal symptoms. This is a clear
case of addiction indeed.
Scleranthus: At night, he firmly
takes a vow that from the next day he will not take alcohol and promises to his
wife too. However, the next day the same old story is repeated. This is not
addiction but unsteadiness of mind (Irresolution).
Agrimony: Does not take alcohol
for ‘kick’ as the first said Walnut-type persons. However, to forget his
worries at home when some dishonourable event has happened like the elopement
of his daughter, his wife living with another person etc. One day he suddenly
starts drinking to ventilate his suppressed emotions and grief.
Vine: Drinks not necessarily for
‘kick’ like the first said Walnut-type. He wants to put up a show before others
that he does drink—the status monger. Therefore drinks ‘imported stuff’ like
scotch etc. This would be further evidenced by the fact that in his house we
find in the hall, empty biscuit brandy bottles neatly arranged in a showcase.
Cherry Plum: He decides to give up the habit and has completely stopped
it. However, when he happens to see the bottle or someone smoking, he would
take a peg (or a cigarette) and no more after that, till such time he again
sees the bottle/cigarette packet. A case of irresistible temptation indeed.
(Mind giving way.)
(B) Occasional Drinkers: Symptom
of the victim (addict)
Wild Rose: These type persons are not regular drinkers. They drink to
‘enjoy’ life or to celebrate once a while, like for example, on the first of
every month when they get their monthly salary or, on the day of receiving
yearly bonus; or, on the date of getting arrears of pay etc., and on occasions
like promotion, transfer, wedding party etc. (celebration!) Enjoyment of life!
Hornbeam: These
types of persons are neither ‘addicts’ nor are they fond of the ‘kick’ feeling.
They are tonic mongers or strength-maniacs. Drinks ‘wine’ or ‘brandy’ only,
because these two are said to be “good for health.” (It is a freely floating
myth that one drop of wine is equal to one drop of blood!) They are over
conscious of nutrition, vim, vigour & vitality. They have forgotten that
‘health is wealth’ and wrongly thinking that ‘strength is wealth.’
Chicory: Here he is a miser. He does not drink by buying from the liquor
shop. However, when available ‘free of cost’ such as in parties etc., even
though he does not know how to drink, he gulps down as much as possible, comes
home, and vomits everything. (The regular drinker knows his limit and does not
overdose himself.)
Mimulus: Here is the nervous fellow who has the fear-complex, drinks to
become bold. These types take liquor just before encountering his rivals.
From the foregoing, we can certainly call Bach Remedies human medicine
because every victim/patient is individualised. Again, let us reiterate, here
we are not doing any psycho-analysis of addicts, but in the above table, we
have just given the classification as it exists and as seen by us and this has
been happening from time immemorial.
[Drs. Chaitali Shah and Hetashvi Arya]
Bach had three key insights.
1st observation of people per their outlook on life and personality
(just as in homeopathy we have the great constitutional polycrests such as
Puls. Nux-v. and others).
2nd development of an ability to palpate one’s own intuitive
sensitivity to the point where he could experience an emotional state, and then
find the support from nature
(in the form of an essence from the appropriate flower) that resolved
this state.
3rd he developed a method of transferring the energy from the
trees and flowers that he found helpful, to water which he then preserved with
brandy, and so could dispense remedies from this source.
Treatment bottle
Making a treatment bottle involves putting four drops of each chosen
essence into a 30ml bottle containing approximately 20% brandy and 80% water.
The brandy acts as
a preservative. If the bottle is for someone who wishes to avoid
alcohol, merely placing some drops into very hot water will evaporate off the
alcohol, or drops can be placed on the wrists, where a rich network of
meridians is to be found.
Dosage
The recommended dosage is three to four drops on the tongue 4 – 6x daily
for, for up to about six weeks’ maximum. The remedies are entirely compatible
with prescribed medication and homeopathy. Sometimes one may be more
appropriate than another – intuition and experience are useful guides here.
Side-effects are rare, although sometimes people may get short-lived
detoxifying symptoms such as a rash or a headache. Aggravations are very
uncommon.
Once one layer has been treated and felt to change, then it can be
useful to reassess and see what lies beneath!
[Suzanne E. Sky, L.Ac.]
Flower essences are liquid preparations, containing only minute traces
of actual flowers, which convey the vibrational pattern and essence of specific
flowers. Because of this, their action is subtle
and extends beyond the physiological. Their action is not biochemical,
but is vibrational. These gentle essences enjoy a reputation of being very
safe. They have no side-effects and are non-toxic. Some people state they don't
'feel' any change or effect from using flower essences. However, many people
find the flowers provide an essential factor in their healing process. Each
person responds to flower essences according to their inner rhythm and needs.
Research in the modern field of psychoneuroimmunology shows a clear
interrelationship between physical illness, stress and emotional/mental
outlook. Flower essences help address issues which often underlay stress and
health problems, helping to 'untie' or release these mental/emotional energetic
knots. Flower essences can help transform emotions, attitudes or patterns of
behavior to enhance one's development, growth and awareness. Flower essences
expand our understanding of health care, recognizing the interweaving of
spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects of wellness.
The name closely associated with flower essences is that of Dr. Edward
Bach, the English physician who first discovered them. In the 1930's, he
introduced his set of 39 Bach Flower Essences® that changed the world of
natural medicine forever.
Bach's writings are largely excellent discourses on the spiritual roots
of disease. He felt disease to be the result of conflict between Soul and Mind.
Health, he stated 'is our heritage, our right. It is the complete and full
union between soul, mind and body." (Collected Writings, page 91).
"There are two great errors: first, to fail to honour and obey the
dictates of our Soul, and second, to act against Unity." (Heal Thyself,
page 12)
Of the flower essences he said, 'these new remedies act on a different plane
to the old. They are more spiritualized and help us to develop that inner great
self in all of us which as the power to overcome all fears, all difficulties,
all worries, all diseases.' (Collected Writings, page 23)
How are the remedies chosen?
Very simply, by awareness of ones own mental, emotional and spiritual
state of being. Bach left a very simple system of determining which essence or
essences will be useful for us. If a person was discouraged, this may indicate
a need for Gentian, which restores hope. If indecisive, a need for Scleranthus
and so forth. For all negative states of mind, the essence chosen reflects the
positive, uplifting aspect necessary to bring the person into balance. Look in
the reference section for books that describe the essences and their use.
How are the remedies available?
Flower Essences are available in most health food stores and by mail
order. (Apotheken) They come in small amber glass bottles known as a stock
bottle, or Mother Tincture. You may use the essence right out of the bottle. Or
you can get even more mileage by using a few drops of the Mother Tincture to
make a dosage bottle for yourself. For this, purchase a 1-ounce empty, sterile,
amber glass bottle.
Fill the bottom of the 1-ounce bottle with a
little bit of brandy (Korbel is a good one), or apple cider vinegar to help
preserve the essence. (Otherwise, things will start growing mold after a
while). You can use natural vegetable glycerin, but this will not preserve the
essence for long.
Add a few drops of each remedy or remedies you
have chosen. You can choose and mix up to 6 remedies together with excellent
results. (Some people don't like to mix them.) More than 6 remedies is
generally too much
Fill the rest of the 1-ounce bottle with
spring or filtered water. Shake well.
How to use the flower essences?
Generally people take a few drops several times throughout the day. Some
people adhere to a strict schedule of so many drops, two or three times a day.
Others find it much more helpful to use them as needed. Especially in acute
situations, it can be helpful to take the remedy more often. Usually when a
person is "done" with their remedy, they will start
"forgetting" to use it regularly. Since flower essences are primarily
working at a vibrational level, and there is little, if any actual physical
substance in the remedies, there are no side effects.
Some people are very strict about when and how to take flower essences,
treating them like homeopathic remedies, which are ideally not taken with food,
along with other restrictions. However, many practitioners and people add
flower essences to their drinking water, salads, juices, and food with great
results. Cooking is not advised as flower essences are fragile in respect to
temperature. They must be protected from heat, light, and cold.
A fun way to use flower essences is to put a few drops in your warm bath
and relax. Some people make a flower essence spray for their house, office, or
wherever.
This works well.
How are flower essences made?
There are several methods of preparation. Usually the flower is picked
at a specific time of year and day, carefully placed in a bowl of pure water,
and left to sit in the sun for a certain amount of time. Several essences are
not prepared by the sun method, but by a special boiling method.
It is not advisable to make your own Flower Essences for several
reasons. Bach was very particular in his selection of flowers and where he
found them. Each of his remedies is a specific botanical entity, and substitutions
are not equally effective. There are many types of Honeysuckle, but Bach
specifically used only Lonicera caprifolium found in a certain area. Many of
the species he used are difficult to identify without the help of a botanist.
Even plants with the same botanical name, grown in different areas of the world
have very different effects. This is due to the difference in soil and climate
which naturally effect the chemical activity and quality of the plant.
Flower essences into the 21st century
Dr. Bach left the planet feeling that his 39 flower essences provided
the complete flower essence kit for all time and stated no others would be
necessary. In fact, his legacy spawned an era of avid flower essence research
and discovery. There are currently hundreds of flower essences available from
all over the world. There are even Flower Essence Pharmacies in existence, that
stock a multitude of the Flower Essences available on the planet today.
Bach Flowers are the best place to start, because they were created in a
grounded framework, which is easy to understand, and because they are excellent
remedies.
Use Bach's Collected Writings as a foundation of information to
understand both Bach's approach and flower essences as remedies.
Combining essences
Usually, several flower essences are combined to make a flower essence
formula. However, some essences combine well together, while others do not. You
need to experiment for yourself. I combine Perelandra Essences freely with Bach
and other essences. The woman who makes Perelandra Essences, Machelle Wright,
also finds they combine well. Some people will not combine different Flower
Essences under any circumstances. The Seven Herbs Essences do not seem to
combine well, and are better used one essence at a time, which is, in fact,
what the author (Matthew Wood) recommends. When in doubt, refer to the person
who originally prepared the essences you are using.
Important note:
Flower essences work most beneficially as part of a wholistic program of
health care, including exercise, nourishing diet, stress reduction, inner work,
play, and rest. They are not a substitute for medical attention or professional
psychological counseling. If you are ill, please consult a qualified physician.
A brief overview of Bach Flower Remedies®
Dr. Bach placed the flower essences into 7 main categories (see
Collected Writings of Edward Bach, for more information):
NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES
Chestnut Bud - For those who take a long time
to learn from experience.
Clematis - Dreamy quiet people, dreaming of a
happier future
Honeysuckle - Nostalgia, homesick or dreaming
fondly of the past
Mustard - 'Dark clouds' of gloom or despair
Olive - Sapped vitality, no strength to go on
White Chestnut - Persistent thoughts or
worries circling in the mind
Wild Rose - Loss of enthusiasm for life,
resignation
OVERSENSITIVE TO IDEAS OR INFLUENCES
Agrimony - Want to keep peace at any price,
easily disturbed by quarrels.
Centaury - Difficulty saying No to others. May
neglect their own life purpose
Holly - Anger and vexations of the heart
Walnut - Protection from all outside
influences in daily life and transitions
DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIR
Crab Apple - Feeling dirty, shameful,
contaminated
Elm - Overwhelmed
Larch - Capable people who lack
self-confidence
Oak - Strength to go on without loss of hope
or effort
Pine - Apologetic, unable to accept
compliments, self-blaming.
Sweet Chestnut - When one feels they have
reached the limits of endurance
Star of Bethlehem - Comfort in times of great
distress
Willow - Resentment, feeling life has been
unfair
RESCUE REMEDY®
Composed of 5 essences formulated for use in acute or emergency
situations, to assist in calming, clearing, and restoring harmony.
Resources
This list is by no means complete. These are ones I use myself and find
to be reliable sources providing excellent quality.
Flower Essences
There are currently several different 'brands' available in health food
stores. My personal favorite are the English Flower Essences from Flower
Essence Services (also in health food stores). Prepared by Julian Barnard and
his wife, Martine, in Wales. Julian Barnard has written several excellent books
on Bach's work, listed below.
Flower Essence Services
PO Box 1769 Nevada City, CA 95959
(800) 548-0075 fax (916) 265-6467
They also offer a large line of North American Essences and the Seven
Herbs Set that is a companion to Matthew Wood's book, Seven Herbs, listed
below.
They have a newsletter, classes & sell a good selection of Flower
Essence books through the Flower Essence Society, PO Box 459 Nevada City, CA
95959
In Europe, for information and resources on Bach Remedies, write:
Bach Flower Remedies, The Dr. Edward Bach Centre
Mount Vernon
Sotwell, Wallingford
Oxon. OX10 OPZ England
Perelandra Essences
PO Box 3603 Warrenton, VA 22186
Phone (703) 937-2153 Fax (703) 937-3360
You never get to talk to a real person. But they send catalogues and
fill orders promptly. Their essences are especially excellent. Books and tapes
available also.
Desert Alchemy
PO Box 44189 Tucson, AZ 85733
Phone (602) 325-1545
Excellent quality desert flower essences. They offer occasional classes.
Recommended reading on Bach's and other flower essences
Bach Flower Essences®
Many of these are available through the Flower Essence Society listed
above.
Collected Writings of Edward Bach, Edited by
Julian Barnard, 1987
Excellent reading. Philosophy and practical
information on the remedies.
The Healing Herbs of Edward Bach: An
Illustrated Guide to the Flower Remedies, Julian and Martine Barnard, 1988
A beautiful and informative book. One of my
favorites.
Patterns of Life Force: A Review of the life
and work of Dr Edward Bach and his discovery of the Bach Flower Remedies,
Julian Barnard, 1987
The Medical Discoveries of Edward Bach,
Physician, Nora Weeks, 1973, Keats Publishing. The book about Bach's life and
work.
Bach Flower Therapy: Theory and Practice,
Mechthild Scheffer, 1986, Thorsons Publishing Group Limited. Great book for
information on choosing remedies.
The Bach Flower Remedies: Illustrations and
Preparations, Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen, 1990, The Dr Edward Bach Centre
Dr. Jessica Bear: Author of several unique and
fascinating books on Bach Flower Remedies. Write to Balancing Essentials, PO
Box 81625, Las Vegas, NV 89180. fax (702) 247-6693 for a complete listing.
Other Flower Essence Books
Seven Herbs: Plants as Teachers, Matthew Wood,
1986, North Atlantic Books
Highly recommended.
Flower Essence Repertory, published by The
Flower Essence Society
A Flower Essences Materia Medica, so to speak.
Very well done.
Flower Essences: Reordering Our Understanding
and Approach to Illness and Health, Machaelle Small Wright, 1988, Perelandra,
Ltd.
Vibrational Medicine: New Choices for Healing
Ourselves, Richard Gerber, MD, 1988, Bear and Company
[Dr. phil. Reinhard Müller]
Erst- und Folge-Anamnese in der Bach-Blüten-Therapie
Aufbauend auf den historischen Wurzeln keltischer Heilkunst fand er in der Landschaft von Wales 38 Pflanzen „höherer Ordnung“, die auf unbewusster Ebene seelische Selbstheilungskräfte und Harmonisierungsprozesse anstoßen. Nach Bach entstehen seelische Konflikte, Probleme und Unausgeglichenheit durch einen grundlegenden Konflikt zwischen der Seele und dem Ich: Wenn der Mensch seinen tiefen inneren, zum Teil unbewusst erfahrenen Impulsen und seiner seelischen Aufgabenbestimmung nicht folgt, wenn er z.B. aus Angst oder falsch verstandenem Sicherheitsbedürfnis an Einstellungen, Gewohnheiten, Lebenssituationen festhält, die ihn emotional eigentlich blockieren oder gefühlsmäßig negative Zustände auslösen.
Die Bach-Blüten decken Themen wie Angst, Unsicherheit, Mutlosigkeit, mangelndes Selbstvertrauen, mangelnde Abgrenzungsfähigkeit, Überaktivität, Erschöpfungszustände, Überfürsorge für andere Menschen und mentale Überreizung ab. Verschrieben werden in der Regel Blüten-Mischungen von bis zu sechs Bach-Blüten, die über kürzere oder längere Zeiträume eingenommen werden. Sie sollen seelische Wachstumsprozesse anstoßen. In der Regel kann man Wirkungen in drei Richtungen feststellen:
1. Der stille Verlauf
In dessen Folge man zunächst nichts bemerkt (außer subtilen Veränderungen) und im Laufe dessen sich erst nach zwei bis drei Monaten deutlichere Wirkungen festmachen lassen.
2. Der positive Verlauf
Zunächst werden ein spürbar deutlicher, positiver Energieschub und eine entsprechende Befindlichkeit erfahren, man träumt Schlüsselträume, die ein Indikator für jetzt anstehende seelische Wachstumsprozesse sind. Ferner bekommt man von der Umwelt das Feedback einer besonders positiven Ausstrahlung (z.B. leuchtende Augen etc.). Zwischendurch zeigen sich immer wieder „Heilkrisen“, wenn alte Gefühle noch einmal hochkommen. Hier geht es darum, dass diese Themen hierdurch bearbeitet werden in Richtung eines positiven Transformationsprozesses.
3. Der „negative“ Verlauf
Hier kommen alte Problemthemen und emotional belastende Gefühle noch einmal hoch, es geht dem Betroffenen zunächst schlechter. Langsam und schrittweise arbeitet es dann im Inneren hin zu einer gefühlsmäßig positiveren Befindlichkeit.
Im Folgenden möchte ich auf den Verlauf und Besonderheiten des Erstanamnese-Gesprächs in der Bach-Blüten-Therapie eingehen:
Ähnlich der homöopathischen Erstanamnese baut es sich zunächst aus folgenden Elementen auf:
1. Spontanbericht
Der Patient berichtet zunächst spontan von seinen gefühlsmäßigen und ggf. auch körperlichen Beschwerden, ohne vom Behandler wesentlich unterbrochen zu werden. Dies dient der Sammlung möglichst vieler Informationen über den Patienten, unbeeinflusst von Meinung und Wertung des Therapeuten. Der Therapeut hat lediglich die Aufgabe, das Gespräch zu strukturieren (z.B. bei häufigem Springen des Patienten zwischen verschiedenen Themen, übermäßigem Monologisieren, zu starken Verallgemeinerungen, zu starker Konzentration auf die Handlungen anderer Menschen anstelle der eigenen Gefühle, zu schleppendem Gespräch). Der Therapeut stellt lediglich Informations- und Verständnisfragen, zeigt Empathie und Mitgefühl gegenüber den Erlebnissen und Gefühlen des Patienten. Allenfalls spiegelt er die Gefühle des Patienten in erweiterter Form wider.
2. Gelenkte Befragung
Hier geht es darum, den gefühlsmäßigen Themen des Patienten in strukturierterer Form auf dem Hintergrund der einzusetzenden Bach-Blüten nachzugehen. In der Regel haben sich bis dahin für den Therapeuten Konturen gezeigt, welche Blüten in Betracht kommen. Hier werden nunmehr erste Abgrenzungen zwischen in Frage kommenden Bach-Blüten getroffen und es wird mehr Klarheit über die emotionale Befindlichkeit des Patienten erlangt.
Im gesamten Anamnese-Gespräch kommen folgende Gesprächsmethoden zum Einsatz:
Die personenzentrierte Gesprächs-Psychotherapie
Sie wurde Anfang der 1940er-Jahre in den USA von Carl Rogers begründet. Rogers ging davon aus, dass „Menschen, denen die Möglichkeit gegeben wird, wahrhaft zu werden, was sie zutiefst sind, wenn sie die Freiheit haben, ihre eigentliche Natur zu entfalten, immer eine deutliche Entwicklung auf Ganzheit und Integration durchmachen“
Personenzentrierte Gesprächs-Psychotherapie besteht aus folgenden Merkmalen:
1. Empathie
Einfühlsames Verstehen der Aussagen und des inneren Bezugssystems des Klienten. Der Therapeut versetzt sich so in die Gefühle des Klienten hinein, als ob es seine eigenen wären, wahrt aber zugleich innerlich die Grenze zwischen dem Erleben des Klienten und seinen eigenen Empfindungen. Ferner soll er sich auf das Wesentliche in den Aussagen des Klienten konzentrieren, er soll dabei „mit den Augen des Klienten sehen“.
2. Bedingungsfreies Akzeptieren und positive Wertschätzung
Der Therapeut knüpft seine Zuwendung an den Klienten nicht an Bedingungen, er nimmt ihn mit seinen Problemen vorbehaltlos und ohne Einschränkungen an. Dies bedeutet, dass der Therapeut sich in folgenden Verhaltensäußerungen zurücknimmt:
Moralisieren, d.h. moralische Bewertung und Einstufung des Verhaltens des Klienten,
Examinieren, d.h. Belehren des Klienten aus übergeordneter Warte,
Dirigieren, d.h. den Klienten in eine bestimmte Richtung drängen, zusätzlich beim Traum: subjektives Interpretieren; dies drängt dem Patienten eine Sichtweise auf, die nicht seinen unbewussten Vorgängen entspricht.
Des Weiteren ist auch die Wertschätzung des Bezugssystems des Klienten durch den Therapeuten wesentlich, auch wenn es nicht sein eigenes ist bzw. erheblich hiervon differiert.
3. Echtheit und Kongruenz des Therapeuten
Der Therapeut soll dem Klienten authentisch gegenübertreten, ohne sich hinter einer Maske oder Fassade zu verstecken: „Das Innere des Beraters soll mit dem übereinstimmen und deckungsgleich sein, was er äußerlich sagt, tut und ausdrückt“. Der Therapeut spielt somit keine Rolle vor, er tritt dem Klienten als Person mit ihren eigenen Konturen gegenüber. Unter gewissen Umständen ist er zu bedingter Selbstöffnung und Selbsteinbringung bereit, soweit sie dem Nutzen des Therapieverlaufs dient. „Die abgrenzende Bedingung liegt aber auch darin, dass nicht ‘der Therapeut den Klienten mit all seinen Problemen oder Empfindungen belasten soll‘ (Rogers: Die Kraft des Guten, München 1977, S. 32). Seine Selbstmitteilungen sollen in erster Linie dem Selbstentfaltungsprozess des Klienten dienen“.
4. Verbalisierung emotionaler Erlebnisinhalte
Der Therapeut soll dem Klienten die von ihm ausgedrückten Gefühle in erweiterter Form spiegeln. Dies sind sowohl die Botschaften, die in seinen Worten stecken, wie auch jene ungeschriebenen Verhaltensäußerungen, die „zwischen den Zeilen“ in Stimmlage, Kraft der Stimme, Mimik, Gestik und Körpersprache zum Ausdruck kommen.
Das Modell der Meta-Kommunikation aus dem NLP
beschäftigt sich damit, wie Sprache, innere Bilder und subjektive Vorstellungen in der Realität repräsentiert und wie die Hintergründe sprachlich ausgedrückter Inhalte ermittelt werden können. Vor allem geht es um die Einschränkungen der Denk- und Handlungsfreiheit durch bestimmte sprachliche Muster, die ganz allgemein als Verzerrungen der Wirklichkeit bezeichnet werden können.
Für die psychotherapeutische Arbeit ist vor allem der eingeschränkte Ausdruck der Sprache des Klienten wesentlich, also:
Verallgemeinerungen
Tilgungen
Bedeutungsverzerrungen
Typische Fragen des Meta-Modells sind:
Wer genau?
Was genau?
Wie genau?
Mit wem genau?
Wann genau?
Worüber genau?
Wodurch genau?
Was würde passieren, wenn du es tätest/ nicht tätest?
Was passiert genau bevor?
Im Vergleich wozu?
In Bezug worauf?
Zum Abschluss des Gesprächs erhält der Patient einen Fragebogen (in der Regel aus „Mechthild Scheffer: Erfahrungen mit der Bach-Blüten-Therapie“), den er bis zur zweiten Sitzung bearbeitet.
Hier geht es noch einmal um die genauere Präzisierung gefühlsmäßiger Befindlichkeiten.
Im zweiten Gespräch, das ca. eine Woche nach dem Erstgespräch stattfindet, geht es um die genauere Abgrenzung der einzelnen Bach-Blüten. Der Behandler hat die mündlichen Angaben des Patienten mit dem Fragebogen verglichen, wobei er nunmehr Prioritäten ausgewertet hat. Der Patient hat nämlich in der ersten Sitzung die Anweisung erhalten, die Fragen nicht mit „Ja“/„Nein“, sondern mit einer Skala von 5, sehr stark bis 1, sehr gering zu bewerten. Dies hat den Hintergrund, dass aus „Ja“/„Nein“-Antworten oftmals keine klaren Prioritäten der wichtigsten Blüten erkennbar sind. Der Behandler wertet in der Regel die mit 5 oder 4 (manchmal auch die mit 3) bewerteten Antworten aus und ordnet nun nach den in Frage kommenden Bach-Blüten-Schienen (5). Aufgrund der Erfahrung, dass Fragen in einem Fragebogen zuweilen anders verstanden werden, als sie gemeint sind, und hieraus eine Verzerrung des Bildes der benötigten Bach-Blüten resultiert, wird noch einmal gefragt, mit welchen Situationen der Patient die Beantwortung einer Frage verbunden hat. Sagt er z.B. zur Bewertung der Aussage „Ich mache mir Sorgen um einen mir nahestehenden Menschen“ oder „Ich sorge mich darüber, dass Person X sauer auf mich ist“, ist mit Sicherheit nicht die hier angesprochene Blüte 25 (Red Chestnut: Überfürsorge für andere Menschen, mentales Gedankenkreisen um die Beeinträchtigung des Wohlbefindens des anderen) gemeint, sondern die Blüte 24 (Pine: Schuldgefühle, schlechtes Gewissen).
Danach werden die innerhalb einer Schiene in Frage kommenden Blüten durch gezielte Fragen abgegrenzt (Merke: Nach Krämer soll nur eine Blüte pro Schiene verordnet werden, weil es sonst zu einer deutlichen Wirkungsverstärkung kommt), und am Schluss werden die zur Wahl stehenden Blüten noch einmal kinesiologisch ausgetestet. Der Patient erhält neben der Verschreibung die Aufgabe, ein emotionales Tagebuch und ein Traumtagebuch -zumindest in Stichworten- zu führen.
Im Folgegespräch, das nach ca. vier bis sechs Wochen stattfindet, geht es um die emotionalen Veränderungen und die hochkommenden Gefühle des Patienten. Allein das Gespräch über diese wichtigen Themen bringt dem Patienten einen geistigen Lernprozess, oft ergeben sich auch für alltagspraktische Situationen, die mit einem tieferen gefühlsmäßigen Thema zusammenhängen, erste Lösungsmöglichkeiten. Andererseits geht es darum, herauszufinden, ob die in der Erstverschreibung verordnete Mischung noch weiter in der vorliegenden Form eingenommen werden soll: Braucht der Patient die eine oder andere Blüte nicht mehr, müssen neue Blüten hinzukommen oder eine oder mehrere ersetzt werden.
Die Dauer der Bach-Blüten-Behandlung ist recht unterschiedlich. Ein normaler Krisenzyklus, der im Abstand von ca. sechs Jahren auftritt (als Übergang zur nächsten Lebensphase und Entwicklungsaufgabe, es geht somit um eine Neufindung) und mit einem Gefühl von Abschied von Vergangenem, Leere und Neuorientierung verbunden ist, dauert ca. 8 bis 18 Monate. Es hängt
von der Stärke und Bereitschaft des Patienten ab, sich auf tiefere Veränderungsprozesse einzulassen, wie weit er über einen längeren Zeitraum die Bach-Blüten- Behandlung in Anspruch nimmt.
Dies kann zwei, drei Monate oder auch 1½ Jahre dauern.
Andere Diagnosemöglichkeiten der Bach-Blüten, wie sie in den internationalen Kompendien gleichberechtigt neben der Gesprächsanamnese dargestellt werden, sind das intuitive Herausgreifen der Blüten-Fläschchen, Farbkarten, Arbeit mit Pendel oder Biotensor, ausschließlich kinesiologischer Muskeltest.
Fazit
Der Gesprächsanamnese zur Ermittlung der Bach-Blüten gebe ich deshalb den Vorzug, weil der Patient mit dem Bedürfnis in die Praxis kommt, dass der Behandler sich Zeit für ihn nimmt, ihm zuhört und ihn in seinen Gefühlen versteht. Des Weiteren macht der Patient allein durch das Schildern seiner gefühlsmäßigen Situation einen geistigen Lernprozess durch. Zusätzlich sprechen die Bach-Blüten auf unbewusster Ebene nicht nur Gefühle an, sondern regen die Harmonisierung unangenehmer Gefühlszustände an.