Introduction
Bach flower essences (remedies) form a part of alternative medicine. They comprise a therapeutic system that uses dilutions of flower essences developed by Dr.Edward Bach to balance physical and emotional disturbances. In the world of flowers, Dr. Bach found resonances in the conditions he found in his patients. He believed the right essence could help to bring back the patient to a positive, happy condition. Dr. Bach distilled the essence of certain flowers and chose the right ones for the state of being of a patient. Dr. Bach knew, that the human being is more than a physical body. The human being incorporates a body of life energy, a body of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual body. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants. Dr. Bach believed that the flower essences interact with the subtle bodies and so can help people with physical illness by addressing the emotional responses to their illness.
There are 38 original Bach remedies plus 'Rescue RemedyTM' (First Aid, Five flower remedy), each prescribed for certain mental and emotional problems. They form a complete therapeutic system. Practitioners treat every variety of human emotional imbalance with the 38 Bach flower essences.
The 37 plants are classified into three categories:
The 'twelve healers': Agrimony, Centaury, Cerato, Chicory, Clematis, Gentian, Impatiens, Mimulus, Rock Rose, Scleranthus, Vervain, Water Violet
The 'seven helpers': Gorse, Heather, Oak, Olive, Rock Water, Vine, Wild Oat
The 'second 19': Aspen, Beech, Cherry Plum, Chestnut Bud, Crab Apple, Elm, Holly, Honeysuckle, Hornbeam, Larch, Mustard, Pine, Red Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, White Chestnut, Wild Rose, Willow