Between 1928-1935, Dr. Edward Bach, pathologist, and bacteriologist discovered and developed a series of 38 flower essences that help correct various emotional imbalances, which we now call Bach flower remedies. Dr. Bach’s belief was that healing the emotions would result in good health.

What Are Bach Flowers?

Dr Edward Bach developed 38 bach flower essences to promote emotional balance. Manufacturers infuse wildflowers in pure spring water using sunlight or gentle boiling. They combine the infused water with equal parts brand and water. The brandy acts as a natural preservative. Some remedies are now available in an alcohol-free glycerine base. People can use each Bach flower essence alone or combine up to seven. Practitioners select remedies based on individual emotional patterns. The best known, and one of the only prepared combinations, is Rescue Remedy®.

What Are The Health Benefits of Bach Flowers?

Dr Bach designed Bach flower solutions to help balance negative emotions. This balance may support the body's natual healing process. Dr. Bach grouped his 38 solutions into 7 different emotional groups with certain solutions representing specific emotional characteristics of a particular category. The guide lists the Bach flower groups below. Each group explains its solutions and traditional emotional applications.

Fear – there are five solutions in this group offering courage, fearlessness, reassurance, composure, and peace of mind.

Uncertainty – the six solutions in this group help to ‘know your own mind’ by offering resolve, encouragement, hope, decisiveness, direction, and guidance.

Loneliness – three solutions that help to reach out to others offering patience, connection, and tranquility.

Over-sensitive – four solutions to help with assertiveness, constancy, goodwill, and openness in order to stand your ground.

Despondency or Despair – offering joy and hope through eight possible solutions offering comfort, positivity, support, absolution, solace, confidence, strength, and faith.

Over-Caring for Others – ‘Live and Let Live’ with five possible solutions offering inspiration, unwinding, tolerance, release, and flow.

Insufficient Interest in the Present – seven possible solutions offering presence, focus, insight, tranquility, enthusiasm, brightness, and restoration to help live for today.

How Do They Work?

Bach flower solutions work within the principles of energy-based medicine. Each essence reflects the energetic qualities of its source flower. These work on their own to rebalance and heal a specific emotional state. Many Bach flower practitioners believe emotional balance supports overall well-being. They suggest emotional healing may also promote physical healing.

Bach Flower solutions are gentle and completely safe. People of all ages can use Bach flower solutions. People can take them along with herbs, supplements, or medications. Overdose is not possible, if not needed, they will simply not work.

How To Use Bach Flowers?

People can take Bach flower solutions in several simple ways. For immediate use, take two drops directly or mix them into water. For ongoing support, combine up to seven solutions in a 30ml dropper bottle. Top the bottle with mineral water. Take 4 drops of this mixture up to four times daily. A trained Bach flower practitioner usually prepares these personalized remedy combinations.