Flower Therapy

Dr. Edward Bach, the father of Flower Medicines, was a bacteriologist and consulting homeopath of London. Not-satisfied with homeopathic practice, he turned to flower as medicines. He discovered 38 flowers as corresponding to 38 human states.

These medicines are prepared by putting flower in a pot of water exposed to noon sunlight for about three hours. Essence thus ready is mixed with alcohol for preservative purposes and dispensed in liquid or pill forms.

Flower medicines treats the "negative feelings" like anger, fear guilt, inferiority complex, lack of confidence, negative expectancy, envy, jealousy etc. by flooding the consciousness with positive feelings. In flower medicines "disturbed" feelings, moods, attitudes are taken as base for the selection of medicine. Bach found these "imbalances" in the personality as the "core element of disease".

Agrimony - for those who hide worries behind a brave face
Aspen - for apprehension for no known reasons
Beech - for those who are critical and intolerant of others
Centaury - for those who are weak-willed, exploited or imposed upon
Cerato - for those who doubt their own judgement, seeking confirmation of others
Cherry Plum - for uncontrolled, irrational thoughts
Chestnut Bud - for those who refuse to learn by experience and continually repeat the same mistakes
Chicory - for those who are over possessive - (self-centered) - clinging and over-protective especially of loved ones
Clematis - for those who are inattentive, dreamy, absent-minded, for mental escapism
Crab Apple - the 'Cleanser' - for self-disgust/detestation - for those who are ashamed of ailments
Elm - for those who are overwhelmed by inadequacy and responsibility Gentian - for despondency
Gorse - for pessimism, defeatism, 'oh what's the use!'
Heather - for those who are talkative, (obsessed with own troubles and experiences)
Holly - for hatred, envy, jealousy, suspicion
Honeysuckle - for those living in the past - nostalgic - for home-sickness
Hornbeam - for 'Monday morning' feeling - procrastination
Impatiens - for impatience and irritability
Larch - for lack of self-confidence, feeling of inferiority, fear of failure
Mimulus - for fear of known things, shyness, timidity
Mustard - for 'dark cloud' that descends, making one saddened and low for no known reason
Oak - for those who are normally strong/courageous, but no longer able to struggle bravely against illness or adversity
Olive - for those who are fatigued, drained of energy
Pine - for guilt complex - those who blame themselves even for mistakes of others and are always apologizing
Red Chestnut - for those obsessed by care and concern for others
Rock Rose - for those who are suddenly alarmed, scared, panicky
Rock Water - for those who are rigid-minded, self-denying
Scleranthus - for uncertainty/ indecision/ vacillation - for fluctuating moods
Star of Bethlehem - for all the effects of serious news, of fright following an accident, etc.
Sweet Chestnut - for utter dejection, bleak outlook