Bach Flower Remedies

Bach Flower Remedies are literally perfect for the treatment of mood disorders. There are 38 remedies, each one deals with a particular emotional state or aspect of the personality. For example:

Gorse is the remedy for hopelessness, despair and pessimism. It leads the patient to a state of renewed faith and hope of recovery. It is the first step towards a cure.

They are completely natural and totally harmless.

Click here for full descriptions of all 38 remedies.

Bach Rescue Remedy

The 38 individual remedies can also be combined- up to 7 at a time. The most well known of these is the Bach Rescue Remedy which is to be used after a recent shock/trauma. This is a combination of  5 remedies: Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem and Clematis.

Remedies for Bipolar Disorder

This is in no way a definitive list of remedies for Bipolar disorder. It is a list of treatments I personally have found very useful and extremely effective in treating my own symptoms.  I would like to add that I take them as a supplement to my currently prescribed medication (Venlafaxine & Lamotrigine), which I continue to take consistently. They were prescribed by a qualified practitioner to deal with residual symptoms that have cropped up: for more treatment resistant depression and also hypomania which I do not take medication for (lamotrigine is only effective at stabilising depression).

Awareness is needed that the remedies are very different for each personality type, so what works for me may not be as effective for you. However, reading through the list of 38 remedies and their descriptions should help you to work out which treatments will suit you the best.

Key Remedies for DEPRESSION

Gorse: hopelessness, despair, pessimism.

Mustard: unexplained deep gloom (depression) which comes and goes for no apparent reason. Often caused by unrecognised anger.

But I have also had the following added, which have been brilliant:

Cherry Plum: Fear of losing control of own mind or behaviour. Key remedy for feeling SUICIDAL.

Crab Apple: Poor self image, ashamed or embarrassed by unpleasant physical symptoms, characteristics or features. Self-hatred.

Pine: Feel full of guilt and blame yourself for everything, even the mistakes of others.

Sweet Chestnut: Are at the limits of endurance and deep despair. Feeling SUICIDAL.

Others worth looking at depending on your own situation could be: Water Violet, Hornbeam, Olive or Elm.

Key Remedies for ANXIETY

Aspen: Unexplained fears and worries. Nervous & anxious.

Mimulus: Have fear rooted in known causes eg. spiders, flying, exams etc.

Red Chestnut: Over-anxious/over-concern for others.

White Chestnut: Have unwanted thoughts, preoccupied and worried, sleeplessness and frontal headaches.

Rock Rose: Panic Attacks

Cherry Plum: Fear of losing control of mind or behaviour, also useful for panic attacks.

Key Remedies for HYPOMANIA- these are the remedies I was prescribed and found very effective:

Vervain: Are over-enthusiastic. Argumentative with fixed ideas and principles.

Schleranthus: Key remedy for Bipolar Disorder Suffer from indecision, fluctuating moods, loss of emotional balance.

I was also prescribed:

Vine: Are strong-willed with a tendency to be domineering or inflexible. Strong desire to be in control.

Cherry Plum: Fear of loss of control.

White Chestnut: Unwanted and repetitive thoughts, sleeplessness, preoccupied & worried.

Impatiens: Are impatient and easily irritated. Short temper.

Key Remedies for IRRITABILITY

Beech: Are critical and intolerant of others. Judgemental and fault-finding.

Impatiens: Are impatient and easily irritated. Short temper.

Click here for full descriptions of all the remedies.

There are many other useful remedies, such as:

Agrimony: Put on a brave face to hide problems. Avoid confrontation. Useful for addictions.

Willow: Are resentful and have feelings of self-pity. Poor me!

Swallowing Your Pride!

I must admit when I was first prescribed remedies I was a bit offended to have to take Vine- I’m not inflexible or domineering am I?! I had to swallow my pride a bit. But it is worth it. The remedies make you feel relaxed, calm, clear-headed, peaceful and accepting of how things are.

How to take the Remedies

Each remedy is preserved in a small bottle contained alcohol.

When being treated with Bach Flower Remedies it is important to drink lots of water- the medium through which the remedies work.

To take one individual remedy on its own:

Dosage: 2 drops into a glass of water. Sip at intervals.

To mix up to 7 remedies:

Add 2 drops of each remedy to a dark bottle (20-40ml) with a dropper, filled with mineral water. Can add up to 7 remedies.

Dosage: 4 drops into a glass of water, taken 4 times a day.

This was a little confusing to start with as only two drops are added to a mixture of remedies. This mixture can last for a week or two (30ml bottle). But then individual remedies- two drops are needed for one dose. As far as I have read- the individual remedies are best taken when the state is ACUTE. If the condition is CHRONIC, then a mixture is best.

Once again here is the link to full descriptions of each remedy. More information can also be found on this website.

How long does it take to work?

It’s important to take the remedies consistently at the correct dosages and to drink lots of water. If you do this, you should start noticing some change within a few days. One week later you should be experiencing the full effects. If there is no change, you may need to look at different remedies. Consulting a practitioner is the best way to get the best remedies for you: see below under Bach Flower Remedy Practitioners.

WARNING: never stop taking your prescribed medication and replacing it with Bach Flower Remedies. They are a supplement, and a complementary treatment. If you are planning to come off your medication, a GP should always be consulted so that the medication can be tapered off slowly and under their care.

Pre-Mixed Remedies

Remedies can also be bought pre-mixed.

Balancing Blooms have some useful mixes.

Calm Down would be a useful remedy for Hypomania.

Cheer Up useful for Depression.

Peace for Anxiety.

Bach Flower Remedy Practitioners.

I would thoroughly recommend visiting a Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner to obtain the best treatment for you.

My personal therapist is Dawn Chrystal who charges £30 for an hours consultation. This includes a bottle of the chosen remedies which lasts about a month.

In the UK you can find a qualified practitioner in your area here. For the USA click here.

Where to buy.

Individual and pre-mixed remedies can be bought at Boots and Holland & Barrett in the UK. I’m not sure about worldwide, but I imagine drug stores and natural health stores would sell them. Individual and pre-mixed remedies cost around £6-£7 in the UK

Online you can buy them on:

Amazon (UK)

Bach Calm: Original Flower Remedy Shop (UK)

Amazon (USA & Canada)

The Original Bach Flower Remedies (USA & Canada)

Martin & Pleasance (Australia)

Resources

The Bach Centre

Bach Calm: Official Flower Remedy Shop

Dawn Chrystal

Photo Credits: Rescue Remedy hjw223; Clematis by tomylees; Cherry Plum by amintirivizuale

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