Want Quick Relief for Emotional Upset? Flower Remedies to the Rescue by Dr. Mark Stengler

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Want Quick Relief for Emotional Upset? Flower Remedies to the Rescue by Dr. Mark Stengler

When my patients feel anxious, despondent or generally out of sorts, I often recommend Bach Original Flower Remedies. These homeopathic formulas are unique- they are a system of treatment based on the idea that plant remedies, specifically dilutions of flower materials, can help ease specific mental states or emotions. I know this may sound strange, but flowers are connected to our emotions in all sorts of ways. (Think about smelling the wonderful scent of a bouquet.)

I have been using these remedies for more than 15 years with my patients who are dealing with emotional problems, and I am convinced that they work. They are not designed to be a substitute for counseling, and many of my patients tell me that the remedies complement their counseling. The flower remedies also can help patients who want to reduce physical ailments that are worsened by stress, such as ulcers or digestive problems.

Here’s how Bach Flower Remedies might help you…

HOW TO BENEFIT

One of the most popular flower remedies is Bach Rescue Remedy. This formula of five different flower-derived preparations helps people feel calmer and more focused during acute bouts of anxiety or crisis. But the Bach Flower Remedy treatment system is much more far-reaching than that.

Developed by Dr. Edward Bach, an English bacteriologist, surgeon and pathologist working in the 1930’s, the system includes 38 different flower remedies, each one associated with relieving a different negative emotion or emotional state. Dr. Bach believed that flower remedies help the body achieve a healthy emotional state that in turn restores physical health. The pursuit of this type of mind-body synergy is known as psychoneuroimmunology, which is based on the interaction psychological states and the nervous and immune systems.

Even today, Bach Flower Remedies are created according to Dr. Bach’s specifications. Using only plants grown in the wild, the remedies are prepared by allowing the flowers to steep in water and direct sunlight, and the branches and leaves are boiled in water. The plant matter is then removed, and the remaining water is believed to retain the “energy”, or frequency, of the plant—this is the kind of theory that underlies homeopathy.

In a University of Miami study, researchers found that Bach Rescue Remedy helped study participants reduce high levels of situational anxiety. Among the few other studies conducted on Bach Flower Remedies, results have been unconvincing, except that all agree the preparations are safe. My own experience with patients has been much more positive.

THE REMEDIES

To get the most out of these preparations, choose the remedy that best matches your emotional state now (see the list below). I generally recommend using no more than three remedies at a time.

GETTING RESULTS

Use four drops of each remedy at a time. Put them directly in your mouth, or dilute them in six ounces of water. Take them at least 10 minutes after eating.

For acute problems, take the remedy every one to two hours daily. Change remedies if you are not feeling better in two days.

For chronic problems, take the remedy two or three times daily. Change remedies if you are not feeling better after two weeks.

For less serious problems, sip the diluted mixture throughout the day. Change remedies if you are not feeling better after two weeks. Make a new diluted solution every day. Some people feel better immediately. For others, it may take days to a few weeks. Then use as needed. If your symptoms change, choose other remedies. They are nontoxic and safe to take with other medications.

Bach Flower Remedies are available at health-food stores and online. One bottle costs about $12 to $16. For more details, visit the Web site of the Bach Centre in England (www.BachCentre.com) or Nelsons, the company that distributes the remedies (800-319-9151, www.BachRemedies.com)

Caution: Flower remedies are not a substitute for medical attention for serious symptoms of depression or anxiety.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS                                                 REMEDY

Hiding your troubles behind a smile……………………………………… Agrimony

Unidentified anxiety ……………………………………………………………… Aspen

Critical and intolerant……………………………………………………………. Beech

Weak-willed and seeking praise…………………………………………… Centaury

Doubting your judgment………………………………………………………. Cerato

Fear of losing control……………………………………………………………. Cherry Plum

Repeating old patterns and making same mistakes………………. Chestnut Bud

Controlling others………………………………………………………………… Chicory

Lack of motivation and concentration………………………………….. Clematis

Embarrassed about yourself…………………………………………………. Crab Apple

Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities………………………………. Elm

Self-doubt and discouragement……………………………………………. Gentian

Hopelessness………………………………………………………………………… Gorse

Loneliness……………………………………………………………………………… Heather

Jealousy, envy, revenge, suspicion………………………………………….. Holly

Dwelling in the past………………………………………………………………… Honeysuckle

Fatigue of mind and body……………………………………………………….. Hornbeam

Frustrated by the slow process of people and things…………… Impatiens

Lack of self-confidence………………………………………………………… Larch

Shyness, anxiety…………………………………………………………………… Mimulus

Unexplained sadness that comes and goes………………………….. Mustard

Struggling against the odds and not giving up:

(when you should) ……………………………………………………………… Oak

Mental and physical exhaustion………………………………………….. Olive

Dissatisfied…………………………………………………………………………. Pine

Fear for a loved one……………………………………………………………. Red Chestnut

Extreme terror……………………………………………………………………. Rock Rose

Driving yourself hard to set an example…………………………….. Rock Water

Indecisive…………………………………………………………………………… Scleranthus

Emotional trauma………………………………………………………………. Star of Bethlehem

Despair……………………………………………………………………………….. Sweet Chestnut

Argumentative……………………………………………………………………. Vervain

Strong- willed to the point of dictatorial……………………………… Vine

Too influenced by others…………………………………………………….. Walnut

Feeling disconnected from family:

friends and people in general……………………………………………… Water Violet

Persistent worry…………………………………………………………………. White Chestnut

Unfulfilled ambitions………………………………………………………….. Wild Oat

Indifferent and apathetic……………………………………………………. Wild Rose

Bitterness…………………………………………………………………………… Willow

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To Learn more about Dr. Mark Stengler visit http://MarkStengler.com