> **Healthylife** — Healthylife Pharmacy | Your online health destination > [Products](https://www.healthylife.com.au/browse) · [Health Hub](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn) > > --- # Bach Flower Essences Healthylife Pharmacy9 January 2018·3 min read Spread the word [](https://x.com/share?url=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/bach-flower-essences "x sharing")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/bach-flower-essences "facebook sharing")[]( "email sharing") [Add us as a preferred source](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=Healthylife.com.au) ### Jump to Flower essences are herbal infusions or decoctions, made from the flowering part of a plant. They are made in a form similar to homeopathy where they are heavily diluted and act as a vibrational medicine in the body. Flower essences usually work on emotional imbalance such as fear, anxiety, grief and low confidence—working to bring about harmony and happiness. Safe for children, adults and even animals—flower essences come in two main forms; the original Bach flower remedies and Australian bush flower essences founded by Ian White. ## Bach flower remedies Dr. Edward Bach discovered that flowers in nature have the ability to affect our emotions in a positive way. The energies from different flowers can remove our emotional pains and suffering. As a result of his research, he developed 38 flower essences from 1920-1930 in England. ## Rescue remedy Made from a combination of 5 flower remedies to help deal with stressful events and crises. It is the most famous of the Bach remedies that can be used for exams, fears such as flying, accidents and upon receiving unwelcome news. Rescue remedy helps to reduce stress and promote focus and calm. In animal studies, it was found that rescue remedy significantly reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease –by controlling glycaemia, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. ### Ingredients in rescue remedy and their indications include: - **Star of Bethlehem**—trauma, after effect of shock, post-traumatic stress - **Rock rose**—acute terror and fear - **Cherry plum**— fear of losing control, rage, breakdown and temper tantrums - **Impatiens**—impatience, irritation, nervous, fidgety and frustrated - **Clematis**—lack of concentration, poor memory, day dreamy and withdrawn Rescue remedy is designed to help you deal with immediate problems. If you are working through other underlying issues you may find the following flower essences more suitable. They can be used individually or in combination. Here’s a list of the remaining 33 flower essences and their indications. See if you can relate to any of these remedies. **Agrimony**—addiction, unhappiness, anxiety and hiding feelings **Aspen**—fears and worries of unknown origin **Beech**—intolerance, critical and lack of compassion **Centaury**—timid, passive, tired and unable to say no **Cerato**—lack of confidence and seeks advice from others **Chestnut bud**—repeating the same mistakes and not learning from them **Chicory**—possessive, critical, self-centred, manipulative and demanding **Crab apple**—poor self-image, a sense of not being clean and obsessive behaviour **Elm**—depression, feeling overwhelmed and exhaustion **Gentian**—discouraged, depression, sadness and giving up **Gorse**—hopelessness, despair and pessimism **Heather**—lonely, talkative, demands attention and dislikes being alone **Holly**—hate, envy, suspicion and jealousy For those who live in the past and have an over attachment to memories, good or bad, **Honeysuckle** might be the flower essence for you. It could include feelings of homesickness, nostalgia or even bereavement. If you feel weary, tired, bored or lack sufficient mental energy to carry on, **Hornbeam** might be helpful. **Larch** can be indicated if there is lack of confidence, depression and a feeling of inferiority. Dr Edward Bach wrote of **mimulus** as “fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, of dark, of being alone, of misfortune.”  He then described a person suited to **mustard** flower essence as “those who are liable in times of gloom or even despair, as though a cold, dark cloud overshadowed them and hid the joy of life.” **Olive** is when there is lack of energy, fatigue and convalescence. **Oak** is for those who are exhausted, overworked, a workaholic and an overachiever. Ok, we’re nearly there. Here’s a quick summary of the remaining flower essences with some keywords. - **Pine -** feelings of guilt, shame and unworthiness - **Red chestnut -** worry, overconcern and fear - **Rock water -** a person who is opinionated, strict, overworked and denies themselves pleasure - **Scleranthus -** when you suffer indecision, particularly when placed with two choices - **Sweet chestnut -** when you feel hopelessness, intense sorrow and extreme mental anguish - **Vervain -** for individuals who are strong-willed, highly strung with minds that race ahead of events - **Vine -** very capable people, who are certain of their own ability and confident of success - **Walnut -** helps you adjust to major life changes - **Water violet -** quiet, private people who like to be left alone - **Wild oat -** when you are uncertain of the correct path in life - **Wild rose -** lack of motivation, apathy, chronically bored, past depression and fatigue - **Willow -** when you feel resentment, self-pity and bitterness **White chestnut** is helpful for when your mind is cluttered with unwanted, repetitive thoughts. It is added to the **rescue remedy sleep formula** for insomnia and sleeplessness. ## Preparing and purchasing the right remedy Bach flower remedies can be found in health food stores and pharmacies. You can buy any of the flower essences individually and make your own treatment formula. After deciding which remedy or combination of remedies are required, place two drops in a 30ml dropper bottle. Fill this with pure spring or mineral water and a teaspoon of brandy to help preserve the liquid. From this bottle you can take four drops, four times daily. If needed, they can be taken more frequently until you feel calmer and more peaceful. _Naturopaths are often trained in flower remedies and may dispense them as part of their treatment. Speak to your naturopath if you require assistance in selecting and formulating your Bach flower remedy specific to your needs._ The essences work to bring an awareness to our conscious mind any out-dated patterns and old wounds that are preventing us from moving forwards in our lives. They are safe and non-toxic—suitable for children, pets, adults and people with various medical conditions. #### References 1. [http://ausflowers.com.au/](http://ausflowers.com.au/) 2. [http://www.bachflower.com/](http://www.bachflower.com/) 3. White I. (2003) Australian bush flower remedies 6th edition. Bush Biotherapies, Australia 4. Bullen V, Weeks N. (1998) The Bach flower remedies: illustrations and preparations. The C.W Daniel company Limited, England 5. Resende MM, et al. Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):719-23 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25146077](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25146077) 6. Balinski AA. Use of Western Australian flower essences in the management of pain and stress in the hospital setting. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1998 Aug;4(4):111-7 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9830938](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9830938) Spread the word [](https://x.com/share?url=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/bach-flower-essences "x sharing")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/bach-flower-essences "facebook sharing")[]( "email sharing") This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. 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