Bach flowers are used in the so-called Bach flower therapy, an alternative medical procedure. They are intended to have a regulating effect on psychological states of the person, which can also improve physical symptoms.
Occurrence and cultivation of the Bach flower
Bach flowers are named after their developer, the Englishman Doctor Edward Bach. Bach lived from 1886 to 1936 and founded the Bach flower therapy in the 1930s. Bach flowers are named after their developer, the Englishman Doctor Edward Bach. Bach lived from 1886 to 1936 and founded Bach flower therapy in the 1930s. The therapy is based on the idea that the energy bound in certain flowers can have a regulating effect on psychological states. Bach studied and described a total of 38 Bach flower essences, which are used in Bach flower therapy. Of these, 37 essences are made from flowers and one essence is made from rock spring water. Bach intuitively selected the plants for certain states of mind, but they are not medicinal plants in the true sense. Therefore, Bach flower therapy is not counted as phytotherapy or herbal medicine. The Bach flower essences are traditionally called by their English names. The flowers of wild plants and trees are collected early in the morning during the flowering period, preferably still covered with dew, in natural locations. For plants from which flowers cannot be obtained, such as poplar, branches and leaves are used.
Effect and application
There are two methods for the production of Bach flower essences. In the sun method, the flowers come after collection in spring water and are placed in the sun for several hours. The boiling method is used specifically for woody plants and plants that develop their flowers during the season with little sun. For this, the collected flowers are heated in spring water for half an hour. In this way, the energy of the blossoms is said to be transferred to the water. This is then preserved with alcohol. Before use, the liquid is again strongly diluted, whereby parallels to homeopathy can be seen. Bach flowers are available as drops, in ointments or candies. They can also be used pure on the skin or added to a full bath. The drops can be added to a glass of water and drunk throughout the day or dropped directly onto the tongue. The type of application depends on the treatment condition, whether it is chronic or acute and whether the Bach flowers should be used externally or internally. One to seven flowers can be used simultaneously in individually composed mixtures. Bach flower therapists advise against taking more than seven different flower essences at the same time, as this can upset the organism. According to the founder of Bach flower therapy, physical illnesses are based on a disturbance of the mental balance. With the help of the flower essences, which are used as a positive counterbalance, negative soul states are to be harmonized. In addition, the Bach flowers are supposed to activate the body’s self-healing powers and have a holistic effect on soul, mind and body. For this purpose, Bach divided the 38 essences into seven groups, each of which is assigned to a specific state of mind. These groups are dejection, lack of interest in the present, anxiety, loneliness, hypersensitivity, excessive concern for others, and insecurity. Each of the flowers thereby reflects the negative character traits of a specific personality type. Bach flower products in the form of drops, ointments or candies can be purchased in pharmacies. With the help of the essence in liquid form, ointments can also be made yourself.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Bach flowers can be used both preventively and to treat acute and chronic symptoms. They can be used for people of all ages, including children, and are also used in animal treatment. First and foremost, they are intended to serve the mental health care, when the risk of an illness is emerging, but this has not yet occurred. In doing so, they are intended to develop awareness, strengthen character and harmonize mental behavior patterns.Bach Flower Therapy is used in two other areas of application: In the acute treatment of emotional stress situations or in life crises and as an accompanying treatment for acute and chronic diseases. The acute treatment of emotional stress situations includes, for example, stress in relationships or problems with school, education or the workplace, as well as the midlife crisis. As an accompanying treatment for acute and chronic illnesses, they can be used, for example, for sleep disorders or skin diseases such as neurodermatitis. Likewise, they can be used for developmental disorders, preparation for childbirth, or as a mental aftercare treatment following surgery. There are numerous symptoms defined to which certain Bach flowers are assigned. The duration of treatment depends on the type, severity and duration of the underlying psychological problems. In addition, Bach developed the so-called emergency drops, which are a specific combination of five Bach flowers that can be taken in acute emergency situations. The emergency drops contain flower essences of Star of Bethlehem (Golden Milk Star) for shock and stupefaction, Rock Rose (Yellow Sunflower) for terror and feelings of panic, and Impatiens (Jumping Weed) for mental stress and tension. Cherry Plum (cherry plum) is said to help against fear of losing control, and Clematis (common woodland vine) against the feeling of being far away or on the verge of unconsciousness. Bach flowers have no side effects. They can be combined with conventional medical and naturopathic therapies without any problems. Interactions with other medications are not known. However, there is no scientific proof of the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy. In studies, no effect other than a placebo effect could be proven.
