Dr. Bach, the man behind the development of the Bach flower range, was convinced that emotion frozen in the body could lead to health problems and even serious illness. In 1917, Dr. Bach himself was struck down by cancer. At the time, doctors gave him only 3 months to live. He survived another 20 years. It was undoubtedly in his illness that Dr. Bach found one of the motivations for his research into the link between emotions and flowers.
His research, which became his main raison d'être, began in 1922 and was completed in 1935. Some of the flowers whose properties he discovered in 1928 are still included in the 38 Bach Flower Remedies.
A gentle yet effective method
Both a forerunner and a return to ancient wisdom, Dr. Bach's aim was to find a way of acting on the origin of unhappiness, i.e. on the emotional side, using a gentle but effective method. In his view, chemical medication was far too heavy an artillery for solving such problems. Emotional problems do not belong to the physical plane, but to a much more subtle one (energetic or vibratory).
The Bach flowers are harvested when ripe, without being touched. They are then exposed to the sun's rays (solarization) and placed over a bowl of water. The water soaks up the sun's rays and the information emitted by the flower. The water is then combined with a little alcohol to preserve it. Bach flowers act in the same way as homeopathy, i.e. they convey vibratory information. They are therefore a subtle, energetic "therapy". The messages conveyed by the remedies act through the principle of resonance, reharmonizing cellular vibrations. Remember that our cells (especially the DNA contained in their nuclei) function like capacitors (antennae). Far removed from the aggressive actions of chemical molecules, this type of remedy has no contraindications. They can be used by everyone, including children. Generally more sensitive, children are often very receptive to them.
Elixirs have an emotional impact
Dr. Bach's flower essences work on the emotional level and on each person's character traits. It's absolutely not a question of fundamentally changing a person's character traits, but rather of softening their "negative" traits or those that work against them. Instead, the use of Bach Flower Remedies potentiates a person's positive emotional characteristics to the benefit of their negative emotional tendencies.
Bach flowers are also used to inhibit or alleviate limiting emotions or feelings. For example, if a fear (of dogs, of the dark, phobias) is identified, Mimulus (Nutmeg) can be used. This same remedy is also useful for overcoming shyness (often linked to fear of public speaking). Mimulus will provide a certain amount of courage, useful for overcoming this fear.
If the cause of the fear has not been identified, if it is vague or undefined, or if the person is subject to general anxiety, we would recommend Aspen. On the other hand, if you're afraid of making a decision, or if you have difficulty making choices, you'd be better off with Scleranthus (Scleranthus), which helps people of an indecisive nature.
Clearly, a single plant can cover several emotional states, including all the nuances that derive from these states. In fact, Dr. Bach established 7 families of emotions. But more than one Bach flower can be recommended when you find yourself at the heart of different emotional families. For this reason, to use Bach flowers you need a minimum of knowledge, but above all you need to listen to others if you want to advise them, and to yourself if you want to use them personally.