Esoteric Remedies Self-Healing Workbook by Linda M Haden

ESOTERIC REMEDIES SELF-HEALING WORKBOOK

ÂŠ 2014 Esoteric Remedies Pte Ltd No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise with the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to Esoteric Remedies Pte Ltd, 14 Robinson Road, Far East Finance Building, #08-1A, Singapore 048545. Email:info@esotericremedies.com The publisher makes no representation or warranties to the contents of this book. The contents within this book is purely for informational purposes only and a qualified medical practitioner should be consulted before taking any remedies or applying any of the techniques demonstrated in this workbook.

Contents Contents ......................................................................................................... 3 Welcome letter from Esoteric Remedies ........................................................ 7 How to use this workbook .......................................................................... 8 Why you should make self-healing a priority .............................................. 8 Feel balanced and in tune once again ......................................................... 9 Introduction .................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER ONE: Introducing Bach Flower Remedies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the original flower essence ......................................................................................................... 12 Who was Dr Edward Bach? ....................................................................... 12 What are Bach Flower Remedies?............................................................. 13 How are Bach Flower Remedies made? .................................................... 15 How do Bach Flower Remedies work? ...................................................... 15 Do Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flower Remedies really work? .................................................. 17 How are flower essences and remedies being used today? ...................... 18 CHAPTER TWO: The 38 Bach Flower Remedies ............................................. 19 The Single and Composite Remedies ........................................................ 19 Remedies for Fear ..................................................................................... 21 Aspen .................................................................................................... 22 Mimulus ................................................................................................ 23 Cherry Plum .......................................................................................... 24 Red Chestnut......................................................................................... 25 Rock Rose .............................................................................................. 26 Remedies for Uncertainty ......................................................................... 27 3

Cerato ................................................................................................... 28 Sceleranthus ......................................................................................... 29 Gentian ................................................................................................. 30 Gorse .................................................................................................... 31 Hornbeam ............................................................................................. 32 Wild Oat ................................................................................................ 33 Remedies for the Lack of Interest in Present Circumstances ..................... 34 Clematis ................................................................................................ 35 Honeysuckle .......................................................................................... 36 Wild Rose .............................................................................................. 37 Olive ...................................................................................................... 38 White Chestnut ..................................................................................... 39 Mustard ................................................................................................ 40 Chestnut Bud ........................................................................................ 41 Remedies for Loneliness ........................................................................... 42 Water Violet .......................................................................................... 43 Impatiens .............................................................................................. 44 Heather ................................................................................................. 45 Remedies for Oversensitivity .................................................................... 46 Agrimony .............................................................................................. 47 Centaury ............................................................................................... 48 Walnut .................................................................................................. 49 Holly ...................................................................................................... 50 Remedies for Despondency & Despair ...................................................... 51 4

Larch ..................................................................................................... 52 Pine ....................................................................................................... 53 Elm ........................................................................................................ 54 Sweet Chestnut ..................................................................................... 55 Star of Bethlehem ................................................................................. 56 Willow ................................................................................................... 57 Oak........................................................................................................ 58 Crab Apple ............................................................................................ 59 Remedies for Overanxiety for Othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Welfare ......................................... 60 Chicory .................................................................................................. 61 Vervain .................................................................................................. 62 Vine ....................................................................................................... 63 Beech .................................................................................................... 64 Rockwater ............................................................................................. 65 How to Take the Remedies ........................................................................... 66 Bach Flower Remedies and Essential Oils ..................................................... 71 Health Secrets Dr Bach Would Like to Share with You .................................. 73 #1 Preconceptions and beliefs can alter the state of your health ............. 73 #2 You know yourself best ........................................................................ 73 #3 You are not just a product of your genes ............................................. 74 #4 Quality relationships are essential for good health .............................. 75 #5 Finding your true vocation could lengthen your life ............................. 76 #6 Being happy is the best way to protect your health ............................. 77

#7 To attain optimal health, you have to live a life aligned with your inner voice and your values................................................................................ 78 Exercise #1 .................................................................................................... 80 Bach Flower Remedies Questionnaire: Finding the Right Remedies for Me .................................................................................................................. 80 Exercise #2 .................................................................................................... 85 Life Assessment ........................................................................................ 85 Preconceptions and beliefs ................................................................... 85 Inner voice ............................................................................................ 86 Relationships ......................................................................................... 86 Work/Life Vocation ............................................................................... 86 Finances ................................................................................................ 87 Environment ......................................................................................... 87 State of mind ........................................................................................ 87 Physical health ...................................................................................... 88 Exercise #3 .................................................................................................... 89 My personal formula................................................................................. 89 Exercise #4 .................................................................................................... 90 Simple meditation ..................................................................................... 90 Bach Flower Remedy Affirmations ........................................................ 91 Exercise #6 .................................................................................................... 96 My Enlightenment Journal ........................................................................ 96

Welcome letter from Esoteric Remedies Congratulations! You are about to embark on an illuminating journey of self-discovery! Flower essences are an established form of complementary medicine that is rapidly gaining support from the scientific community. Our workbook will teach you how you can incorporate flower essences into your own health and wellness regime to achieve a more fulfilling, balanced life. Dr Bach, a notable Harley Street physician and homeopath, created this simple method of holistic healing during the early part of the 20th century after becoming dissatisfied with the way mainstream medicine diagnosed and treated patients. Over the last 80 years, Dr Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remedies have proven their efficacy time and again in helping people jumpstart their inner self-healing mechanism, alleviating physiological symptoms, while calming the mind and lifting the spirit. As part of this workbook, we have included vital information in regards to Bach Flower Remedies including how it is made and how it actually works in addition to powerful insights that could radically improve your total health and wellbeing.

How to use this workbook  Read the explanations/descriptions of Bach Flower Remedies carefully and preferably in conjunction with The Bach Flower Remedies Step by Step - A Complete Guide to Selecting and Using the Remedies written by Judy Howard.  Learn to use the health secrets in conjunction with Bach Flower Remedies to live a healthier and fulfilled life.  Fill out the questionnaires to determine your current emotional state and to assess if there are areas in your life that are hurting your health.  Write your own custom Bach formulation and manifesto for better health.  Fill out the enclosed journal to track your transformation journey.

Why you should make self-healing a priority It may sound completely radical to you, but scientific research has uncovered that simply caring for your body through conventional means such as exercising or eating a nutritious diet – might just be one part of a complex mind-body equation. Indeed, more and more scientific studies are showing that the secret to great health could well start with the mind – a notion that Dr Bach deeply believed in. Taking care of your mind is so critical for your complete wellbeing. Indeed, any beliefs, emotions and feelings you permit to permeate your mind - be it consciously or unconsciously - has been scientifically proven to significantly affect or even alter every living cell in your body.

Feel balanced and in tune once again This self-healing workbook aims to help you in your quest to feel good about yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. We want to impart the healing philosophies of Dr Bach so that you too can activate your self-healing abilities, which only function properly when your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings are in a positive, balanced state. We hope that the resources in this workbook will help you improve your health by equipping you with the critical tools to cultivate more happiness, resilience and inner peace in your life.

Introduction If you are suffering from emotional turmoil, lack a sense of purpose or are keen to learn how you can improve your physical health as well as your mental wellbeing, you have come to the right place. This workbook about Bach Flower Remedies and self-healing is definitely for you if:         



You are frustrated and exhausted. You feel anger or resentment burning inside you. You no longer have any strength to go on. You carry anxieties or fears you keep hidden from the world. You find it hard to let go of the past. You need to stop making the same mistakes repeatedly especially when it comes to relationships. You believe in the mind-body connection and will do anything it takes to heal your mind and inner self in order to attain better health and wellbeing. You are open-minded and are willing to try new ways to make you feel whole and vital. You are highly aware that your body is out of sync with your emotions and soul purpose. Your intuition is telling you that something needs to change and you are finally taking action by listening to your inner voice. You need to reenergise and reignite your passion or zest for life. “It is not the disease that is of importance, it is the patient, the way he or she is affected, which is our true guide to healing.” Dr Edward Bach

CHAPTER ONE: Introducing Bach Flower Remedies – the original flower essence Many of you who might be reading this workbook might have never even heard of Bach Flower Remedies before. Or perhaps, you might have even taken one of Dr Bach’s remedies in the past, but you have never really understood how it works or even know how it is made. In this chapter, we will explore the origins of Bach Flower Remedies and provide a definitive explanation of why and how flower essences work.

Who was Dr Edward Bach? Dr Edward Bach introduced the concept of flower essences to the world in the 1920s, continuing his work right up to his death in 1936. A respected Harley Street consultant and bacteriologist, he turned his back on conventional medicine to become a trailblazer in the realm of alternative healing. Feeling disgruntled with the orthodox approach to treating patients he learnt at medical school, he turned firstly to homeopathy, believing that as its founding father Samuel Hahnemann did that the “patient is the most important factor in his healing”. He cultivated a considerable reputation in this field – the vaccines known as Bach’s seven nosodes that he isolated still play a crucial role in homeopathy today. However, he remained dissatisfied and finally decided to strike out on his own to develop his own unique natural system of healing. Dr Bach began working feverishly on developing and refining this system in the late 1920s, declaring it finished just over a year before he passed away. His seminal work on flower healing is described in full in his booklet The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies.

What are Bach Flower Remedies? Flower essences or remedies can be described as the energy imprint or life force of wild flowers preserved in pure water. Each flower transmits its own unique energy pattern or essence. During the initial stages of his mission to find an alternative method of healing after he abandoned orthodox medicine, Dr Bach discovered that flowers embody positive internal forces to counteract negative emotional states. Flower essences prepared by the Bach method can be used therapeutically to channel that healing force to users. In fact, Bach Flower Remedies are actually a form of energy or vibrational medicine, which includes other types of established complementary therapies, such as homoeopathy, acupuncture, Reiki, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Have you used any of these types of energy medicine before? How did it make you feel?

“Energy medicine is the future of all medicine. We’re beginning now to understand things that we know in our hearts are true but we could never measure. As we get better at understanding how little we know about the body, we begin to realise that the next big frontier in medicine is energy medicine. It’s not the mechanistic part of the joints moving. It’s not the chemistry our our body – its understanding for the first time how energy influences how we feel.” Dr Mehmet Oz, on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 2006 Does Dr Oz’s quote resonate with your beliefs? How have you incorporated energy or vibrational medicine in your life?

Ongoing scientific research supports Dr Bach’s idea that water takes on and maintains the energy imprint of what is placed in it. Dr Masuru Emoto in Japan, and Dr Lee H Lorenzen based at the University of California in Berkeley, took water samples from various sources – pure springs, polluted lakes and even tap water – and froze it. They then examined their resulting snowflake patterns. Interestingly, those from pure sources were symmetrical and beautiful, but those from polluted origins were deformed. Further experiments highlighted that even music and words could radically alter snowflake patterns. Bach flower remedies are often mistaken for essential oils. However, unlike essential oils, flower essences contain no scent or perfume and they are safe to be ingested as they contain no plant or flower matter. They should not also be confused with herbal tinctures. Herbal tinctures are concentrated extracts of different plant parts and are commonly used to treat physical symptoms. As a matter of fact, many modern medicines are synthetic versions of these plant extracts. Flower essences, on the other hand, while they may also stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanism to ease any physical symptoms, are used mainly to address emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. They work gently and have no recorded side effects, but are powerful enough to cause major shifts in emotions and mood. Dr Bach was adamant that no poisonous or exotic flowers and plants were used to create the remedies – he wanted a gentle and subtle system of healing. The effects of taking flower essences can be immediate - change often occurs within a few days, and the longest it will take for you to notice a difference is a couple of weeks.

Sometimes, patients complain of feeling worse before they actually get better. This is a natural part of the healing process when using Bach flower therapy. It is actually a welcome side effect as it shows that the essences are working to detoxify and purge the mind and body of negative emotions.

How are Bach Flower Remedies made? Two methods are used to transmit the internal energy of flowers into spring water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Sun and the Boiling method. In the Sun Method, which is unique to flower therapy, wild flowers that come into bloom during the late spring and summer are picked in the morning and placed in still spring water. They are then left to stand in full sunshine for three hours until the water becomes energised. The flower heads are then discarded, and an equal amount of brandy is added to the potenised or energised water. This solution is then added to brandy or vegetable glycerine (in a 1:5 ratio) to make the actual bottled remedies or essences you see on shelves. This method is used for 20 types of Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flower Remedies. The remaining 18 flower remedies are prepared using the Boiling Method. In this instance, twigs and leaves are collected in the morning and are boiled in spring water before being siphoned into bottles.

How do Bach Flower Remedies work? As mentioned earlier, Bach Flower Remedies are a form of energy medicine, which work subtly to imbue our physical, spiritual and emotional selves with the positive energy of certain types of flowers and plants. Exponents of energy or vibrational medicine believe that the metaphysical or spiritual body of human beings is made up of seven energy centres or chakras, which are interconnected with the physical body through various arteries, veins and nerves. They are the openings for life giving energy to flow into and out of our spiritual selves. Their function is to vitalise the physical body and to bring about the development of our self-awareness, and 15

ultimately, self-actualisation. If they become blocked due to emotional turmoil, stress or conflict, it will eventually cause a physical problem in the area where the chakra usually supplies energy to.

What this actually means is that a disrupted energy flow through a particular chakra weakens the physical part of the body it corresponds to, making it more susceptible to external attacks from allergens, viruses and bacteria etc. For example, a blockage in the throat chakra simply because you are afraid of voicing your opinions could produce chronic tonsillitis. This does not imply that factors such as poor nutrition, genetics or environmental toxins do not cause illness, but often the root of physical problems or ailments starts with deficiencies in the chakra. Together, the seven layers of energy emitted by the chakras meld to form the luminous energy field called an aura. This is perceived by some as a halo of light. The colours and density of a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aura reflects their vitality and state of health. Flower essences are believed to work on your aura, which is linked to your physical body and mind. They operate by first penetrating the aura, where they work on both the emotional (mind) and spiritual level. Then, because your aura and solid body are one, they go on to affect you physically, helping your body to regain its vibrant healthy blueprint. 16

The theory for vibrational medicine can also be explained by quantum physics. Many consider this to be the frontier where science and spirituality meet, and it rationalises why this type of therapy works. Quantum law states that all matter vibrates, each at their individual frequency and rate, and that it is this vibrational frequency that determines the physical form the matter takes. " The action of these remedies is to raise our vibrations and open up our channels for the reception of the Spiritual Self; to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault that is causing the harm.......” Dr Edward Bach Emotional upheaval often causes a lot of disruption to our internal vibrational rates. Logically, the correct level of frequency can be restored by exposing them to the right or healthy rates. Flower essences are a storehouse of positive vibrations and hence they can be used to kickstart the body’s internal self-healing mechanisms to combat specific emotional problems.

Do Bach’s Flower Remedies really work? There have been a number of scientific trials to determine the efficacy of Bach’s flower remedies. Research carried out by the Italian paediatrician Dr S Calzolari, published in 1999 after studying 417 children over three years, concluded that Bach Flower Remedies were highly effective in helping them to deal with emotional difficulties. Another trial, conducted by Drs D’Auria and Pezza, also suggested that flower essences are supportive, especially to control the psychological aspects of pain. 17

Jeffery Cram, a former research and clinical psychologist with the Sierra Health Institute in Nevada City, California, completed a double-blind placebo study of Dr Bach's emergency formula in 1999. Subjects were placed in an induced stress situation - a mental arithmetic exercise. In the test group of 24 subjects, those using the flower remedy were found to have a significantly reduced level of reactivity, as measured by muscular activity (EMG) at spinal locations corresponding to the heart and throat chakras.

How are flower essences and remedies being used today? The effect of flower essences â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be it Bach or other systems - on emotions may be subtle, but they can act powerfully to deal with a whole spectrum of physical ailments. Hospitals and clinics worldwide are just beginning to accept the role flower essences can play alongside conventional medicine in helping patients on their path to recovery. Within the US, both the Texas Cancer Care Center in Fort Worth and the Baylor Medical Center in Dallas have developed cancer support programmes that utilise the American Petit Fleur range to relieve the nausea, anxiety and stress caused by chemotherapy. Swiss medical charity Green Cross used Australian Bush Electro Essence with spirulina extract in Belarus to treat child victims exposed to extreme radiation levels by the tragic Chernobyl disaster. The study, conducted over 2003-04, showed a 43% reduction of radiation levels after a course of only two weeks of Electro essence in comparison with a control group which showed a 3.5% reduction.

CHAPTER TWO: The 38 Bach Flower Remedies In this segment, we will be examining Dr Bach’s 38 single remedies in detail. Study the descriptions and illustrations carefully in order to pick the best combination that matches your current mood, emotional state and personality. You will soon realise that some descriptions actually depict you or someone you know.

The Single and Composite Remedies Dr Bach discovered a total of 38 single flower remedies which he divided into seven groups:       

For fear For uncertainty Insufficient interest in present circumstances Loneliness Oversensitivity to influences and ideas Despondency or despair Overcare for the welfare of others

However, his most infamous creation was the composite remedy he named Rescue Remedy™, which Esoteric Remedies has branded as Emergency Elixir. Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy™ is a great aid to use in an emergency, and it has been used countless times around the world in times of crisis by thousands who can attest to its effectiveness. Indeed, some people rely on it exclusively all the time, although this is a common mistake. There is no underlying risk in taking the composite remedy regularly. However, if you use it all the time, this suggests that you need to use the single remedies to deal with the root cause of your constant crises and outbursts.

It is made up of five flower essences - Clematis, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Impatiens and Cherry Plum (see detailed descriptions). Esoteric Remediesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Emergency Elixir is made using the exact same ingredients. It can be applied on simple wounds and bruises to kickstart the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal self-healing abilities. However, one must always seek medical attention if the injuries are serious. Nonetheless, this remedy will dispel the mental anguish that often accompanies accidents. Alternatively, it can be taken before an important meeting or exam or whenever you need extra comfort or reassurance.

Remedies for Fear CASE HISTORY

Fear can strike anyone at any time. We’ve all felt fear sometime in our lives to varying degrees. It might be something as concrete as the fear of the consequences an illness brings or the fear of losing a job. In the same vein, it can also be fear rooted in the unknown, often described as a distinct feeling of unease, for which there is no logical explanation or reason.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and Bryan had just kissed his wife goodbye, and was off to a job he really enjoyed. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, an intense feeling of dread swept over him; something terrible was about to happen! Aspen is the best remedy to ease his motiveless fear and feelings of dark foreboding.

Dr Bach developed five remedies to deal with fear: Aspen is administered for fears that are vague and which cannot be explained. Mimulus on the other hand, is used in order to quell everyday fears – specifically fears that can be clearly identified and named. Cherry Plum is for individuals who are frightened that their mind is giving way to irrational or destructive thoughts. It is often given to children prone to temper tantrums. Red Chestnut is recommended to those who worry incessantly about the welfare of others. Rock Rose is best used when extreme terror strikes – the type that leaves you quaking and shivering.

Aspen Aspen is the remedy you take if you are suffering from what Dr Bach described as “vague, unknown fears” or fears based on irrational thoughts. These are what modern psychologists term as “free-floating anxieties”, which can vary in intensity from simple worry to outright panic. Often, sufferers complain of a feeling of dread, insomnia, nightmares, sweating, nervous tics and trembling. In extreme cases, the problem becomes a vicious cycle, from which it seems impossible to escape.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Aspen will subdue your baseless feelings of fear, anxiety and apprehension. It will also help you gain more confidence and selfawareness, providing you with a strong foothold in reality.

Dr Bach acknowledged the severity of this state. He once wrote that physical fears “are nothing compared to an unknown mental fear which comes over you like a cloud........” Once you fall into the negative Aspen state, almost every situation becomes a potential pitfall. It seems as though you possess an internal radar or alarm that detects possible dangers, even though there is nothing apparent to be frightened of. In addition, once you’ve surrendered to this type of fear, you will become reluctant to share your problem, since you cannot find any logical reason for your fears, half expecting to be told that it is all in your mind or a figment of your overactive imagination. Naturally, this makes you feel worse. 22

Mimulus Everyone certainly carries some sort of specific worry or fear that they would like to overcome. It could be something as simple as a fear of snakes, or something more severe, like agoraphobia - the fear of open spaces - which cruelly restricts movement and social interaction outside the home. In such instances, Mimulus is the right remedy as opposed to Aspen, which works best to calm fears that easily identifiable. Mimulus helps you to quell your concrete fears and puts your life back on track, so that you can take a step back from what has been haunting you, and see it for what is really is. In other words, it helps you to put your fears into perspective, while instilling confidence and providing much-needed reassurance.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Mimulus will give you the courage to confront and deal with any worries or anxieties, helping you to face the world with renewed confidence. Simultaneously, it will help you to be become more empathetic and understanding of others, particularly those with similar problems or issues.

Cherry Plum Cherry Plum provides a helping hand to those on the verge of losing self-control. It should be taken if you feel as if there’s a real danger that you could harm others or yourself. It is therefore most appropriately administered to those who feel they are close to a mental breakdown. In his booklet The Twelve Healers Dr Bach explained that Cherry Plum should be taken if a person fears “doing fearful and dreaded things, not wished and known wrong, yet there comes the thought and impulse to do them”. When you are in a negative Cherry Plum state, you can feel destructive forces welling up inside you, inciting you to injure yourself and even others. In some instances, this internal battle against your conscience or will can push you into a deep depression, from where there seems no way out. You then start to struggle spiritually and mentally, the fear becoming so intense that you get to a point these potent forces seem to be gaining power over your whole being.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Cherry Plum taps into your inner reserves of peace and tranquillity, letting them bubble to the surface. This helps to reduce the mental anguish that characterises this state. In turn, this will enable you to exert more control over your urges and feelings, and prevent sudden outbursts.

The remedy first works by diffusing the emotional turmoil that occurs. Subsequently, it helps you address all the negative emotions that your fears represent. It will give you the opportunity to acknowledge your feelings, and to help you move on.

Red Chestnut This remedy will help you overcome a very distinct type of fear in which rather than worrying about yourself, you have become preoccupied about the welfare or wellbeing of others. Even though these fears can be perceived as being somewhat altruistic in nature, they should still be confronted. Otherwise, if these fears are left to simmer and grow, they may become a burden not only to you, but also on the people you are projecting your fears and worries onto. Red Chestnut is therefore the ideal remedy for those who are constantly anxious about others, and who do not seem in the least bit concerned about themselves.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Red Chestnut will re-ignite your ability to radiate positive rather than negative thoughts and feelings to the people around you. It will also help you to keep calm when an emergency involving your loved ones strikes, enabling you to cope with the situation mentally and physically.

Such feelings are clearly understandable. It is only natural to feel apprehensive if the children leave home for the first time, or if your partner travels often for business and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost contact. However, it is less natural when these fears get out of hand so that you repeatedly focus on the dark side, thinking that disaster will inevitably befall your nearest and dearest.

Rock Rose At times, fear reaches such a pitch that it incapacitates your mind, rendering you completely incapable of confronting it. By taking Rock Rose, you will reawaken your personal will, so that you can tackle what is terrorising you. Rock Rose is one of the main ingredients in the emergency composite remedy. Indeed, Dr Bach advised taking it “in all cases of urgency or danger”. You might feel that you are being attacked, with no prospect of relief once you are in a negative Rock Rose state. It will seem as if everything that is unfolding before you is going in the opposite direction you want it to. You may have a sick, unnerving feeling in your heart or stomach, which seems impossible to get rid of.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Rock Rose is primarily used for emergencies and it acts quickly to bring relief. It frees you from fears that occur suddenly and unexpectedly when confronted with a terse or scary situation, helping to restore your resolve and courage.

Fortunately, on most occasions, the problems that give rise to Rock Rose fears are only temporary. This is especially true when it comes to people suffering from nightmares, where the advice is to give them sips of the remedy until their fear subsides. Dr Bach also recommended using the remedy if the condition becomes “so serious as to cause intense fear to those around you”.

Remedies for Uncertainty CASE HISTORY

Uncertainty and indecision affects everyone from time to time. Dr Bach himself experienced confusion during his quest for the right flowers for his remedies. Gradually, he discovered six remedies to deal with uncertainty, each with their own distinct properties: Cerato aids in times of doubt, when someone begins to question the validity of their decision and convictions, owing to a lack of self-confidence. Sceleranthus, in contrast, is the remedy for those who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even make their mind up to begin with. Gentian is given to relieve the despondency that occurs after a setback, and when one needs the confidence to try again. If this disappointment is left unchecked, it will eventually turn into deep remorse. Sufferers would then need Gorse.

Janet was feeling down after having failed her driving test for the second time. Her instructor told her she should try again, and that it was probably nerves that was holding her back. On the day of her next driving lesson, Janet cancelled the lesson. It felt like too much work. Gentian is the very first remedy Janet should take to deal with her disappointment. Subsequently, Hornbeam should be given to revive her determination to drive.

Hornbeam helps if the obstacles ahead seem insurmountable. Finally, Wild Oat is administered when you require that extra push to finally take those tentative baby steps to radically transform your life. 27

Cerato If you are a Cerato type, you suffer from the inability to trust yourself, and you constantly seek advice from others even after having made a decision. Over time, you might get on their nerves owing to your demands and incessant questioning. Taking Cerato not only gives you the ability to plan a cause of action, but more significantly, it will enable you to cultivate the self-confidence you sorely lack. It will give you the courage to stand up for your convictions and to put them into action.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Cerato will make you more confident, so that you begin to learn to trust your judgement and intuition, and are able to stand up and justify your own decisions.

Without the remedy, it is highly probable that you will continue to mistrust your judgement. Instead of heeding your intuition, you might begin to rely heavily on external advice to make your mind up for you. Equally, it could mean all the information and knowledge you derive from others might not be put to good use, since if you are deep in the Cerato state, you are also incapable of being guided.

Sceleranthus Dr Bach described Sceleranthus as the best remedy for “those who find it difficult to decide what they want and to make their up their minds about what they would like. They try first one thing, and then another. They feel they want two or three things at the same time, but cannot decide which”. A classic sign of the Sceleranthus personality is the constant changing of minds. Other key characteristic of Sceleranthus people are their rapid mood swings – they might be bright and cheerful one day, and depressed the next. They also have a tendency to jump from one topic to another. Over a long period of time, this indecision could cause people to withdraw into themselves, as they do not want to be perceived as being unable to handle their emotions.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Scleranthus encourages decisiveness, enabling you to wrestle with uncertainty, and to make judgments in a calm and concise manner. As a result of taking it, you should see both your powers of concentration and determination increase, and consequently, you will become mentally more agile and flexible as a result, being able to adapt to situations more quickly.

In addition to helping you make a firm decision, Sceleranthus will also relief you of the physical symptoms associated with indecision. For instance, a temperature that swings wildly up and down, with no obvious pattern or rashes that come and go for no underlying medical reason.

Gentian If you are prone to feelings of doubt and despondency at most obstacles in life, however minor, Gentian is the right remedy for you. Those in the Gentian state often have low morale, as they are assailed by doubts that break their inner reserves down. Other classic signs that denote a need for Gentian include a lack of drive to carry on. Unlike Mustard, the problems triggering the depression stem from a known, rather than unknown, cause. Gentian is normally administered after a setback or a failure occurs. It helps you to see these occurrences for what they really are â&#x20AC;&#x201C; challenges that can be overcome with a little effort. In most cases, the feelings that arise after a setback or disappointment are temporary. However, sometimes things can be compounded by external forces beyond your control, and self-doubt and heavy-heartedness grows so deeply and sharply, you fall into the despair of the Gorse state.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Gentian will help you to Scleranthus encourages remain or become optimistic, decisiveness, enabling you to so that you will not be wrestleinfluenced with uncertainty, adversely by what and make judgments has to occurred in the past.in a calm and concise manner. By enhancing your selfAs a result of taking it,you you confidence, it empowers see both your powers withshould the belief that all concentration and can be obstacles and setbacks determination increase, and conquered, and that ultimately, youinwill becom you consequently, will be successful mentally agile whatever youmore choose to and do. flexible as a result, being able to adapt to situations more quickly.

To prevent this from happening, prompt treatment with Gentian is necessary.

Gorse Bach practitioners often describe Gorse as a state that often occurs if the Gentian emotion is allowed to get out of hand. People in the Gorse state have come to the end of the road in their minds, having given up all hope and convinced themselves that their problems can never be resolved. Although they can be persuaded to try a different path or to undergo another treatment, they are sure that nothing will help them ease or resolve the situation in which they find themselves. According to Dr Bach the Gorse remedy is given to individuals who have lost the drive to pick themselves up to try again. They look, as he put it, as though “they needed more sunshine in their lives to drive away the clouds”.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Gorse restores belief, filling you Gentian will encourages help you to withScleranthus the desire to regain remain or become optimistic decisiveness, enabling emotional fulfilment as wellyou as to so that you will not be innerwrestle peace. with uncertainty, and adversely influencedinbya what to make judgments calm By lifting you outmanner. of has in your the past. and occurred concise gloom, it will give you a new By enhancing your selfresult of taking it, you senseAsofa self-awareness and confidence, it empowers you should see both youryour powers self-respect, sharpening with the belief and that all senseconcentration who you are, and what obstacles and setbacks can determination andb you can accomplishincrease, if you focus conquered, andyou that ultimate consequently, will becom on your goals. you will be successful in mentally more agile and whatever choose to do. flexible asyou a result, being able to adapt to situations more quickly.

Dr Bach’s quote succinctly sums up what Gorse provides. It renews hope and plants the belief that all is not lost. It also dispels the dark cloud of apathy that often looms over sufferers, while unleashing the strength and courage inside. The problems that triggered the despair will not disappear, but you will be in a far better state to cope and to deal with any consequences that might arise.

Hornbeam When you feel tired at the mere thought of how much work you have to do to overcome a problem, this is the right moment to use Hornbeam. Often referred to as the “Monday morning feeling remedy”, Hornbeam essentially gives you the strength – both mentally and physically – to bear any burden life throws at you. When you suffer from this type of fatigue, even routine everyday tasks seems just too much too handle. But when you get down to it, you actually achieve a lot. This remedy will also help you if you believe that some part of your mind or body needs to be strengthened or reinforced before you can fulfil your tasks or obligations.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Hornbeam stimulates the mind, ensuring that you have a calm, cool head on your shoulders. By boosting your confidence and inner strength, it will help you to tackle and master any task that lies ahead, even if at first glance, they seem insurmountable or difficult to handle.

Often, the Hornbeam state is short-lived. But if Hornbeam weariness is allowed to linger, everything you do will become a tiresome duty. Thus, if you are in a negative Hornbeam state, this remedy acts as a tonic, helping you to inject some zest back into your life. Both your personal life and work will become enjoyable and pleasurable again as you regain your energy and enthusiasm.

Wild Oat Wild Oat is the remedy that can be used to help you find your true vocation or purpose in life. Typically, Wild Oat people are blessed with multiple talents, and life is perpetually offering them opportunities to shine, but because they lack the real inner certainty that will allow them to make a final, definitive choice, they are prone to pursuing false trails. Ultimately, when these prove to be unsatisfactory or unfulfilling, they may abandon or tear down everything they have built or invested in. They hope that by starting from a clean slate, they will end up with something much more satisfying. People needing this remedy might also feel that life is passing them by.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Wild Oat will improve your capacity to identify, plan and achieve your aspirations and ambitions. You will get to know yourself better, enabling you to map out a definitive purpose in life.

If you take Wild Oat, you will gradually feel yourself growing clearer and more certain in mind, body and spirit. Little by little, you will be able to envision what you really want and start to act purposefully and intuitively, instead of randomly on impulse. You will be able to recognise your potential as well as your ambitions and not allow yourself to be steered off-course.

Remedies for the Lack of Interest in Present Circumstances We have all probably, at some time in our lives or other, looked back on the past with remorse or regret. Or perhaps, we’ve lets our minds wander, instead of paying full attention to the present. Dr Bach devised seven remedies to help people prone to living in their dreams or in the past to face up to reality. Someone needing Clematis would often appear ‘spaced out’, avoiding problems and unpleasantness by withdrawing into a world of their own. For people who believe that their happiness lies in their past, Dr Bach administered Honeysuckle. Wild Rose is used primarily to help to bring encouragement to those who feel that life has passed them by, and yet they continue to resist change. Olive on the other hand, helps to restore strength to those who have suffered great physical or emotional trauma. White Chestnut will silence repetitive, distracting thoughts, ideas and arguments. If you find yourself suddenly feeling down for no apparent reason, Mustard can help lift the gloom just as quickly as it descended on you. Chestnut Bud helps you learn life’s lessons, so that you are less inclined to repeat them.

CASE HISTORY Susan hates her job. Every lunch time she wanders across the street from her office to the park, where she sits on a bench to daydream. Her mind is filled with wild ideas of fortune and fame. However, she does not do anything to make her dreams a reality. She should take Clematis to draw her back to the present, so that she can devise a concrete plan of action, instead of dreaming her life away.

Clematis Clematis people are often highly artistic, and they thus have a deep need for an outlet for their creativity. They are often perceived as dreamy and ungrounded, their minds filled with vague thoughts of future happiness. Indeed, they spend so much time taking refuge in their dreams that they do not find any real joy in day to day living. Clematis personalities lack interest in the ‘here and now’, which in the extreme, can manifest as sleepiness, absentmindedness and inattention. Others often describe Clematis people as eccentric. The fictional character Walter Mitty is a prime example of a Clematis personality. By taking Clematis, you will be filled with the positive creative energy you are now lacking. Your inner drive and sense of purpose will become more focussed in the present. Clematis, a key ingredient in Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy™, can also help in cases of fainting or dizziness. In such circumstances, the best way to administer the remedy is to place a few drops on the lips of the sufferer.

WHATWHAT THE REMEDY THE REMEDY SHOULD SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Clematis Clematis people people are often are often highly Wild Oat will improve your creative. highly The creative, remedyand encourages show a rea capacity to identify, plan and penchant for the arts. The their innate talents to blossom. achieve your aspirations and remedy encourages their At the same time, it enables you to ambitions. innate talent to blossom. take an interest of what is You will get to know yourself happening At thearound same time, you. It it helps enables you better, enabling you to map to sit you up and to take pay attention an interesttoof what out a definitive purpose in lif situations, is happening so that you around can you. learnIt and grow helpsfrom you them, to sit up instead and pay of attention situations, so that appearing aloofto and self-absorbed. you can learn and grow from Ultimately, you will master your them, instead of appearing own thoughts, instead of being aloof and self-absorbed. controlled by them. You can then you will master enjoyUltimately, life to the full. your own thoughts, instead of being controlled by them. You can then enjoy life to the full.

Honeysuckle Unlike Clematis people who often dream about the future, those in the Honeysuckle state often delve in the past, often reminiscing about happier times. Dr Bach stated that Honeysuckle should be used to “remove the regrets and sorrows of the past, to counteract all influences, all wishes and desires of the past and to bring us back to the present”. People in the Honeysuckle state refuse to see or accept anything new. Another classic giveaway is their tendency to pepper conversations with phrases like “I used to...” and “When I was still....”.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE By taking Honeysuckle, you will start living in the present instead of the past. You will gain the ability to learn from your past experiences, but will no longer cling to them obsessively.

Honeysuckle therefore helps you if you have become obsessively nostalgic. By taking it, you will preserve your links to the past and keep your memories alive, but you will no longer cling to them as a shield against the realities of the present, or the possibilities of the future. In short, your past will no longer hold you prisoner.

Wild Rose If you have resigned yourself to illness, find the work you do unfulfilling, and perceive life as monotonous and flat, Wild Rose can help you. When these feelings are allowed to persist, you will start believing that you will just have to put up with everything life throws at you, rather than taking positive steps to alter it. You find that you have become indifferent and apathetic, taking things as they are instead of making a life for yourself.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Taking Wild Rose will help you regain your joie de vivre or zest for life. It will erase your feelings of indifference and resignation, and your willingness to let things remain as they are.

No one can change your life except you, and by taking Wild Rose, you will start to unravel yourself from your self-imposed apathy. Without it, you will continue to bounce along as you are, taking life as it comes, lacking the drive and ambition to change anything. With the remedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help, your situation can be dramatically transformed. Taking it will suppress your lack of interest and your willingness to accept your lot in life. Your enthusiasm for life will return, and you will enjoy a profound sense of emotional and spiritual freedom as you open up to opportunities and possibilities.

Olive When your emotional and spiritual energy is low and fatigue begins to set in, Olive will help revive them. This remedy is one of the most frequently used of the 38. It is often taken when there is a need to restore balance and tranquillity to a tired, troubled mind and to strengthen an exhausted body.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Taking Olive will enable you to restore your vitality and strength. This makes it easier to cope even with extreme pressures and demands.

Bach practitioners often advise taking Olive to help you recover after a debilitating illness. This remedy can also help when you find yourself so busy that you have little time left for rest and relaxation. If this is your situation, you will become increasingly run down, until you reach a point where you no longer have any inner reserves to draw upon. Olive will help you to regain your strength and energy. You will feel transformed, and more than capable of dealing with the stresses and strains of life.

White Chestnut White Chestnut, another popular remedy, is used to silence agonising and worrying repetitive thoughts. In the negative White Chestnut state, you will feel trapped by your own negative emotions, and you will no longer be able to think rationally or logically. Arguments and dialogue may play in your head constantly, with no chance of any clearcut resolution. Sufferers often fail to hear what is being said to them, even if they are being addressed directly, as their senses are blocked by mental chatter.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE White Chestnut will calm you down, by allowing your mind to take an objective view of situations. It will stop you from being distracted by your thoughts, restore your ability to focus, and enable you to enjoy a renewed peace of mind.

Besides these psychological signs, you may experience physical symptoms too. You may find it difficult to fall and stay asleep at night, or you may wake up early in the morning, plagued by repetitive thoughts. This mental overactivity can lead to depression and fatigue, as well as a dip in concentration. By taking White Chestnut, you will be taking your first steps to restabilising rational patterns of thought. You can then begin to clear your overcluttered mind, creating boundaries and priorities in the process. Eventually, you will reach a point when you will be at peace with yourself and with the world around you.

Mustard If dark moods descend upon you without any prior warning or for no apparent cause â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you are in a negative Mustard state.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE

This phenomenon is not only deeply distressing for you, but it can affect your friends and family as well, who might well start to feel down as well due to the depth of your affliction.

Mustard will help you to find tranquillity, by stabilising your moods and feelings. It will also foster an inner calm that cannot be broken easily.

Sufferers from Mustard depression can be driven to the brink of utmost despair, unable to think or do anything to diminish their anguish. Everything seems hopeless, and simply not worth bothering about. Life becomes intolerable and you might not even have the ability to wear a false mask of cheeriness, covering things up as you might in an Agrimony state. You may feel completely cut off from the world, and feel very alone in your sufferings, with no light at the end of the tunnel in sight. Unlike other states such as Gentian and Gorse which can often be traced to a specific incident or situation, the Mustard state always strikes out of the blue. The Mustard remedy starts to help by dispelling the gloom suffocating you. In the long term, it will help you to develop inner stability and tranquillity. 40

Chestnut Bud The Chestnut Bud remedy will aid you, if you find it hard to learn from experience or your past mistakes, especially when it comes to relationships. This complete failure to learn from the past may derive from a real unconscious lack of insight. The remedy gives you the ability to absorb the consequences of your actions more clearly, so that you can grow from them. Chestnut Bud is extremely useful when we find ourselves in situations when our progress is halted, when there is a need to process a situation and to evolve from them to make the most of our lives.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Chestnut Bud will empower you with the ability to analyse and learn from past events, actions and behaviours. It will help you take a step back and assess things from a different angle, as well as to view your experiences and those of others impartially.

Remedies for Loneliness CASE HISTORY

Dr Bach developed and integrated three distinct definitions of loneliness into his system of healing.

David has the flu. He wraps himself in layers of clothing, ingests various vitamins and flu medicines before getting on the phone to tell friends and family how awful he feels. Heather should be given to halt the self-centeredness.

Water Violet people are quite happy to be left alone. They are solitary, self-reliant creatures, often appearing aloof, proud and distant. They would most certainly never dream of bombarding others with their problems. People with an Impatiens nature also tend to be loners. Although highly capable and quick-witted, they can come across as being impatient and irritable with others, since they are not very good at empathising. Heather people in contrast, as Dr Bach explained are â&#x20AC;&#x153;always seeking companionship of anyone who may be available, as they find it necessary to discuss their affairs with others, no matter whom it may be.....â&#x20AC;?. They need to be constantly surrounded by others to feel good about themselves. People in a negative Heather state will talk about themselves for hours, but they hardly listen to what others say. 42

Water Violet Would you describe yourself as aloof and reserved with a tendency to withdraw into yourself? If you have answered yes to all three, then you are definitely a Water Violet person. Water Violet individuals are, as outlined by Dr Bach, â&#x20AC;&#x153;tranquil, sympathetic, wise, practical counsellors, who have poise and dignity and pass gracefully through lifeâ&#x20AC;?. They tend to keep to themselves, and even though they are often willing to dispense advice, they try not to influence others. In the negative Water Violet state, it is all too easy for you to withdraw from social situations as you prefer your own company. Others may then perceive you as remote and unapproachable. Consequently, many will find it difficult to build relationships with you. Despite your selfsufficiency, you might begin to feel lonely should the state persist.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Water Violet will help you to feel Chestnut Bud will empower y comfortable with yourself. with the ability to analyse an It will help to past openevents, up to actio learnyou from others,and so that they see your true behaviours. nature as an independentIt will help youand takecalm a step ba minded, unflappable and assess things from a diffe individual. angle, as well as to view your experiences and those of oth impartially.

The Water Violet remedy give you the courage to tear down the barriers you have built around you, enabling you to relate better to others and for others to get to know you better.

Impatiens Impatiens is a mood remedy, and one of the five flowers used in Dr Bach’s composite Rescue Remedy™. It should be used, as instructed by Dr Bach, “at all times when there is impatience”. People in the negative Impatiens state are relatively easy to spot. First and foremost, they tend to be quite extroverted, and are often loud and brusque. If they do not reveal themselves verbally, they will frequently do so through their body language – shaking their legs, drumming their fingers nervously, or constantly looking at their watch - especially when someone else is talking to them.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Impatiens will help you retain your flexible and fast-thinking mind, but the remedy will make you more sensitive so that you become more tactful. You will also develop patience and the ability to understand the opinions and needs of others.

Generally, Impatiens people are quick to jump to conclusions and tend to react to situations impulsively. Moreover, they risk pushing themselves too hard. When this occurs, they can exhaust themselves mentally and physically if they do not take time out to rest and relax. The remedy is a great calmer, and makes you more patient and tolerant, particularly when it comes to dealing with others. It will also help you slow down, rather than to expect everything to happen instantly.

Heather Have you ever been cornered by at a party by someone who insists on talking about himself, and does not seem to have listened to a single word you said? Then you have definitely encountered someone deep in the negative Heather state. Heather people always come across as being self-obsessed. They seem to believe that the whole world revolves around themselves and their personal problems. Indeed, they can go on talking about their troubles for hours and hours without pausing for breath. At the extreme, even strangers can become the target of their whinging.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Heather will stop you from chatting incessantly about yourself. Instead, you will regain the ability to take a real interest in others and what is going on in the world around you. You will also become less afraid of being alone.

All too often, Heather people eventually find themselves being left deliberately alone, as word has spread that they are a complete bore or chatterbox, making others go all out to avoid them. Essentially, Heather personalities need to learn to give as well as take. The remedy will help improve your listening skills and help you empathise with others, by removing the selfabsorption that has come to characterise you.

Remedies for Oversensitivity When Dr Bach coined the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;oversensitivityâ&#x20AC;? he was referring to individuals who have the tendency to be hypersensitive to external influences and ideas.

CASE HISTORY

He discovered four separate remedies to alleviate the varying aspects of the problem.

She always had a cheerful smile for everyone, and seemed carefree.

Agrimony is recommended if you are enduring intense emotional suffering, but are putting on a brave front. Conversely, if you are being overwhelmed by negative feelings and thoughts about other people that are so severe that they start to manifest as jealousy, anger, hate, suspicion and a desire for revenge, the Holly remedy will help to dispel such malevolent emotions. Centaury should be taken by those who find it difficult or even impossible to stand up for themselves. It is a state of meekness and submissiveness which in the extreme, can lead to losing your sense of identity. Finally, Walnut will help you get back on track if you are susceptible to outside influences. It also makes coming to terms with change and its associated consequences easier. It is used, for instance, when switching careers, or if you are facing a major life milestone, like the birth of a new child.

Alicia did not like to burden anyone else with her problems.

However, one day, she had a nervous breakdown, as she found it harder and harder to contain her emotional turmoil within. She later revealed to a close friend that she and her husband were on the verge of a divorce due to his adultery. She was then given Agrimony to help her though her emotional upheaval, so she could deal with the acrimonious divorce proceedings in a calm manner and communicate more freely with family and friends to ask for support.

Agrimony People in need of Agrimony often have two faces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one public and the other private. Behind closed doors, they are troubled and tortured by fears and anxieties, which they try not only to conceal from others and even themselves. Their problems are often rooted in illness, relationships, finance and difficulties at work. In a negative Agrimony state, although you appear carefree, underneath you are finding it increasingly difficult to cope and are suffering immensely in secret. Your torment is strangling you emotionally and spiritually. However, rather than confronting these troubles head on, you rather bury your head in the sand.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Agrimony helps you to find an inner calm within yourself, which will in turn, improve your ability to deal with problems more effectively. You will no longer hide or run away from them. It will also help you communicate more openly with others, so that you can ask for comfort and support.

Ironically, as your negative feelings intensify, you will take more steps to keep up outward appearances. Indeed, even in the most hurtful situations, you will use humour to deflect your unhappiness. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a danger here that you might begin to take your problems too lightly, and will be tempted not to take any action to resolve them. On top of this, you have to keep yourself busy to stop yourself from thinking. Taking the Agrimony remedy will help you come to terms with your negative feelings, and you will gain the inner strength to finally confront them.

Centaury Even though they might be highly capable, Centaury people sometimes fail to reach their full potential. This is because of their meekness, docility and their innate need to please others, which makes them ripe for domination. So rather than building their own destiny, they are constantly manipulated or steered by stronger personalities on paths that might not be right for them. The physical consequence of being in a negative Centaury state is that you might start to feel extremely fatigued, having done too much in a desire to be as helpful as possible. Simultaneously, because of your inability to stand up for yourself and your best interests, you are probably dissatisfied with your own life. Indeed, you might be on the wrong path altogether, since you find it almost impossible to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE Centaury will help you assert yourself when you need to and to know when to give in to others and when not to. It will give you the will and clarity to set priorities and boundaries, helping you to preserve your individuality. You will come to realise that it is you and you alone who are responsible for what happens in your life.

This remedy will give you the strength to draw boundaries and to assert your needs and your individuality. You will soon realise that it is possible to combine living your own life with being helpful to others, rather than devoting all your energies to them. 48

Walnut Walnut is the remedy as Dr Bach explains â&#x20AC;&#x153;for those who have decided to take a great step forward in life, to break old conventions, to leave old limits and restrictions, and start on a new wayâ&#x20AC;?. It is often administered during periods of major life changes such as moving house, retirement or losing a partner. By helping you to take a step back from factors like outside influences and past preconceptions, the Walnut remedy will help you approach change positively. In short, it will help you if you find it difficult to break from the past. It can also be taken when you face harsh criticism from others, which causes your faith in your beliefs and convictions to waver.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE When you experience major changes to your circumstances or lifestyle, or there is a change of environment, Walnut will encourage you to stick with your decisions once they are made, and to stand up for yourself once you have made a decision. It will boost your confidence in yourself, easing the time spent in the transition phase.

Holly Bach practitioners around the world consider Holly to be the most important of all Dr Bach’s remedies since it is the antidote for hatred. Holly, as Dr Bach described “protects us from everything that is not Universal love. Holly opens up the heart and unites us with Divine Love”. The remedy counteracts negative feelings towards others – anger, hate, envy, resentment, desire for revenge and other imagined wrongs. In the negative Holly state, these feelings emerge as spiteful, nasty or even violent behaviour towards others. By taking the Holly remedy, such emotions will dissipate quickly, opening up your heart to show love for others instead.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Holly gifts you with the ability to Agrimony helps you to find an be generous and to express your inner calm within yourself, whic love for others. will in turn, improve your ability It helps youwith to rise above more your to deal problems negative emotions of anger, effectively. You will no longer hatred jealously. hideand or run away from them.

It will also help you communica more openly with others, so tha you can ask for comfort and support.

Remedies for Despondency & Despair This is the biggest of the seven classification groups of emotional states developed by Dr Bach. It contains eight remedies in all, and this group is considered to be the foundation of his holistic healing system. Larch is the remedy to take if you lack confidence in yourself and your abilities. Pine is required if you blame yourself for everything that goes wrong, regardless of whether it was your fault or not. Elm is administered to high achievers who suddenly feel that they can no longer cope with the demands placed on them. Feeling completely overwhelmed by your responsibilities, your self-confidence begins to plummet. Sweet Chestnut is for times when you fall into utter despair. Take it when you are so aggrieved and heartbroken, you see no way out of the darkness. Star Of Bethlehem is the remedy for shock and its after-effects. Willow on the other hand, will help if you are wallowing in self-pity. In contrast, Oak people are highly positive individuals, but sometimes they push themselves so hard that they burn out. In which case, the remedy helps them to recharge their batteries. Crab Apple is also called the “cleansing remedy”. Dr Bach stated that the remedy “helps us to get rid of anything we do not like either in our minds or bodies.”

CASE HISTORY Belinda feels that she can no longer deal with the demands of her business. Normally, she faces challenges head on, but is now starting to feel weary and she is struggling, as her list of ‘to dos’ increases. Despite being on the verge of a burn out, she pushes on, juggling all the things she has to do as she does not want to let her customers down. At the same time, she lost confidence in her own capabilities, and begins to doubt herself. Elm is recommended for Belinda to see her problems in perspective, and to help her get back on track.

Larch Once you are deep in a negative Larch state, you will see yourself as a complete failure. Self-doubt sets in, and you appear completely insecure and lacking in confidence. Simultaneously, you have convinced yourself that there is a long list of things you cannot handle, and your answer to problems is to simply avoid confronting or doing anything about them. Sometimes, this lack of selfconfidence is rooted in childhood.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Larch will boost your confidence Holly gifts you with the ability in yourself as well as your be generous and to express y capabilities, giving you the ability love for others. to overcome failure and to celebrate success. It helps you to rise above you negative emotions of anger, It will also ignite your desire to try hatred and jealously. new things, or tasks that you are normally uncomfortable with.

The negative Larch state might appear repeatedly throughout your life, often when you are under stress. That is why Bach practitioners recommend it for suppressing pre-examination jitters as well as supporting individuals undergoing a job interview. Rather than expecting failure, the remedy will transform your outlook, helping you to recognise the opportunities that lie before you. It also removes the fear of failure by boosting your selfconfidence, which in turn imbues you with the ability to take the initiative to resolve problems, instead of standing on the sidelines as events unfold. Consequently, you will be able to get more out of life, learning how to grasp opportunities and to learn from them, instead of letting them pass you by. 52

Pine Pine people are continuously beset by guilt and remorse. They blame themselves for anything and everything, even for situations beyond their control. They often say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sorryâ&#x20AC;?, even if they have done nothing wrong. They apologise immediately when anything goes wrong, even if the fault lies elsewhere. When you are in this sort of emotional black hole you are probably never really satisfied with what you achieve. Nor are you getting any pleasure in life, as you are bogged down by guilt, forever playing the willing martyr.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Pine will help you to realise that Holly gifts you with the ability you should only apologise for be generous and to express y mistakes that you are truly love for others. responsible for.

It helps you to rise above you It relieves you of unwarranted negative emotions of anger, guilt, so that you can feel more hatred and jealously. satisfied and at ease with yourself and your actions.

What you are doing is unconsciously undermining your self-esteem, undervaluing yourself so much so that you fail to acknowledge or celebrate your achievements. With the help of the Pine Remedy, things will change for the better. It opens your eyes to the fact that there are natural limits to blame and responsibility. Though you will still be able to acknowledge mistakes, it will now only be ones you are truly responsible for. You will no longer fashion a rod for your own back, and you will be able to communicate more openly with others, as you no longer have guilt or regret gnawing at you.

Elm People with Elm personalities are usually high achievers. They are often perceived to be capable and efficient. Almost invariably, they are responsible for others who are wholly dependent on them. However, problems start to arise when they take on too many commitments, tasks or responsibilities. These pile up to such a degree that they start to buckle under the strain. This crisis escalates to a point when Elm people feel they can no longer satisfy all demands made on them, including those that are self-imposed. They are pulled in all directions, and may lapse into a state of dejection or despondency.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVEWHAT THE REMEDY SHOUL ACHIEVE Elm will ACHIEVE relight your selfHolly gifts you with the ability confidence and give youconfidence the Larch will boost be generous and to express y ability toyourself assess problems and your capabiliti love for others. objectively andyou rationally. giving the ability to ove

It helps you totorise above you celebrate suc You will failure now beand able to carry your negative emotions of anger, tasks and calmly It responsibilities will also ignite your desire hatred and jealously. without new flinching from them,that as yo things, or tasks you are normally sure that uncomfortable there is always wi someone willing to lend a helping hand if needed. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to carry your burdens alone.

Taking the remedy will help to boost your flagging spirit, renew your confidence, and ultimately, help you to carry on. It counters the perception that you have taken on more than you can chew. You will rapidly recover your inner strength to keep going as well as your self-belief, both of which are integral to your success.

Sweet Chestnut Dr Bach wrote in The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies that Sweet Chestnut is for â&#x20AC;&#x153;the appalling mental despair when it seems the very soul itself is suffering self-destruction. It is the hopeless despair of those who feel they have reached the limit of their enduranceâ&#x20AC;?. In the negative Sweet Chestnut state, you will have reached a point where you have become so battle weary that you simply cannot take any more. Even the people closest to you cannot help; there is simply no way out of the doom and gloom. In extremes, you may even begin to think that you will eventually go insane, or suffer a major mental breakdown.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Sweet Chestnut helps when your Holly gifts you with the ability whole world has turned black, be generous and to express y and when you feel there is no love for others. way out of your predicament.

It helps you to rise above you It ignites a belief that you will find negative emotions of anger, light at the end of the tunnel, and hatred and jealously. your faith in hope in yourself and the world will be restored.

The remedy will help you to overcome your feelings of despair and wretchedness. It will also give you renewed hope, that despite how anguished you are feeling now, this will soon pass, and that better times lie ahead.

Star of Bethlehem Star of Bethlehem is one of the five remedies in Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy™ formula. Its primary function is to neutralise shock, and its subsequent reverberations through the physical, emotional and spiritual domains. Described by Dr Bach as the “comforter and soother of all pain and sorrows,” it is the remedy of first choice to aid you in traumatic moments, such as when you are confronted with bad news or bereavement.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Star of Bethlehem helps to Holly gifts you with the ability alleviate the trauma of shock – be generous and to express y either sudden or delayed – that love for others. could have short or long-term consequences on your physical It helps you to rise above you and emotional self. negative emotions of anger, hatred and jealously. It helps you to get back on your feet in times of great distress.

Star of Bethlehem is can also be used to help you vent your feelings and frustrations that you’ve bottled up for extended periods of time. It releases all these pent-up emotions, reliving any pressure, and helping to kickstart the healing process. Sometimes, the effects of shock do not show immediately. Instead, they are repressed, and do not manifest for weeks, months and even years after the original incident has long been forgotten. In such instances, the shock may appear as physical or emotional ailments with no obvious cause.

Willow People in the negative Willow state are full of self-pity. They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see any good in anything, but one thing they are unreservedly sure of is the fact that nothing is their fault. Whatever the situation, they are sure to be the first to put a damper on things, and they thus become labelled as the proverbial wet blanket. Once you are in this state, you will feel victimised, unjustly treated by life and filled with resentment. Moody, morose and touchy, you resent others good fortune and intentions, and although you expect a lot from the people around you, you are not prepared to give anything back.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Taking Willow will help you feel Holly gifts you with the ability less bitter about your lot in life. be generous and to express y Instead, you find yourself love forwill others. becoming more optimistic, with It helps you to rise above you much to appreciate in your life. negative emotions of anger, hatred and jealously.

You are branded as ungrateful and selfish, for though you might readily accept help and advice, you rarely express any gratitude. In the long run, your behaviour will alienate others. Isolation only makes matters worse, since it causes you to be more resentful, and you withdraw into your shell more and more. The Willow remedy will help you to realise that it is only you and you alone who are responsible for the state of mind you are in. You will then find it possible to be generous to other people, rather than resenting them for their efforts. 57

Oak Oak people are strong in body, mind and spirit. They are bold fighters who never give up hope whatever the depth of the problems. They are reliable, patient and highly dependable. When things get too much, and all their energy reserves are drawn, they prefer to struggle along quietly. Indeed, they will try to hide the fact that they are feeling tired from those around them, because they will not let anything disrupt them from their goals. However, if the pressures continue to mount unabated, they might begin to crack under the strain, despite their immense willpower and devotion to duty.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Oak will renew your strength to Holly gifts you with the ability overcome all of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obstacles. be generous and to express y You will befor able to set boundaries love others. to your efforts, and allow yourself It helps you to rise above you time to rest and recover, avoiding negative emotions of anger, complete burn out. hatred and jealously.

If you are veering close to this point, you need to take immediate action. There comes a definite point when it is counterproductive to keep soldiering on, given that it causes intense physical and mental anguish. You are suffering within yourself, and if left unchecked, this will only worsen considerably over time. This is when the Oak remedy can help. It will allow you to become more flexible in your approach. As well as helping you to recover your lost vitality, it will rekindle your zest for life. You will become aware of the fact that there are limits to your endurance, and that you must do what you can to unwind. 58

Crab Apple Recognised by Bach practitioners as the “cleansing remedy”, Crab Apple should be taken if you feel physically contaminated for instance from illness, pollution or from simply touching something dirty. This self-hate or self-loathing can also be triggered by your own bad habits such as smoking, which despite all your efforts, you find impossible to break. It is also administered to those who possess negative behavioural patterns - such as being deliberately rude and unkind to others.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Crab Apple works by encouraging you with the you toHolly love gifts and appreciate allability be generous and–tobeexpress y your positive qualities it love others. – rather physical orfor emotional than becoming obsessed with you It helps you to rise above negative ones. emotions of anger, negative and It will hatred help you to jealously. balance the internal battle or disharmony poisoning your mind.

Crab Apple helps you to regain control of our thoughts, giving you the wisdom to see things from a wider perspective, rather than dwelling on the details. It can be taken as drops as you do normally as with all Bach remedies. Alternatively, you could put a few drops into a lotion and apply it to your skin, if there are physical symptoms. You could also try to add around six to seven drops to a bath.

Remedies for Overanxiety for Othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Welfare This final group of emotional states identified by Dr Bach contains five remedies, all of which deal with various forms of egocentric or selfish behaviours. Chicory is the remedy you need if you have the tendency to be overpossessive. People in this negative state tend to be deeply selfish, and are determined to have their own way. They are not afraid to play the martyr; even shedding tears if they feel others do not show sufficient gratitude for their efforts. Vervain people hold strong opinions and they like to impose their views on others. Vine people are strong-willed, domineering and ambitious individuals, who often like to take charge. In their haste to reach their goals, they often end up offending other people. They also think they are right all the time. Beech people are highly critical and they are quick to condemn anything they do not accept or understand. Their intolerance of others makes them irritable. Finally, there is the Rockwater type. Generally, they do not try to meddle in the lives of others. But, they often impose high ideals upon themselves. In fact, they can be their own harshest critics, as they try to live up to the high standards they have set for themselves.

CASE HISTORY Heathcliff runs a successful small business, and sees himself as a tough boss and a ruthless businessman.

He knows his own mind and expects others to accede to him and his actions. Anyone who does not follow his instructions to the latter will soon find themselves out of a job. Vine should be given to help Heathcliff learn to lead without bullying.

Chicory On the surface, Chicory people may seem caring and self-sacrificial, since they devote a large proportion of their time and energy worrying about others. In reality, they are overpossessive, constantly trying to interfere in the lives of those closest to them. At their most extreme, they are emotional leeches, manipulating others subtly to do their bidding. Chicory devotion is driven by selfconcern, rather than a genuine care for others. Their conversations are often peppered with words such as “duty” and “filial piety”. However, what they are really implying that a debt has to be repaid to them no matter what the personal cost. They expect constant gratitude and praise, and if this is not forthcoming, they become full of remorse and self-pity and may even become tearful in response to what they perceive as a lack of appreciation. If you come under the influence of a Chicory person, you will feel emotionally drained, due to the demands they will make on you. You will find it hard to break free from their grasp, as they will probably try emotional blackmail to keep you under their thumb.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Put an end to your selfish desires Holly gifts you with the ability by taking Chicory. be generous and to express y Instead, be able to loveyou for will others. express love and devotion freely It helps you to rise above you without expecting anything in negative emotions of anger, return. hatred and jealously. Consequently, you will feel more secure and happier in yourself.

The Chicory Remedy helps to transform selfishness into selflessness. Those who take it will learn how to give their love freely without expecting any payback. As a result, they will feel far happier.

Vervain As Dr Bach noted, Vervain people are often full of “big ideals and ambitions for the good of humanity”. They can also be described as energetic perfectionists, and they like to speak up against perceived injustices. Although such enthusiasm can be infectious, when carried to extremes, instead of using gentle persuasion to try to get others to see your way, you run the risk of becoming dogmatic, unable to see beyond your particular point of view. Getting things done the way exactly the way you prescribe can become tiring if you become more and more obsessive about it. Your stress levels will escalate and you are in danger of becoming a workaholic or fanatic, unable to accept alternative arguments or opinions. When things do not turn out as you expected, you may well blow up into an explosive rage that is often directed at the people around you.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Vervain increases the flexibility of Holly gifts you with the ability the mind, enabling you to see be generous and to express y problems or situations from the love for others. perspective of others.

It helps you to rise above you You will find yourself taking negative emotions of anger, others’ views into account, hatred and jealously. instead of simply arguing your own. It will help you to draw boundaries to the effort you are making to achieve your idealistic goals.

The remedy will help you set limits to your efforts, allowing you the opportunity to recharge while opening up your mind to ideas and viewpoints expressed by other people.

Vine Vine people are natural born leaders. They are highly capable and strong, and often possess tremendous willpower. However, in the negative Vine state, they believe themselves to be infallible, sure that whatever they decide on, that is the right course of action. In their eyes, they cannot do any wrong. So, instead of trying to justify their beliefs, they simply force it upon others, disregarding alternative viewpoints and opinions. Herein lies the seeds for dictatorship.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Vine will help you to leverage Holly gifts you with the ability your innate wisdom and natural be generous and to express y leadership qualities to inspire and love for others. lead through example and persuasion instead brute force. It helps you toofrise above you negative emotions of anger, hatred and jealously.

People in this emotional state never suffer from uncertainty or doubt. They firmly believe that they are sincerely helping others or doing them a favour, when in reality, they are being tyrannical and unsympathetic. They will not compromise, so everyone is forced to follow their orders. Naturally, they prefer people who accede quietly to their requests. If things are not done to their wishes or if they sense opposition, they will resort to bullying. Centaury people, who are submissive in nature, tend to be Vine victims. Taking the remedy will help Vine people use their powers of leadership wisely. You will no longer feel the need to dictate and dominate, and you will have a newfound respect for the wishes and rights of others. 63

Beech A Beech person often has high ethical and moral standards, as well as a well developed sense of right and wrong. When you fall into a negative Beech state, you become so convinced of your own integrity, that instead of respecting the right of others to have their own views and opinions, you become intolerant of them. They, as outlined by Dr Bach, “need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them”. Subsequently, your first instant reaction is to criticise. Rather than looking at things in a positive light, you take a negative, judgemental view and are constantly on the lookout for others’ shortcomings. As a result, you come across as close-minded and arrogant, and seem completely incapable of putting yourself in other people’s shoes.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Beech encourages you to see the Holly gifts you with the ability good in others. It heightens your be generous and to express y tolerance and understanding of love for others. others.

It helps you to rise above you It will open your heart and mind negative emotions of anger, to listen to other views and hatred and jealously. opinions. Subsequently, you will be able to offer more constructive advice, instead of spending your time constantly criticising others for their supposed faults and shortcomings.

The remedy will help you, as Dr Bach explained to become “more tolerant, lenient and understanding of the different ways each individual and all things are working to their final perfection”. You will come to embrace diversity, and become more empathetic.

Rockwater Rockwater is the odd one out among all the Bach remedies since it is not derived from a plant. Instead, it comes from fresh, unpolluted springs or wells. This remedy can help you if you find yourself chained by your rather puritanical approach to life. You find it impossible to compromise and you are often hard on yourself, as you strive to meet your high ideals and standards. As part of this quest for perfection, you will deny yourself leisure and pleasure.

WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD ACHIEVE ACHIEVE Rockwater helps you to break Holly gifts you with the ability free from your rigid beliefs. be generous and to express y It gives you opportunity to love forthe others. enjoy life and its experiences It helps you to rise above you while still upholding your original negative emotions of anger, high ideals. hatred and jealously.

In this negative state, you are liable to think that all the demands that you make on yourself, which might become more and more exaggerated over time, will lead to self-enlightenment, and eventual self-perfection. In reality, the pressure you are piling upon yourself is actually causing you emotional pain. You feel unhappy, stressed and full of self-reproach. The Rockwater remedy will help you to realise that no one is perfect. It will give you the onus to start reassessing the way you live your life.

How to Take the Remedies There are many ways to take Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flower essences. Traditionally, the remedies are taken orally. For daily use, simply add about two drops to water for the single remedies and four drops if taking the composite remedy, and sip at intervals. However, the drops can also be taken directly on the tongue if desired. Deep-seated or chronic problems which have been persisted for a long time require a different approach. Add two drops per remedy to a 30ml dropper bottle, top up with spring or mineral water and take four drops at least four times a day. Alternatively, you may apply the remedies externally on the lips, soles of feet and temples. It is just as effective, and works extremely well on babies and young children. Some practitioners also recommend applying the single remedies to specific accupuncture points for enhanced diffusion of the floral energies into the aura. In this instance, simply put two to four drops per remedy into a 120ml glass of water and dip a cotton ball or swab in it. Rub the ball or swab in a large circular motion over the specific acupuncture points correlated to each single remedy (illustrated on page 68-70), before resting for 20 to 45 minutes. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry if you are unsure where the precise location of the site is. Covering a large area around the indicated points will ensure the correct application; the flower essences and its related acupoint are in vibrational resonance with each other and will be drawn to each other naturally. When you apply the flower essence to your body, remember that the acupuncture points are paired on the left and right sides of your body. Apply 66

the flower essence to both accupoints on the left and right to ensure a balanced treatment. You can also create a remedy bath by adding six to seven drops of the required flower essences each to a warm bath. This is akin to steeping yourself in liquid energy. Relax, and soak for30 minutes, by which time you would have absorbed all the positive energies transmitted by the remedies.

Acupuncture Points for Bach Flower Remedies Water Violet Crab Apple

Vine

Hornbeam

Walnut

Vervain Cherry Plum

Larch

Wild Rose

Pine Chestnut Bud

Gentian Mimulus

Mustard Star of Bethlehem

Scleranthus Gorse

Elm

Rose Honeysuckle Heather Olive Wild Oat Sweet Chestnut

Red Chestnut

Chicory Rock Rose

Rock Water

Aspen White Chestnut

Impatiens Clematis Centaury

Beech

Cerato

Holly

Agrimony

Oak

Willow

Bach Flower Remedies and Essential Oils Bach flower remedies work extremely well with essential oils, and they can be combined to create a soothing treatment that will support you immensely during the recovery process by bolstering positive vibrations, emotions and thoughts. The chart below provides an overview of essential oils that complement specific Bach remedies. Bach Flower Remedies Agrimony Aspen Beech Centaury Cerato Cherry Plum Chestnut Bud Chicory Clematis Crab Apple Elm Gentian Gorse Heather Holly Honeysuckle Hornbeam Impatiens Larch Mimulus Mustard Oak Olive Pine Red Chestnut Rock Rose Rockwater

Essential Oils Fennel/Neroli Melissa/Rose/Vetiver Grapefruit/Peppermint Black Pepper/ Pine/Melissa/Thyme Bergamot/Clary Sage/Orange Lavender/Rose Clary Sage/Juniper Marjoram/Palmarosa Peppermint Frankincense/Lemon/Vetiver Orange Cedarwood/Ginger Juniper/Thyme Marjoram Jasmine Frankincense/Myrrh Ginger/Juniper Bergamot/Lavender/Peppermint Laurel/Rosemary German Chamomile Lemon/Thyme Clary Sage/Geranium/Vetiver Geranium/Jasmine/Sandalwood Pine Chamomile/Marjoram/Palmarosa Sandalwood/Lavender Eucalyptus/Vetiver

Bach Flower Remedies Sceleranthus Star of Bethlehem Sweet Chestnut Vervain Vine Walnut Water Violet White Chestnut Wild Oat Wild Rose Willow

Essential Oils Bergamot/Clary Sage/Orange Lavender/Frankincense Jasmine/Neroli Sandalwood/Vetiver Lavender Benzoin/Cedarwood/Cypress/Juniper Geranium/Juniper Clary Sage/Lemon Cypress Cardamom/Ginger Bergamot/Yarrow

To make up a treatment, mix two drops of Bach flower remedies with up to 10 drops in total of the recommended essential oils to a carrier such as almond oil and massage directly into the skin. Alternatively, add six to seven drops of flower remedies to a bath, alongside up six drops in total of the related essential oils (i.e if three oils are recommended, use two drops of each), and soak in for at least 30 minutes to absorb the full therapeutic effects of these natural remedies. Grapefruit, Lemon, Thyme, Peppermint and Eucalyptus oils should be used with caution by those with sensitive skin. If you are pregnant, please avoid using Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Fennel, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary and Thyme oils.

Health Secrets Dr Bach Would Like to Share with You #1 Preconceptions and beliefs can alter the state of your health Dr Edward Bach was a proponent of the mind-body connection. He firmly believed that “when peace and harmony return to the mind, health and strength will return to the body”. The body is equipped with innate self-healing capabilities that have the power to transform your health. Scientists are now seeing and recording hard evidence that a positive belief, coupled with nurturing care, causes real, physiological changes to the body. Negative beliefs are just as powerful, influencing your conscious and subconscious mind in ways that impede your body’s self-healing mechanisms. Consequently, it is vital to ensure that you remain positive even in the most trying of circumstances. Dr Bach’s flower essences can help to bring clarity and light in times of doom and gloom, when you are assaulted by inescapable, negative emotions that are impacting your overall health and wellbeing. The essences will imbue you with the strength and optimism to carry on, by putting you into a positive mental state to cope with problems and challenges.

#2 You know yourself best You have to listen to your inner voice to create a new roadmap to total wellbeing. Dr Bach listened intently to his, and used his instincts to create his holistic healing system of flower remedies as we know them today. What is your mind and body telling you about your health? What emotional roadblocks are having an impact on my life? What must I do today to improve my health? 73

Be completely honest with yourself; write down your present feelings and emotions and try to pin them down. Use the questionnaires in the workbook - this will make it easier to pinpoint which Bach remedies will work best on you to help you on your transformation journey.

#3 You are not just a product of your genes You can’t change your DNA – but you can change how it behaves. Scientists now believe that external factors – such as the environment, nutrition and even past traumas, thoughts and beliefs – can alter the way DNA is expressed. Numerous scientific studies now highlight how feelings, notions and thoughts trigger stress or relaxation responses that could either harm or heal the body. Unfortunately, not all of us are programmed to think positively when it comes to our health. Instead, from an early age, we are bombarded with subconscious or conscious messages that sabotage our efforts to attain optimal health and happiness. Beliefs such as “diabetes runs in the family”; and “everyone in my family gets cancer” cause the mind to release stress responses via hormones such as cortisol that may well make these negative notions come true. Dr Bach was determined to distance himself from the medical profession who often assailed or programmed their patients with negative thoughts such as “incurable” and “chronic” – which did little to help them reclaim their failing health. He believed that genes play a part in determining someone’s state of health, but they are not the whole story. It is therefore vital to keep yourself in a prime state of emotional health. Bach flower remedies can be utilised to keep your emotions in balance, so

that the stress response is reduced, and this in turn, will help you reclaim and maintain your overall health in the long term.

#4 Quality relationships are essential for good health As spiritual beings, we crave connections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and our physical bodies often reflect the quality and depth of our relationships. Although Dr Bach worked alone most of the time, he cultivated close, platonic relationships, that provided him with much-needed support during his quest to find the right remedies. It kept him going, despite his apparent emotional upheavals and physical weaknesses. We all need people in one way or the other, to feel supported, wanted and emotionally whole. Loneliness can aggravate the stress response, which can have a detrimental impact on health. A study carried out by Harvard University among 2,761 men and women aged 65 and over for a period of 13 years, uncovered that social activities such as going to church, taking short trips with friends, playing cards and games, cooking for others, and community work, actually extends lifespans. Indeed, participants who did such activities were inclined to outlive their reclusive peers by 2.5 years. They also found that the odds of experiencing cognitive decline were approximately twice as great in those reporting no social ties than in those who had frequent contact with relatives and friends, attended religious services, or participated in regular social activities. Scientists who conducted this study concluded that that social engagement can have as much effect on prolonging life as fitness activities. However, the reverse is also true â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bad relationships can ruin your health. A study conducted in Ancona, Italy and published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2007 found that individuals who avoided creating close, secure relationships showed signs of a weaker immune system than those who felt more secure in their relationships. 75

Bach flower remedies will help cultivate your self-awareness, giving you the confidence to improve and nurture positive, loving relationships, as well as the insight and courage to let go of bad ones.

#5 Finding your true vocation could lengthen your life In 1917, Dr Bach received a death sentence. Although he was just turned 30, a medical emergency sent him into the operating room. He had fainted while working, and was found to be hemorrhaging from a large tumour in his spleen. He was diagnosed with cancer and told he had just a few months to live. Instead of getting his affairs in order, Dr Bach began to devote all of his time to research. Since he had little time left, he wanted to devote the remainder of his life to create something meaningful. Then something astonishing happened. Despite his illness, the young physician grew stronger with each passing day. Bach then began to ponder what was keeping him alive, and the only explanation that made sense was that he simply wasn't ready to die, since he had a lot more work to do. This was the point when he become disillusioned with conventional medicine, and he began to explore homeopathy. Dr Bach lived for another twenty years after his brush with cancer, dying only just over a year after his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work - flower remedies - was complete. From Dr Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal story, it is clear that finding oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose or vocation in life is an essential part to securing optimal health. The average Singaporean gets only seven to 14 days of annual leave, and many fail to use up their leave allowance! In fact, according to a 2013 survey conducted by the Straits Times, some eight out of ten workers in Singapore claimed that they had not used their full leave entitlement for the year. Singaporeans work an average of 2,287 hours a year, one of the longest in the world. Working long hours with little downtime leads to elevated stress levels, weakening the body, as well as the mind. 76

This is certainly telling, as it seems a lot of people living in Singapore today are subjected to acute amounts of stress, which at its extreme, can be lethal. So ask yourself â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is my work damaging my health? What is my true vocation in life? Bach Flower Remedies can be employed to help you to cope with the stresses and strains of the workplace. Olive, Elm and Oak are especially useful, if you are feeling as if you are about to crack, and you need more strength to go on. Wild Oat, on the other hand, will give you the clarity to plan your own blueprint for health, happiness and success.

#6 Being happy is the best way to protect your health Depression, worry and anxiety not only poison your mind; they can damage your body too. We know instinctively that happier people tend to live for longer. In fact, in a US study of happy and unhappy men conducted over 72 years, among the subgroup of men diagnosed with depression by age 50, more than 70% had died or were chronically ill by 63 years of age. Those who were considered extremely satisfied with their lives had 1/10th the rate of severe illness or early death compared to their unhappy counterparts. These findings held up even after screening out other external factors such as tobacco, obesity, alcohol and ancestral longevity. Optimistic individuals also live longer. Dutch scientists found in a study of 941 men and women that people with a positive outlook enjoyed a 45% lower risk of death during a nine-year follow-up period. A positive, sunny disposition also wards off infections. A 2006 study explored the link between emotions and viral infections of the respiratory tract. Scientists evaluated the personality style of 193 healthy volunteers, and then 77

gave each a common respiratory virus. Subjects who were optimists were less likely to develop viral symptoms than their pessimistic peers. Remedies such as Mustard, Willow, Gentian, Sweet Chestnut and Gorse, help to lift the dark clouds that descend upon us from time to time. Use them when you face mild despondency or disappointment. However, if you are driven to deep anguish and despair, it is also best to seek out professional counsellors who can also support you on your recovery journey.

#7 To attain optimal health, you have to live a life aligned with your inner voice and your values. Are you being true to yourself? Or are you living a complete lie? Dr Bach faced a conundrum when was confronted by the possibility that conventional medicine did not have all the answers. However, after listening to his intuition, he decided to remain true to himself and his beliefs, and embarked on his mission to develop a holistic method of self-healing. Despite his chronic illness, his work kept him going, and he remained optimistic and healthy. Once his work was complete in 1936 though, he felt it was time to let go, and he succumbed to his ailing health. Unhappiness and dissatisfaction about your life can cause anxiety, remorse, bitterness and resentment which, if not nipped in the bud, grows and affects you emotionally and spiritually. Because of the close mind-body connection, this might dampen your immune system, making you more susceptible to disease. It is not always easy to confront the truth about how you feel about yourself and your life. But, if you do, you will be well on your way to improving your health for the better. What can I do now to live the life my inner voice is telling me to? 78

So be brave and take your first steps today to radically change your life and how you feel! Use the Bach Flower Remedy and Life Assessment questionnaires as starting points to identify areas in your life which you can change to nourish your mind, body and spirit.

Exercise #1 Bach Flower Remedies Questionnaire: Finding the Right Remedies for Me With 38 flower remedies in the Bach system, you are probably wondering how you can go about choosing the right ones for yourself or your loved ones. It can be a daunting prospect for novices or people new to the Bach flower remedy system. Esoteric Remedies is here to help. We have produced a questionnaire to help you pinpoint precisely what remedies are right for you. Start by assessing your reaction to an issue or situation where emotional support is needed. Is there a clear pattern? Then, look carefully at each question. Try to pick remedies instinctively, based not only how you feel at this point in time, but delve deeper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what is causing these emotions? Try to pinpoint the root cause. Is there any particular person or incident that has triggered this raft of emotions? How long have they persisted? Take care of the superficial emotions first â&#x20AC;&#x201C; those that have appeared recently; before delving deeper to find the ones buried deep in your psyche. Was there an incident in the past that has lead me to feeling this way now? How has my childhood affected my emotional wellbeing today? Am I still grieving in some way? Am I trying to forget something? Then, decide which remedy describes you best as a person. Choose up to seven remedies and remember, be honest with yourself! 80

AGRIMONY

ELM

Do you hide your worries behind a cheerful façade to conceal your pain?

Do you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

Are you distressed by arguments and quarrels, often giving in to avoid conflict? When you feel life’s pressures weighing you down, do you often turn to alcohol, drugs, work, food etc to help you cope?

Do you feel it is too difficult to juggle all the tasks ahead of you when you were fine before? Do you become depressed and exhausted when faced with your everyday commitments?

ASPEN Do you feel apprehensive or anxious without knowing why?

GENTIAN Do you become discouraged or disappointed when things don’t go according to plan?

Do you feel that something bad may happen but you are not sure what?

Are you easily disheartened when faced with difficult situations?

Do you wake up with a sense of dread of what the day will bring?

Does your downtrodden attitude prevent you from making an effort to accomplish something?

BEECH Do the habits of others annoy you?

GORSE Do you feel hopeless, as if there is no reason to try to improve things?

Do you find yourself being overly critical and intolerant, usually looking actively for or pointing out others’ shortcomings or mistakes? Do the incompetence and foolishness of others infuriate or irritate you?

Do you lack faith that things could get better in your life and therefore make no effort to improve your circumstances?

CENTAURY Do you often neglect your own needs in order to please others? Do you find it difficult to say no or assert yourself to those who impose upon your helpful nature? Are you easily influenced by those more strong-willed or domineering than yourself?

HEATHER Do you find that others may avoid you because you seem to talk too much? Do you dislike being alone, and are always seeking the companionship of others?

CERATO Do you constantly second-guess your own decisions and judgment?

HOLLY Are you suspicious of others, feeling that people have ulterior motives or other agendas? Do you feel great anger and bitterness toward other people?

Do you often seek advice from others, mistrusting your own inner voice? Do you change direction or decisions often, even after asking advice, because you feel confused or unsure?

Do you believe that nothing can be done to relieve your pain and suffering?

Do your conversations always end up focusing on your interests or problems?

Are you full of jealousy, mistrust or hate?

CHERRY PLUM Are you afraid you might lose control of yourself mentally, emotionally or physically? Do you fear that you may think or do something that you feel is wrong?

Do you fear you may hurt yourself or others or become violent and explosive? CHESTNUT BUD Do you find yourself making the same mistakes repeatedly such as choosing the wrong type of partner or staying in a job you dislike? Do you fail to learn from mistakes or experience? Do you wish you would not repeat the same patterns again and again?

HONEYSUCKLE Do you find yourself living in the past, nostalgic and homesick, wanting things to be as they were? Are you unable to change present circumstances because you are always reminiscing about the past and hardly thinking of the future? Do you often contemplate past regrets? HORNBEAM Do you often feel too tired to face the day?

Do you feel overworked or bored with your life? Do you tend to procrastinate and put off some tasks while easily accomplishing those that are more enjoyable?

CHICORY Do you need to be needed and want your loved ones in close proximity?

IMPATIENS Do you feel a sense of urgency in everything you do, always rushing to get things done?

Do you feel unloved or unappreciated by your loved ones?

Are you impatient and irritable with others who seem to do things too slowly for you?

Are you possessive of those you care for, feeling you know what is best for them?

Do you prefer to work alone?

CLEMATIS Do you often feel “spaced out” and absent minded? Do you find yourself daydreaming, unable to focus for any length of time?

LARCH Do you lack self-confidence? Do you feel inferior and are easily discouraged?

Are you drowsy and listless, sleeping more often than necessary?

Are you so sure that you will fail that you do not even attempt things?

CRAB APPLE Are you obsessed with cleanliness or feel contaminated?

MIMULUS Do you have a fear of identifiable things, i.e. dentist, dogs, hospitals, the dark etc.?

Are you embarrassed and ashamed of yourself or feel physically unattractive?

Are you shy, overly sensitive and often afraid?

Do you tend to pick on small physical conditions such as pimples or marks? MUSTARD Do you feel suddenly depressed without knowing why?

Do you often worry about everyday situations? VERVAIN Do you have so much energy and drive, that you’re sometimes tense and can’t fall asleep?

Do you feel your moods swinging back and forth?

Do you possess strong opinions and try to convince others of them?

Do you feel deep gloom, which seems to quickly appear for no apparent reason and then lifts just as suddenly?

Are you sensitive to injustice and dedicated to causes almost to the point that others think is extreme?

OAK Are you exhausted but feel the need to struggle on against all odds?

VINE Do you tend to take charge of meetings, projects, situations, etc.?

Do you have a strong sense of duty, carrying on no matter what obstacles stand in your way? Do you neglect your own needs in order to complete a task?

Do you consider yourself a natural leader?

OLIVE Do you feel utterly and completely exhausted, both physically and mentally? Are you totally drained of all energy and find it difficult to carry on?

Are you strong-willed and ambitious but may appear aggressive and domineering to others? WALNUT Are you experiencing any change in your lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a move, new job, new baby, divorce, menopause, giving up an addiction etc? Do people or situations sometimes drain your energy?

Have you just been through a long period of illness, stress, or strain with no relief?

Do you need to make a break from strong attachments in your life that may be holding you back?

PINE Do you set overly high standards for yourself, never satisfied with your achievements?

WATER VIOLET Do you appear aloof and arrogant to others?

Are you full of guilt and self-reproach?

Do you have a tendency to be withdrawn and prefer to be alone when faced with too many external distractions? Do you bear your grief and sorrow without talking to others?

Do you blame yourself for everything that goes wrong, even if it is the fault of others? RED CHESTNUT Do you often worry about your loved ones?

Are you distressed and disturbed by other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems?

WHITE CHESTNUT Do you find your head full of persistent, unwanted thoughts that prevent concentration? Do you relive unhappy events or arguments over and over again?

Do you worry that harm may come to those you care for?

Are you unable to sleep at times because your mind seems to be cluttered with repetitive mental arguments?

ROCK ROSE Are you susceptible to feelings of terror and panic? Do you become helpless and frozen in the face of your fear?

WILD OAT Do you find yourself unable to make major life decisions? Do you feel ready for a change of direction, but are unsure of which way to go?

Do you suffer from recurring nightmares?

Do you have ambition but feel that life is passing you by?

ROCKWATER

WILD ROSE

Do you set high personal standards and take pride in setting a good example for others?

Are you apathetic and resigned to whatever may happen in your life?

Are you overly concerned with diet, exercise, work and spiritual disciplines?

Do you have the attitude, “it doesn’t matter what do. I can’t change anything”?

Are you extremely disciplined in your approach to life, always striving for perfection?

Do you lack the motivation to improve the quality of your life?

SCELERANTHUS Do you find it difficult to decide when faced with a choice of two possibilities? Do you lack concentration, always fidgety and nervous?

WILLOW Do you feel resentful and bitter? Do you find it difficult to forgive and forget?

Do your moods change from one extreme to another: joy to sadness, optimism to pessimism, laughing to crying?

Do you feel life is unfair?

STAR OF BETHLEHEM Have you suffered a recent shock in your life such as an accident, loss of a loved one, terrible news, illness? Are you numbed or withdrawn because of traumatic events in your life?

SWEET CHESTNUT Do you suffer from extreme mental or emotional anguish? Do you feel that you have reached the limits of what you could possibly endure?

Have you suffered a loss or grief from which you have never recovered?

Do you feel as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel?

Exercise #2 Life Assessment Look at the series of questions presented in this exercise, and take your time to reflect on each and every one of them. Answer them fully and honestly. And if you need to take a break, or even stop altogether, feel free to do so. Listen intently to your intuition and never doubt what it tells you. Try to be kind and compassionate to yourself as you answer each question. By doing this, it can relief any discomfort you may feel. Keep focused on what’s great or positive in your life so you can draw on your inner strength and courage to confront and change what is not working. Jot down your answers on a separate sheet. Once you are done, review all your answers carefully. Compare them against the results of Exercise 1 – are there obvious links to the type of remedies you have identified? Which emotional problems are more deep-seated or chronic and which seem to be moods that will soon pass? Do you need something else you did not realise before? Write out your customised formula in Exercise #3. Preconceptions and beliefs What are my beliefs about myself? What are my beliefs about the body’s self-healing capabilities? Am I open to exploring the root cause of my ailments beyond the purely physical? If not, why? How has my childhood affected my health? 85

Inner voice Am I living a life that is true to myself and aligned with all I desire and value? Do I make an effort to live an authentic life? What does my inner voice want me to know? Who would I be if I was no longer fearful or overwhelmed by worries or anxieties? How much do I love and accept myself? Relationships How do I feel about my romantic life? Are there repetitive identifiable patterns in my relationships that continue to appear in my life? Is there someone I need to forgive or forget? Do I feel loved by the people around me? How much do I open up to others? Do I dare show others my vulnerability? How often do I feel used in my relationships? Am I willing to stop playing the doormat or martyr? Do I feel worthy of love and affection? What would I change about my love life if a genie granted me three wishes? Are there toxic people in my life? How are they poisoning my mind? Work/Life Vocation Is my work or profession worthwhile? Do I feel like I am making a difference? What is my inner voice telling me about my work? 86

How does my mind and body feel while I am at work? If fear was taken out of the equation, how would I change how I spend my time? Am I learning valuable things working even though I am not passionate about what I do? Am I doing too much to please others rather than doing things for myself? Finances What are my thoughts and feelings about my financial situation? How do I define success, financial stability and abundance? Environment Am I residing in the place where my inner voice wants me to live? Am I surrounded by beauty? Can I commune easily with nature? How healthy is my environment? State of mind What make me happy and unhappy? What would heal my mind? Do I feel worthy of being happy? How much time do I spend engaging in negative conservations such as unkind gossip, criticising other people, finding fault with others or complaining? Do I express appreciation and gratitude regularly in my life? Do I get caught up in what I lack rather than appreciating what I already have? 87

Physical health What bad habits do I need to stop? How are my energy levels? Is there anything keeping me from sleeping?

Exercise #3 My personal formula Write down your customised formula here. Remember, Dr Bach advised taking only a maximum of seven remedies at one time to maintain the efficacy of the treatment. If you require more than seven, ask yourself which are the key issues that I need to tackle first, and which are the ones I believe are closely linked to one another? For instance, you might need Mustard because you are feeling down all of a sudden for no obvious reason, and you have a lot of mental chatter in your head as you keep trying to pinpoint what is causing your gloom. Therefore in this case, you will need White Chestnut too. When you feel that a specific emotional issue has been resolved, stop taking the appropriate essence, and replace it with another one that you have identified, but have not taken before.

Exercise #4 Simple meditation Once you have your own personalised formula, take it as instructed on page 64, keeping a journal on how you feel as the days go by. However, in addition to taking the remedies, you might want to perform this simple meditation to help release all the pent-up negative emotions festering inside you.

1. Find a quiet spot or space before starting this exercise. You must not be interrupted. 2. Focus your mind and your heart to release negative feelings, thoughts and emotions. 3. Take a deep breath. Breathe in slowly all the way to your belly. 4. Hold your breath for a few seconds and breathe out slowly through your mouth. 5. As you exhale, let your body relax. Keep repeating steps 3 and 4 to release all the tension in your body. Let tranquility wash over you. 6. Recite the affirmations (pages 90-94) for each remedy you are taking, focusing on each word and reciting them slowly, as you breathe out. 7. Picture white light radiating inside you as your mind clears any emotional baggage and debris. Let your emotions bubble to the surface but do not react. Continue with steps 3 to 6 until all anxiety, tension and negative emotions are released. 90

Bach Flower Remedy Affirmations Agrimony I recognise, accept and assimilate my internal conflicts. Aspen I have within me the faith and the awareness that love and goodness dwell behind all people and all things.

Beech I combine my capacity for judgement with a sense of tolerance.

Centaury I fortify myself in will and determination and build my identity as an individual.

Cerato I have faith in my sense of judgement and my intuition. Cherry Plum I resist all provocation and are attuned to keep my impulses in check. Chestnut Bud I observe and learn from life with a depth of insight and understanding.

Chicory I give my love unselfishly. 91

Clematis I am fully present to myself and to what is happening around me. Crab Apple I purify myself in mind, body and spirit. Elm I have the strength to complete all my tasks and to fulfil all my responsibilities. Gentian I cherish my faith in life, and I will overcome all obstacles. Gorse I rediscover hope and the will to go on in the toughest of times. Heather I know how to listen and to identify with others. Holly I open my heart to love, acceptance and compassion.

Honeysuckle I comprehend my past, I detach myself from it and I live fully in my present.

Hornbeam I face my days with new vitality and renewed interest. Impatiens 92

I calm my tensions and grow in patience and in understanding. Larch I have faith in my capacities and I act upon them. Mimulus I find the courage to combat and dispel all my fears.

Mustard I disperse the clouds of sadness and recover my inner peace and serenity. Oak The flexibility within me balances the strength and sense of responsibility. Olive I feel rejuvenated and revitalised to take on whatever life throws at me.

Pine I forgive myself and have the discernment to know what is truly my mistake or fault. Red Chestnut I release all fears relating to others, discovering faith and optimism in myself. Rock Rose I confront every emergency with courage. Rock Water I transform my dogmatism into flexibility. 93

Scleranthus I have the clarity of mind to make my choice.

Star of Bethlehem I dissolve every barrier to my energy and I recompose myself.

Sweet Chestnut From the bottom of the abyss I find the light. Vervain I project and live my own ideas with moderation. Vine I put my power at the service of others. Walnut I liberate myself from influences which limit me, and advance without uncertainty along the route. Water Violet I learn to share with humility and wisdom. White Chestnut In silence and tranquillity I recompose my thoughts.

Wild Oat I identify my own path for fulfilling my destiny. 94

Wild Rose I rediscover my zest for for life. Willow I abandon bitterness, assuming responsibility for my actions. Emergency Elixir I control my fear. I can face any eventuality (emergencies). I am resilient in every process of recovery and transformation (support).

Exercise #6 My Enlightenment Journal Record your experiences using Bach Flower Remedies with our journal. Start at the beginning of each week. You need to take your formula consistently for at least two to three weeks in order to observe and feel any discernible results.

WEEK ONE

Day 1

Day 2

How do you feel overall?

Is there any emotional stress or physical tension? When and where?

Describe your emotions and moods.

What are your sleeping patterns like?

Describe any feelings of fuzziness or heaviness.

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Describe your day in a few words. Write down any notable moods, feelings, thoughts, incidents, experiences, events etc How many times have you used the remedies today? Write it down.

Try out the meditation exercise on page 90 to support you in the transformation process. We also recommend applying remedies directly to acupuncture points (see pages 68-70) or combine Bach flower remedies with essential oils (page 7172) for a soothing body massage.

WEEK TWO

Day 1

Day 2

How do you feel overall?

Is there any emotional stress or physical tension? When and where?

Describe your emotions and moods.

What are your sleeping patterns like?

Describe any feelings of fuzziness or heaviness.

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Describe your day in a few words. Write down any notable moods, feelings, thoughts, incidents, experiences, events etc How many times have you used the remedies today? Write it down.

As the weeks go by, reassess and revise your customised formula. Have certain feelings faded away? Do you need to tackle anything else? Remove and replace single remedies as you need them, until you find the root cause of your emotional strain and imbalance.

WEEK THREE

Day 1

Day 2

How do you feel overall?

Is there any emotional stress or physical tension? When and where?

Describe your emotions and moods.

What are your sleeping patterns like?

Describe any feelings of fuzziness or heaviness.

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Describe your day in a few words. Write down any notable moods, feelings, thoughts, incidents, experiences, events etc How many times have you used the remedies today? Write it down.

WEEK FOUR

Day 1

Day 2

How do you feel overall?

Is there any emotional stress or physical tension? When and where?

Describe your emotions and moods.

What are your sleeping patterns like?

Describe any feelings of fuzziness or heaviness.

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Describe your day in a few words. Write down any notable moods, feelings, thoughts, incidents, experiences, events etc How many times have you used the remedies today? Write it down.

Give yourself a pat on your back! You have taken Bach Flower Remedies for a month! Reflect on the changes in how you feel, your sleeping patterns and your experiences since taking your personalised formula. Which area of your life do you need to tackle next? What else can you do to improve your state of mind? Keep cultivating your self-awareness and emotional wellbeing at www.esotericremedies.com 99