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SELF-HEALING WORKBOOK
© 2014 Esoteric Remedies Pte Ltd
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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 – 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 Bach’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
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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
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Larch ..................................................................................................... 52
Pine ....................................................................................................... 53
Elm ........................................................................................................ 54
Sweet Chestnut ..................................................................................... 55
Star of Bethlehem ................................................................................. 56
Willow ................................................................................................... 57
Oak........................................................................................................ 58
Crab Apple ............................................................................................ 59
Remedies for Overanxiety for Others’ 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
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#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
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Welcome letter from Esoteric Remedies
Congratulations! You are about to embark on an illuminating journey of
self-discovery!
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.
Over the last 80 years, Dr Bach’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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Dr Edward Bach
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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.
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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.
Does Dr Oz’s quote resonate with your beliefs? How have you
incorporated energy or vibrational medicine in your life?
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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.
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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.
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 Bach’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.
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 person’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.
Dr Edward Bach
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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It is made up of five flower essences - Clematis, Rock Rose, Star of
Bethlehem, Impatiens and Cherry Plum (see detailed descriptions). Esoteric
Remedies’ Emergency Elixir is made using the exact same ingredients.
However, one must always seek medical attention if the injuries are serious.
Nonetheless, this remedy will dispel the mental anguish that often
accompanies accidents.
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Remedies for Fear
CASE HISTORY
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Aspen
Aspen is the remedy you take if you are suffering from WHAT THE REMEDY
what Dr Bach described as “vague, unknown fears” or SHOULD ACHIEVE
fears based on irrational thoughts. These are what
Aspen will subdue your
modern psychologists term as “free-floating
baseless feelings of fear,
anxieties”, which can vary in intensity from simple
anxiety and apprehension.
worry to outright panic.
It will also help you gain
Often, sufferers complain of a feeling of dread,
more confidence and self-
insomnia, nightmares, sweating, nervous tics and
awareness, providing you
trembling. In extreme cases, the problem becomes a
with a strong foothold in
vicious cycle, from which it seems impossible to
reality.
escape.
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Mimulus
Everyone certainly carries some sort of specific worry WHAT THE REMEDY
or fear that they would like to overcome. It could be SHOULD ACHIEVE
something as simple as a fear of snakes, or something
Mimulus will give you the
more severe, like agoraphobia - the fear of open
courage to confront and
spaces - which cruelly restricts movement and social
deal with any worries or
interaction outside the home.
anxieties, helping you to
In such instances, Mimulus is the right remedy as face the world with
opposed to Aspen, which works best to calm fears that renewed confidence.
easily identifiable.
Simultaneously, it will help
Mimulus helps you to quell your concrete fears and you to be become more
puts your life back on track, so that you can take a step empathetic and
back from what has been haunting you, and see it for understanding of others,
what is really is. particularly those with
similar problems or issues.
In other words, it helps you to put your fears into
perspective, while instilling confidence and providing
much-needed reassurance.
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Cherry Plum
Cherry Plum provides a helping hand to those on the
WHAT THE REMEDY
verge of losing self-control. It should be taken if you
SHOULD ACHIEVE
feel as if there’s a real danger that you could harm
others or yourself. It is therefore most appropriately Cherry Plum taps into your
administered to those who feel they are close to a inner reserves of peace and
mental breakdown. In his booklet The Twelve Healers tranquillity, letting them
Dr Bach explained that Cherry Plum should be taken if bubble to the surface. This
a person fears “doing fearful and dreaded things, not helps to reduce the mental
wished and known wrong, yet there comes the anguish that characterises
thought and impulse to do them”. this state.
When you are in a negative Cherry Plum state, you In turn, this will enable you
can feel destructive forces welling up inside you, to exert more control over
inciting you to injure yourself and even others. In your urges and feelings, and
some instances, this internal battle against your prevent sudden outbursts.
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.
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Red Chestnut
This remedy will help you overcome a very distinct
WHAT THE REMEDY
type of fear in which rather than worrying about
SHOULD ACHIEVE
yourself, you have become preoccupied about the
welfare or wellbeing of others. Red Chestnut will re-ignite
your ability to radiate
Even though these fears can be perceived as being
positive rather than
somewhat altruistic in nature, they should still be
negative thoughts and
confronted. Otherwise, if these fears are left to
feelings to the people
simmer and grow, they may become a burden not
around you.
only to you, but also on the people you are projecting
your fears and worries onto. It will also help you to keep
calm when an emergency
Red Chestnut is therefore the ideal remedy for those
involving your loved ones
who are constantly anxious about others, and who do
strikes, enabling you to
not seem in the least bit concerned about
cope with the situation
themselves.
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 you’ve lost contact.
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Rock Rose
At times, fear reaches such a pitch that it WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
incapacitates your mind, rendering you completely ACHIEVE
incapable of confronting it.
Rock Rose is primarily used for
By taking Rock Rose, you will reawaken your emergencies and it acts quickly
personal will, so that you can tackle what is to bring relief.
terrorising you.
It frees you from fears that
Rock Rose is one of the main ingredients in the occur suddenly and
emergency composite remedy. Indeed, Dr Bach unexpectedly when confronted
advised taking it “in all cases of urgency or danger”. with a terse or scary situation,
You might feel that you are being attacked, with no helping to restore your resolve
prospect of relief once you are in a negative Rock and courage.
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.
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Remedies for Uncertainty
CASE HISTORY
27
Cerato
If you are a Cerato type, you suffer from the
WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
inability to trust yourself, and you constantly seek
ACHIEVE
advice from others even after having made a
decision. Over time, you might get on their nerves Cerato will make you more
owing to your demands and incessant questioning. confident, so that you begin to
learn to trust your judgement
Taking Cerato not only gives you the ability to plan a
and intuition, and are able to
cause of action, but more significantly, it will enable
stand up and justify your own
you to cultivate the self-confidence you sorely lack.
decisions.
It will give you the courage to stand up for your
convictions and to put them into action.
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Sceleranthus
Dr Bach described Sceleranthus as the best
remedy for “those who find it difficult to decide WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
what they want and to make their up their minds ACHIEVE
about what they would like. They try first one Scleranthus encourages
thing, and then another. They feel they want two decisiveness, enabling you to
or three things at the same time, but cannot wrestle with uncertainty, and
decide which”. to make judgments in a calm
A classic sign of the Sceleranthus personality is the and concise manner.
constant changing of minds. Other key As a result of taking it, you
characteristic of Sceleranthus people are their should see both your powers of
rapid mood swings – they might be bright and concentration and
cheerful one day, and depressed the next. They determination increase, and
also have a tendency to jump from one topic to consequently, you will become
another. Over a long period of time, this indecision mentally more agile and
could cause people to withdraw into themselves, flexible as a result, being able
as they do not want to be perceived as being to adapt to situations more
unable to handle their emotions. 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.
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Gentian
If you are prone to feelings of doubt and WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
despondency at most obstacles in life, however WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
minor, Gentian is the right remedy for you. Those in ACHIEVE
the Gentian state often have low morale, as they Gentian will help you to
Scleranthus
remain or become encourages
optimistic,
are assailed by doubts that break their inner
decisiveness,
so that you will notenabling
be you to
reserves down. Other classic signs that denote a
wrestleinfluenced
adversely with uncertainty,
by what and
need for Gentian include a lack of drive to carry on.
has to make judgments
occurred in the past.in a calm
Unlike Mustard, the problems triggering the and concise manner.
depression stem from a known, rather than By enhancing your self-
As a result
confidence, of taking it,you
it empowers you
unknown, cause.
withshould see both
the belief your powers
that all
Gentian is normally administered after a setback or concentration
obstacles and can be
and setbacks
a failure occurs. It helps you to see these determination
conquered, and thatincrease, and
ultimately,
occurrences for what they really are – challenges you consequently, youinwill becom
will be successful
that can be overcome with a little effort. mentally
whatever youmore
chooseagile
to and
do.
flexible as a result, being able
In most cases, the feelings that arise after a setback
to adapt to situations more
or disappointment are temporary. However,
quickly.
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.
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Gorse
Bach practitioners often describe Gorse as a state WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
that often occurs if the Gentian emotion is allowed WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
to get out of hand. ACHIEVE
Gorse restores belief, filling you
People in the Gorse state have come to the end of Gentian will encourages
help you to
withScleranthus
the desire to regain
the road in their minds, having given up all hope remain or become
decisiveness, optimistic
enabling
emotional fulfilment as wellyou
as to
and convinced themselves that their problems can so that you will not be
innerwrestle
peace. with uncertainty, and
never be resolved. adversely influencedinbya what
to make judgments calm
By lifting
has you outmanner.
and occurred
concise of
in your
the past.
Although they can be persuaded to try a different gloom, it will give you a new
path or to undergo another treatment, they are By enhancing your self-
senseAsofa self-awareness
result of taking it, you
and
sure that nothing will help them ease or resolve the confidence,
should see it empowers
both youryour you
powers
self-respect, sharpening
situation in which they find themselves. with the belief and that all
senseconcentration
who you are, and what
obstacles and setbacks can
determination andb
According to Dr Bach the Gorse remedy is given to you can accomplishincrease,
if you focus
conquered,
consequently, andyouthat ultimate
will becom
individuals who have lost the drive to pick on your goals.
you will be
mentally successful
more in
agile and
themselves up to try again. They look, as he put it,
whatever
flexible asyou choose
a result, to do.
being able
as though “they needed more sunshine in their
to adapt to situations more
lives to drive away the clouds”.
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.
31
Hornbeam
When you feel tired at the mere thought of how WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
much work you have to do to overcome a problem, ACHIEVE
this is the right moment to use Hornbeam.
Hornbeam stimulates the
Often referred to as the “Monday morning feeling mind, ensuring that you have a
remedy”, Hornbeam essentially gives you the calm, cool head on your
strength – both mentally and physically – to bear shoulders.
any burden life throws at you.
By boosting your confidence
When you suffer from this type of fatigue, even and inner strength, it will help
routine everyday tasks seems just too much too you to tackle and master any
handle. But when you get down to it, you actually task that lies ahead, even if at
achieve a lot. This remedy will also help you if you first glance, they seem
believe that some part of your mind or body needs insurmountable or difficult to
to be strengthened or reinforced before you can handle.
fulfil your tasks or obligations.
32
Wild Oat
Wild Oat is the remedy that can be used to help
WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
you find your true vocation or purpose in life.
ACHIEVE
Typically, Wild Oat people are blessed with
Wild Oat will improve your
multiple talents, and life is perpetually offering
capacity to identify, plan and
them opportunities to shine, but because they lack
achieve your aspirations and
the real inner certainty that will allow them to
ambitions.
make a final, definitive choice, they are prone to
pursuing false trails. You will get to know yourself
better, enabling you to map
Ultimately, when these prove to be unsatisfactory
out a definitive purpose in life.
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.
33
Remedies for the Lack of Interest in
Present Circumstances CASE HISTORY
We have all probably, at some time in our lives or
Susan hates her job. Every
other, looked back on the past with remorse or
lunch time she wanders across
regret. Or perhaps, we’ve lets our minds wander,
the street from her office to
instead of paying full attention to the present.
the park, where she sits on a
Dr Bach devised seven remedies to help people bench to daydream. Her mind
prone to living in their dreams or in the past to is filled with wild ideas of
face up to reality. fortune and fame. However,
she does not do anything to
Someone needing Clematis would often appear
make her dreams a reality.
‘spaced out’, avoiding problems and
unpleasantness by withdrawing into a world of She should take Clematis to
their own. For people who believe that their draw her back to the present,
happiness lies in their past, Dr Bach administered so that she can devise a
Honeysuckle. Wild Rose is used primarily to help concrete plan of action, instead
to bring encouragement to those who feel that of dreaming her life away.
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.
34
Clematis
Clematis people are often highly artistic, and
WHATWHAT THE REMEDY
THE REMEDY
SHOULD SHOULD
they thus have a deep need for an outlet for WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVEACHIEVE
their creativity. They are often perceived as ACHIEVE
dreamy and ungrounded, their minds filled with Clematis
Clematis
people people
are often
are often
highly
Wild Oat will improve your
vague thoughts of future happiness. creative.
highlyThecreative,
remedyand encourages
show a rea
capacity to identify, plan and
penchant
their innate for the
talents arts. The
to blossom.
Indeed, they spend so much time taking refuge achieve your aspirations and
remedy encourages their
in their dreams that they do not find any real joy At the same time, it enables you to
ambitions.
innate talent to blossom.
in day to day living. Clematis personalities lack take an interest of what is
You will get to know yourself
interest in the ‘here and now’, which in the happening
At thearound
same time,
you. It
it helps
enablesyou
better, enabling you to map
extreme, can manifest as sleepiness, to sit you
up andto take
pay attention
an interesttoof what
out a definitive purpose in lif
absentmindedness and inattention. Others situations,
is happening
so that you
around
can you.
learnIt
often describe Clematis people as eccentric. The and grow
helpsfrom
you them,
to sit up
instead
and payof
fictional character Walter Mitty is a prime attention
appearing aloofto situations,
and so that
self-absorbed.
example of a Clematis personality. you can learn and grow from
Ultimately, you will master your
them, instead of appearing
By taking Clematis, you will be filled with the own thoughts, instead of being
aloof and self-absorbed.
positive creative energy you are now lacking. controlled by them. You can then
Your inner drive and sense of purpose will enjoyUltimately, you will master
life to the full.
become more focussed in the present. your own thoughts, instead of
being controlled by them. You
Clematis, a key ingredient in Dr Bach’s Rescue
can then enjoy life to the full.
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.
35
Honeysuckle
Unlike Clematis people who often dream about
WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
the future, those in the Honeysuckle state often
ACHIEVE
delve in the past, often reminiscing about
happier times. By taking Honeysuckle, you will
start living in the present
Dr Bach stated that Honeysuckle should be used
instead of the past.
to “remove the regrets and sorrows of the past,
to counteract all influences, all wishes and You will gain the ability to learn
desires of the past and to bring us back to the from your past experiences, but
present”. will no longer cling to them
obsessively.
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....”.
36
Wild Rose
If you have resigned yourself to illness, find the
WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
work you do unfulfilling, and perceive life as
ACHIEVE
monotonous and flat, Wild Rose can help you.
Taking Wild Rose will help you
When these feelings are allowed to persist, you
regain your joie de vivre or zest
will start believing that you will just have to put up
for life.
with everything life throws at you, rather than
taking positive steps to alter it. You find that you It will erase your feelings of
have become indifferent and apathetic, taking indifference and resignation, and
things as they are instead of making a life for your willingness to let things
yourself. remain as they are.
37
Olive
When your emotional and spiritual energy is low WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
and fatigue begins to set in, Olive will help revive ACHIEVE
them.
Taking Olive will enable you to
This remedy is one of the most frequently used restore your vitality and strength.
of the 38. It is often taken when there is a need
This makes it easier to cope even
to restore balance and tranquillity to a tired,
with extreme pressures and
troubled mind and to strengthen an exhausted
demands.
body.
38
White Chestnut
White Chestnut, another popular remedy, is used WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
to silence agonising and worrying repetitive ACHIEVE
thoughts.
White Chestnut will calm you
In the negative White Chestnut state, you will feel down, by allowing your mind to
trapped by your own negative emotions, and you take an objective view of
will no longer be able to think rationally or situations.
logically. Arguments and dialogue may play in
your head constantly, with no chance of any clear- It will stop you from being
cut resolution. Sufferers often fail to hear what is distracted by your thoughts,
being said to them, even if they are being restore your ability to focus, and
addressed directly, as their senses are blocked by enable you to enjoy a renewed
mental chatter. peace of mind.
39
Mustard
If dark moods descend upon you without any WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
prior warning or for no apparent cause – you are ACHIEVE
in a negative Mustard state.
Mustard will help you to find
This phenomenon is not only deeply distressing tranquillity, by stabilising your
for you, but it can affect your friends and family moods and feelings. It will also
as well, who might well start to feel down as well foster an inner calm that cannot
due to the depth of your affliction. 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.
40
Chestnut Bud
The Chestnut Bud remedy will aid you, if you
WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
find it hard to learn from experience or your past
ACHIEVE
mistakes, especially when it comes to
relationships. This complete failure to learn from Chestnut Bud will empower you
the past may derive from a real unconscious lack with the ability to analyse and
of insight. learn from past events, actions
and behaviours.
The remedy gives you the ability to absorb the
consequences of your actions more clearly, so It will help you take a step back
that you can grow from them. and assess things from a different
angle, as well as to view your
Chestnut Bud is extremely useful when we find
experiences and those of others
ourselves in situations when our progress is
impartially.
halted, when there is a need to process a
situation and to evolve from them to make the
most of our lives.
41
Remedies for Loneliness
CASE HISTORY
42
Water Violet
Would you describe yourself as aloof and WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
reserved with a tendency to withdraw into ACHIEVE WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
yourself? If you have answered yes to all three, ACHIEVE
then you are definitely a Water Violet person. Water Violet will help you to feel
Chestnut Bud will empower y
comfortable with yourself.
Water Violet individuals are, as outlined by Dr with the ability to analyse an
Bach, “tranquil, sympathetic, wise, practical It will help
learnyou to past
from openevents,
up to actio
counsellors, who have poise and dignity and pass others,andso that they see your true
behaviours.
gracefully through life”. They tend to keep to nature as an independent-
minded, It will help youand
unflappable takecalm
a step ba
themselves, and even though they are often
and assess things from a diffe
individual.
willing to dispense advice, they try not to
angle, as well as to view your
influence others.
experiences and those of oth
In the negative Water Violet state, it is all too impartially.
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 self-
sufficiency, you might begin to feel lonely should
the state persist.
43
Impatiens
Impatiens is a mood remedy, and one of the five WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
flowers used in Dr Bach’s composite Rescue ACHIEVE
Remedy™. It should be used, as instructed by Dr
Bach, “at all times when there is impatience”. Impatiens will help you retain
your flexible and fast-thinking
People in the negative Impatiens state are mind, but the remedy will make
relatively easy to spot. First and foremost, they you more sensitive so that you
tend to be quite extroverted, and are often loud become more tactful.
and brusque. If they do not reveal themselves
verbally, they will frequently do so through their You will also develop patience
body language – shaking their legs, drumming and the ability to understand the
their fingers nervously, or constantly looking at opinions and needs of others.
their watch - especially when someone else is
talking to them.
44
Heather
Have you ever been cornered by at a party by WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
someone who insists on talking about himself, ACHIEVE
and does not seem to have listened to a single
word you said? Then you have definitely Heather will stop you from
encountered someone deep in the negative chatting incessantly about
Heather state. yourself.
Heather people always come across as being Instead, you will regain the ability
self-obsessed. They seem to believe that the to take a real interest in others
whole world revolves around themselves and and what is going on in the world
their personal problems. Indeed, they can go on around you. You will also become
talking about their troubles for hours and hours less afraid of being alone.
without pausing for breath. At the extreme,
even strangers can become the target of their
whinging.
45
Remedies for Oversensitivity
When Dr Bach coined the term “oversensitivity” CASE HISTORY
he was referring to individuals who have the
tendency to be hypersensitive to external Alicia did not like to burden
influences and ideas. anyone else with her problems.
46
Agrimony
People in need of Agrimony often have two faces WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
– one public and the other private. Behind closed ACHIEVE
doors, they are troubled and tortured by fears
and anxieties, which they try not only to conceal Agrimony helps you to find an
from others and even themselves. Their problems inner calm within yourself, which
are often rooted in illness, relationships, finance will in turn, improve your ability
and difficulties at work. to deal with problems more
effectively. You will no longer
In a negative Agrimony state, although you hide or run away from them.
appear carefree, underneath you are finding it
increasingly difficult to cope and are suffering It will also help you communicate
immensely in secret. Your torment is strangling more openly with others, so that
you emotionally and spiritually. However, rather you can ask for comfort and
than confronting these troubles head on, you support.
rather bury your head in the sand.
47
Centaury WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
Even though they might be highly capable,
ACHIEVE
Centaury people sometimes fail to reach their
full potential. This is because of their meekness, Centaury will help you assert
docility and their innate need to please others, yourself when you need to and to
which makes them ripe for domination. So rather know when to give in to others
than building their own destiny, they are and when not to.
constantly manipulated or steered by stronger
It will give you the will and clarity
personalities on paths that might not be right for
to set priorities and boundaries,
them.
helping you to preserve your
The physical consequence of being in a negative individuality.
Centaury state is that you might start to feel
You will come to realise that it is
extremely fatigued, having done too much in a
you and you alone who are
desire to be as helpful as possible.
responsible for what happens in
Simultaneously, because of your inability to your life.
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 ‘no’.
48
Walnut
Walnut is the remedy as Dr Bach explains “for WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
those who have decided to take a great step ACHIEVE
forward in life, to break old conventions, to
leave old limits and restrictions, and start on a When you experience major
new way”. It is often administered during changes to your circumstances or
periods of major life changes such as moving lifestyle, or there is a change of
house, retirement or losing a partner. environment, Walnut will
encourage you to stick with your
By helping you to take a step back from factors decisions once they are made,
like outside influences and past preconceptions, and to stand up for yourself once
the Walnut remedy will help you approach you have made a decision.
change positively. In short, it will help you if you
find it difficult to break from the past. It will boost your confidence in
yourself, easing the time spent in
It can also be taken when you face harsh the transition phase.
criticism from others, which causes your faith in
your beliefs and convictions to waver.
49
Holly
Bach practitioners around the world consider WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
Holly to be the most important of all Dr Bach’s WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
remedies since it is the antidote for hatred. ACHIEVE
Holly gifts you with the ability to
Holly, as Dr Bach described “protects us from Agrimony helps you to find an
be generous and to express your
everything that is not Universal love. Holly opens inner calm within yourself, whic
love for others.
up the heart and unites us with Divine Love”. will in turn, improve your ability
It helps youwith
to deal to rise above more
problems your
The remedy counteracts negative feelings towards negative emotions
effectively. of anger,
You will no longer
others – anger, hate, envy, resentment, desire for hatred
hideand jealously.
or run away from them.
revenge and other imagined wrongs. In the
negative Holly state, these feelings emerge as It will also help you communica
spiteful, nasty or even violent behaviour towards more openly with others, so tha
others. you can ask for comfort and
support.
By taking the Holly remedy, such emotions will
dissipate quickly, opening up your heart to show
love for others instead.
50
Remedies for Despondency & Despair
This is the biggest of the seven classification CASE HISTORY
groups of emotional states developed by Dr
Bach. It contains eight remedies in all, and this Belinda feels that she can no
group is considered to be the foundation of his longer deal with the demands of
holistic healing system. her business. Normally, she
faces challenges head on, but is
Larch is the remedy to take if you lack now starting to feel weary and
confidence in yourself and your abilities. Pine is she is struggling, as her list of ‘to
required if you blame yourself for everything dos’ increases.
that goes wrong, regardless of whether it was
your fault or not. Elm is administered to high Despite being on the verge of a
achievers who suddenly feel that they can no burn out, she pushes on, juggling
longer cope with the demands placed on them. all the things she has to do as
Feeling completely overwhelmed by your she does not want to let her
responsibilities, your self-confidence begins to customers down. At the same
plummet. Sweet Chestnut is for times when you time, she lost confidence in her
fall into utter despair. Take it when you are so own capabilities, and begins to
aggrieved and heartbroken, you see no way out doubt herself.
of the darkness. Star Of Bethlehem is the Elm is recommended for Belinda
remedy for shock and its after-effects. Willow on to see her problems in
the other hand, will help if you are wallowing in perspective, and to help her get
self-pity. In contrast, Oak people are highly back on track.
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.”
51
Larch
Once you are deep in a negative Larch state, you WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
will see yourself as a complete failure. WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
ACHIEVE
Self-doubt sets in, and you appear completely Larch will boost your confidence
insecure and lacking in confidence. Holly gifts you with the ability
in yourself as well as your
Simultaneously, you have convinced yourself be generous and to express y
capabilities, giving you the ability
that there is a long list of things you cannot love for others.
to overcome failure and to
handle, and your answer to problems is to celebrate success.
It helps you to rise above you
simply avoid confronting or doing anything
negative emotions of anger,
about them. Sometimes, this lack of self- It will also ignite your desire to try
hatred and jealously.
confidence is rooted in childhood. 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.
52
Pine
Pine people are continuously beset by guilt and WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
remorse. They blame themselves for anything WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
and everything, even for situations beyond their ACHIEVE
control. They often say “Sorry”, even if they Pine will help you to realise that
Holly gifts you with the ability
have done nothing wrong. They apologise you should only apologise for
be generous and to express y
immediately when anything goes wrong, even if mistakes that you are truly
love for others.
the fault lies elsewhere. responsible for.
It helps you to rise above you
When you are in this sort of emotional black It relieves you of unwarranted
negative emotions of anger,
hole you are probably never really satisfied with guilt, so that you can feel more
hatred and jealously.
what you achieve. Nor are you getting any satisfied and at ease with yourself
pleasure in life, as you are bogged down by guilt, and your actions.
forever playing the willing martyr.
53
Elm
People with Elm personalities are usually high WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
achievers. They are often perceived to be WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVEWHAT THE REMEDY SHOUL
capable and efficient. Almost invariably, they are ACHIEVE
responsible for others who are wholly dependent Elm will ACHIEVE
relight your self-
Holly gifts you with the ability
on them. However, problems start to arise when confidence and
Larch give
will youconfidence
boost the
be generous and to express y
they take on too many commitments, tasks or ability toyourself
assess problems
and your capabiliti
love for others.
responsibilities. These pile up to such a degree objectively andyou
giving rationally.
the ability to ove
It helps you totorise above you
that they start to buckle under the strain. You will failure
now beand able tocelebrate suc
carry your
negative emotions of anger,
This crisis escalates to a point when Elm people tasks andIt responsibilities calmly
will also ignite your desire
hatred and jealously.
feel they can no longer satisfy all demands made without new
flinching from
things, them,that
or tasks as yo
on them, including those that are self-imposed. you are normally
sure that uncomfortable
there is always wi
They are pulled in all directions, and may lapse someone willing to lend a helping
into a state of dejection or despondency. hand if needed. You don’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.
54
Sweet Chestnut
Dr Bach wrote in The Twelve Healers and Other WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
Remedies that Sweet Chestnut is for “the WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
appalling mental despair when it seems the very ACHIEVE
soul itself is suffering self-destruction. It is the Sweet Chestnut helps when your
Holly gifts you with the ability
hopeless despair of those who feel they have whole world has turned black,
be generous and to express y
reached the limit of their endurance”. and when you feel there is no
love for others.
way out of your predicament.
In the negative Sweet Chestnut state, you will
It helps you to rise above you
have reached a point where you have become so It ignites a belief that you will find
negative emotions of anger,
battle weary that you simply cannot take any light at the end of the tunnel, and
hatred and jealously.
more. Even the people closest to you cannot your faith in hope in yourself and
help; there is simply no way out of the doom and the world will be restored.
gloom. In extremes, you may even begin to think
that you will eventually go insane, or suffer a
major mental breakdown.
55
Star of Bethlehem
Star of Bethlehem is one of the five remedies in WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy™ formula. Its primary WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
function is to neutralise shock, and its ACHIEVE
subsequent reverberations through the physical, Star of Bethlehem helps to
Holly gifts you with the ability
emotional and spiritual domains. alleviate the trauma of shock –
be generous and to express y
either sudden or delayed – that
Described by Dr Bach as the “comforter and love for others.
could have short or long-term
soother of all pain and sorrows,” it is the remedy consequences on your physical
It helps you to rise above you
of first choice to aid you in traumatic moments, and emotional self.
negative emotions of anger,
such as when you are confronted with bad news
hatred and jealously.
or bereavement. 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.
56
Willow
People in the negative Willow state are full of WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
self-pity. They can’t see any good in anything, but WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
one thing they are unreservedly sure of is the fact ACHIEVE
that nothing is their fault. Taking Willow will help you feel
Holly gifts you with the ability
less bitter about your lot in life.
Whatever the situation, they are sure to be the be generous and to express y
first to put a damper on things, and they thus Instead,
loveyou
forwill find yourself
others.
become labelled as the proverbial wet blanket. becoming more optimistic, with
It helps you to rise above you
much to appreciate in your life.
Once you are in this state, you will feel negative emotions of anger,
victimised, unjustly treated by life and filled with hatred and jealously.
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.
57
Oak
Oak people are strong in body, mind and spirit. WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
They are bold fighters who never give up hope WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
whatever the depth of the problems. They are ACHIEVE
reliable, patient and highly dependable. Oak will renew your strength to
Holly gifts you with the ability
overcome all of life’s obstacles.
When things get too much, and all their energy be generous and to express y
reserves are drawn, they prefer to struggle along You will
lovebefor
able to set boundaries
others.
quietly. Indeed, they will try to hide the fact that to your efforts, and allow yourself
It helps you to rise above you
they are feeling tired from those around them, time to rest and recover, avoiding
negative emotions of anger,
because they will not let anything disrupt them complete burn out.
hatred and jealously.
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.
58
Crab Apple
Recognised by Bach practitioners as the WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
“cleansing remedy”, Crab Apple should be taken WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
if you feel physically contaminated for instance ACHIEVE
from illness, pollution or from simply touching Crab Apple works by encouraging
something dirty. This self-hate or self-loathing you toHolly
love gifts you with the
and appreciate allability
be generous
your positive and–tobeexpress
qualities it y
can also be triggered by your own bad habits
love
physical orfor others. – rather
emotional
such as smoking, which despite all your efforts,
you find impossible to break. than becoming obsessed
It helps you with you
to rise above
negative ones. emotions of anger,
negative
It is also administered to those who possess
negative behavioural patterns - such as being It will hatred and
help you to jealously.
balance the
deliberately rude and unkind to others. 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.
59
Remedies for Overanxiety for Others’
Welfare CASE HISTORY
This final group of emotional states identified by
Dr Bach contains five remedies, all of which deal Heathcliff runs a successful small
with various forms of egocentric or selfish business, and sees himself as a
behaviours. tough boss and a ruthless
businessman.
Chicory is the remedy you need if you have the
tendency to be overpossessive. People in this He knows his own mind and
negative state tend to be deeply selfish, and are expects others to accede to him
determined to have their own way. They are not and his actions. Anyone who does
afraid to play the martyr; even shedding tears if not follow his instructions to the
they feel others do not show sufficient gratitude latter will soon find themselves
for their efforts. Vervain people hold strong out of a job.
opinions and they like to impose their views on Vine should be given to help
others. Vine people are strong-willed, domineering Heathcliff learn to lead without
and ambitious individuals, who often like to take bullying.
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.
60
Chicory
On the surface, Chicory people may seem caring WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
and self-sacrificial, since they devote a large WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
proportion of their time and energy worrying ACHIEVE
about others. In reality, they are overpossessive, Put an end to your selfish desires
Holly gifts you with the ability
constantly trying to interfere in the lives of those by taking Chicory.
be generous and to express y
closest to them. At their most extreme, they are Instead,
loveyou
for will be able to
others.
emotional leeches, manipulating others subtly to express love and devotion freely
do their bidding. Chicory devotion is driven by self- It helps you to rise above you
without expecting anything in
concern, rather than a genuine care for others. negative emotions of anger,
return.
Their conversations are often peppered with hatred and jealously.
words such as “duty” and “filial piety”. However, Consequently, you will feel more
what they are really implying that a debt has to be secure and happier in yourself.
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.
61
Vervain
As Dr Bach noted, Vervain people are often full of WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
“big ideals and ambitions for the good of WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
humanity”. They can also be described as ACHIEVE
energetic perfectionists, and they like to speak up Vervain increases the flexibility of
Holly gifts you with the ability
against perceived injustices. the mind, enabling you to see
be generous and to express y
problems or situations from the
Although such enthusiasm can be infectious, love for others.
perspective of others.
when carried to extremes, instead of using gentle
It helps you to rise above you
persuasion to try to get others to see your way, You will find yourself taking
negative emotions of anger,
you run the risk of becoming dogmatic, unable to others’ views into account,
hatred and jealously.
see beyond your particular point of view. instead of simply arguing your
own.
Getting things done the way exactly the way you
prescribe can become tiring if you become more It will help you to draw
and more obsessive about it. Your stress levels boundaries to the effort you are
will escalate and you are in danger of becoming a making to achieve your idealistic
workaholic or fanatic, unable to accept goals.
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.
62
Vine
Vine people are natural born leaders. They are WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
highly capable and strong, and often possess WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
tremendous willpower. However, in the negative ACHIEVE
Vine state, they believe themselves to be Vine will help you to leverage
Holly gifts you with the ability
infallible, sure that whatever they decide on, that your innate wisdom and natural
be generous and to express y
is the right course of action. In their eyes, they leadership qualities to inspire and
love for others.
cannot do any wrong. So, instead of trying to lead through example and
justify their beliefs, they simply force it upon persuasion instead
It helps you toofrise
brute force.
above you
others, disregarding alternative viewpoints and negative emotions of anger,
opinions. Herein lies the seeds for dictatorship. hatred and jealously.
63
Beech
A Beech person often has high ethical and moral WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
standards, as well as a well developed sense of WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
right and wrong. ACHIEVE
Beech encourages you to see the
When you fall into a negative Beech state, you Holly gifts you with the ability
good in others. It heightens your
become so convinced of your own integrity, that be generous and to express y
tolerance and understanding of
instead of respecting the right of others to have love for others.
others.
their own views and opinions, you become
It helps you to rise above you
intolerant of them. They, as outlined by Dr Bach, It will open your heart and mind
negative emotions of anger,
“need to see more good and beauty in all that to listen to other views and
hatred and jealously.
surrounds them”. opinions.
64
Rockwater
Rockwater is the odd one out among all the Bach WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
remedies since it is not derived from a plant. WHAT THE REMEDY SHOULD
ACHIEVE
Instead, it comes from fresh, unpolluted springs or ACHIEVE
wells. Rockwater helps you to break
Holly gifts you with the ability
free from your rigid beliefs.
This remedy can help you if you find yourself be generous and to express y
chained by your rather puritanical approach to life. It gives
loveyou
forthe opportunity to
others.
You find it impossible to compromise and you are enjoy life and its experiences
It helps you to rise above you
often hard on yourself, as you strive to meet your while still upholding your original
negative emotions of anger,
high ideals and standards. As part of this quest for high ideals.
hatred and jealously.
perfection, you will deny yourself leisure and
pleasure.
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How to Take the Remedies
There are many ways to take Bach’s flower essences.
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.
Don’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
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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.
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Acupuncture Points for Bach Flower Remedies
Water Violet
Vervain
Vine Crab
Cherry
Apple
Larch Plum
Walnut Hornbeam
Wild Rose
Pine
Chestnut Rose
Gentian Honeysuckle
Bud
Mimulus
Mustard Heather
Scleranthus
Star of Olive
Gorse
Bethlehem Elm Wild Oat
Sweet
Red Chestnut
Chicory
Chestnut Aspen
Rock
Rose Rock White
Water Chestnut
Impatiens
Clematis
Centaury
Beech
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Cerato
Holly
Agrimony
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Oak
Willow
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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.
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Bach Flower Remedies Essential Oils
Sceleranthus Bergamot/Clary Sage/Orange
Star of Bethlehem Lavender/Frankincense
Sweet Chestnut Jasmine/Neroli
Vervain Sandalwood/Vetiver
Vine Lavender
Walnut Benzoin/Cedarwood/Cypress/Juniper
Water Violet Geranium/Juniper
White Chestnut Clary Sage/Lemon
Wild Oat Cypress
Wild Rose Cardamom/Ginger
Willow Bergamot/Yarrow
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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.
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?
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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.
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that the stress response is reduced, and this in turn, will help you reclaim and
maintain your overall health in the long term.
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 – 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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
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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.
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?
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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.
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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.
Try to pick remedies instinctively, based not only how you feel at this point in
time, but delve deeper – 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 – 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?
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AGRIMONY ELM
Do you hide your worries behind a cheerful Do you feel overwhelmed by your
façade to conceal your pain? responsibilities?
Are you distressed by arguments and Do you feel it is too difficult to juggle all the
quarrels, often giving in to avoid conflict? tasks ahead of you when you were fine
before?
When you feel life’s pressures weighing you Do you become depressed and exhausted
down, do you often turn to alcohol, drugs, when faced with your everyday
work, food etc to help you cope? commitments?
ASPEN GENTIAN
Do you feel apprehensive or anxious without Do you become discouraged or disappointed
knowing why? when things don’t go according to plan?
Do you feel that something bad may happen Are you easily disheartened when faced with
but you are not sure what? difficult situations?
Do you wake up with a sense of dread of Does your downtrodden attitude prevent you
what the day will bring? from making an effort to accomplish
something?
BEECH GORSE
Do the habits of others annoy you? Do you feel hopeless, as if there is no reason
to try to improve things?
Do you find yourself being overly critical and Do you lack faith that things could get better
intolerant, usually looking actively for or in your life and therefore make no effort to
pointing out others’ shortcomings or improve your circumstances?
mistakes?
Do the incompetence and foolishness of Do you believe that nothing can be done to
others infuriate or irritate you? relieve your pain and suffering?
CENTAURY HEATHER
Do you often neglect your own needs in order Do you find that others may avoid you
to please others? because you seem to talk too much?
Do you find it difficult to say no or assert Do you dislike being alone, and are always
yourself to those who impose upon your seeking the companionship of others?
helpful nature?
Are you easily influenced by those more Do your conversations always end up
strong-willed or domineering than yourself? focusing on your interests or problems?
CERATO HOLLY
Do you constantly second-guess your own Are you suspicious of others, feeling that
decisions and judgment? people have ulterior motives or other
agendas?
Do you often seek advice from others, Do you feel great anger and bitterness toward
mistrusting your own inner voice? other people?
Do you change direction or decisions often, Are you full of jealousy, mistrust or hate?
even after asking advice, because you feel
confused or unsure?
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CHERRY PLUM HONEYSUCKLE
Are you afraid you might lose control of Do you find yourself living in the past,
yourself mentally, emotionally or physically? nostalgic and homesick, wanting things to be
as they were?
Do you fear that you may think or do Are you unable to change present
something that you feel is wrong? circumstances because you are always
reminiscing about the past and hardly
thinking of the future?
Do you fear you may hurt yourself or others Do you often contemplate past regrets?
or become violent and explosive?
CHICORY IMPATIENS
Do you need to be needed and want your Do you feel a sense of urgency in everything
loved ones in close proximity? you do, always rushing to get things done?
Do you feel unloved or unappreciated by your Are you impatient and irritable with others
loved ones? who seem to do things too slowly for you?
Are you possessive of those you care for, Do you prefer to work alone?
feeling you know what is best for them?
CLEMATIS LARCH
Do you often feel “spaced out” and absent Do you lack self-confidence?
minded?
Do you find yourself daydreaming, unable to Do you feel inferior and are easily
focus for any length of time? discouraged?
Are you drowsy and listless, sleeping more Are you so sure that you will fail that you do
often than necessary? not even attempt things?
Are you embarrassed and ashamed of Are you shy, overly sensitive and often
yourself or feel physically unattractive? afraid?
Do you tend to pick on small physical Do you often worry about everyday
conditions such as pimples or marks? situations?
MUSTARD VERVAIN
Do you feel suddenly depressed without Do you have so much energy and drive, that
knowing why? you’re sometimes tense and can’t fall asleep?
Do you feel your moods swinging back and Do you possess strong opinions and try to
forth? convince others of them?
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Do you feel deep gloom, which seems to Are you sensitive to injustice and dedicated to
quickly appear for no apparent reason and causes almost to the point that others think is
then lifts just as suddenly? extreme?
OAK VINE
Are you exhausted but feel the need to Do you tend to take charge of meetings,
struggle on against all odds? projects, situations, etc.?
Do you have a strong sense of duty, carrying Do you consider yourself a natural leader?
on no matter what obstacles stand in your
way?
Do you neglect your own needs in order to Are you strong-willed and ambitious but may
complete a task? appear aggressive and domineering to
others?
OLIVE WALNUT
Do you feel utterly and completely exhausted, Are you experiencing any change in your
both physically and mentally? life—a move, new job, new baby, divorce,
menopause, giving up an addiction etc?
Are you totally drained of all energy and find it Do people or situations sometimes drain your
difficult to carry on? energy?
Have you just been through a long period of Do you need to make a break from strong
illness, stress, or strain with no relief? attachments in your life that may be holding
you back?
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 blame yourself for everything that Do you bear your grief and sorrow without
goes wrong, even if it is the fault of others? talking to others?
Do you worry that harm may come to those Are you unable to sleep at times because
you care for? your mind seems to be cluttered with
repetitive mental arguments?
Do you suffer from recurring nightmares? Do you have ambition but feel that life is
passing you by?
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ROCKWATER WILD ROSE
Do you set high personal standards and take Are you apathetic and resigned to whatever
pride in setting a good example for others? may happen in your life?
Are you overly concerned with diet, exercise, Do you have the attitude, “it doesn’t matter
work and spiritual disciplines? what do. I can’t change anything”?
Are you extremely disciplined in your Do you lack the motivation to improve the
approach to life, always striving for quality of your life?
perfection?
SCELERANTHUS WILLOW
Do you find it difficult to decide when faced Do you feel resentful and bitter?
with a choice of two possibilities?
Do you lack concentration, always fidgety and Do you find it difficult to forgive and forget?
nervous?
Do your moods change from one extreme to Do you feel life is unfair?
another: joy to sadness, optimism to
pessimism, laughing to crying?
Have you suffered a loss or grief from which Do you feel as though there is no light at the
you have never recovered? end of the tunnel?
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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.
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?
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Inner voice
Am I living a life that is true to myself and aligned with all I desire and value?
Relationships
How do I feel about my romantic life?
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?
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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 doing too much to please others rather than doing things for myself?
Finances
What are my thoughts and feelings about my financial situation?
Environment
Am I residing in the place where my inner voice wants me to live?
State of mind
What make me happy and unhappy?
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Exercise #3
My personal formula
Write down your customised formula here.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Exercise #6
My Enlightenment Journal
Record your experiences using Bach Flower Remedies with our journal.
You need to take your formula consistently for at least two to three weeks in
order to observe and feel any discernible results.
How do you Is there any Describe What are Describe any
WEEK ONE feel overall? emotional your your feelings of
stress or emotions sleeping fuzziness or
physical and moods. patterns heaviness.
tension? like?
When and
where?
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Try out the meditation exercise on page 90 to support you in the
transformation process.
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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.
How do you Is there any Describe What are Describe any
WEEK THREE feel overall? emotional your your feelings of
stress or emotions sleeping fuzziness or
physical and moods. patterns heaviness.
tension? like?
When and
where?
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How do you Is there any Describe What are Describe any
WEEK FOUR feel overall? emotional your your feelings of
stress or emotions sleeping fuzziness or
physical and moods. patterns heaviness.
tension? like?
When and
where?
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?
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