The concept of using flowers for medicinal purposes is not new. In fact it was commonly practiced by both the ancient Egyptians and Romans. In this post “Bach Flowers Natural Supplements For Anxiety“ we look at floral treatments that hail from a more modern period beginning in the early 1930’s. These remedies are still as good and as effective as ever!
Bach Flowers Natural Supplements for Anxiety.
Dr. Edward Bach, a Welch physician and bacteriologist, believed that our emotions and thought processes were a defining factor in our physical health.
He also proposed that our emotional state played a significant role in the ability of our bodies to heal from injury or illness.
At the time he published these thoughts he was severely criticized for believing and promoting these opinions.
The Evidence For Bach Flower Remedies
Thankfully a great deal of progress has been made and the theories Dr Bach was criticized over we now know are completely accurate.
There is a great deal of clinical research that clearly proves the connection between mental and physical health.
Research and studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) define health as:
“a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
WHO – The World Health Organisation.
“without mental health there can be no true physical health”
Dr Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Edward Bach, in his field of study, also advocated the relationship between our mental and physical health. The work he did with patients led him to believe that they were intrinsically linked .
He noted that this was particularly evident in those inflicted with chronic conditions. His findings stated that those who were unable to find solutions or treatment to chronic physical illness were more susceptible to mental health issues.
His later work also declared that for many, once they entered into emotional illness this infliction became more acute than the initial primary health condition.
The associations highlighted between mental and physical health are:
- The development of emotional or mental health disorders becomes a high risk for those with chronic physical illness.
- People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health.
Bach Flowers Natural Supplements For Anxiety.
Dr Bach developed a system which utilized the essences of local wild flowers.
It was his belief that each flower, or the floral essence derived from them, had specific qualities that could improve mental well being.
During his research he developed 38 various flower essences. In order to improve his patients’ mental health, Dr. Bach utilized these 38 various essences.
The recipes of different dilutions and combinations he developed are what we now refer to as “the Bach Flowers”.
Each could be taken alone, or in combination with others, dependent on the condition, the health of the client and the severity of anxiety and depression. A wonderful holistic treatment of anxiety.
The Bach Flowers were among the the first natural remedies for anxiety and depression. They remain as popular now as they were in the 30’s.
Bach Flowers Natural Supplements for Anxiety.
Most Popular and Well Known Essences for Anxiety and Depression
Gentian.
Used if the persons anxiety includes feelings of pessimism and discouragement.
Gentian is also one of the best anxiety supplements if the sufferer is aware of the reason for their anxiety or depression i.e. death of a loved one.
Elm.
Used if a persons anxiety includes feelings of being overwhelmed or if anxiety is related to exhaustion.
These symptoms of anxiety are often related to being under stress and overworking.
Agrimony.
Often used for treatment of depression but considered another one the best natural supplements for anxiety if the sufferer also has feelings of emotional anguish or constant feelings of despair.
Cherry Plum.
Used if the anxiety also includes fear. This fear can be due to an actual real threat (perhaps job loss) or if the fear is a possible or even imaginary danger.
Gorse.
Used if the anxiety includes overwhelming and ongoing feelings of doubt and sadness.
Sweet Chestnut.
Used if the anxiety includes continual feelings of despair and hopelessness.
Mustard.
Used if the anxiety includes symptoms of sadness or gloom that have no apparent cause.
Honeysuckle.
Used if the sufferers anxiety includes an unhealthy focus on past events and are unable to move on and live in the present.
Wild Rose.
Again one of most widely used Bach Flower Remedies and considered one of the best natural supplements for anxiety and depression if symptoms include apathy, lack of interest and lethargy.
Rescue Remedy.
By far the best known and the most popular of the Bach Flower Remedies.
Rescue remedy is used to stabilize emotions in a crisis or emergency. It is excellent to prevent panic attacks and can relive the symptoms of stress, shock and panic.
It is also the best remedy to use if you are unsure of the specific essences you should take.
Bach Flower Guidance.
As always if you, or a loved one, are currently taking any prescription medications it is advised to consult a doctor before beginning Bach Flower Remedies.
The typical dose is two to four drops diluted in water four times daily:
- upon rising,
- before lunch,
- before dinner,
- before going to bed
However the doses can vary depending on the essence used.
If you are interested in Bach Flower Remedies you can find a link to search and find the right Bach Flowers for you here.
I highly recommend them as one the best natural supplements for anxiety and depression.
They can be purchased at most good health stores and online. I have included links to recommended suppliers and products on Amazon. The stock is excellent and they are sold at affordable prices.
Bach Flower Remedies Natural Supplements for Anxiety.
Of course not all Bach Flowers are for anxiety. They can be used for a multitude of purposes.
Here is the guide to all Bach Flowers:
1. Agrimony – mental torture behind a cheerful face
2. Aspen – fear of unknown things
3. Beech – intolerance
4. Centaury – the inability to say ‘no’
5. Cerato – lack of trust in one’s own decisions
6. Cherry Plum – fear of the mind giving way
7. Chestnut Bud – failure to learn from mistakes
8. Chicory – selfish, possessive love
9. Clematis – dreaming of the future without working in the present
10. Crab Apple – the cleansing remedy, also for not liking something about ourselves
11. Elm – overwhelmed by responsibility
12. Gentian – discouragement after a setback
13. Gorse – hopelessness and despair
14. Heather – talkative self-concern and being self-centred
15. Holly – hatred, envy and jealousy
16. Honeysuckle – living in the past
17. Hornbeam – tiredness at the thought of doing something
18. Impatiens – impatience
19. Larch – lack of confidence
20. Mimulus – fear of known things
21. Mustard – deep gloom for no reason
22. Oak – the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
23. Olive – exhaustion following mental or physical effort
24. Pine – guilt
25. Red Chestnut – over-concern for the welfare of loved ones
26. Rock Rose – terror and fright
27. Rock Water – self-denial, rigidity and self-repression
28. Scleranthus – inability to choose between alternatives
29. Star of Bethlehem – shock
30. Sweet Chestnut – extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left
31. Vervain – over-enthusiasm
32. Vine – dominance and inflexibility
33. Walnut – protection from change and unwanted influences
34. Water Violet – quiet self-reliance leading to isolation
35. White Chestnut – unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
36. Wild Oat – uncertainty over one’s direction in life
37. Wild Rose – drifting, resignation, apathy
38. Willow – self-pity and resentment
As always I would love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment and I’ll get back to you asap…or contact me directly by clicking here.
Thank you for your website…I am finally feeling healthy! I have sed your advice! And loving it
Thank you Jack
Great content, Is it advisable to use for any ages, or even in some people that have a health problem. Most people that suffer from anxiety have a mental health problem.
If you are a first user in this Bach Flower what do you feel, what is your first impression, what it smell like?
Hi Renelyn
Bach flower remedies are completely safe for all ages and health conditions. As with any holistic remedy I always advice people to inform their doctor if they are on any pharmaceuticals or if they have health issues but this is a precaution only.
For newbies to Bach Flowers start with rescue remedy. It contains a lot of the flower essences and is a general feel good fix. The flower remedies have little smell, certainly they don’t smell like the flower, and they have a slightly bitter taste.
But they work wonders for health and well being
Jason
Oh Wow, that a great collection of suggestions here. I was not familiar with the term Bach flower remedies and that is what caught my interest and now I see you list Rescue Remedy which is something I am very familiar with. I give that to my kids on occasion and I have even used it for my cats! Of course I have used it too :)
I enjoyed reading about all the wild flowers you suggest and the uses for them.
Hey Lynne,
Yes Rescue Remedy is probably the most well known of all Dr Bach’s remedies. It is widely used. The beauty of the remedies is that they work for adults, children, pets and whether you believe or not.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend a couple years ago. He told me that he didn’t believe in Bach Flower remedies and that it was just a scam …he then said if I wanted something that really worked I should go to the store and buy Rescue Remedy as he swore by it…I had great pleasure in informing him that Rescue Remedy is a Bach Flower solution.
J
Hi Jason,
This is great and informative article on dealing with anxiety in natural way. As I have had anxiety especially after being in the military for 14 years. Maybe I can focus on taking something natural instead of taking a pill every day. Is this something I should discuss with Physician before stopping and taking another medication?
Yours Truly,
Carlton
hi Carlton,
With any natural medication or remedy I always advice speaking to your doctor first. If you are already taking antidepressants then you certainly should speak to your doctor as stopping antidepressants needs to be done slowly and gradually.
Most natural products are perfectly safe with other meds but always check first.
I have a number of folk who have successfully stopped using pharmaceuticals and now only use natural products and have successfully beaten their depression.
I wish you good luck and best health
Jason
Wow this is super interesting. I’ve suffered with anxiety for as long as I can remember, and so do the people in my life. I’ve never heard of natural remedies like these to help with it. I have only heard of using therapy and anti-anxiety drugs.
Have you had personal success with any of these specific flower remedies?
hi Gina
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I recommend them highly. Pharmaceuticals simply contain and numb the issue. I can personally vouch for the remedies and hope you try them. J
Hello, I love your post! It’s well-explained, detailed and provides precious information to those who seek to live naturally! I do believe that too much medicine is not good for our health and that we should go back to natural Healing solutions, as did our ancestors who had tremendous knowledge about plants. Anyway, thank you once again for your post. You did a good job here!
many thanks for your kind comments. I agree that the natural world provides all we need for a balanced and healthy life. I hope many more people will also learn of the many ways that natural health can benefit us. Wishing you best health always
Jason
I thought your website was very appealing to your niche audience. It dealt with plenty of great blogs on helping relevant to your specialist area. The pages and posts are presented great and are well constructed. You seem to truly care for your readers by the amount of time you put into research to give them all the info they would need for selecting their products. I give you a 10 out of 10.
Thank you for your comments. I certainly care for readers as I know how difficult it is to nurture a healthy natural lifestyle in todays society. If it helps one person then i am delighted. I thank you for your comments as it makes it worthwhile if the posts are well received and of benefit. My best wishes to you.
I love Bach Flower Remedies. I have PTSD which includes symptoms of anxiety and hyper-vigilance. Bach Flower Remedies help with both. Usually, I put some on my pillow, but will add a little to my drinking water if I’m really stressed. I also have a small buckwheat pillow that drapes over my eyes when I need to relax. It’s treated with Bach Flower Remedies too. I also add it to my cats water to help them stay relaxed. I don’t know how Bach Flower Remedies work, I just know they do.
Thank you so much for your comments. I guess that’s the wonderful things about holistic treatments and in particular Bach Flowers…we don’t need to know how it works, as long as it does. It’s also a testimony to the remedy because you have first hand experience of its success. I’m pleased you find these remedies useful and agree they work brilliantly well for pets! best health to you
Jason
It is nice to hear what kinds of products helps if you would like to improve your own health issues in a natural way. I have realized that many doctors just would like to give you some pills instead of recommending natural products. I found these tips very helpful to take care of my health, especially with the emotional issues, thanks Jason. :)
Hi Jess,
I’m glad you found the post of use. I agree totally that natural remedies are always the best answer if possible to avoid pharmaceuticals. Emotional health is an area that many people neglect but this then impacts on physical health. By using natural remedies we can assist both physical and mental health in a holistic manner and allow healing to really manifest.
Jason
I found your post very insightful and interesting. I have never heard of Bach Flower before. Having suffered with anxiety in the past, this would be a product I would try if it was to return! I love the thought of treating anxiety with something natural instead of medication. Thank you for informing me about this!
Hi Kate,
Glad you found it useful. I thoroughly recommend Bach Flowers and hope you try them.
Jason
I’m so happy to see someone spreading the love for Bach Flower Essences! They are such an incredible tool for healing all sorts of emotional imbalances that manifest themselves as symptoms in the physical body. Dr. Bach rules!!!
Hey Jess,
Thanks for your comments! They are awesome aren’t they! and work! I agree Dr Bach Rules!
Best health
Jason
Wow. I had heard about essential oils but never looked much into it. I didn’t know that flowers had such a medicinal value. I definitely am going to show this to my wife! She has been looking for natural remedies to take. It looks like Amazon has a lot to choose from!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your comments. Yes Mother Nature provides us pretty much everything we need…it’s just a matter of trying it and testing for yourself. I hope your wife gives the Bach Flower remedies a go.
You can find them in a multitude of places, but I’m an Amazon Associate as well as an Amazon lover and I find their products great quality and usually a lot better cost than if you went to a specialist store.
Best health
Jason
These Bach flower remedies sound amazing, I’ve never heard of them before now. I know some good friends of mine as well as myself that could possibly make the supplements work our bodies for the better. If there’s a will, there’s a way, and we sure as hell are willing to better ourselves. Let’s get it!!
Hi Konnor,
great to hear from you. I thoroughly recommend them
Jason
This is great. I’ve used Bach flower remedies for anxiety and I can tell you it works. We also use essential oils at home and they are good too. I believe that everything we need for healing can be found in nature. We don’t always need to swallow a pill. I wonder how many new remedies could be found deep in the Amazon, and in the high unexplored jungle places of the world. Anyway, can the Bach system help cats from losing their hair by putting the drops in her water? This is what actually happened, but I’m not sure if I’m just imagining it, or she just stop losing her hair naturally.
Hi Michael,
Absolutely agree 100%…nature provides all we need. I use the Bach remedies myself and they are awesome.
And yes, this is one product you actually don’t need to believe in…a bit like we don’t necessarily need to believe aspirin helps…but it does…
Bach flowers can be used safely for us, our kids and our pets…it works..as you have seen with your cat!
Jason