Bach Flower Remedies for Relieving Stress and Other Negative Emotions in People and Animals

Consumers are quickly taking hold of alternative therapies and medicines in ever-increasing numbers, seeking alternatives to modern medicines and treatments and high prescription drug costs. Eastern and Asian therapies such as Acupuncture have become more commonplace, and other therapies are being embraced daily as they gain in popularity. One such therapy concept is that of flower remedies, based on the work of Edward Bach.

Edward Bach was an English physician who believed that the body could suitably resist disease and affliction if possessed of a positive emotional state, while negative emotional states would cause the body's immune system and defenses to weaken, thus making it more difficult to resist disease. Clinical studies have actually proven that certain emotional states, such as stress, can directly influence certain bodily processes in adverse ways.

The Bach flower remedies use flower secretions and scents to achieve a more relaxed emotional state and eliminate stress and anxiety. A wide variety of flowers are utilized to achieve different results and assist with alleviating symptoms of particular ailments or afflictions.

For example, if for some reason you were feeling hatred or negative emotion toward another individual, you would first try to narrow your focus to what exactly your hatred is based upon. It it a result of jealousy? Impatience? Or just overall aggressiveness? Depending upon which form of hatred was seething inside you, you would choose Holly for general anger and resentment, Vervain if you were feeling hatred as a result of an injustice or wrong that had been done to you, and Chicory if you were feeling hatred or anger as a result of being hurt by another.

There are 38 flower remedies in total, all focusing on specific emotional states. Flower remedies are traditionally sold as tinctures, and can be used one at a time or in combination with other essences.