Holistic Bach Flower Remedies for Anxiety

In the 1930s, a physician and homeopath named Edward Bach developed a holistic system of healing through heavily diluted flower essences. These came to be called Bach flower remedies. Bach developed 38 different flower remedies to relieve a wide variety of mental, emotional and spiritual imbalances, including anxiety.

  1. About Bach Flower Remedies

    • The Bach flower remedies consist of a small amount of plant or flower material within a carrier of equal parts water and brandy. The remedies are contained in small jars with droppers that dispense a single drop at a time. Bach developed the remedies because he subscribed to the philosophy that "a healthy mind ensures a healthy body," which was relatively unorthodox during the time he practiced medicine. He believed in treating mental, emotional and spiritual upsets that, in his view, would later lead to physical problems.

    Using Bach Flower Remedies

    • The remedies may be used alone or in combination with each other. However, no more than seven remedies should be combined. To achieve the best results, use as few as possible. Bach practitioners recommend taking four drops in the mouth four times per day for six to eight weeks.

    Bach Flower Remedies for Anxiety

    • Because anxiety has so many different origins, there are numerous Bach remedies that may help. For example, according to Bach, aspen helps relieve the fear of unknown things, while mimulus helps with the fear of known things. Elm is meant for those who feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Cherry plum is intended to relieve the fear of losing mental control, rock rose was developed to help with terror and fright, and wild oat is said to remedy feelings of uncertainty about the right direction to take in life. It is helpful to try to pinpoint the root cause of anxious feelings before choosing from among these or the numerous other Bach remedies that may relieve them.

    Rescue Remedy: A Synthesis of Essences

    • Rescue Remedy is a fast-acting blend of five Bach flower remedies that targets anxiety sufferers. In addition to anxiety, this combination of remedies was specially developed to relieve acute stress and panic attacks and is intended to be particularly useful during emergencies. It consists of star-of-Bethlehem to help with trauma and numbness, clematis to encourage a feeling of being grounded and prevent passing out, rock rose to relieve panic, impatiens to assist with tension and irritability, and cherry plum to avoid loss of control. Rescue Remedy is available in different forms: a spray bottle, a glass bottle with a dropper, and a skin cream.