Abstract:
Bach flower remedies (BFR) were discovered by Dr. Edward Bach which are used for managing acute stress, anxiety & trauma. These remedies are usually non addictive and non-toxic. BFR are prepared from plants, trees or bushes. These are a total of 38 numbers.
The major advantage of BFR is; these can be used in combinations as per need of the case. It is the complementary system of medicine i.e. it doesn’t disturb the action of other medicines if given alongside. These remedies will help to reduce all unwanted mental aggravations of the symptoms without causing any harm to the patient. BFR help to treat patients with a variety of clinical diagnoses and also with varied mental states. The said article deals with a few cases displaying the utility of BFR along with Homoeopathy in various conditions and how they have helped the patients.
Keywords: BFR, combination, complementary system, Homoeopathy
Introduction:
Dr Edward Bach was a physician and homoeopath who found these 38 flower remedies. The purpose of these remedies is to support patients to fight against illness by addressing emotional factors like anxiety, depression, trauma. These remedies are safe and have no unwanted side effects and are non-addictive. They are particularly helpful for many people who feel generally tired and unwell without specific medical diagnosis also. (1)
Nowadays in females and males; the problem of infertility is increasing day by day which can lead higher rate of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. In these emotional outburst conditions BFR like – Aspen, Gentian, Agrimony, Holly, and Impatiens have miraculous results. (2), (3)
In students; stress during exams, vivas, and presentations leads to anxiety, which ultimately affects their performance. In these conditions BFR like Hornbeam, Clematis, Chestnut, Larch, Elm, and Rescue remedy represent nontoxic approach in management of situational anxiety experienced by patient in high degree of stress. (4)
BFR doesn’t lose its power of action if taken along with other medications. (5) It is safe to take it with other medicines. Advantage of this system is BFR can be given in combinations also.eg. If a patient complains of many symptoms at a time like fear of unknown things, fear of illness, feeling of inferiority for these complaints we can give BFR like Aspen, Mimulus, Larch for respective complaints in combination. (1)
Let’s explore the variety of cases successfully managed with BFR along with Homoeopathy. The patients were dispensed BFR in 30 potency- 15-20 drops in half cup of water. The dosage, frequency and day varied as per case.
Case 1:
A female of age 37 years; Mrs A.S. A. visited OPD. She is diagnosed with uterine fibroids & under regular treatment for that. She was presented with complaints of fear and anxiety of unknown origin++. The feeling of failure++ was also present. She felt; she can’t proceed in life. She was always engaged in her own world. There were constant clashes at her home. She also told that she recently divorced from her husband.
For these complaints; she was prescribed with Aspen, Heather & Chestnut Bud. The chief indication for Aspen was her fear and anxiety of unknown origin. The indication for Chestnut Bud was feeling of stuck in life; can’t proceed ahead. Heather was prescribed for the feeling of getting in her own world i.e. self absorption. All these medicines helped to reduce her symptoms effectively with BFR.
Case 2:
A 39 years old female; Dr. P.A.Y. was Presented with complaint of feeling of betrayal from husband, strong disappointment in career, hopelessness with fear of poverty. Patient under regular treatment for Endometrial polyp. For the presenting complaints she was prescribed with BFR –Gentian, Gorse, Mimulus. Here, Gentian helped to reduce feeling of betrayal from husband and also this remedy is indicated for doubt and despair and being face with insurmountable obstacle. (6) Mimulus helped to reduce the fear of poverty. Gorse was indicated for Hopelessness especially after chronic illness which also reduced in this case. (6)
Thus, BFR eventually helped to reduce all the symptoms in this scenario.
Case 3:
A 36 years male patient; Mr.Y.R.S was presented with complaint of startling due to fear, recurrent panic attacks, anxiety felt in chest, cannot handle money issues at work. Patient under regular treatment for acid peptic disorder. For this presenting complaint they were prescribed with Rescue remedy. These are combination of five remedies useful in acute sudden outburst of emotions with high degree of anxiety. (1) Remedies includes – Impatiens, Cherry plum, Clematis, Rock rose & Star of Bethlehem.
The indications include: Impatiens– It is markedly seen for desire to get things done quickly. Quick and quick to act. It is great calmer remedy. Cherry plum is indicated for loss of self-control, also treat negative emotions that represents in panic attacks and fear. Likewise, in other conditions like in deep depression people suffers from suicidal thoughts and loss of self-control. (6) Clematis is indicated for persons with lack of interest in present, dreamy people who cannot handle present situation well. (6) Rock rose is indicated for recurrent panic attacks with sudden anxiety and fear. Star of Bethlehem is indicated for turmoil after shock with fear and anxiety. Also in other conditions like when person involved in road traffic accident leads to panic attacks, fear which is sudden in onset. (6)
In this case BFR eventually helped to cure all the mental aggravations of the patient.
Case 4:
Mr.P.N.P.- 30 years old patient is under regular treatment for Essential
Hypertension visited OPD for his complaints of – he cannot take decisions during anxiety, he has anxiety to face any difficult situation or exam, and he gets heavy perspiration during anxiety. For this complaint he was prescribed with Rescue remedy which is a blend of 5 remedy. Impatiens, Cherry plum, Clematis, Rock rose, Star of Bethlehem (1).
Impatiens is indicated for calming the mind in hurried situations. Cherry plum helps to reduce the panic attacks. Clematis helps the patient to manage himself in stress. Rock rose is indicated for sudden anxiety and fear with physical manifestations like perspirations and palpitations. The Star of Bethlehem helps to reduce sudden mental shock which leads to anxiety, fear. Thus, Rescue remedy which is the combination of remedies has helped to reduce all the mental symptoms in this scenario.
Case 5:
45 years old lady; Mrs.AVD was troubled with mental symptoms. She is a diagnosed case of Hemorrhoids and under regular Homeopathic management. She presented with complaints of sudden episodes of anger due to prolonged suppressed feelings, throwing things in anger, fear of poverty, fear of loss in business. For these complaints she was prescribed Mimulus & Cherry plum. Mimulus was indicated for fear of poverty with fear of loss in business which again ultimately develops fear of poverty. Cherry plum was indicated for loss of self-control, uncontrollable anger. (6)Here, BFR helped to reduce the patients presenting complaints in very less time.
Case 6:
A female of age 20 years Miss. S.S.D. presented with complaints of palpitations due to which she cannot attend exams, dryness of mouth during exam with anticipatory anxiety. She was prescribed a Bach flower Rescue remedy. The patient is under regular treatment for Anemia. Rescue remedy is a blend of 5 remedies and indicated for sudden mental shock, acute stress with high degree of anxiety, sudden palpitations, and fear. Thus, Rescue remedy rapidly helped to reduce all the mental aggravations of the patient.
Case 7:
A female of 48 years Mrs.T.V.K. diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 and Hypothyroidism is under regular Homoeopathic care; presented with complaints of no interest in living, lack of interest in everything, persistent fear of death due to diabetes. For these complaints she was prescribed Clematis and Mimulus. Clematis is indicated for loss of interest in everything that is in present life. Mimulus is indicated for fear in the form of death, illness, poverty. Here, BFR helped to reduce this unwanted mental aggravation of patient without causing aggravations to her chronic illnesses.
Case 8:
45 years old female- Mrs.S.S.T. being treated homeopathically for bilateral breasts fibroadenoma visited for her complaints of sudden episodes of rage due to prolonged suppressed feelings, she couldn’t see any good in others, she was constantly cursing and swearing others. There was fear of poverty and money loss. For these complaints she was prescribed with BFR- Mimulus and Cherry plum. Mimulus is indicated for fear of poverty and money loss. Cherry plum is indicated for deeper negative thoughts so people may go in depression. Vice versa they curse and finds fault in others and in extreme level they injure to others. (6)
In this case; BFR cured all the troubling mental states without aggravating the chronic illness.
Conclusion:
In day to day clinical practice BFR can be safely given along with Conventional or Homoeopathic medicines. Many cases with different clinical diagnosis and variety of mental symptoms can be treated effectively with BFR without causing any harm. As per analysis BFR can be given in combination and this is the advantage of this system.
Acknowledgement:
Authors would like to sincerely thank Dr. Shrikant S. Kulkarni LCEH, practicing Homoeopathy since 40 years; generously sharing his invaluable experiences with BFR. The journey has been truly inspiring and deeply appreciated.
Conflict of interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Reference:
- Judy Howard. The original Bach Flower Remedies- The 38 flower remedies. London: Wigmore publications Ltd; Pg. 4-52.
- Dr. Rajeev Saxena. Sex and Bach Flower therapy. New Delhi: Indian books and periodicals publishers; Nov.2003. Pg.83.
- Mindful Remedies. Natural flower treatment for Infertility[Internet]. UK: Lucy Edward; Available from: https://mindfulremedies.co.uk/blogs/mindful/natural-fertility-treatment-bach-flower-remedies
- Mindful Remedies. 10 Bach Flower Remedies to help with exams and studying[Internet]. UK: Lucy Edward; Available from: https://mindfulremedies.co.uk/blogs/mindful/bach-flower-remedies-to-help-with-exams-studying
- Robert Halberstein, Lydia DeSantis, Alicia Sirkin, Vivian Padron, Maria Ojeda. Healing with Bach Flower essences: Testing a Complementary Therapy. CHPR. 2007 Jan 1; 12: 5,12.
- Jermy Harwood. Natural Health secrets of BACH FLOWER REMEDIES. United states of America: Dorling Kindersley publishing, Inc.; 2000. Pg.48,13,75,128,56,92,176.
Author – Dr. Ashwin S. Kulkarni MD (HOM), PhD Scholar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Practice of Medicine, Late Mrs Housabai Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Nimshirgaon, Maharashtra
