Edward Bach, a medical doctor and homeopath, created these remedies in the early 1900s. Homeopathy is the belief that the body can cure itself. It uses small amounts of natural substances like plants and minerals to treat the body or mind. They gently restore the balance between mind and body by casting out negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred and indecision which interfere with the equilibrium of the being as a whole. The Bach Flower Remedies allow peace and happiness to return to the sufferer so that the body is free to heal itself.
 
People have used Bach remedies for many conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, emotional and physical trauma, cancer, and HIV. Existing reliable research does not back up these claims. The emotions are grouped into seven broad psychological causes of illness:
  • Fear
  • Uncertainty
  • Lack of interest in present circumstance
  • Loneliness
  • Oversensitivity to influences
  • Sadness and despair
  • Cares for others at the expense of self
Bach had three key insights. First, observed, people were of a number of different types, according to their out­look on life and personality. Second, developed, intuitive sensitivity to the point where to experience an emotional state, and then find the support from nature that resolved this state. Third, devel­oped a method of transferring the energy from the trees and flowers that he found helpful to water, which preserved with brandy, and so was able to dispense remedies from this source.
 
This is a quick reference guide to each of the 38 remedies discovered by Dr Bach. Each remedy is directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state.
 

Reference Guide:

  1. Agrimony – The mental torture behind a cheerful face.
  2. Aspen – A fear of unknown things.
  3. Beech – Intolerance.
  4. Centaury – Inability to say, ‘no’.
  5. Cerato – A Lack of trust in one’s own decisions.
  6. Cherry Plum – the fear of mind giving way.
  7. Chestnut Bud – In failure to learn from mistakes.
  8. Chicory – Selfish and possessive love.
  9. Clematis – Dreaming of future without working in the present.
  10. Crab Apple – The cleansing remedy, People who don’t like anything about themselves.
  11. Elm – In overwhelmed by responsibility.
  12. Gentian – In discouragement after a setback.
  13. Gorse – In hopelessness and despairs.
  14. Heather – A talkative self-concern and being self-centred.
  15. Holly – Hatred, envy and jealousy.
  16. Honeysuckle – In living in the past.
  17. Hornbeam – In tiredness at the thought of doing something.
  18. Impatiens – Impatience.
  19. Larch – The lack of confidence.
  20. Mimulus – A 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 on mental or physical effort.
  24. Pine – Guilt.
  25. Red Chestnut – In 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 influence.
  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.