Bach Flowers

Dr. Johanna Budwig was aware of the close relationship between emotions and physical health. She considered that resolving emotional issues and trauma was crucial in order for the body to be able to cure. With this in mind, Budwig Center gives much attention to each person's emotions.

Bach Flowers work in harmony with the Budwig protocol. Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), a doctor, bacteriologist and homeopath from London discovered that certain flowers hold the power to help face emotions, whether temporary or chronic and deeply rooted emotional problems and imbalances.

In his practice, Dr. Bach discovered the importance of harmony between mind and body. He said that illness originates from inner conflict. When the conflict is resolved, harmony is restored and the body can cure itself. Hence, balancing emotions is essential to healing.

There are 38 Bach flowers in total, which are divided into 7 groups of emotions: (1) fear, (2) uncertainty, (3) insufficient interest in present circumstances, (4) loneliness, (5) over-sensitivity to influences and ideas, (6) despondency and despair and (7) over care for welfare of others.

How Do They Work?

During the first three decades of the XX century, Dr. Bach dedicated his life to the study and investigation of the power of flowers. He tried a wide variety of flowers, many of which did not give any positive effect; some were even poisonous. The results of his investigation are the 38 flowers. Each of the 38 flowers corresponds to a mental or emotional state. There are so many potential combinations of flowers for different situations and personalities that all possible emotional states are covered so that there is no need for more than the 38 flowers.

In the case of acute mental and emotional states, the flowers have an almost immediate effect. They balance and bring emotions back to their normal state, restoring inner harmony. When Bach Flowers are used to treat emotions that are more deeply rooted or chronic, the balancing process takes longer. This is due to the nature of the flowers: they are very subtle and gentle. At the same time, they are very effective and safe. They work on an internal level, which is why the effect is not always noticeable on the surface. They balance the emotions little by little respecting each person's pace.

Bach Flowers are a form of emotional learning. The more a person understands his or her emotional imbalance, the more effect the flowers will have. Personal effort is also vital. The flowers do what you cannot achieve on your own. Naturally, it is imperative to choose the right flowers. If you do not use the flowers that correspond to your emotional state or personality, there will not be any effect.

At Budwig Center we will help you to choose the right flower or flowers. The Budwig Center Guide has additional information about each flower and a questionnaire that will help to determine which flowers would benefit you. This information will be taught during our learning sessions at Budwig Center. You will also be given the opportunity to try Bach Flowers.

Groups of Emotions	Flowers	Emotions and feelings to dominate
FEAR	Aspen	Fear, unexplained nervousness
	Cherry Plum	Fear of losing control of one's behaviour, on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
	Mimulus	Fear of known things: death, accidents, speaking in public, flying..
	Red Chesnut	Excessive concern for others, especially for loved ones and family.
	Rock Rose	Terror, extreme fear, panic, nightmares.
UNCERTAINTY	Cerato	Doubting one's own judgment, constantly asking for others' advice before acting.
	Gentian	Discouragement in the face of small setbacks; easily depressed and disheartened.
	Gorse	Despair, pessimism, negativity.
	Hornbeam	Tiredness, mental fatigue, doubts about one's one capability to carry out tasks.
	Scleranthus	Indecision, doubt, fluctuant mood.
	Wild Oat	Dissatisfaction with life, uncertainty about which road to choose.
INSUFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES	Chestnut Bud	Inability to learn from past mistakes.
	Clematis	Reverie, lack of interest in the present. Desire to evade reality.
	Honey Suckle	Nostalgia, living in the past. Longing.
	Mustard	Profound sadness with no apparent cause.
	Olive	Lack of energy. Total mental and physical exhaustion.
	White Chestnut	Mental controversy, unwanted worrying and reoccurring thoughts.
	Wild Rose	Resignation, apathy, passiveness and fatalism.
LONELINESS	Heather	Compulsive talker, self-centred, detests being alone.
	Impatiens	Impatient, irritable, feels frustrated when things are not going at their speed.
	Water Violet	Proud, reserved, restrained and calm, solitary, at times distant.
OVER-SENSITIVE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS	Agrimony	Conceals worries behind a cheerful mask.
	Centaury	Weak will, does not know how to say "no", always wants to please.
	Holly	Hate, envy, jealousy, suspicion, anger, conflict.
	Walnut	Need for protection in face of changes and outside influences.
DESPONDENCY AND DESPAIR	Crab Apple	Feelings of shame, dirtiness, mental or physical; bad image of self.
	Elm	Feeling of being overwhelmed by an excess of work and responsibility.
	Larch	Lack of confidence in oneself, feeling of inferiority. Does not try things for fear of failure.
	Oak	Deep sense of duty. Going non-stop despite exhaustion.
	Pine	Guilt. Remorse, feeling responsible for everything.
	Star Of Bethlehem	Consequences of shock, accident, bad news, sorrow, grief.
	Sweet Chestnut	Profound despair and anguish. Feeling of having reached one's limit. Feeling like giving up.
	Willow	Self-pity, feeling of injustice, resentment, bitterness.
OVER CARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS	Beech	Criticism, intolerance, arrogance.
	Chicory	Possessive love, giving in order to receive. Over-protection.
	Rock Water	Hard on oneself, inflexibility, sacrifice.
	Vervain	Excessive enthusiasm, rebel against injustice, nervous.
	Vine	Authoritative, uncompromising, ambitious, domineering, inflexible.