Introducing
The Flower Remedy Series
Hi guys, this is Annie. I have got some very exciting news... Bach approached me to collaborate with them for The Blog! A true pinch me-moment for a Flower Remedy enthusiast like me.
I received the invitation to write something about The Rescue Remedy. I mean... Of course I would! This brought me to the idea to start writing a new Series. A recurring theme on the blog, here to debunk:
"WHAT ARE THOSE DROPS?"
In this space, I write about the world of flowers, energy and emotional alchemy. Here, I share the knowledge and experience I have gained through my work with flower remedies. Allow me to show you why those drops continue to fascinate me!
In November, I completed Level 2 of the educational Bach-course. For the first level, I travelled to Oxford to study at The Bach Centre, inside Dr. Bach’s former countryside home. For the second level however, I decided to take the course online. It felt good to connect with like-minded students from all over the world.
Having the column-request come in while studying Dr. Bach's materials, gave me an instant sense of excitement. Flower Remedies are a great passion of mine and I feel called to start telling you more about them.
What is Bach?Â
"Bach" is referring to Dr. Bach, the inventor of Flower Remedies. The renowned U.K. physician decided to immerse himself in the world of flowers around the 1920s. He established the theory that you can treat imbalanced emotional states with flowers' energetic properties. This led him to create a set of 38 different flower remedies that supports a state of emotional well-being.Â
A Flower Remedy is essentially a small glass bottle filled with spring water, brandy and the conserved energy of a flower.
Hold on, explain...
Dr. Bach studied what happens when a flower is placed in a bowl of water and left to rest in the sunlight. Through this process, the water absorbs the flower’s energetic imprint. To preserve this essence, a small portion is mixed with brandy and then transferred into smaller bottles: the very ones you may have seen in in drugstores, pharmacies, and... on my feed.
What are Flower Remedies for?
Dr. Bach’s system contains 38 remedies designed to support a wide range of emotional states: from loneliness and frustration to anxiety and gloom. We all experience emotions, yet feeling is not always comfortable. I experience Flower Remedies to be a gentle support in moving through emotional waves. They help strengthen my capacity to feel. And the more I can support myself in feeling, the closer I come to my true self. Slowly, the protective layers begin to fall away. It takes courage to sit with uncomfortable sensations. Let alone the patience to let them alchemise...
I describe Flower Remedies to be my feeling companions. They are tools that help me feel better in allowing myself to feel more. I believe that flowers are here to support us in balancing our emotions. When we feel out of alignment, Flower Remedies shine light on what is disturbed beneath the surface. Flower Remedies help us alchemise the energy we were once unable to hold.
I have been taking Flower Remedies throughout my whole life. Referring to them feels like a second nature. This connection developed itself in the first months of my life. I would not stop crying as a baby. My parents had tried everything. Eventually, they were advised by a homeopathic doctor to give me Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy. My mom put a couple of drops underneath my tongue. The crying stopped. My parents were stunned and have continued to treat me as well as my two brothers with Flower Remedies ever since. However, this was my family’s experience. I always encourage parents to speak with a healthcare professional before using any remedies with babies or children, especially those containing alcohol.
Rescue to The RescueÂ
What is The Rescue Remedy? You might have spotted this tiny yellow bottle at the drug store. It is essentially a blend of 5 remedies created for emergency situations. This remedy is traditionally used for moments of emotional overwhelm, when you are seeking a sense of comfort and calm. Think: an accident, stage fright, surgery, a moment of instant panic…
I use the Rescue Remedy for my dogs Luna and Bella too. They often go on longer car journeys. Travel combined with major changes can be straining for them. Animals, for me, are a great example when it comes to debunking how Flower Remedies actually work. Let me elaborate...
Bella and Luna are generally great at regulating energy. When I raise my voice, they shake it off. Us as humans, often shy away from uncomfortable feelings. Over a lifetime, we develop protection mechanisms and build layer upon layer around our true core. This largely subconscious process creates distance from who we really are.
What Flower Remedies do is peel back those layers. Have you ever been yelled at and felt uncomfortable emotions arise, only for that energy to get stored somewhere in your body? Flower Remedies can help bring this energy to the surface so it can be seen, felt and released. Taking Flower Remedies is like allowing your body to complete a delayed shaking, at a time your system is ready.
What the Rescue Remedy does on the other hand is prevent another layer from forming. The other day, I had to go for a blood test. I felt shaky as I walked out of the hospital. By chance, I passed a pharmacy and saw the familiar yellow Bach packaging light up from the shelves. I took two drops and the shaking settled. No new layer was created, because I felt supported in the release of the denser energy. The Rescue Remedy is designed to support us in times of inner crisis: when we need grounding, calm and immediate support.
The Rescue Remedy is designed to comfort after shock (Rock Rose). To ease the tension (Star of Bethlehem). To pull ourselves back into the moment (Clematis). Ease frustration (Impatiens) and regulate the fear of losing control (Cherry Plum).
I love how this little yellow bottle seems to be the most well-known from Dr. Bach’s collection. I read the rumours about high-performing athletes and artists who use these drops before stepping onto the field or stage. I love this! That is exactly what Rescue is for: those unexpected, intense moments when we suddenly feel overwhelmed by sensation. Moments without time to create a personal blend. I always make sure to carry The Rescue Remedy with me when I travel or when I head to events that might come with sweaty armpits.
"Feeling this bottle inside my pocket is giving me a sense of safety"
Bach has also formulated a Rescue Remedy for Pets: a version in which the brandy is replaced with glycerin, making it suitable for animals as this mixture is alcohol-free. I add a few drops from the bottle to their drinking water before travel and during particularly stressful periods. Especially now, as the fireworks season approaches. Luna and Bella are not keen on the sounds of the explosions and would be anxiously running around the house as soon as the explosions begin...
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How To Use The Drops
The drops can be taken under the tongue or added to a glass of water. You could even put the the drops straight onto your skin or add them to your favourite beverage.
For standard Flower Remedies, 2 drops in a large glass of water are suggested to be sipped over the course of the day.
For The Rescue Remedy, 4 drops are advised to be taken as needed. Â
For pets: add 4 drops to the drinking water or onto the food and repeat as needed around stressful moments.
Are Those Drops safe?
The remedies are generally regarded as low-risk. However, most formulations do contain small amounts of alcohol as a preservative, unless an alcohol-free version is used. Adding them to a hot drink may reduce the alcohol slightly, but most of it is likely to remain. If you want to avoid alcohol as much as possible, it would be best to choose an alcohol-free or glycerin-based version.