Flower power–Bach therapy

Sameer Grover had fear of flying since childhood. However, long the journey was he would always go by train. Three weeks into Bach therapy and his fears disappeared.

The therapy we are talking about is becoming popular among alternative healthcare practitioners. Dr Edward Bach, UK based physician, eminent bacteriologist and also a homeopath in the year 1930 had an insight when he found that dew of fresh blossoms of certain plants when exposed to the light and warmth of the morning sun had a profound effect on human psyche. The therapy is quite popular abroad and of late has started gaining popularity in India too.

Alternate healing relies on the innate wisdom of human body to recuperate from ailments. In fact, all ailments whether at physical level or at the mental plane reflect the emotional turmoil of the human mind. Dr Jayashree Bukte, Pune based Bach therapist says, “If you pause and ponder, you will find that almost all diseases are intimately linked to stress”

The diseases that often afflict type A personality or stressful personalities are—

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Hyperacidity
• Eczema
• Short term memory loss

Interestingly, just like Dr Bach, Dr Bukte had studied medicine too and practiced for ten long years. But, she moved on to counseling because she felt that the conventional treatment emphasized a lot on medicines, whereas many a time people needed to talk and be listened to in order to earn relief. Then, Bach therapy interested her and for the last four years she is practicing it. “For eczema patients the therapy works wonders. There are two flower powers that can help students who suffer from short-term memory loss just before exams. ” says she. Dr Zubin Marolia, Bach therapist and homeopath says, “I saw a gentleman with multiple physical ailments–acidity, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, sinusitis, and alopecia. In the interview his entire life journey was evaluated and 2 core mental stresses was identified. Financial losses – which led to a constant fear of becoming poor, and a desperation that he could not achieve enough success in his life. He came to me in a state of “despair” that his life was always full of problems. He was given 2 Bach remedies, Mimulus and Cherry Plum. His complains settled down in a month’s time. He beautifully mentions that he feels lighter in the mind and now he has come to terms with his life stressors.”

Integrated healing

Mostly alternate therapy practitioners learn Bach as a way to offer integrated holistic solutions to their clients. Anita Anand, life-coach and past life regression therapist saw a very close friend of her recommending Bach therapy to people suffering from anxiety related syndromes and working wonders through it. Naturally, she was hooked and she learned the therapy and began practicing it in conjunction with her friend since 2003. She says, “As a therapy Bach deals, very gently, with the emotions. It is a non invasive to deal with many issues which begin in the mind and then manifest themselves in the body.” Delhi based hypnotherapist Dr. Vikas Khanna learned Bach therapy and began practicing it as an adjunct therapy.

He explains, “The Bach Flower Essences are 38 flower-based formulas made from blooms of healing plants. Flower essences are a form of vibrational medicine and each essence serves to balance a specific emotional state.”

Normally, people confuse Bach with aromatherapy. Whereas in aromatherapy, essential oils are applied externally, in Bach infusion of flowers are taken internally.

Dr. Khanna tells, “The medicines are made by collecting fresh blossoms and placing them on the surface of a bowl of water which is exposed to the morning sun, until the essence of the flower has been infused into the water. Then these infusions are blended and diluted with alcohol so that they can be preserved. They can also be preserved in vinegar for shorter duration.”

When the appropriate essence is ingested by a person (several drops, several times a day), it awakes an awareness of a particular emotional or mental pattern, or both assisting the person to make lasting changes.

Medicines of Bach therapy can be sought at homeopathic stores, but this does not mean that the therapy is anyway linked to homeopathy. “The fundamental principle of homeopathy is that like cures like, which is not true with Bach,” clarifies Dr Bukte.

Bach therapy is greatly suited in any pain or trauma related condition. The medicine that has gained immense popularity is Rescue Remedy which is a blend of five medicines. “As the name suggests, it is indicated in all type of emergencies where there is panic, shock or trauma involved. It can be taken orally and applied externally as well (on wounds) and is very useful and effective in pregnant women, who have apprehensions and fear,” informs Dr. Khanna.

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