Remedy plants
There are 37 plants in total within the Bach system, and they are classified in three categories:
Twelve plants that Dr Bach associated with particular personality types, the essences from which can be used to help with particular failings of the personality type and promote beneficial changes.
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|
Method |
Personality |
Virtue |
Failing |
| Agrimony |
Agrimonia eupatoria |
Sun |
Torment |
Stillness |
Torture |
| Centaury |
Centaurium umbellatum |
Sun |
Servant |
Strength |
Weak |
| Cerato |
Ceratostigma willmottianum |
Sun |
Foolish |
Wisdom |
Self- distrusting |
| Chicory |
Chicorium intybus |
Sun |
Demanding |
Love |
Self- pitying |
| Clematis |
Clematis vitalba |
Sun |
Dreamer |
Gentleness |
Indiffer- ent |
| Gentian |
Gentiana amarella |
Sun |
Depressed |
Understanding |
Discon- tented |
| Impatiens |
Impatiens glandulifera |
Sun |
Irritable |
Forgiveness |
Impatient |
| Mimulus |
Mimulus guttatus |
Sun |
Nervous fear |
Sympathy |
Fearful |
| Rock Rose |
Helianthemum nummularium |
Sun |
Terrified |
Courage |
Terrified |
| Scleranthus |
Scleranthus annuus |
Sun |
Indecision |
Steadfastness |
Full of indecision |
| Vervain |
Verbena officinalis |
Sun |
Fervent |
Tolerance |
Intense |
| Water Violet |
Hottonia palustris |
Sun |
Isolated |
Joy |
Aloof |
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For certain of his patients, whose conditions had become habituated, Bach found that their true nature was obscured and did not fit into the categories of the twelve healers. For these, essences made from the seven helper group may be considered.
|
|
Method |
Chronic condition |
| Gorse |
Ulex europaeus |
Sun |
Hopelessness |
| Heather |
Calluna vulgaris |
Sun |
Talkative |
| Oak |
Quercus robur |
Sun |
Persevering |
| Olive |
Olea europaea |
Sun |
Exhaustion |
| Vine |
Vitis vinifera |
Sun |
Domineering |
| Wild Oat |
Bromus ramosus |
Sun |
Lack of direction |
| Rock Water |
Aqua |
None |
Strict idealist |
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For treating the emotional response to traumatic events. Dr Bach described them as ‘acting on a different plane . . . they are more spiritualised and help us to develop that inner great self in all of us which has the power to overcome all fears, all difficulties, all worries, all diseases.’ (Collected Writings, p23)
|
|
Method |
Emotional state |
| Aspen |
Populus tremula |
Boiling |
Unreasoning fears |
| Beech |
Fagus sylvatica |
Boiling |
Critical |
| Chestnut Bud |
Aesculus hippocastanum |
Boiling |
Unable to learn from mistakes |
| Cherry Plum |
Prunus cerasifera |
Boiling |
Loss of control |
| Crab Apple |
Malus sylvestris |
Boiling |
Feeling unclean |
| Elm |
Ulmus procera |
Boiling |
Overwhelmed |
| Holly |
Ilex aquifolium |
Boiling |
Hatred and anger |
| Honeysuckle |
Lonicera caprifolium |
Boiling |
Living in the past |
| Hornbeam |
Carpinus betulus |
Boiling |
Mental or physical tiredness |
| Larch |
Larix decidua |
Boiling |
Loss of confidence |
| Mustard |
Sinapis arvensis |
Boiling |
Depression |
| Pine |
Pinus sylvestris |
Boiling |
Self-blame |
| Red Chestnut |
Aesculus carnea |
Boiling |
Imagining the worst |
| Star of Bethlehem |
Ornitholagum umbellatum |
Boiling |
Needing comfort from shock |
| Sweet Chestnut |
Castanea sativa |
Boiling |
Utter desolation |
| Walnut |
Juglans regia |
Boiling |
Unsettled during life change |
| White Chestnut |
Aesculus hippocastanum |
Sun |
Mental congestion |
| Willow |
Salix vitellina |
Boiling |
Resentment and self-pity |
| Wild Rose |
Rosa canina |
Boiling |
Apathy |
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All the twelve healers and seven helpers are prepared by the sun method. All but one of the second 19 are prepared by the boiling method.
