Quick Fix
Flower Essence Combinations
By Dr. Andrew Tresidder, MB BS MRCGP
I'm a General Practitioner (family doctor) in Somerset, southwest England, in a three-handed practice. My philosophy is to provide the best of orthodox medicine to my patients and also to use complementary approaches where appropriate.
Empowerment of the individual is the keystone of my approach, seeking to work with the 'patient' as a partner. For the last few years flower remedies have formed an invaluable aid to my practice of medicine, as they help a person gently to heal any aspects of emotion or personality that may be out of balance.
My use of flower remedies in practice has grown steadily and reflects the personal use I make of them both for myself and for family and friends. They have been powerful tools to help me initially with stress and then further to help me on the journey we call life. Here are a few mixtures I find very useful in my practice; they can all be made from the basic Bach remedies kit.
Please note that all information in this article is given in good faith. However, flower essences do not work all the time for everybody, nor are they a complete or exclusive system of healing for the emotions. These recommendations are not intended to deliver a universal panacea but are a synthesis of experiences designed to serve as a map to help you on a journey toward greater health. They are for reference only and should not be used instead of properly qualified medical or health practitioner advice. Always get an orthodox medical diagnosis, particularly to exclude unsuspected and undiagnosed important illness, and as part of your partnership with health practitioners on your journey of health.
Relationship Mix - Chicory, Gentian, Heather, Holly, Impatiens, Mustard, Pine, Red Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Vine, Walnut, Willow. For clear honest communication and forgiveness
Bitch Mix (Anger and Irritation) - Beech, Cherry Plum, Holly, Impatiens, Pine, Vine and Willow. For irritability, whether in the case of premenstrual tension or for any wish to dominate and control or for jealousy, negativity and bitterness, or resentment.
Confidence Mix - Centaury, Chestnut Bud, Gentian, Larch, Pine, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, Wild Rose. Builds inner confidence and constancy.
Study and Intuition Mix - Cerato, Chestnut Bud, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Water, Scleranthus, White Chestnut and Wild Oat. On occasion Wild Rose may be added. Helps you focus, concentrate and study effectively with enthusiasm and without inner distractions.
Change and Bereavement Mix - Chestnut Bud, Gentian, Gorse, Heather, Honeysuckle, Mustard, Pine, Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, Wild Rose and Willow. Also, Grief (Bailey Essences). Valuable for all who have been bereaved, even in the distant past, or for past or present negative experiences. Also for the many changes that we all face in life.
Carer's and Worry Mix - Agrimony, Gentian, Heather, Red Chestnut and White Chestnut. Tranquillity (Bailey Essences). For sleeplessness add Vervain. Carers often carry a heavy burden for a long time, both emotionally and physically, so Exhaustion Mix is an ideal accompaniment to this mix to refresh and regenerate.
Exhaustion Mix - Elm, Gorse, Hornbeam, Mustard, Oak, Olive, Walnut, and Wild Rose. Also, Dynamis (Australian Bush). Useful as a pick-me-up after prolonged effort; also for those with responsibilities that sometimes become too heavy.
Addictions Mix - Agrimony, Cherry Plum, Crab Apple, Clematis, Gentian, Larch, Pine, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, White Chestnut, Walnut. Helps break psychological dependencies by strengthening emotional reserves. One of the deep reasons addictions develop is due to insecurity - a problem the small child overcomes by sucking its thumb. Unfortunately, it is not cool for adults to do this, so they often adopt more harmful habits. Note: this mixture will usually need Relationship Mix to follow.
Fears and Nightmares Mix - Aspen, Cherry Plum, Mimulus, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, White Chestnut and Fears (Bailey Essences). For fears, terrors and nightmares, both in adults and children.
Work Stress Mix - Gentian, Hornbeam, Impatiens, Mustard, Olive, Rock Water, Vervain, Walnut, White Chestnut and Tranquillity (Bailey). Refreshes and restores interest when stressed at work. Rescue Remedy and equivalents are also useful.
Leadership Mix - Beech, Centaury, Cerato, Chestnut Bud, Elm, Heather, Holly, Impatiens, Oak, Red Chestnut, Rock Water, Scleranthus, Star of Bethlehem, Vervain, Vine, Walnut, Wild Oat. Helps those in reponsible positions to maintain poise and balance, especially when in demanding circumstances.
Follow Your Heart Mix - Centaury, Cerato, Chestnut Bud, Pine, Rock Water, Wild Oat. To help us to follow our intuition and the path in life that is best for us, even if it is not obvious at present. Also helps us gain wisdom from life's experiences.
Blues Mix - Gentian, Gorse, Mustard, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, Wild Rose, Willow, Despair (Bailey). Helps lift low moods, sadness and allows the sunshine back into life. Not instead of conventional anti-depressants if advised by a medical practitioner.
Past Abuse Mix - Agrimony, Crab Apple, Gentian, Gorse, Holly, Mustard, Pine, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, Willow, Childhood and Grief (Bailey's. Useful for cases of past emotional, physical and sexual abuse -- Australian Bush Sexuality Essence would be useful as well, for sexual abuse.
Insomnia Mix - Impatiens, Rock Rose, Vervain and White Chestnut. Useful for releasing mental and emotional patterns and excitement that prevents refreshing sleep.
Many health food shops will now make up a combination such as one of the above for a fixed price, making it very economical to use flower essences.
Alternatively, choose a combination essence already made up from the Australian Bush or other ranges.
As we move forwards in the first years of the new millennium we all need healing.
Healing of mind, healing of body, healing of spirit and healing particularly of the emotions.
As we transform ourselves from the stress and strain of our former state we need new tools to help us.
Flower remedies are truly TOOLS OF TRANSFORMATION. Use them pro-actively, and you can achieve the miraculous!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Andrew Tresidder has practised medicine since 1983, and as an NHS GP in Somerset since 1989. Andrew's philosophy is to provide the best of orthodox medicine, and also to try to be aware of the many other factors that influence health, from diet, nutrition and posture, to the way we feel. Helping individuals know themselves and restore inner balance in "lazy" ways is a particular interest of Andrew's. He teaches about the Invisible World of Feelings, The Wounded Healer, the many aspects of Supported Reflection, including Emotional Stress Release, Flower Essence Use, and other techniques. A practitioner and author of books on emotional well-being and flower essences, Andrew has taught widely in the UK and abroad including the Netherlands, Tenerife and Japan. His book Lazy Person's Guide to Emotional Healing, Using Flower Essences Successfully is available to download from www.drandrew.co.uk/.
Art Credits: Page designed by Windfall. Images courtesy of Clipart.com.
The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.
