the patient not just the disease and his insight into how the emotional state of the patient affected illness, Dr Edward Bach (1886-1936) developed this natural form of medicine to meet the spiritual/emotional needs of his patients? varied personalities.

The 38 Essences (plus the one composite essence, Rescue Remedy) are prepared from the flowers of non-poisonous plants, bushes and trees in a dilution method similar to homeopathy. Each essence can assist a specific mental and emotional state in gaining stability and equilibrium.

How They Work (excerpt from the booklet, Bach Flower Essences for the Family) Bach Flower Essences, like other forms of natural medicine, take effect through treating the individual, not the disease or the symptoms of disease. They work specifically on the emotional/spiritual condition of the person concerned. Thus two people, say, with arthritis, may benefit from quite different essences. One may be resigned to their illness, while the other may be impatient with it, so different essences will be appropriate to each person.

The effect of taking the essences is not to suppress negative attitudes but to transform them into positive ones; stimulating one's own potential for self-healing and freeing the physical system to engage fully in fighting disease and stress.

Now that the role of energy in medicine is becoming more widely accepted, practitioners who use the essences believe that their very pure vibrations interact with the subtle energy system of the patient, healing and harmonizing at the spiritual, mental and emotional levels.

People do not have to be physically ill to benefit from essences... the essences are invaluable in restoring balance before physical symptoms appear.