Bach Flower Essences

Leanne Burton
May 2001

“There is no true healing unless there is a change in outlook, peace of mind and inner happiness.” --Dr Edward Bach

Dr. Edward Bach (1886 – 1936) had more interest in treating the whole patient than just the illness they suffered from. Dr. Bach felt that emotions played a large part in illness. He believed that illness was a symptom of disharmony within the body and negative emotional states.  After working as a physician, surgeon, pathologist, immunologist and homeopath, Dr. Bach went in search of safe, natural remedies that would assist in the healing of these negative emotions. He was aware that seeing and smelling particular flowers produced emotional changes in people. This led him to discover the benefits of flower essences in addressing his patients’ negative emotional states.

Listed below and grouped according to the emotional states they apply to, are the 38 essences and one combination remedy that Dr. Bach discovered. A brief description of the negative emotional states that each essence can address has been provided to help you determine which ones may be most helpful and appropriate. These essences can be combined to address complex emotional issues. You may choose up to five appropriate essences to use at any one time. If you use Rescue Remedy in conjunction with others, you may combine it with up to four other essences. Flower essences are safe and can be used in conjunction with other therapies.

"True healing involves treating the very base of the cause of suffering.  Therefore no effort directed to the body alone can do more than superficially repair damage. Treat people for their emotional unhappiness, allow them to be happy, and they will become well." DR Edward Bach

Whether using one or several of the Bach Flower Essences, you will want to place several drops of each into a bottle with an ounce of distilled or filtered water. The essences are preserved in alcohol and you must dilute them before administering them to your bird. Because of the way in which the Bach Flower Essences work, one diluted drop of essence is equivalent to the entire full strength bottle. Store the diluted flower essences in the refrigerator. To avoid contaminating your entire bottle, pour a small amount into another container and dose your bird from this container. If you are using an eyedropper or pipette to administer the remedy to your bird, do not place the dropper or pipette back into the original treatment bottle. 

The frequency at which you administer the remedy to your bird will depend on the situation you are addressing. In most circumstances you will dose your bird two or three times each day. However, in acute or critical situations you may dose your bird more often, possibly every hour or even as much as every few minutes.

Rescue Remedy

This remedy combines Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose, and Star of Bethlehem. Rescue Remedy is particularly useful for frightful or stressful situations. It can alleviate fear, anxiety and panic. It may also be given prior to a stressful event. This combination of flower essences can be used before going to the veterinarian, after a night fright, or any time that calm and composure is needed.

Bird Crisis

From the kitchen window of my home, I heard the carpenter calling me to come outside. At the time, he was building a wood walkway along the side of my house. As I approached him to see what was the matter, he walked toward me with what appeared to be either a dead or stuffed little bird perched on his finger. He was kidding, I was sure. A fake bird, I told myself. "What is that?" I asked. He said he found it on the ground. The very small, lime green bird must've flown at full force into a fixed-glass window on the outside of my home then dropped two stories to the cement pool patio deck. The motionless little bird seemed stiff as a board, eyes shut tight with no noticeable breathing.

I thought, "Please little bird, don't be dead." I gently lifted the bird off the carpenter's finger with my index finger under the bird's feet. Amazingly this little creature grabbed hold of my finger and didn't fall off as I proceeded to walk upstairs to the kitchen patio. I yelled to my husband, who was inside our home, to please bring me the Rescue Remedy. I sat down in a patio chair and gently slipped my finger away from the bird's feet letting it settle on my lap. Still the bird was stiff, didn't seem to be breathing and had its eyes shut tight.

I put two drops of Rescue Remedy liquid from the concentrate bottle on my finger and rubbed it onto the bird's head just above the beak and above the eyes. In about 15 seconds, the bird suddenly popped its eyes wide open, looked up at me, flapped its wings, pooped in my lap and then shut back down again like before. I've never been so happy to be pooped on! This bird was alive! It seemed a miracle.

I decided to repeat the dosage again -- two more drops of Rescue Remedy on the bird's head in the same place. Within another 15 seconds this bird popped open its eyes again, looked up at me, began flapping its wings and with a little effort flew up to a palm tree branch in my neighbor's yard near our property line. I was thrilled! I felt like I just saved a life. At this moment, I still didn't know if the bird was going to fully recover. I decided to go back into the house. After 20 minutes, I walked outside to see the bird had flown away.

This event happened many years ago when I was first learning about the Bach Flower Essences and I was still questioning whether or not the essences really worked. I had never in my life seen such a quick healing response in people or animals. I could no longer deny the essences' powerful healing potential. This event changed my life.

Alicia Sirkin, BFRP
Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner
alicia@flowerhealing.com
www.flowerhealing.com
1-888-875-6753

Fear

Aspen

Aspen is used to address the fear of unknown things. Often birds who are easily startled or tend to have a general sense of uneasiness or suspicion will benefit from Aspen. Also consider it for phobic birds. Night frights and feather destructive behaviors that are a result of fear from an unknown origin may be an indication that Aspen would be helpful. Because it can be difficult to determine if a fear is from a known or unknown origin, combining Aspen with Mimulus may be most effective.

Cherry Plum

Consider Cherry Plum for birds who lose their composure when frightened. For instance, birds who feather pluck, self-mutilate, become vicious or bite their owners out of fear may be helped by Cherry Plum. This flower essence can also help a bird remain calm when around strangers or when taken into new environments or stressful situations.

Mimulus

Use Mimulus when you can identify what your bird is fearful of. Mimulus will help instill confidence in timid birds. To help your bird be courageous enough to approach new people, play with unfamiliar toys or accept changes in their environment, try Mimulus. If you are unable to determine if your bird’s fear is of known or unknown things, you can combine Mimulus with Aspen.

Red Chestnut

Birds who worry excessively over the well being of others may obtain benefits from Red Chestnut. Sometimes these birds may worry about others, fearing that bad things may happen, and ignore their own needs. For example, birds who feel they must care for another bird or person and forget to care for themselves. If you will be away from your bird for an extended period of time and you anticipate that your bird will fear that you will not return, consider using this flower essence.

Rock Rose

Rock Rose is for terror and fright; it will help a bird gather courage during extremely stressful situations. Any situation that causes your bird to feel panic may be cause to use Rock Rose. If your bird is easily frightened and you will have workmen coming to your home or you will be keeping the neighbor’s dog while they are on vacation, consider having this flower essence handy.

Uncertainty

Cerato

Cerato can help a bird who is indecisive due to a lack of self-confidence. Birds who are easily led or misguided and don’t have the confidence to do things on their own might do well with Cerato. These birds need constant affirmation and encouragement. They may become more confident and trusting in their own judgment with this flower essence.

Gentian

If your bird is easily discouraged, even by minor setbacks, and needs a lot of praise and encouragement, consider Gentian. A bird who is unwilling to try something a second time because they were unsuccessful the first time may need Gentian. It may also be useful if your bird is depressed for known reasons. Gentian may help restore confidence after failing to overcome the obstacles in daily life.

Gorse

Gorse brings about a more positive attitude and can help alleviate depression. Birds who are despondent and lack hope that their situation will improve could use this flower essence. Behavioral problems that may improve with a more positive outlook may be cause to use Gorse. It may also help if your bird has an illness and needs to gather the will to fight to get better.

Hornbeam

Any bird who needs to counteract mental exhaustion or needs to gather the mental strength to complete difficult tasks might be a good candidate for this essence. Hornbeam is another flower essence to consider during illness; it will help a bird gather mental strength. Also consider it for birds who are always caged and have led a boring life for an extended period of time. For these birds, Hornbeam will provide inner strength and vitality.

Scleranthus

Scleranthus can bring composure or balance into a bird’s life. This essence is beneficial during times of rapid change, especially for timid birds. It helps with indecision and uncertainty. Consider it for a bird who is learning to fly. If your bird suffers from rapid mood swings without reason, you might consider Scleranthus. Birds who pluck due to hormonal reasons may also benefit.

Wild Oat

Birds who feel they do not have a purpose in life or are uncertain about what to do with themselves may need Wild Oat. Many birds in captivity have no focus or goal in their daily activities and this may contribute to improper feather grooming behaviors or other behavioral problems. Wild Oat may help these birds find purpose and fulfillment.

Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances

Chestnut Bud

Chestnut Bud can be helpful to birds who fail to learn from their mistakes. Also consider using Chestnut Bud for wild birds brought into captivity or any bird having difficulty adapting to a new home. This flower essence may be useful during training or when trying to modify inappropriate behaviors.

Clematis

Absent-minded birds or birds who become distracted and preoccupied easily may gain more interest in daily life and pay more attention to their tasks when using Clematis. These birds may be withdrawn and live in a world of their own, possibly even to the point of being apathetic. They may be sleepy or drowsy most of the time, for no apparent reason.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is beneficial for birds who are homesick or may live in the past, feeling that the present is not as pleasant. These birds may be unhappy about their current situation. Also consider Honeysuckle for birds who have lost a mate or beloved owner. Honeysuckle can help birds desire to be more involved in their daily lives and let go of the past.

Mustard

Mustard is helpful in dealing with sadness and sorrow. For birds who suffer from depression, Mustard can bring about a more optimistic outlook. The cause of the bird’s unhappiness may be unknown. These birds may seem detached from the present or choose to isolate themselves. Also consider using Mustard after the death of a loved one.

Olive

Any bird dealing with a difficult situation who feels mentally exhausted might benefit from Olive. This flower essence can calm and rejuvenate a bird. Olive could be useful with birds who are dealing with a serious illness or a traumatic experience.

White Chestnut

White chestnut can help bring about peace of mind. If you feel your bird obsesses or suffers from mental turmoil, you may want to consider this flower essence. These birds may seem tense and unable to calm down or rest.

Wild Rose

If your bird seems to lack interest in life or is apathetic, Wild Rose may be of benefit. The lives of most pet birds are not very stimulating when compared to how their lives would be in the wild and this can lead to a general disinterest in life. In captivity, birds have almost no ability to improve their situation if they are unhappy. This unhappiness can lead to mental or physical illness. Wild Rose may help these birds be more content with their circumstances.

Loneliness

Heather

Heather is for those that are self-centered or self-absorbed and dislike being alone. Because birds naturally prefer being with others in their flock, it may be difficult to determine if Heather is appropriate. You might consider using Heather with birds who must always be the center of attention or engage in feather destructive or mutilating behaviors only when they are left alone.

Impatiens

Impatiens helps instill acceptance and serenity. It is effective at alleviating nervousness and irritation. Additionally, birds who have a lack of tolerance of others and chose to do things by themselves, yet become lonely, may benefit from Impatiens.

Water Violet

To deal with sorrow or anguish over the loss of a loved one, consider Water Violet. This flower essence is also appropriate for dealing with separation anxiety. Overly independent or seemingly aloof birds who suffer from loneliness, especially those who become withdrawn, may benefit from Water Violet.

Over Sensitivity to Influences and Ideas

Agrimony

Any bird who suppresses negative emotions and puts on a cheerful outward appearance is a classic example of one who would benefit from Agrimony. Most birds would choose to live in different circumstances than we are able to provide in captivity. For instance, most birds would rather not be confined. These birds try to disregard the negative portions of their lives and always appear happy. Repressing these emotions can lead to mental and physical illness. These emotions may manifest themselves in other ways, like feather destructive behaviors in a bird who always seems cheerful. Agrimony can assist in bringing peace to these bird’s lives.

Centaury

Centaury can be beneficial for birds who always try to please others. This flower essence helps easily intimidated birds to stand up for themselves. A bird who has been dominated by other birds or trained by owners that dominated them may benefit from Centaury. Birds who consent to what their owners or other birds want, even when they would rather do something else, may need Centaury so that they are able to place a higher priority on what they desire.

Holly

This flower essence can be very useful with birds, because it deals with jealousy and anger. A bird who is irritated about the arrival of a new member of the household or an overly bonded bird who is jealous of her owner’s attention to others may become more accepting of the situation. If a bird feels neglected or abandoned, Holly may help heal these feelings. Holly helps to instill a sense of love and nurturing.

Walnut

Walnut is very useful during times of change or stress as it provides stability during transitions. Consider it for a bird who is changing homes or adjusting to different living conditions. Walnut is protective against negative stimulus from the world around us. Bird owners are aware that birds are very empathic and Walnut can protect your bird from negative emotions that you are having.

Despondency and Despair

Crab Apple

Birds who think poorly of themselves can benefit from the cleansing effects of Crab Apple. These birds may blame themselves for negative things that happen in their lives. Despondent birds who are meticulous about their appearance may find Crab Apple helpful. This particular essence is also useful at clearing away obsessive behaviors, for example, habitual feather destructive behaviors.

Elm

Elm helps to re-establish peace and balance in birds who have been overwhelmed. These birds may usually be very stable, but have just been through unusually demanding situations. When people or animals whom your bird is unfamiliar with come into your home or after a trip to the veterinarian, Elm is appropriate. Birds who must adjust to a new home will also benefit from Elm.

Larch

If your bird lacks self-confidence or feels inferior, you might consider using Larch. This flower essence alleviates despair. It can instill a willingness to try new things. Abused or neglected birds who need to regain confidence will be helped by this essence. Larch can help your bird tackle difficult challenges.

Oak

This flower essence can strengthen a bird who is facing a difficult situation. Birds who may benefit from Oak have a desire to do what is asked of them, but may need strength and endurance to complete the task. Oak can assist a bird who is recovering from long term illness or abuse.

Pine

Pine eliminates feelings of guilt. Physically and mentally abused or neglected birds who blame themselves for the abuse and neglect they encounter can benefit from Pine. Additionally, consider using Pine for a bird who has been abandoned. Birds who feel worthless may find that Pine assists in alleviating these feelings.

Star of Bethlehem

Consider using Star of Bethlehem after any trauma, whether it is physical, mental or emotional. After life-changing events like the death of a mate, Star of Bethlehem can be useful. In situations like earthquakes, fireworks or when a bird is recovered after being lost, consider the immediate use of this flower essence. However, the effects of a traumatic experience may last for years, so Star of Bethlehem can be beneficial for despondency and despair long after a traumatic event actually takes place. Also, negative consequences may not surface for quite some time after trauma occurs and this can also be dealt with by using Star of Bethlehem.

Sweet Chestnut

Sweet Chestnut addresses mental anguish. It can alleviate hopelessness or assist a bird through situations that seem unendurable. This is another remedy that can be useful for previously abused birds.

Willow

Willow can help a bird deal with feelings of resentment. You would want to use Willow for birds who have to deal with recurring frustration and who do not understand why they keep finding themselves in these situations. Those who need Willow may blame others for their problems.

Over Caring for the Welfare of Others

Beech

If your bird needs to be more optimistic or tolerant, consider Beech. The lack of tolerance can be directed towards people or other birds. Additionally, changes in the bird’s environment or schedule may be cause for upset for these birds. Beech may be helpful when introducing a bird to a new cage or after bringing home a new puppy.

Chicory

You will find chicory useful for birds who are overly demanding, possessive and insecure. Birds who need Chicory do not want to share their favorite human with others; they may be over protective or aggressive. Separation anxiety may be helped with this flower essence. These birds may be domineering to other birds or demand that they behave in a particular way, for example, always expecting to be preened and not ever returning the favor.

Rock Water

This essence is the only one that is not derived from a plant; instead it comes from natural springs. Rock Water can assist birds who are unchanging and unyielding, birds who do not accept new foods or new toys, for example. These birds are rigid and driven. Often these birds may exhibit compulsive behaviors. Rock Water can help them to develop a broad perspective and more flexibility.

Vervain

Vervain promotes tranquility and restraint in birds who are overly enthusiastic, over bearing and bossy. These birds are too concerned about the needs and actions of others. Also, these birds may be nervous or edgy. Vervain may be helpful for birds who try to control all the members of the household.

Vine

Birds who need Vine are dominant and inflexible, but they are not nervous birds.  They are calm and purposeful. These birds are very selfish and demand to have their own way. Vine can assist the bird in becoming a caring teacher or leader, instead of a bossy dictator.

References and resources:

The Dr. Edward Bach Centre; http://www.bachcentre.com
McCluggage, Dr. David and Higdon, Pamela Leis; Holistic Care for Birds
Puotinen, C. J.; The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care
Rasmussen, Betina; http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm
Wulff-Tilford, Mary L. and Tilford, Gregory L.; All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets

Bird Crisis

From the kitchen window of my home, I heard the carpenter calling me to come outside. At the time, he was building a wood walkway along the side of my house. As I approached him to see what was the matter, he walked toward me with what appeared to be either a dead or stuffed little bird perched on his finger. He was kidding, I was sure. A fake bird, I told myself. "What is that?" I asked. He said he found it on the ground. The very small, lime green bird must've flown at full force into a fixed-glass window on the outside of my home then dropped two stories to the cement pool patio deck. The motionless little bird seemed stiff as a board, eyes shut tight with no noticeable breathing.

I thought, "Please little bird, don't be dead." I gently lifted the bird off the carpenter's finger with my index finger under the bird's feet. Amazingly this little creature grabbed hold of my finger and didn't fall off as I proceeded to walk upstairs to the kitchen patio. I yelled to my husband, who was inside our home, to please bring me the Rescue Remedy. I sat down in a patio chair and gently slipped my finger away from the bird's feet letting it settle on my lap. Still the bird was stiff, didn't seem to be breathing and had its eyes shut tight.

I put two drops of Rescue Remedy liquid from the concentrate bottle on my finger and rubbed it onto the bird's head just above the beak and above the eyes. In about 15 seconds, the bird suddenly popped its eyes wide open, looked up at me, flapped its wings, pooped in my lap and then shut back down again like before. I've never been so happy to be pooped on! This bird was alive! It seemed a miracle.

I decided to repeat the dosage again -- two more drops of Rescue Remedy on the bird's head in the same place. Within another 15 seconds this bird popped open its eyes again, looked up at me, began flapping its wings and with a little effort flew up to a palm tree branch in my neighbor's yard near our property line. I was thrilled! I felt like I just saved a life. At this moment, I still didn't know if the bird was going to fully recover. I decided to go back into the house. After 20 minutes, I walked outside to see the bird had flown away.

This event happened many years ago when I was first learning about the Bach Flower Essences and I was still questioning whether or not the essences really worked. I had never in my life seen such a quick healing response in people or animals. I could no longer deny the essences' powerful healing potential. This event changed my life.

Alicia Sirkin, BFRP
Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner
alicia@flowerhealing.com
www.flowerhealing.com
1-888-875-6753