anxiety

Apr 14, 2012

Bach Remedies for Sleep

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Sleep is like a dream come true for those that find it and a nightmare for those whom it eludes. Insomnia can lead to deep frustration and dissatisfaction. Sometimes we have a hard sleeping due to immediate circumstances and sometimes it is chronic. There are many reasons why a good nights sleep is important and  there are a number of Bach Remedies that can aid in helping you get a good nights sleep.

White Chestnut
Key among the 38 Remedies is White Chestnut, this remedy aids the mind to slow down its mental chatter and incessant thought cycling to bring about a restful mind. The great thing about this remedy is that you can use it for acute situations. My suggestion is to keep a bottle near your bed and take 2 drops directly from the stock bottle before laying down to sleep.

Rescue Remedy
Next on list would be Rescue Remedy, the essences in this combination are helpful to curb acute anxiety and stress. It would be wise to consider Rescue Remedy when you are going through stressful or troubling times and this is the cause of your insomnia.

Vervain
In general Vervain is for the high strung type, the constant doer who is always on the go and planning what is next. Vervain flower essences will assist this type to take a more relaxed less edgy approach to life and tasks. Those needing this essence would be wise to consider using it throughout the day to assist with a more relaxed approach to life that will then translate to better sleep.

Impatiens
Similar to Vervain, Impatiens is more of a type remedy and from the name we can glean that this essence helps with impatience. Those needing this remedy may be generally impatient types or just going through a cycle where their patience is being tested. This is a great remedy that helps us to slow down and take a more eased approach to life. This remedy can also be used safely throughout the day.

Bach Remedies are safe to use long term or on a temporary basis. They are non habit forming and non addictive. They simply help adjust underlying reasons that lead to sleep disturbances in the first place. It is also suggested to look at your lifestyle to see what might need adjustment. Maybe you need to stop drinking caffeine after 3 pm or not eat so late. But whatever the reason Bach Remedies can be of great assistance on a path of balance.

Please note Flower Remedies promote balance, which is a wholly personal experience also note that any of these remedies can be taken throughout the day to promote balance. They will not cause drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day, they will promote balance and this will no doubt leaving you feeling happier and healthier.

 

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Mar 06, 2012

Dr. Oz Recomends Rescue Remedy

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Dr. Oz’s recommendation for Rescue Remedy is welcome news, because Rescue Remedy is such an effective and useful supplement, that will help you cope with the stresses of daily life. Therapists around the world have been recommending Rescue Remedy  for acute anxiety, niggling fear and emotional upset for over 80 years.

What is it?
Rescue Remedy is simple formula made from five wildflowers, it originated in England and is now available in most continents around the world. The trusted formula of Clematis, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum has remained the same ever since Dr. Bach made it up in the mid 1930′s.

Lets examine the individual flowers in the Rescue Remedy Combination Dr. Oz has been recommending.

Cherry Plum is helpful when you feel you are at a breaking point, experiencing great suffering and are about to lose control. You may also find you’re trying desperately to control feelings. Cherry plum is a light-filled essence that promotes growth and calmness while dealing with inner turmoil.

Clematis supports you in staying awake and present. It ushers in clarity of consciousness and brings awareness clearly to the present moment. Clematis helps bring greater clarity and awareness to life and help you take more practical action.

Impatiens treats impatience and it supports your emotional growth: if you tend to talk, eat and drive fast; anger quickly and have a fiery temper. Impatiens can be of great benefit if you rush through your days with little joy. This remedy enhances the ability to slow down and enjoy the flow of life. It treats general irritation and intolerance helping you embrace life and circumstances with greater ease and flexibility.                            

Rock Rose flower essence fosters, great courage and grounded presence when facing catastrophic situations. This essence helps one to stay centered and remain grounded to effectively deal with challenging circumstances.
 
Star of Bethlehem is a powerful remedy for addressing recent or past traumas. Its deeply soothing and comforting energy fosters wholeness, unity and relief from the most troubling of situations.

If you are looking to purchase Rescue Remedy for yourself or a family member, visit our Rescue Remedy page and learn more about how to use Rescue Remedy to address specific fears, anxities  and situational stress.

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Mar 01, 2012

Dr Oz Rescue Remedy and Sanity

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Am I Normal?
Recently there was a segment on Dr. Oz titled “Are You Normal or Nuts”, if you have to ask chances are you are normal. You may have behavior that differs from the rest but that doesn’t make you “nuts” and in all fairness there is no such thing as “normal”.  There seems to be an idea that a normalcy exists when in reality we are all unique individuals. We may have behaviors that are uniquely ours and the a question to ask in light of this is: Does the behavior serve you or is it taking away from the quality of your life?

The questions on the Oz show were in regards to OCD behavior, Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder, fears and unresolved emotions showing up in dreams.

I personally like the Dr. Oz show and think he has brought a new perspective to the limelight, that only an MD could do. I say this because he often talks about alternatives to main stream orthodox medicine but because he is a heart surgeon what he says has credibility. So when I heard him mention on of my most favorite topics flower essences I felt compelled to chime in and expand upon the topic.


Dr. Oz and Rescue Remedy
Dr. Bach’s Rescue Remedy is easily the most widely used and recognized flower essence formula. Dr. Oz’s Rescue Remedy recommendation came in response to a question of how to deal with paralyzing fear. From a general perspective Rescue Remedy could benefit the person in a situation like this. But a paralyzing fear that persists for days leading up to an event would really benefit from a more nuanced approach.

 

Mimulus
I would need to speak with the person to get a sense of what is going on but right off the bat I would give this client mimulus; which is for fear of known things. A one month treatment cycle with mimulus would help to shift this behavior so it no longer bothers the individual. There is a difference between addressing a symptom and treating the person. One provides temporary relief the other is a long term solution. I am personally more interested in providing my clients with long term solutions.


Rescue Remedy
This formula was developed in the 1930′s a much different time than the one we live in. It was developed to address acute stress and anxiety that is the result of trauma or shocking news, such as a death in the family etc. There is a simplicity to this formula which makes it easy to use but as an essence practitioner I think it is being misused. As with many “alternatives” it is falling prey to the allopathic mindset, meaning it is being used to suppress a symptom and not fully address the underlying causes.

Flower Essences and The New Paradigm
Using flower essences therapeutically presents a new paradigm, it is a dramatic shift from how we currently think about health treatment. To sum up the new paradigm as best I can; I would say the New Paradigm that essences work in is to address the person not the aliment. Our current system is diseased focused, this narrow approach is normal, to want to cure a disease is totally legit. And, what if we could take a broader perspective? What if we could see the person behind the disease and treat the person?


Bach’s Vision
As a doctor Bach had this vision; it revealed itself in his case load and led to the development of flower remedies. What Dr. Bach noticed were these two points:

  • The same personality types had the same aliments and complaints
  • People coming for single disease treatment have similar personalities 

With that he concluded the following:

  • There must be a way to strengthen and balance the personality to protect from disease.
  • There must be a way to treat the personality directly and alleviate the disease.

Do you get what he was doing? He was pioneering Mind/Body medicine, his keen observation and dedication to wellness is and was revolutionary. Treat the personality so the patient regains health. I felt the need to give a concise explanation of what Bach was up to before moving on because I feel it is important to understand the intent and vision of the work if we want to get sound results when using essences.

 

Dr. Oz and Flower Essences
The proper use of flower essences requires a nuanced understanding if we are to truly address the causes of certain conditions.  While I do support his promotion of Rescue Remedy, I want people to understand the depth of healing essences can bring to person.

Honestly folks if you really want the best results from using flower essences, you need to work with a skilled practitioner. There is an old saying that applies here: “A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient.” I do welcome the attention essences receive when respected folks like Dr. Oz mention them and as someone who specializes in flower essences I seek to clarify his good intent.

 

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Feb 09, 2012

Bach Flower Remedies for Anxiety

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Bach flower remedies are excellent non-habit forming tools that can be used to calm stress and anxiety.  Anxiety is a fear of the future, it can be acute, chronic, have a known cause or an unknown cause. But, whatever the case may be; Bach flower remedies address anxiety with precision and effectiveness uncommon in other forms of healing.

 

Aspen- Has anxiety descended for an unknown reason? Do you find your self feeling edgy unsteady and generally fearful yet can’t pinpoint what is causing the unrest? Aspen is for those souls who are refined, sensitive souls whose highly refined perception and rich inner life can lead to feelings of anxiety for no known reason.

 

Mimulus- In contrast to Aspen, mimulus is for anxiety from known reasons. This would be anxiety from shyness, phobias or other known causes. This is such a great remedy for lifting us out of our perceptions of shyness and limitation, as it helps to fortify soul forces to overcome known fears.

 

Holly- This essence is related to anxiety in and around relationships; in this case the anxiety may take the form of jealousy, envy or suspicion. Holly is like a heart softener that helps it to gently open to greater feelings of universal love and kindness. Holly is great from relationship related anxieties.

 

Impatiens- You know who you are, the impatient type, most likely this type of anxious impatient person is not even reading this blog. Seriously, this is the fourth paragraph down, who has time to get this far? Well if you have gotten this far and do resonate with this, you might want a little impatiens in your life. It is a blessing for the high strung, anxious, get’r done attitude which leads to uneasy feelings of tension.

 

Red Chestnut- Oh Red Chestnut, you care so much for those close to and you just fear the worst is going to happen to them. So you fret, you worry and you get anxious. While it may seem like you are doing something, you are just filing your time with fears that most likely will not come to pass. Do you find your self anxious for others? Well you may want to find yourself some Red Chestnut, you’ll be fine.

 

Rescue Remedy®
All these remedies can be used in combination, for acute situations try adding them to a dosage bottle with a dose of Rescue Remedy®. This will help you get  your convenient dose of calm when you need it. Note: Rescue Remedy® contains impatiens. Also Rescue Remedy® was designed for acute situations and it works best when used in this manner.

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Jan 02, 2012

Three Bach Essences for Anxiety

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It has come to my attention this case of modern day anxiety, like a dull hum that pulses through the lives and minds of neighbors, friends and colleague.  I would venture to say that the media is implicit in this type of fear mongering as well as politicians and corporations.

It is like there is a doomsday story around every corner and topic with grave implications seem to have more value and have become the status quo. This is particularly important to be aware of as we have now entered 2012, a year with many predictions.  In my view we are at the cusp of a major change that will actually move us towards a more peaceful and harmonious world.   Be steady, face your fears squarely and remember that

. . . serenity, peace, calm and balance are actually the backdrop which frames existence.  What I find particularly disconcerting is how widespread mild anxiety is.  Anxiety is a fear of the future; in the case of modern day anxiety it is a vague fear of the future.  This vague fear seems to me to be encouraged by the media, in a rather titillating fashion.  To live in this state of constant fear and danger is damaging to the immune system and completely shatters ones peace of mind.

In the Bach Flower Remedy system there are a few essences which address fear and anxiety as I have been discussing, here is a list of remedies that may help.

Aspen: This remedy is for unexplainable fears and anxiety that stems from the psyche.  Usually these fears are related to impending evil; something that lurks in the shadows. The characteristic of the fear associated with this remedy is fear of something unexplainable; of something that may happen. It is like fear of potential disaster.

Mimulus: This remedy deals with fear but more in the realm of shyness. It is a fear of known things, such as a fear of flying, driving over bridges etc . . .

 

Rock Rose: This remedy is for terror and or panic, when fear has escalated to the point of debilitation. This remedy is indicated for a state called a ‘panic attack’ at times when one is paralyzed by fear.

There seems to be an assumption that we need this type of fear, that it keeps us vigilant and without it we may fall victim to another attack.  It is promoted as a pseudo security measure. One can be vigilant, watchful and aware without falling victim to unnecessary fear and anxiety.
With peace and good will I wish you a Happy New Year.

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May 04, 2010

A Few Flower Essences to help with Sleep

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Below is a list of key flower remedies that come to mind when I am asked:
Which flower essences help with sleep difficulties?

White Chestnut one of Bach’s Original essences is the first essence that comes to mind. This essence helps to calm an over active mind, indicated by chattering repetitive thoughts which circulate relentlessly.  Most troubling at night, white chestnut calms the restless mind to help ease us into sleep and relaxation.

Lemon Balm: This essence facilitates deep relaxation of the mind; it also helps one move into an alpha state more easily.

Blue Vervain: This essence is excellent for tightness and rigidity; it helps to bring about a state of relaxation to the mind and body. This essence is great for Type A and over achiever personalities who have a hard time slowing down and relaxing.

Lavender: This essence is great for nervous insomnia; it has a soothing quality that helps calm the nerves, mind and spirit. Lavender is a wonderful essence for highly sensitive people, it may also be combined  with Aspen brings strength to highly refined souls who suffer from anxiety.

Blueberry Cactus:This essence works similar to White Chestnut; in that it helps to slow the mind down. Blueberry cactus also has calming properties that helps one to gain deeper states of relaxation, facilitating deeper sleep and more restful sleep.

If you suffer from nightmares trying adding St. John’s Wort to any of the above essences in a sleep formula.

How to Use:
For the high strung, generally anxious personality, use these essences throughout the day they will not put you to sleep but will assist you in helping you stay calm.  For acute difficulties these remedies can be used in evening and before bed.

This small list my top recommendations to support a good nights sleep.

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Oct 22, 2009

Curb Your Anxiety

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Flower Essence Remedies for treating acute anxiety as well as understanding anxiety in our life. First a list of specific essences and what they are for. At the end of the list anxiety is discussed along with other approaches to addressing anxiety.

Flower Essence Remedies for treating anxiety:

Aspen: for anxiety that descend for unknown reason

Blueberry Cactus: for treating anxiety that leads to sleep disturbances

Blue Vervain:for treating anxiety from overwork, being leaders and role models

Golden Yarrow: helpful with performance anxiety, when felt in the stomach region.

Larch: anxiety related to fear of failure.

Lemon Balm: this remedy helps calm the mind and allows for deeper emotional exploration.

Mimulus: this treats anxiety related to everyday situations, being afraid of everyday situations.

Rescue Remedy: an all around remedy for acute anxiety, stage fright, test taking and so on.

A few strategic essences which may help to corral mental energy and encourage focus.

Indian Pink: this remedy is managing stress during times of intense activity.

Madia: this remedy is for those who are easily distracted.

Rabbitbrush: useful when feeling overwhelmed by details.

Shasta Daisy: this remedy helps us find the whole among bits and pieces of information.

White Chestnut: helps us find inner calm, treats the “chattering” mind: this essence is good to use when an over active mind keeps us from sleeping.

Anxiety of a more distinct emotional origin i.e.. death of a loved one/pet, recent break up or anxiety surrounding love.

Bleeding Heart: this remedy is excellent when for when a relationship has ended.

Borage: this essence facilitates a buoyant heart helping to uplift any heaviness.

Butterfly Weed: this essence is for “love” addiction when anxiety develops from the initial feelings of “falling in love” begin to shift.

Holly: a great remedy to treat jealousy and anxiety with regards to relationships.

Pink Amaranthus: this remedy treats anxiety when in love.

Pretty Face: for anxiety around beauty and physical appearance.

These remedies are presented as starting points to dealing with anxiety. But ultimately the anxiety needs to rooted out and just treated. The basis for anxiety is fear whether conscious or unconscious. Anxiety results when the mental body attempts to suppress information from the emotional body. When parts escape and overwhelms the mind anxiety manifests.

If you are prone to anxiety it is wise to deal with it by gradually uncovering the underlying fear(s), take it slow be kind to yourself. I caution against anti anxiety drugs due to their addictive nature and non therapeutic way of masking anxiety. One cannot simply drug themselves into a healthy state of being.

There are many herbs available to assist with anxiousness, wild oats and lavender are two good ones to consider. Wild oat is nutritive; enriching the nervous system with calcium. Lavender essential oil is widely known to be very calming and soothing for stress and nervousness.

If your anxiety is due to an over abundance of caffeine it would by wise to cut down on this drug. Try green tea instead of coffee, tea contains the amino acid theanine which is a calming agent. With that said I have found it remarkable how flower essences can even assist caffeine induced anxiety. For this Rescue Remedy is good as well as Lemon Balm and Blueberry Cactus.

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