Those who have always believed in Western medicine's ability to cure illnesses and disorders will probably scoff at the idea of using flower extracts to cure a neurological condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But to the families and children who have tried it, Bach Flower Therapy is no laughing matter. Together with a holistic treatment program, this natural remedy has been able to manage hyperactivity and inattention where stimulant medication has failed.
The history of Bach Flower Therapy
Bach Flower Therapy was formulated in the late 1800s by a British physician named Dr. Edward Bach. Unlike doctors of his time, who attributed diseases to pathogens, bacteria, or genetics, Dr. Bach saw illnesses as the physical manifestations of sadness, anger, fear, and other negative emotions. This does not mean that the common cold is caused purely by our feelings; for chronic psychological conditions like ADHD, emotions do play a significant role in their persistence or their disappearance. And in some way, our emotions and psychological well-being also affect how well we can recover from biological diseases.
Instead of mixing pharmacological agents to come up with medicine for the body, Dr. Bach looked for medicine that would heal the soul. His unique journey made him discover the powerful curative abilities of plants, flowers, and herbs, especially when it comes to influencing our mood. Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Bach experimented with different combinations of flora until he came up with 38 different flowers that can restore balance in a person's emotional and mental state. With this discovery, Bach Flower Therapy was born.
How it works
Bach Flower Therapy is made up of a combination of these 38 flowers. Five or six different flowers are immersed in spring water and placed under the sun to come up with a liquid solution filled with the essence of the flowers and sun energy. Tiny amounts of ethyl alcohol are added as a preservative, although there are Bach Flower essences made with vinegar for those who cannot tolerate even the smallest drop of alcohol. The finished formula is placed in a bottle with a dropper for easy use.
Bach Flower essences are used by placing 4-6 drops of the formula under the tongue, or in a glass of water or tea. Although your child can take Bach Flower essences at any time of the day, they should be spread out over the course of 24 hours (e.g., before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime).
Bach Flower Therapy for ADHD
The following flowers are popularly used for ADHD. They are not purchased individually, but they are combined depending on your child's unique set of symptoms.
• Aspen - for irrational nervousness, anxiety, fears
• Cherry plum - for irrational thoughts and impulses combined with the fear of losing control
• Chestnut bud - for failure to learn from past mistakes and experiences
• Chicory - for the tendency to be self-absorbed and argumentative
• Clematis - for inattention, excessive daydreaming, or lack of interest in the present day
• Heather - for excessive talking or fear of being alone
• Impatiens - for chronic irritability and impatience
• Mimulus - for shyness and self-consciousness around strangers
• Mustard - for mood swings
• Scleranthus - for indecision
• Vervain - for excessive stubbornness
• White chestnut - for persistent worries and unwanted thoughts
Of course, plant extracts alone cannot treat ADHD. Together with a holistic management plan, Bach Flower Therapy can help alleviate your child's symptoms, and give him or her a life free of ADHD.
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