Doctor's Corner

Bach Flower remedies are a healing modality discovered by Dr. Edward Bach, a British bacteriologist and homeopath. This natural method of healing deals with the role that certain states of mind-mental and emotional stress-play in the development of disease and illness. Bach flowers are truly a very natural and simplistic form of healing that, on many occasions, can get to the root cause of what ails us.

Dr. Bach believed that the mind plays a vital role in maintaining health and recovering from illness. Trained as a doctor and homeopath, he left his lucrative practice to go off and find a more natural system of healing. This system was similar to the system of homeopathy proposed by Dr. Samuel Hannemahn many years previously. This system was similar still and, to a large extent, safer, since the remedies could be taken on their own or in conjunction with any other medical therapy.

It was no surprise that these Bach Flower remedies worked just as well in animals. There are 38 different remedies, and they all propose to fight illness by addressing emotional factors such as anxiety, trauma and depression that are thought to impede physical healing.
So, who was it that said animals don't grieve, feel depressed or suffer anxiety? We all know they do, and these are issues that must be addressed when treating animals. Because if their illnesses are not addressed, their afflictions may progress to other states of ill health. What we are saying is that this modality also seeks to address the total mind, body and soul. We cannot just treat the illness but must always address the total whole when diagnosing and treating disease

Centaury for the pet that may be overly anxious to please, timid and very submissive.

Heather for the pet that never leaves your side. They are always there on top of you, barking for your attention. These pets dislike being alone for a long amount of time and, unlike the centaury pet, are not servile but rather more concerned with themselves.

Chestnut Bud for the puppy that has a hard time in training. They continue to make mistakes and have a hard time learning from past errors. The positive side of this remedy would be the pet that easily learns from their mistakes and even learns by watching other pets.

Mimulus for those pets that are afraid of loud noises, like the sound of fireworks on the Fourth of July. If the fear is not specific, then other remedies may apply, such as Rock Water and Aspen.

Mustard for unexplained depression and sadness. These pets may be lethargic, gloomy and depressed for no apparent reason. It is important to note that this condition on occasion will merit and exam by your veterinarian if it continues.

Holly for the jealous pet. Those that bark at other animals, cats that hiss and pets that tend to show aggression.

And, of course, Rescue Remedy. This remedy is a combination of five of the 38 remedies. It is used for stress and anxiety. It consists of rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens, clematis, and star of Bethlehem.

Dosing pets is based on the human dosing method. It is important to note that these remedies are free of all side effects and can be given to all age groups.

There are various ways of administering these remedies, and they are best discussed with your holistic veterinary practitioner. Giving these remedies is of course no substitute for good sound veterinary care when needed, but in many cases they will be complementary to other treatment options.

Here we find a holistic treatment modality, a complementary modality, that deals with emotional issues and imbalances. Not that these remedies deal with physical problems directly, but by addressing issues of the mind, they may make physical conditions heal faster.

Many thanks to Alicia Sirkin, a Bach Flower registered practitioner, for her great sense of what it is to heal.