Flower remedies correct mental and emotional imbalances and thus heal diseases caused by imbalances. Every flower therapy can heal a particular negative state of mind. Flower remedies are not new. The Australian Aboriginals used flowers to heal emotions; so did people in Ancient Egypt, India, Asia, South America, Europe, in the Middle Ages.

Edward Bach, a famous British physician, bacteriologist and homeopath, is renowned for developing the Bach flower remedies, as a form of alternative medicine. Instead of recognising the role of germ theory of disease, defective organs and/or tissue, Bach believed illness is the result of ‘a contradiction between the purposes of the soul and the personality's point of view.’ This internal war, according to Bach, leads to negative moods and energy blocks, which causes ‘disharmony’, leading to physical diseases.

In Mumbai, Dr Atul and Dr Rupa Shah, after their respective Allopathic MBBS and MD qualifications, started exploring flower remedies. They picked up the first set of Dr Bach's set of flower remedies in 1980 and found them very effective. The first person they tried it on was a 30 year old who stammered. The common reasons for stammering are fear of the unknown; lack of confidence and the patients usually have their thoughts moving faster than they can speak.

“After the flower remedy, in one month he stopped stammering completely. This inspired us to go on," explains Dr Rupa. "We have researched and practiced for 25 years on Indian flower remedies. Please remember this is flower remedy and not aroma therapy. There are 200 Indian flower treatments. While Dr Bach used to cut the flower, we do not cut the flower in our therapy. We leave the flower where it is and pour spring water or water from the starting point of the Ganges which is pure from the top of the flower and collect it below. So the flower is not destroyed and this is more eco friendly."

Flowers are usually used from, forests, or farms that do not use artificial elements. "We have to go to the flower the flower does not come to us," informs Dr Atul. These flowers are pure in energy. The doctors pray to the plant or tree before and while making the remedies. They also thank the flower after the remedy is made. They say a mantra which is specific to a flower or plant or speak in your own words. You request the deity, angels and fairies, looking after the flower to and to the entire universe to help you in getting the energy from the plant or flower to heal a person’s specific area of disharmony.

Here are some flower remedies. 

• The Morning Glory is effective for waking up people who cannot wake up early or feel depressed when they do. It fills them with energy and liven them up.
  
• Mustard is the remedy for deep gloom and depression that descends for no apparent reason out of a clear blue sky. People in this state often list all the reasons they have to feel happy and contented, but still everything looks black and hopeless to them. The remedy helps to dispel the clouds so that we can once again appreciate the joy and peace in our lives. 
   
• Holly – for those with hatred, envy and jealousy
   
• Olive – for the exhausted followed mental or physical effort
   
• Star of Bethlehem – for those in shock
   
• Vine – for those overwhelmed by dominance and inflexibility
   
• Walnut – for protection from change and unwanted influences
   
• Wild oat – for uncertainty over one's direction in life

Pic: alan massally