“Everyone will find the right flower for themselves!”
Interview with therapist and Bach flower expert Anna Elisabeth Röcker

"We humans live in connection with nature. Even those who don't think about healing vibrations can feel how their well-being improves in the forest or in the garden, surrounded by light and plants. Bach flowers have a special form of healing power. They affect the body, soul and spirit equally and can support us in all situations in life. It was Edward Bach's wish that each person should find the right flowers for themselves." The alternative practitioner Anna Elisabeth Röcker - author of the compact guide " Healing with Bach Flowers ", which is now being published in a revised and expanded new edition - describes in an interview the application and effectiveness of the gentle Bach flower therapy and explains the special approach of its founder Dr. Edward Bach.

Dr. Edward Bach's insight that the development of physical illnesses is in most cases preceded by mental and emotional stress is more relevant than ever. How did he arrive at this realization?

Anna Röcker: This insight came from his personal experience, especially from his work as a doctor both in his own practice and in a London hospital. In addition, he was able to draw on the knowledge of humankind's empirical medicine, which always assumes the wholeness of body and soul.

Now that the first edition has sold out, the popular compact guide, which has received high ratings on relevant portals, is being published in a revised and expanded new edition. What's new in "Healing with Bach Flowers"?

Anna Röcker : There are two new chapters that are particularly dear to my heart – especially given the current situation: In one chapter, I have suggested five flower mixtures to strengthen the immune system, which can be used prophylactically and as an accompaniment. Another new chapter deals with the topic of "The right flower for physical illnesses". Here I briefly describe the various organ systems and explain example symptoms, from allergies to problems in the kidney and bladder area. For each of these topics, there are suggestions for flower essences that are suitable and have proven themselves in practice. I particularly like the illustrations of the flowers in this new edition. I really enjoyed supplementing the flower portraits with special healing meditations.

It is said that Bach flowers have special vibrations and pass these on to people. How should we imagine the effect of the individual flowers?

Anna Röcker: Think of a walk in the woods or a summer afternoon in the garden. You don't need to know anything about vibrations to be able to say that your well-being noticeably improves. We humans live in direct connection with nature and feel its powers. Edward Bach perceived these powers of plants, especially in the flowers, as fine vibrations in a more differentiated way than most people. He felt the very special effect of a flower and noticed in which state of mind, for example, the olive or the chestnut is particularly good for a person. He made these powers available to us in the form of his flower essences.

Video of the first edition

In view of the multitude of chronic diseases that we are still helpless to deal with despite the advances in modern medicine, you believe that Dr. Bach's teachings are more relevant than ever. How can Bach flower remedies help treat current illnesses?

Anna Röcker: We have confirmation of Edward Bach's ideas today through the findings of modern psychoneuroimmunology. This relatively new medical science deals with the connection between the psyche, nervous system and immune system. This side of the story repeatedly points out that we need to understand illness holistically. The psyche plays a very important role in both the development of illness and the healing process. There are now countless publications on this by well-known medical professionals around the world. I therefore still consider Edward Bach to be a visionary with his idea of ​​strengthening the psyche with the help of the healing powers of nature, regardless of whether it is to prevent illness or to accompany any other type of therapy. Personal responsibility is also particularly important to me: especially today, in connection with resilience (i.e. the ability to resist or recover from a stressful situation), we talk about terms such as self-empowerment or self-efficacy. Dr. Bach was concerned with strengthening these qualities - and in my view these qualities are more in demand today than ever before.

The choice of the right flower depends on the current state of mind or the corresponding illness. Can you determine this yourself, or do you need experts?

Anna Röcker: My recommendation is always to study the Bach flowers yourself, especially since Edward Bach's most important book was entitled "Heal Thyself". However, when it comes to deeper-seated problems, illnesses that have already manifested themselves mentally or physically, talking to a therapist is not only helpful, but sometimes absolutely necessary to find the right flowers.

Does the use of Bach flowers also pose health risks? What happens if you choose the “wrong” flower or dosage?

Anna Röcker: There are no known health risks to date. However, I sometimes notice in my practice that - similar to homeopathy - a state of mind initially appears to be intensified or appears in a differentiated form, which then leads to the underlying flower. In principle, one can say that one cannot choose the "wrong" flower.

For which complaints and in which life situations has Bach flower therapy proven particularly effective?

Anna Röcker: It is easiest to use the flower essences for temporary emotional states, for example when you are anxious about an exam, exhausted after an illness or after a particular job requirement. In these cases, you can usually see a quick change. The emergency drops have proven particularly useful. I get a lot of feedback from people telling me how helpful this flower mixture was for them (before an operation, in shock, when they received negative news, etc.). You need more patience when it comes to physical illnesses, where the flowers are usually used as an adjunct.

What should you pay attention to when you are interested in Bach flowers and want to put together a personal medicine cabinet, for example?

Anna Röcker: You should take some time and read all the descriptions carefully. You should make a list of the flowers that you spontaneously felt were suitable. You can then narrow these flowers down to three flowers that suit you in almost every situation in life. If, for example, you realize that you generally have difficulty setting boundaries, then the corresponding flower "Centaury" becomes a kind of basic flower. That means that if you feel like you're coming down with a cold, it is the flower of choice - here too it is about setting boundaries, in this case against invading pathogens.

Bach flower therapy not only helps in acute situations, but also as a preventative measure to strengthen the immune system. Have you been able to determine whether Bach flowers are also suitable for dealing with viral diseases and infections?

Anna Röcker: Yes, I have had very good experiences here. I have been able to support many people, both when it comes to generally strengthening the immune system and dealing with fears and high levels of stress caused by confronting the coronavirus. In some cases, I have also supported my patients via Zoom or telephone during a COVID illness and supported them in the recovery process with Bach flowers.

Bach flowers can be used not only as a preventative measure, but also as an accompaniment to other therapies. What are these and how can you tell if they are medically successful?

Anna Röcker: Success is often seen in a different way of dealing with the illness, with more calmness, trust and perseverance. This strengthens the self-healing powers and speeds up the healing process. The use of Bach flowers has also proven to be effective after operations. Minor physical complaints can sometimes be remedied with the help of Bach flowers, such as nervous stomach problems or sleep disorders.

Book tip:
Anna Elisabeth Röcker: Healing with Bach flowers. Compact guide . Selection, dosage and application - help with physical and mental complaints - proven flowers to strengthen the immune system. Mankau Verlag, 2nd revised and expanded edition 2022, flapped paperback, color, 11.5 x 16.5 cm, 158 pages, 12.00 euros (D) / 12.40 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-661-2

Link recommendations:
More information about the compact guide “Healing with Bach Flowers”
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about author Anna Elisabeth Röcker
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