Five
Flower Formula
Dr. Bach’s remedy for stress and trauma
Primary Indications:
* This is a fundamental component of any emergency relief program. The Five-Flower
Formula promotes calm and stability in any emergency or time of stress. It alleviates
panic, disorientation, and shock, and helps the individual to cope with on-going
trauma or pain.
* Emergency or Crisis — Calms mental levels of pain, suffering, and confusion
– use for the person who is suffering as well as those who are helping.
* Recovery from Trauma — Promotes recovery from trauma, injury or illness,
by relieving stress, anxiety and tension.
* Baseline Remedy for All Healing — Stabilizes and calms the mind-body
interface, before addressing specific emotions and behavior patterns.
* Calms Children — Use after household accidents, falls, scrapes, or burns,
used along with appropriate physical care.
* Aids Animals — To pacify wild or trapped animals, or to help any injured
or stressed pet, or when transporting any animal.
* Plant Protection — Use whenever transplanting to reduce shock, or in
vases of cut flowers.
* Prevention — Use before known stressful situations such as visits to
the dentist, preparation for surgery, labor and delivery, travel or moving.
* Post-Trauma — Use for post-traumatic stress of any kind, including surgery,
war, rape, natural disaster, or loss of one’s loved ones or home.
The Five-Flower Formula features:
Rock Rose - The botanical name of this plant derives from Helios,
the Greek God of the Sun. It is an apt name for this bright yellow flower, which
grows as a low spreading shrubby plant in dry, rocky soils. The yellow flowers
of the Rock Rose evoke a strong force of solar light which literally comes right
into the “rocks” of the earth. It is used for extreme conditions
of terror or fear. Its role within the Five-Flower Formula is to bring stabilization
and calm, particularly by helping to anchor light, or an inner force of sun-radiance,
that darkens during extreme states of fear or panic.
Clematis - This woody perennial grows as a twisting
vine, producing creamy white flowers and silver-white feathery seed heads. This
plant exudes a quality of dreamy, “other-worldliness”, and is indicated
for an amorphous states of awareness lacking in clarity and fully awake consciousness.
The Clematis helps to draw one’s consciousness back into the body and
into present time during episodes of extreme stress.
Impatiens - This special species of Impatiens is
native to the Himalayas and differs considerably from common nursery varieties.
The mauve and magenta flowers are deeply invaginated; in fact the five petals
are fused to form a “helmet”. In contrast to the flower, the seed
pods are fat, pointed, and explode and scatter with considerable force. The
Impatiens prefers damp, shady conditions and especially likes to grow along
streams. This plant integrates force and vitality with containment and interiorization.
As its old folk name of Impatiens suggests, it is used to balance and soothe
those who suffer from intense irritability, impulsivity, or hastiness. The Impatiens
flower helps us to “breathe with” time, rather than to fight it.
It is used in the Five Flower Formula to retain calm and reduce reactivity to
outer circumstances.
Cherry Plum - The Cherry Plum is a member of an impressive
family of plants called the Rosaceae, comprised of roses, berries, related shrubs,
and many fruit-bearing trees. All members of this plant family are distinguished
by intense earth forces, and the Cherry Plum is no exception. It grows to the
height of a small tree, with a ragged head and many suckers, and sometimes has
thorns. By contrast, the flowers are pure white with pink tinges and yellow
stamens, and a most delicate aroma. The Cherry Plum is beneficial for states
of extreme tension, characterized by a fear of losing control. This over-straining
and tightening of one’s “psychic grip” on reality creates
profound stress. The pure white flowers of the Cherry Plum bring a sense of
inner peace and stillness, easing the contraction felt in the body and mind
during times of panic and emergency.
Star Of Bethlehem - This six-pointed star-like flower
is the crowning touch of the Five-Flower Formula. A member of the lily family
of plants, this small flower shines with pure whiteness and perfect geometry.
It imparts a deep spiritual equilibrium, in which all the parts of the Self
are in perfect harmony. The Star of Bethlehem helps us to regain deep composure,
to remember again who we really are, and to act from the knowledge of our divine
and sacred Self. Any crisis or experience of suffering — no matter how
devastating — is an opportunity for mastering the trials of life. Star
of Bethlehem points us to a deeper sense of acceptance and understanding of
our experience from a spiritual perspective.
Text by Patricia Kaminski, Photos by Richard Katz