Frequently Asked Questions about Flower Remedies
How do flower remedies (also known as flower essences) work?
Flower remedies are a safe and natural way to heal the emotions. They work by balancing our emotions and changing negative emotions into positive ones. Dr Edward Bach who developed his 38 flower remedies in the 1930s believed that there was a strong link between our state of mind and our health. By using the remedies to restore positive mental states we will greatly improve our overall health and wellbeing.
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How do I take the remedies?
The standard dose is a minimum of 4 drops / sprays 4 times a day from a treatment bottle. They can also be taken more frequently if required, even every few minutes while under stress. They can be taken direct on the tongue, in food or in drink. If you touch the dropper clean it before returning it to the bottle to avoid contamination. It is best to take the first dose on waking up and the last dose just before bedtime.
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How should I give the remedies to animals?
The dosage is the same for animals as it is for people, 4 drops / sprays 4 times a day and again more often if required. They can be added to a meal or small piece of food, water or if the animal will tolerate it can be given directly into the mouth or gums. Be careful with the glass dropper so that it does not get broken. If it does touch the animal's mouth clean dropper with hot water before returning to bottle.
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I cannot get my animal to take it orally, is there an alternative way to give it?
If you cannot give it as described above or for wild or traumatised animals it can be applied to the skin, behind the ears, on the paws or on the belly. If you cannot get close enough to do this, then they can be sprayed into the air around the animal. This method is particularly good as a first step for calming rescue animals.
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How quickly will the remedies work?
Sometimes results can be very quick, especially with animals, but for problems which have been ongoing for some time, it may take a bit longer. Generally you should begin to see improvement within a fortnight if you have selected the right remedies. The effects may be quite subtle and it is not until you stop taking the remedies that you realise they were helping. Sometimes as one problem is resolved another one may surface so a change of remedies may be required periodically.
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How long will I need to keep taking the remedies?
Generally you should keep taking the remedies until the problems you are treating are resolved. This may be after only a few days or it may be a few weeks depending on the severity and duration of the problems. If the problem recurs another course may be needed but often they will not be needed for so long the next time. Eventually the problems should be resolved for good, as flower remedies treat the cause of the problems as opposed to the symptoms.
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Are flower remedies safe for everyone to use?
Flower remedies are 100% safe and natural, non toxic and have no side effects as they are made from very diluted amounts of the mother tincture. They are prepared in a very similar way to homeopathic remedies. They are completely safe for anyone to use from newborn children and animals, to during pregnancy. It is impossible to overdose and even if a child drank a whole treatment bottle there would be no side effects.
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What happens if I choose the wrong remedies?
Nothing at all. If you choose the wrong remedies they will simply not work, but they will not cause any adverse reactions. The body will only utilise the remedies that it needs.
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Can I use flower remedies alongside other treatments / drugs?
Yes, they will not interfere in any way with any other treatment, either conventional or complementary. They will help speed healing when used with other treatments and it is even thought that flower remedies actually enhance the effect of homeopathic remedies.
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How long does a bottle last?
If given at the standard dose of 4 drops / sprays 4 times a day, a 10 ml treatment bottle will last about 12 days, 25 ml will last for a month and 50 ml will last for two months. A stock concentrate bottle will provide approximately 100 doses for a 25 ml treatment bottle.
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What is the difference between a Treatment bottle and a Stock Concentrate bottle?
Treatment bottles or Combinations are diluted ready for use. The Stock Concentrate bottles need to be diluted before use, 2 drops of each chosen stock concentrate ( 4 drops of Emergency Remedy) should be used in a 25 ml treatment bottle. The stock concentrates are in an alcohol base, whereas treatment bottles contain still spring water, flower remedies and a small amount of alcohol to preserve.
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How do I prepare a Treatment Bottle?
You will need a 25 ml empty bottle with pipette, add 20 ml still spring water, 5 ml alcohol (vodka or brandy are best) then two drops of each chosen remedy or four of Emergency Remedy. You can leave out the alcohol, but your bottle will need to be kept refrigerated and will only keep for a week. All bottles should be sterilised by boiling for 20 minutes, pipettes should be cleaned in hot soapy water. Shake bottle well before use.
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How many remedies can I use in a treatment bottle?
It is best not to use more than seven or eight remedies in a bottle. After this amount the effects could be a bit vague and you would not be sure which remedies are helping. Emergency Remedy only counts as one remedy when used in a treatment bottle.
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How do I choose which remedies I need?
Read through the descriptions for each remedy to see which ones you appear to need, if you seem to need a lot of the remedies then select the remedies for the problems which you think are most important. Other minor problems can be dealt with at a later date. Have a look in the Book Section to find a selection of books about flower remedies if you would like to find out more.
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Can I still use the remedies if I / my animal cannot take alcohol?
There is only a very small proportion of alcohol in each treatment bottle, however you can still use flower remedies, simply put the drops in a hot drink, hot water for animals and the alcohol will evaporate. Applying the remedies to the skin is another way to avoid the ingestion of any alcohol.
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Is it safe for me to use an animal combination?
Perfectly safe, the preparation and dosage is exactly the same for animals as it is for people. You could take Show Nerves along with the animal if you too get stressed at shows, in fact if you don't address your nerves, the remedies will not have such a good effect on your animal as they will still sense your nervousness.
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Can flower remedies be used for physical problems?
Flower remedies are usually used to correct emotional imbalances so they are not used directly for physical problems. However indirectly they may well help physical problems as these are often caused by stress and anxiety. For example someone who suffers from tension headaches may find that their headaches disappear after taking flower remedies for stress. Those who are very rigid and inflexible in their mind often suffer from stiffness in the body too. Taking Dandelion for their rigid thoughts may well help their arthritis or stiff joints.
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Should I take Flower Remedies instead of conventional treatment / medicine?
No. Flower remedies are a Complementary therapy, which means they complement other forms of treatment. They should not be used as a substitute for proper medical / veterinary care. In emergencies you should always consult a Doctor / Vet. While waiting to see them it would be quite safe to use Emergency Remedy which will help alleviate any shock or trauma and could well speed healing.
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