Bach flowers: can they help lose weight?
The French are increasingly interested in alternative medicine, both to treat themselves and to maintain good health. According to a recent study(1), 71% of them say they have used at least once an alternative medicine practice, such as dietetics, homeopathyornaturopathy. They are even 92% to say they are satisfied with the results obtained. As such, is the use of Bach flowers interesting? Could this therapy be useful to lose weight?
What are Bach flowers?
Genesis
Bach flowers are theflower essencesinvented by Edward Bach, a British homeopathic doctor, in the early 20th century. Their creation is purely fortuitous: it is said that during a walk in the countryside, Bach, then in great suffering, would have drunk a little dew deposited on a flower and would have felt an immediate well-being. He would then have been convinced that the energetic benefits of the flower would have spread into the dew. He would then, groping, develop floral potions responding to different emotional issues. The flower essences were born.
Principle
Bach has listed38 beneficial flowers, each divided into one of the7 categoriescorresponding to the majoremotional conflictsof the human being:
- flowers of fear;
- flowers of uncertainty;
- flowers of lack of interest in the present;
- flowers of solitude;
- flowers of hypersensitivity to influences and ideas;
- flowers of despondency and despair;
- flowers of excessive concern for the well-being of others.
To these 38 flowers divided into 7 groups, is added a39thpreparation, which consists of a mixture of 5 synergistic remedies: the Emergency Remedy (Rescue Remedy).
Bach’s credo: restoring the patient’s positive state of mind by natural means can allow himto heal. The doctrine is therefore based on the principle of “a healthy mind in ahealthy body“.
Formulation
The preparation of a floral elixir is based on a simple recipe:
- flower petals are collected in nature, far from any pollution;
- if the petals come from annual flowers, they are placed in spring water, then the preparation is exposed to the sun, the “solarization” helping to extract the curative quintessence of the flower;
- in the case of flower petals from perennial plants (trees, bushes), the principle of boiling prevails;
- finally, the preparation is stabilized by adding alcohol, typically 40% organic Brandy , up to 50% of the preparation, then diluted (1/250th ) and stored in a bottle.
Finally, it should be noted that no empirical scientific study has established the therapeutic efficacy of Dr. Bach’s flower essences (2)tag. Everyone is therefore free to form their own opinion on their potential effects.
Benefits and uses
The Bach flowers aim above all to balance the emotional states and to find a certain well-being. Also they would allow to eliminate negative emotions, to free his speech, to overcome his fears, doubts and anxieties, to change his state of mind or to silence his stress.
They can be used in diffusion, spraying or diluted in drinking water (at the rate of a few drops). Their alcohol content being very low, they have no contraindications and can in principle be administered to children,pregnant womenand even to animals. But of course, if in doubt, it is better to seek advice from your doctor.
Are Bach flowers useful for losing weight?
Dr. Bach’s flower essences have no physical properties. They are only intended to rectify the emotional balance. They therefore do not act as aDr. Bach flower essences have no physical properties. with “appetite suppressant“, draining or “fat burning” virtues.
However, weight is a complex data, which often has a psychological spring: emotional hunger, stress, loss of motivation or lack of self-confidence. In this, Bach flowers could act, soothing the brakes to slimming.
Last precision: floral remedies can be used to treat a transient emotion or as a background treatment. The dosage will be different:
- as a temporary treatment, for 3 drops of each elixir into a glass of spring water, stir and drink in small sips, this 3 to 6 times a day, for 1 to 5 days;
- as a basic treatment, for 3 drops of each elixir into a 30 ml dropper bottle filled with spring water and mix. it is then taken by dropper, directly on the tongue, at the rate of 4 drops, 4 times a day, between meals, for 3 weeks.
It is advisable not to mix more than 7 flower essences simultaneously.
In case of food compulsion preventing weight loss
If you’re into Snacking , try to pinpoint the underlying emotion.
If you eat to compensate for a lack of self-confidence: Bach Flower Larch (No. 19 ), which allows you to feel up to it.
If your compulsions are explained more by rises in stress and you eat to soothe the feeling of being overwhelmed: Bach flower Elm (no . 11), which helps to regain discernment.
If you snack because you are bored: Wild oat floral elixir (no . 36), which soothes the feeling of loss of meaning.
If you eat compulsively to appease a well-defined fear: Bach Flower Mimulus (No. 2 ), which calms specific fears.
If you have difficulty maintaining food hygiene
If your overweight is due to your inability to refuse requests (dinner, a drink, more cake, etc.): Bach Centaury elixir (no . say no.
If you are unable to keep your resolutions , whether it is to start a diet or eat healthier: Bach flower Gorse (No. 13 ), which helps to regain the will and silence any doubt.
If you lack courage in the face of weight loss, which seems too difficult to you: elixir Gentian(No.12), which restores courage and developsperseverance.
To boost weight loss
Finally, some other Bach flowers can encourage you in your weight loss:
- Impatiens ( #18 ) calms irritability, in case weight loss is deemed too slow;
- Pine (No. 24 ), to stop feeling guilty in the event of a food gap;
- Crab apple (No. 10 ), to better accept his physical defects and develop his self-esteem;
- White Chestnut ( #35 ), to stop thinking about food, weight or losing weight all the time.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.