Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy

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I read Ms. Scheffer's first book "Bach Flower Therapy" nearly 20 years ago and found it to be a very useful resource. "The Encyclopedia Of Bach Flower Therapy" includes the information in her earlier book with new information and insights gleaned from years of application, study, and research. This is the one of the most comprehensive and legitimate explications of Bach Flower remedies that exists (Dr. Bach's original texts notwithstanding). If you want to study the use of Bach Flower Essences as a beginner or advanced user, then look no further. The contrasting explanations of essences which appear similar (Aspen & Mimulus; Crab Apple & Pine; Holly & Willow, etc.) are truly wonderful and helpful when diagnosing mental states -- worth the price of the book alone. I have worked with Bach Essences for over 20 years and can attest to the value and validity of this book!

I found this a difficult read. There was never anything to really get excited about and no new amazing insights. It simply repeated the accepted wisdom on Bach flowers. Her description of each flower remedy was a long discussion of the negative state given in the Bach Flower brochure. It's her opinion that it is the separation from the higher self and not listening to your inner voice that causes this negative state.

For instance, when it comes to Chestnut Bud she focuses on the fact that they make repetitive mistakes. Chestnut Bud people have laser like focus, and can obsess on a tiny area of the universe. This makes them brilliant, but they miss many things outside of their field of interest, hence the mistakes. They are like the classic "absent minded professor". They have extreme talent in one area, but very little common sense. Many people with Asperger's will benefit from this remedy.

If you ask a Chestnut Bud if he makes repetitive mistakes, he will answer with an emphatic "No!" because if he makes a mistake in his area of focus, he learns from it, and does not make the same mistake twice. Where he makes repeated mistakes is outside his area of focus, which he doesn't see, and often doesn't care about. But if you ask him "Can you focus intensely on something you're interested in, finding answers that no one else can think of?" He will answer, "Absolutely!" So yes, he makes repeated mistakes, but that's not how you need to approach him. Instead focus on his intelligence and problem solving capabilities, and show him how to balance it.

She is very picky about how many drops to use, what kind of alcohol, and how to drink the water. They are flower remedies. They're an energy medicine. Finding the right remedy is much more important than how many drops to use.

When it comes to selecting the correct remedy she treats it like a homeopathic consultation, with a long interview process, and questionnaires that once again focus on the simplistic negative states given in the brochure. She off handedly dismisses any type of energy testing, saying that people new to Bach Flowers use this approach. I have used Bach Flower remedies for years, and I find energy testing to be quite important. Just because somebody has Asperger's does not mean they need Chestnut Bud. Contrary to popular belief, a flower remedy can be wrong, and can stress a person.

Frequently energy testing will point to a remedy that I dismissed, and when I look at it more closely I think, "Oh, I hadn't thought of it that way." Energy testing has actually taught me more about the remedies because I've learned what types of people can benefit from certain remedies outside of the simple issues in the brochure. It's fun to meet a client for the first time, with basically no knowledge of their personality, and be able to describe their most pressing issue. They say "Wow, how did you know that?" It also increases their faith in your ability to help them.

The focus on the negative aspects also felt over emphasized. Natural leaders will often test for Vine, which does not mean they are tyrants. It means they are natural leaders and it strengthens those qualities.

If you are interested in the Bach Flowers, I recommend Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. I also really like Practical Uses and Applications of the Bach Flower Emotional Remedies.

I received this book for Christmas and I have nearly worn out the pages already! It is truly awesome, and I might venture to say - maybe the only one you need.

It has colored pictures of each flower with a background description and typically 2 full pages describing associated characteristics and symptoms. This is followed by a bullet list summarizing someone in the 'negative state', and another list for someone in the 'positive state'.

There are numerous charts and tables to assist in making the best selection of the essences.

I highly recommend this book. I also recommend Dr. Bach's book, "Heal Thyself".

The author's previous book presented the science behind Bach Flower remedies: Encyclopedia Of Bach Flower Therapy provides a comprehensive reference which integrates her research on the subject, from the techniques and methods of Bach Flower diagnostics to dosages, treatment guidelines, and specific ailments of adults and children of all ages. Color plates of the flowers accompany surveys of their uses.

I was skeptical about the efficacy of Bach Flower remedies for years, until I discovered that Rescue Remedy, which I had found most helpful in dealing with a variety of physical or emotional traumas, is in fact part of the Bach Flower repertory.

The English physician Edward Bach (pronounced " Batsh"), a sensitive and compassionate individual, had, aged 31, a malignant tumor removed from his spleen and was given three months to live. Sheer will and the desire to complete his bacteriological research, however, helped him prove the doctors wrong. He lived on, studied homeopathy, opened his own laboratory, discovered the close connection between archetypal emotions or attitudes and health or ill health, and finally developed the complete system of 38 remedies that today carries his name. He died in his sleep in 1936, aged 50, shortly after placing the copestone on his research for the key remedies to countermand what he called "disharmonies."

Often confused with homeopathy, the Bach Flower system is a unique approach to self-healing by means of the deep-reaching effects of flower essences, which are "distilled" either by exposure of the blossoms to the sun or by boiling them in water before the mother tincture is mixed with alcohol. The system is based on theoretical considerations that fully acknowledge the spiritual nature of human beings.

Mechthild Scheffer's encyclopedia is simply the best reference work on Bach flower therapy available today. Splendidly produced, it carefully describes each flower, the symptoms for which each remedy was designed, and the manner of application--complete with color photographs of the virtuous healing plants and many other helpful illustrations.



Copyright ©2006 by Georg Feuerstein. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any form requires prior permission from Traditional Yoga Studies at [...]

The latest insights on Bach Flower remedies from diagnosis to preparation and body maps makes for a continuing recommendation in a reference title which draws important links between flower therapies and healing. Packed with color photos and details, Encyclopedia Of Bach Flower Therapy includes tips for both physical and mental healing.

This is an excellent companion for anyone who uses bach flower therapy. It is very informative providing in depth information on each flower, history, photos, the negative as well as positive side aspects the particular flower is used for and what I find particularly helpful are the focus ideas at the end of each chapter for refocusing your thoughts. Extensive questionairre, index, glossary.

It may be a bit more than a person needs if you are just curious or have not begun using bach flowers.

Although I have studied a Bach course with a teacher, I believe that the book of Scheffer have completed and enriched my understanding of the whole doctrine. I really recommend this book which is written in a very professional, smart and pleasant way. Thank you Mrs. Scheffer!

Tsipora Kolet

My discovery of Edward Bach's Flower Therapy came on me suddenly. In the midst of writing a novel, my lead character decided to enhance her floral shoppe inventory with self-sewn natural plants and seeds. Within twenty-four hours of beginning my search for herbal practices, I ran into Bach's 38 key plants employed for prevention and cure of a multitude of ailments. This book is a beautiful reference and has been an endless reference for me while developing plant and human characters. I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who wishes to discover how your personality quirks might be tamed by God's wildflowers.

The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy is a wonderful resource to have available on the topic. The book was written by a Bach Flower forerunner in Germany and Europe. As a consultant myself, I refer to it often, the photographic guide to the flowers and the Kirlian photos of each flower's vibrational energy signature; the many descriptions for the need of and the benefits of each flower, makes for a great resource book!