Holistic remedies offer relief

Bach Flower Essences transfer healing energy.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
"Holistic health is like a three-legged stool," says Cheryl Nashbar, a Bach Foundation registered practitioner. "Balance of mind, body and spirit is necessary, or you won't have health."
Most people who partake in holistic healing accept that there is something mystical involved in the process that cannot be explained in scientific terms. Whether personal beliefs have anything to do with their effectiveness, many will testify that holistic methods do work.
Just as Reiki is a means to transfer healing energy from a person to another being, Bach Flower Essences transfer healing energy, through an infusion of plants and spring water, made like sun tea, and put in drops under the tongue or in drinking water.
In the 1930s, in England, Dr. Edward Bach made two observations that spurred his research on the healing properties of plants: He noticed that his patients felt better when they could talk and release their emotions, and he noticed that his cats, when feeling sick, would go out in the morning and lick the dew off plants. In a process he describes as "divinely revealed" he began collecting plants, each of which he associated with a certain emotional state, and he believed contained God's energy. He then began treating his patients' personalities and feelings to allow natural healing to occur at the physical level.
Following Bach
Modern certified practitioners of this modality follow Bach's method.
Nashbar says, "I begin by asking the client what is happening in their life, with their family, and what problems they are having. Most doctors do not ask 'When did the illness first start, and what was going on in your life when it started?' I had a client who had severe stomach pain, yet tests showed nothing wrong. I found that her pain first started when her grandmother died. She was devastated and never got over the death. I recommended Star of Bethlehem for grief and shock, and her symptoms began to ease. Now, she now no longer has pain."
Bonnie Dodge of Northville, Mich., a client of Nashbar, recently gave birth to triplets, followed shortly after by the death of her father-in-law.
"To overcome my exhaustion and feelings of being overwhelmed," Dodge says, "I did a remedy of Elm and Olive, and began feeling refreshed in a couple days. To help my husband in his time of grief, he did a remedy of Star of Bethlehem and Honeysuckle, and Rescue Remedy for his panic attacks. We have even given a remedy to our 4-year-old son. A couple drops of Rock Rose in his orange juice and his night terrors have almost completely vanished."
Alcohol-based products
Cathy Manus-Gray of Cuyahoga Falls becomes enthusiastic when talking about Bach Flower Essences. She says, "I think they are the greatest things. Their concept is pretty far-fetched for the average person, but they work and that's all that matters. I use Rescue Remedy in my drinking water if I am anticipating a stressful day."
She also noted that they are alcohol-based (in brandy, as a preservative) so those who are sensitive to this should beware.
Julie Majernik of Canfield, another of Nashbar's clients, says Bach remedies helped her with over-neatness. "Little things that would drive me nuts weren't bothering me any more." She also says the remedies helped her make important life decisions.
Nashbar says she has treated clients with Clematis for ADD (attention deficit disorder). Jennifer Mitlow of Rootstown says, "I had a hard time concentrating, reading books, and as a student, my mind would bounce around. I was also impatient and annoyed by people most of the time. After taking the remedies, people noticed I was more at ease, and I was able to focus and concentrate and not be distracted as before."
Bach flowers may also be helpful in treating pets. Dr. Luke Lukasko of Newton Falls Animal Hospital recommends Rescue Remedy to help pets with the stress of visits to the vet.
XLaughing Crow is a practitioner of holistic healing. She may be reached at laughingcrow@neo.rr.com.