It’s December 23rd and if you are still scrambling for some last minute gift ideas, I have the perfect answer for both everybody on your list -- man, woman and child as well as 4-legged creatures -- AND for you.

Bach Rescue Remedy* fits perfectly in everybody’s stocking (and, once the gift has been received, it fits perfectly in a purse or a pocket). I literally do not know one person who would not benefit from receiving this gift. (I doknow people who would claim they wouldn’t benefit, but they are kidding themselves.)

Rescue Remedy® was developed nearly 100 years ago by Dr. Edward Bach. Dr. Bach was a successful bacteriologist, as well as a homeopath, and was one of the prime founders of the homeopathic bowel nosodes. While working in the bacteriology department of University College Hospital London in 1912, he came to realize that a number of the bacteria he was studying actually had a close connection with chronic disease in general. The bowel nosodes are a really interesting arm of homeopathy that I will write about one day, but now… back to flowers!

Following his own severe illness where he was given just 3 months to live, Dr. Bach returned to work and credits his sense of purpose to saving him (he lived 19 years longer). He moved to the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital where he continued his work in bacteriology. Through his own experience he became convinced of the importance of the mind in the processes of disease (Saxton 2020).

He devoted the last six years of his life "to the search for a simpler, more natural method of treatment that did not ‘require anything to be destroyed or altered’” (Scheffer 1988).

The Bach Flower Remedies system is based on 38 remedies which balance emotions and treat negative mental states (Ball 2005). “At the switch-points of our personalities where vital energies are channelled the wrong way or blocked, the remedies re-establish contact and harmony with our wholeness, the true source of our energy” (Scheffer 1988).

Dr. Robin Murphy spoke highly of the benefits of Rescue Remedy, a mixture of 5 of Dr. Bach's flower remedies, and said it should be the first medicine administered on arrival at an accident.

What is in it and what do they address? 
Here is the answer, according to Dr. Murphy:

Star of Bethlehem (see! It even has a Christmas connection mixed right in it!) reduces shock, trauma and sadness and prevents the trauma’s possible long-lasting effects on the mind, emotions and body from imprinting.

Rock Rose counteracts terror and panic.

Impatiens counteracts inner turmoil, tension and impatience.

Cherry Plum is for desperation and balances intense tension and the fear that events and one’s own life, including one’s mental power is out of control.

Clematis addresses the out-of-the-body state which precedes fainting or loss of consciousness. (Murphy n.d.)

Each of these remedies could be taken individually, but the combination is amazing and powerful -- not only for emergencies as Dr. Murphy suggests but also for every day stresses as well as bigger emotional upsets like panic attacks. 

A bit of research has been done into Bach Flower Remedies (BFR):

Resende (et al. 2014) found it may reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. 

Dixit and Jasani (2020) found “significantly better behavior” in children given the flower remedy treatment to contend with their dental anxiety.

Rivas-Suárez (et al. 2017) found the BFR cream to be an effective intervention for mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Siegler (et al. 2017) found BFR helpful for menopausal symptoms.

Fusco (et al. 2021) found anxiety symptoms, binge eating and resting heart rates decreased and sleep improved when compared with placebo in a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of anxiety in overweight/obese adults.

Are Bach Flower Remedies the same thing as Homeopathy?

Yes and no. 

• Both Homeopathy and Bach Remedies focus on treating the person, not the disease. 

• The flower remedies and homeopathic remedies are both diluted, but the flower remedies are less diluted and they are not “potentized” or shaken between dilutions.

• Homeopathic remedies can be made from any substance and BFR are made only from flowers and spring water.

• There are 6,000+ homeopathic remedies and Dr. Bach closed his system at 38 remedies. 

• Both focus on mental and emotional symptoms, but homeopathy also includes physical symptoms. 

Rescue Remedy comes as: a liquid dropper, a spray, tasty pastilles, “Pearls” (similar to homeopathic pellets) and a topical cream. 

One does not need to be in a terrible accident to benefit from Rescue Remedy. One needs only be scrambling and stressing about filling stockings, wrapping gifts, baking cookies and decorating and cleaning the house prior to the grand festivities. I told you it was a remedy for both your loved ones on your gift list AND for you.

Wishing you a peaceful, relaxing, restorative and fun Christmas!


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath


#wellnessawaits


* I have no affiliation with this company, I just like their products.​


References and Resources

Reference list
Bach Centre, n.d. The history of Dr. Bach [online]. The Bach Centre. 

Ball, S., 2005. The Bach remedies workbook. London: Vermilion.

Dixit, U. B. and Jasani, R. R., 2020. Comparison of the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy and music therapy on dental anxiety in pediatric patients: A randomized controlled study. Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry [online], 38 (1), 71–78.

Fusco, S. de F. B., Pancieri, A. P., Amancio, S. C. P., Fusco, D. R., Padovani, C. R., Minicucci, M. F., Spiri, W. C., and Braga, E. M., 2021. Efficacy of Flower Therapy for Anxiety in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.)[online], 27 (5), 416–422. 

Homeopathy Plus, 2021. Are Bach Flowers Homeopathic? [online]. Homeopathy Plus. 

Insight Homeopathy, 2021. Homeopathy vs. Bach Flower Therapy [online]. Insight Homeopathy & Wellness.

Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus software.

RescueRemedy.com, 2021. Homepage [online]. Rescue. 

Resende, M. M. de C., Costa, F. E. de C., Gardona, R. G. B., Araújo, R. G., Mundim, F. G. L., and Costa, M. J. de C., 2014. Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. Complementary Therapies in Medicine [online], 22 (4), 719–723. 

Rivas-Suárez, S. R., Águila-Vázquez, J., Suárez-Rodríguez, B., Vázquez-León, L., Casanova-Giral, M., Morales-Morales, R., and Rodríguez-Martín, B. C., 2017. Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine [online], 22 (1), 18–24. 

Saxton, J., 2020. Bowel Nosodes In Homeopathic Practice. S.L.: Saltire Books.

Scheffer, M., 1988. Bach flower therapy : theory and practice. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.

Siegler, M., Frange, C., Andersen, M. L., Tufik, S., and Hachul, H., 2017. Effects of Bach Flower Remedies on Menopausal Symptoms and Sleep Pattern: A Case Report. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine [online], 23 (2), 44–48.
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Vermeersch, T., 2021. What is the difference with homeopathy? [online]. bachbloesemadvies.
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When we moved into our house more than 20 years ago, there was a less than impressive tree/bush/shrub thing. Though far from beautiful, it really wasn’t worth the effort of digging it up and getting rid of it.

A couple of years later, this scraggly shrub had what appeared to be a Christmas ornament on it. One big, beautiful, dark red bauble was hanging on it. It was a pomegranate! The previous owners must have done an enormous pruning and it took a while for it to come back to life. Every year since, we have a beautifully decorated, unconventional Christmas tree in our yard for a few weeks, and we end up with a lovely crop of this terrific fruit.

There is a homeopathic remedy called Granatum pomegranate, made from the bark of the root. A small remedy with bold-type symptoms of: itching in the palms, persistent vertigo with salivation and stomach pain worse near the belly button, constant hunger and heart weakness. However, homeopathy is not the focus of this article today.
 
Historically, “according to the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical writings from around 1500 BC, Egyptians used the pomegranate for treatment of tapeworm” (Murphy 2013) and pomegranates also appear in Ancient Greek mythology (Chevallier 2000). Nutritionally speaking, pomegranates are known to be full of good stuff. If you would like to read further on some of the health benefits of pomegranates: Effects on Endothelial Dysfunction, Effects on Blood Pressure and Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate. 

​But, once again, nor is nutrition the point of today's article.
​
What to do with these tasty (and, messy) little seeds? I like them on salads and my husband puts them in pancakes and they are truly delicious! This then brings us to the point of today's article: Pomegranates make the most amazing Christmas dessert! 

I’m not certain where I first encountered this recipe, though a quick search of the Internet shows a very similar recipe here. Since first learning about this concoction, I have adapted it to the easiest-peasiest, (well, easy once the seeds have been retrieved, that is), quickest, most delicious Christmas treat there is -- loved by children and adults equally.

Chocolate Pomegranate Treats

Step 1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave.

Step 2. Pour (or spoon) the melted chocolate either into tiny muffin tins or small cupcake papers… or, if you prefer to make a “bark” — pour it directly onto a cookie sheet. If you choose the bark root, just know the chocolate hardens quickly so you have to act fast. (Though, I suppose you could do it in reverse and put the pomegranate seeds down first and then pour the chocolate over them.)

Step 3. Sprinkle liberally with pomegranate seeds.

Step 4. Allow them to cool and harden.
That’s it!
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As for the chocolate chips, that’s a personal preference, but I can tell you the biggest crowd pleaser I have seen is from Enjoy Life* chocolate chips. If you avoid sugar, Pascha* chocolate chips are the way to go.

I’ll be back to talking about homeopathic remedies in-depth in a couple of days time. Until then, find yourself a pomegranate and enjoy!
​

Julia Coyte, CHom 
Classically Practical homeopath (and lover of pomegranates and chocolate!)


#wellnessawaits

* I have no affiliation with any of these companies. I just like their products.
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Reference list
Chevallier, A., 2000. Natural health encyclopedia of herbal medicine. New York: Dk Pub. Inc.

Croft, A., 2011. Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters [online]. Williams-Sonoma Taste. 

Delgado, N. T. B., Rouver, W. N., and Dos Santos, R. L., 2020. Protective Effects of Pomegranate in Endothelial Dysfunction. Current Pharmaceutical Design [online], 26 (30), 3684–3699. 
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Enjoy Life, 2021. Semi-Sweet Chocolate | Mini Chips [online]. Enjoy Life. 

Murphy, R., 2013. Superfood Wellness Guide : Medicinal foods from around the world. Stuart, Va.: Lotus Wellness Cottage, October.

Pascha, 2021. 100% Cacao Organic Vegan Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Chips (8.8 oz) - Sugar Free, Keto Friendly & One Ingredient! [online]. Pascha Chocolate Co.

Sahebkar, A., Ferri, C., Giorgini, P., Bo, S., Nachtigal, P., and Grassi, D., 2017. Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research [online], 115, 149–161. .
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Vučić, V., Grabež, M., Trchounian, A., and Arsić, A., 2019. Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate: A Review. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 25 (16), 1817–1827.
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Why would one need to make a water dose?
What’s wrong with the tasty little, sweet pillules?

Most all commonly available homeopathic remedies are made of  sucrose (cane sugar) or lactose (milk sugar) pillules or pellets, of varying sizes and coated on the outside with the homeopathic medicine. These sweet little things are intended to be dissolved beneath your tongue where the medicine is quickly absorbed by the mucosal membranes. This is an excellent and highly transportable method of dosing homeopathic remedies.

Why would someone mess with that method?
A couple of reasons come to mind. The emphasis of this article is based on the idea that you are running short of the remedy and need to stretch it out and make it last. Making a water dose can keep a small amount of a homeopathic remedy going for a long time.

This water method also affords the ability to spread the remedy far and wide among many people. If you have a family all suffering similar symptoms and only one lone, half-empty tube of a remedy, you can put a pellet in some water and dispense it to everybody from there, making your supply last significantly longer.

Water doses can also be very useful when giving a remedy to an infant. Just a tiny sip of this water tipped into their mouths from a teaspoon will do.

Another reason for a water dose would be for sensitive individuals. By dissolving the remedy in water, it softens (for lack of a better word) its impact on the recipient. If you find that you have a strong aggravation with every remedy you take, this would be a good thing to try. (Look for an article devoted to this sometime in the near future.)
​
So, how do we keep a remedy going? 
​It’s pretty simple, actually.

1. Fill a clean glass with plain water and drop 1 or 2 pillules directly into the water and gently stir. The idea here is to simply agitate the medicated water. It is now ready to go. It does not matter that the pellet has not dissolved. (Remember, the medicine is on the outside of each pellet, not inside.)

2. Take a teaspoon of the water as directed/needed. This is 1 dose.

If this is for individual use, a teaspoon-sized sip will suffice — you don’t need the teaspoon itself. If sharing the liquid remedy with family members, make sure everybody has their own spoon to pour the remedy into to keep the remedy "clean.") Don't just swallow the sip, hold it in your mouth for a few moments to allow the remedy to be absorbed -- similar to letting the pellets dissolve. For children, have them count to 3 before swallowing.

(Note: Holding the remedy in the mouth is the ideal method of delivery, but it is not essential. My dog and my chickens have never managed to do it and the remedies have still acted!)

3. After you have had your sip/dose, put a napkin or paper towel over the glass. If you plan on using this specific water remedy for a few days, it should be kept in the fridge. (If extending the use of the remedy, it is best to use the spoon delivery method as opposed to direct sips.) If you are just using it for a few hours or over night, it can stay at room temperature. 

The cover over the glass will help remind you that this water is not for drinking. Remember! Every sip is a dose. Technically, it doesn’t matter if you have a teaspoon, a tablespoon or the whole thing. Each time you have it/drink it — that is one dose, regardless of the size of the drink/sip/dose.

4. If you need to leave home for the day, this method can also be done using a clean water bottle. Again, it is important to remember that every sip is a dose, so if you’re headed for a workout, don’t confuse this bottle with your regular water bottle. (Hint: remove the label and perhaps attach a plastic spoon to the bottle with a rubber band so everybody knows it is your bottle.)
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5. If you need to make another water dose, the glass can be used again for the same remedy. “Same” in this regard also refers to the potency. Or, this is easier, just get a clean glass or bottle and a fresh spoon and start anew.
Some homeopaths believe the water needs to be stirred before each dose/sip. I haven’t found this to be necessary in most cases, but it certainly can’t hurt.

If you are helping an infant or somebody too sick to drink a sip, this same water remedy can be used by placing a few drops on the thin skin of the inside of the wrist or even dabbed on a cloth and applied to lips.

Go forth and replicate your homeopathic remedies … if need be.


Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath


#wellnessawaits

​I haven’t started my decorating yet, but I did dig out the boxes filled with  the promise of Christmas cheer. While I was there, I decided the storage unit needed some serious tending. I have a lot of books. I mean, a lot of books. Books are awfully heavy. All that bending and lifting and moving and sorting and stacking has left me pretty sore.

What’s the homeopathic answer to this pain? I have addressed this from a few different angles previously: What hurts?, Lions and tigers and bears and Relief and all of those suggestions are appropriate for too much heavy lifting, but here’s a simple one to consider: Rhus toxicodendron. Rhus tox, for short.
​

• If heat feels good on your sore muscles … Rhus tox.
• Stiffness that is worse when you first begin moving and improves with continued motion … Rhus tox.
• Painful stiffness, in general … Rhus tox.
• An aching back which is worse sitting or lying down … Rhus tox.
• Chills that accompany your pain … Rhus tox.
• Eyes hurt when moving them … Rhus tox.
• Feet hurt from exertion (but they can actually feel better from walking) … Rhus tox.
• Pain during the flu … Rhus tox.
• A bruised pain, as if beaten … Rhus tox.
• If you are able to decipher that what your feeling is ligament or tendon pain … Rhus tox.
• Sciatic pain … Rhus tox.
• Joint pains … Rhus tox.
• Aching knee pain, aching legs … actually, let’s just cut to the chase — aching limbs, any or all of them! … Rhus tox.
• Burning muscle pain … Rhus tox.
• Neck and shoulder pain … Rhus tox.
• Rectum pain after a stool (that can sometimes be effortful, I guess!) … Rhus tox.
• Wrist pain … Rhus tox.
• Sore pain after great exertion … Rhus tox.
• Tearing pain … Rhus tox.
• And, the mother of all exertions — uterus pain following child birth … Rhus tox.

​It’s not just the muscles that get affected from all this tree trimming or shifting of heavy boxes. The skin on your hands can take a real beating, as well. Guess what?!? Rhus tox is the answer here, too!

Blisters & chapped skin can be greatly helped by Rhus tox.

Whether you are sore from hanging lights, wrestling with trees and ladders or sorting through all your old treasures, Rhus tox may help.

To help you remember this homeopathic remedy that can be so helpful with pain from heavy lifting … Rhus tox, rhymes with box!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

​#wellnessawaits