 Magazine For Hypnosis and
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy and the Philosophy of Edward Bach, M.D.
David S. Murphy, Ph. D., N.D., C.Ht.
Rosario Murphy, Lic. Psych. (Peru), C.Ht.
Edward Bach (1886-1936) was not a hypnotherapist and so his work is not well know in some hypnotherapy circles. Nevertheless, his philosophy is consistent with that of modern hypnotherapy and we have found that the flower remedies that he developed provide an excellent adjunct to hypnotherapy.
Dr. Bach entered medical school in London in 1906 at the age of 20 and graduated five years later. He practiced conventional medicine from 1912 until 1919 when he joint the staff of the London Homeopathic Hospital as a pathologist and bacteriologist. Impressed with the work of Hahnemann, the father of homeopathic medicine, he developed seven nosodes from the seven types of bacteria that he had associated with chronic illness. At the same time he noted that patients with the seven different types of intestinal bacterial pathogens exhibited particular personality types or temperaments. He began to prescribe his nosodes solely by observing the patients’ personality types and temperaments.
Bach did not like using pathogen-based nosodes and began to use herbs and plants in place of intestinal bacteria in homeopathic remedies. After using flowers as the basis for developing several homeopathic remedies he sold his medical practice and in 1930, at the age of 43, he left London for the English countryside. Over the course of the next six years he developed 38 flower remedies (discussed below) and the more well know Rescue Remedy. Dr. Bach died at the age of 50 in 1936.
Dr. Bach’s Philosophy
Dr. Bach’s philosophy about healing and life are set forth in his short book, Heal Thyself. The crux of his philosophy is summarized in two statements:
“The main reason for the failure of modern medical science is that it is dealing with results and not causes . . . Disease is in essence the result of conflict between Soul and Mind, and will never be eradicated except by spiritual and mental effort.” (Centre, 1997, 9-10)
As hypnotherapists we understand that the programming of the subconscious mind must be replaced to affect real and permanent changes in clients’ lives. Hypnotherapy is one of the most effective forms of “mental effort” because it provides access to the subconscious mind and facilitates change. It helps clients replace dysfunctional mental programs with functional ones. We think that Dr. Bach envisioned such a change process when he wrote:
“The prevention and cure of disease can be found by discovering the wrong within ourselves and eradicating this fault by the earnest development of the virtue which will destroy it; not by fighting the wrong, but by bringing in such a flood of its opposing virtue that it will be swept from our natures. (Centere, 1997, 18)
This is exactly what our hypnotic suggestion do. In the battle between logic (will power) and imagination (the subconscious mind), imagination always wins. Consequently we replace an overeating script, a “fault” to Dr. Bach, with a desire for healthful foods eaten in moderation, a “virtue”, in a hypnotic suggestion. We replace self-doubt, another “fault” with self-confidence, a “virtue”. Dr. Bach sought to create “virtue” through the use of flower remedies, we use hypnosis. There are good reasons to combine the two for a synergistic effect.
Dr Bach felt that the correction of mental attitudes could treat a disease at the energy level before it becames grossly pathological, thus halting the disease process before it becomes physical, and assist the healing process when a disease does become physical. This ability, according to him, results because the mental (psychological or emotional) component may cause the physical problem. Disease can only be treated when the cause is removed; any other treatment only masks the underlying problem.
Flower Remedies
Dr. Bach developed the flower remedies from his understanding of homeopathy. However, the flower remedies differ from homeopathic medicine in several important ways. Homeopathic medicines are prepared according to the Law of Similars that states that a homeopathic medicine that causes the symptoms of a disease in a well person will cure the same symptoms in a person who is not well. Flower remedies are not formulated according to this law. Flower remedies are harmless and will not cause adverse reactions or symptoms in the user.
Homeopathic medicine is prepared using extreme dilution, as are flower remedies. In addition, homeopathic medicines are also prepared using a specific rhythmic method that imparts energy to the medicine. Flower remedies are not so prepared.
In the course of his work Dr. Bach identified 38 different flowers and the emotional or psychological states that they affected. Appendix 1 illustrates the client questionnaire that we use to identify appropriate flower remedies. As you read the statements in the questionnaire you will be able to identify the mental state that each flower remedy treats. Dr. Bach was never concerned with why the flower remedies work, just that they work.
Given a modern view of quantum or vibrational healing we might postulate that the link between illness and personality that Dr. Bach observed results from the development of dysfunctional energetic patterns within subtle bodies. We know that Dr. Bach felt that disease resulted from a soul-mind conflict (see above). The vibrational energies of the flower remedies help realign the personality (mind) with the energies of the Higher Self or subtle bodies.
Hypnotherapy address the mind and flower remedies help balance the mind and subtle bodies . . . herein lies the synergy.
Clinical Application
At the end of the interview, before starting the induction process, we give the client a brochure that we have prepared about the flower remedies and ask the client to read it while we prepare the hypnotic suggestions. The brochure explains the history and use of flower remedies. We then ask the client if he/she would like to use flower remedies in conjunction with hypnotherapy. If the client is interested we ask the client to complete the flower remedy questionnaire (Appendix 1) and then review it with the client. If the client is still interested then we ask him/her to sign a consent form that acknowledges that he/she has chosen to use flower remedies and that we have not diagnosed a medical condition nor prescribed medicine for the treatment of a condition.
We are not medical doctors and so can not diagnose nor prescribe. The client essentially self-diagnoses using the questionnaire and we select four or five of the most salient remedies based on the questionnaire. Two to four drops of each remedy are added to a one fluid ounce, amber glass bottle with an eye-dropper top. Brandy water is added to the bottle to fill it. The client is then instructed to take 4 drops in water, four times per day for two weeks. The flower remedies work, but they work gently and slowly so consistency in use is important.
As issues are cleared by hypnosis and the flower remedies new problems or concerns surface. Consequently, the specific flower remedies needed by a client change over time. Thus we repeat this process every time we meet with the client. For example, a weight-loss client may indicate frequent self-image problems (Crab Apple), a feeling of hopelessness and despair (Gorse), and a feeling of guilt because of overeating (Pine). A week later, because of the synergistic effects of hypnotherapy and the flower remedies the feelings of hopelessness and guilt may be gone, only to have been replaced with feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities (Elm) and a need to find some direction in life (Wild Oat). When this happens we prepare a new flower remedy formulation. We have found that the questionnaire not only helps us identify the proper flower remedies, it also helps us identify issues that the client may have had trouble articulating or that have changed since our last meeting. This, in turn, helps us develop more precise and graphic hypnotic suggestions.
The same disease or issue may have different effects on different people. These different effects lead us to the underlying cause that must eventually be treated for the person to become whole. The outlook of the mind guides us to the flower remedies and hypnotic suggestions that are necessary for any given client. The mind, as the control mechanism and the most sensitive part of the body, better shows the onset of a disease or an issue and its cause than can the body.
We do not view flower remedies as a replacement for hypnotherapy but rather as useful aids.
Appendix 1
Armonia Holistic Health Center
Bach Flower Remedy Questionnaire
| Client Name Date |
| Description of client fears and/or phobias |
| Please indicate, for each statement below, how often you agree with the statement by circling the word that best describes how often you agree with the statement. |
| How often do you . . . |
| Put on a smile to conceal difficulties and/or turn to food, alcohol, drugs or work to escape pain? (Agrimony) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel vague fears for no apparent reason? (Aspen) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Let other people’s habits annoy you and/or feel intolerant and critical of others? (Beech) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you just can’t say “no” to people and/or feel like you are always trying to please others? (Centaury) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you lack confidence in making your own decisions? (Cerato) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you are out of control or fear that you are going to do something wrong? (Cherry Plum) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Keep making the same mistakes and feel like you can’t learn from the past? (Chestnut Bud) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel possessive of your loved owns and/or over-involved in other people’s lives? (Chicory) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Withdraw into a fantasy world or sleep to escape problems? (Clematis) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Have a poor self-image and/or feel disgusted with your body? (Crab Apple) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and burdens? (Elm) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Easily discouraged by small problems and make mountains out of molehills? (Gentian) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel hopeless and despair and feel like nothing can be done? (Gorse) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Constantly talk about yourself to anyone who will listen? (Heather) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel hateful, jealous, and envious because you have a deep desire to be loved? (Holly) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel trapped in the past and let it affect you in a negative way? (Honeysuckle) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you can’t keep up with your daily activities because you are too tired from boredom? (Hornbeam) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Get impatient with others who can’t keep up with your pace? (Impatiens) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Lack confidence in your abilities and expect to fail even before you begin something? (Larch) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Fear something in every day life like heights, stairs, etc. for no known reason? (Mimulus) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel deep depression and despair for no know reason? (Mustard) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Keep fighting despite all obstacles, even when the cause is lost? (Oak) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel mental and/or physical exhaustion from an illness or other ordeal? (Olive) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Have feelings of guilt, blame yourself for other’s mistakes, or be a perfectionist? (Pine) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Worry too much about other people and/or always expect the worst to happen? (Red Chestnut) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel very frightened and terrified? (Rock Rose) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel inflexible in your belief system and lifestyle and give up pleasures in pursuit of perfection? (Rock Water) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you can’t make up your mind or get stuck between two choices? (Schelranthus) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Grieve over past or present traumas or tragedies? (Star of Bethlehem) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you have reached the limits of your endurance? (Sweet Chestnut) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Try to convince (force) others to think like you? (Vervain) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Tend to dominate others because of your confidence and self-assurance? (Vine) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Going through life changes and/or adapting to new situations? (Walnut) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like a loner who is aloof and consequently others find it hard to approach you? (Water Violet) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Have recurring thoughts and/or arguments that you can’t get out of your mind? (White Chestnut) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Know that you need to do something with your life, you just can’t decide what that something is? (Wild Oat) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Feel like you are stuck in a rut and you are not doing anything about it? (Wild Rose) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Suffer from some misfortune that you feel was injust? (Willow) |
Never Infrequently Sometimes Frequently Always |
| Bach Flower Remedies Used |
| Follow-Up Appointment Date |
Results |
Reference
The Dr. Edward Bach Centere, The Bach Flower Remedies, Revised Edition, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1997.
About the Authors
David Murphy, Ph. D., N. D., C. Ht. spent over 15 years as a business school professor and international consultant before turning his attention to natural health. As a naturopathic doctor and hypnotherapist, he uses herbs, diet, and hypnotherapy to help his clients reach their wellness goals. A long-time student of Ayurveda, he conducts Ayurvedic Wellness Assessments as part of his practice.
Rosario Murphy, C. Ht., is a licensed psychologist in Peru, where she practiced holistic counseling psychology, aromatherapy, and stress management, and taught meditation. She teaches meditation and relaxation techniques and also practices vibrational healing and hypnotherapy. They can be reached at StressMgt@hotmail.com.
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