Using Bach Flowers for Seasonal Depression

We all unfortunately fall victim to depression at various times in our lives. Some have more severe cases than others and some go on for years, but the fact remains that we all suffer from this malady. Depression stems from many root causes: disappointment, being overwhelmed, fear, exhaustion, guilt, worry, poor nutrition, and etc. I'm currently reading a very good book on Bach Flower therapy and I learned some very interesting things about depression.

• Depression results when important life-affirming impulses or needs that are crucial to our happiness are suppressed.


• When we know and understand the reasons for our depression, we call it reactive depression (meaning a reaction to unhappy circumstances). Reactive depression is often overcome by treating the condition or circumstances that created the depressed state.


• When the cause of our depression seems inexplicable, we call it endogenous depression (stemming from the mind or psyche). Endogenous depression is much more difficult to overcome and sometimes requires a complete rehabilitation of our world view and assumptions.

Bach Flower remedies can provide some relief for depression and can be a great natural remedy in times of need. Here are some of the basic essences to treat mild depression.

• Mustard: This remedy is a basic remedy for all types of depression.


• Aspen: Depression caused by fear


• Cerato: Depression caused by helplessness or perceived helplessness.


• Gentian: Depression caused by failure or humiliation. It can help restore optimism.


• Hornbeam: Depression due to a fear of failure or feeling that we are not up to the challenges of everyday life.


• Olive: Depression due to weakness or exhaustion.


• Pine: Depression due to guilt.


• Red Chestnut: Depression due to excessive worry.


• Star of Bethlehem: Depression due to an unresolved shock or unbearable problem.


• Wild Oat: Depression due to a lack of purpose in life.

Mustard is the basic essence for depression. Otherwise choose the essences that sound close to what you are experiencing and up to 6 of the remedies can be mixed together at a time for maximum effectiveness.

If you are currently being treated for depression, I do not recommend stopping treatment in lieu of these remedies. These can be added to any current therapy you are on or tried as a starting point. Never stop anti-depressants cold turkey. There can be severe side effects to the abrupt discontinuation of some anti-depressant medications.

For more information on Bach Flower Remedies, check out these posts

• Using Bach Flower Remedies to Treat Seasonal Allergies
• Bach Flower Remedies for the Stomach Flu
• Bach Flower Remedies for Headaches and Migraines

Karla

Source: Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment: Gotz Blome, M.D.