Excellence in Herbal Education

Everyone experiences problems in their lives, because bad things happen, even to good people. Loved ones may suddenly take ill, be injured or even die. Accidents, crimes and tragedies may strike close to home, causing people to feel panic, fear, shock and even terror.

Whenever these difficult situations arise, it is helpful if a person can stay calm, centered and focus on what needs to be done. Distress Remedy is a blend of seven flower essences that can be used to restore a sense of presence and awareness during shock or trauma. It can help a person stay calm in a crisis situation, keeping them from going into panic or losing their temper.

The homeopathic-like flower essences in this blend calm a person and help them not to dissociate during a crisis situation involving shock or trauma. This can help a person better deal with the problems at hand. The remedy can also be used to help a person who has been physically injured to over come shock. It will even promote tissue healing.

Distress Remedy contains the five flower essences found in the famous Bach flower blend, Rescue Remedy and the FES Five Flower blend.  It has similar effects and uses and includes two additional flower essences, not found in the original Rescue Remedy formula or the Five Flower blend. Here are the essences found in Distress Remedy.

Arnica

As an herbal and homeopathic remedy, arnica helps tissues that have been damaged to heal more quickly. It reduces swelling and prevents bruising. The flower essence of arnica takes these qualities to an emotional level. Arnica helps people who have been shocked or traumatized to avoid “disassociating” or emotionally and mentally withdrawing from the situation. It helps them stay present and able to deal with whatever is happening.
Arnica flower essence can be helpful for unlocking many puzzling or psychosomatic illnesses, which do not respond to obvious treatment. It can also be applied topically as a short-term first-aid remedy to allow rapid recovery from trauma.

Star of Bethlehem

A useful remedy for shock or trauma, both current or past, Star of Bethlehem helps people find comfort and reassurance from the spiritual world. It enables them to feel calm in crisis situations and trust that they will be taken care of by a higher power. It helps a person come into alignment with a sense of their own spiritual nature and promotes healing.

Impatiens

Impatiens is a basic remedy for anger. It is helpful for people who feel impatient, angry, irritated and intolerant. It is a good remedy for overly busy people, who don’t fully engage with others and the world around them. It increases a person’s ability to be patient with others and accepting of people’s differences. It also helps a person move more with the flow of life, instead of fighting or resisting what is happening.

Rock Rose

Rock Rose is a remedy for deep-seated fears and even terror. It helps a person not to panic and promotes a sense of courage to face whatever is happening. It is especially helpful for fear of death or annihilation. Rock Rose helps a person facing challenging, scary circumstances to meet the situation with a sense of inner peace and tranquility.

Clematis

Clematis aids embodiment in a person. During shock or trauma, people tend to disassociate or disembody. Clematis helps them ground themselves back into the physical world. It is also helpful for people who have ungrounded, impractical ideals. It helps them move their inspiration and dreams into practical action.

Cherry Plum

Severe shock or trauma can cause us to feel out of control, like we are “breaking down.” Cherry plum is helpful for the fear of loss of self-control. It helps overcome feelings of desperation, when a person is on the verge of mental or emotional breakdown. It promotes spiritual surrender to Divine guidance, and helps one trust that they are guided and protected by a higher power.

Red Clover

Just as a person can “catch” an illness from another person on the physical level, we can also get caught up in other people’s fears, anger and hysteria. This is the basis of a “mob” where everyone gets caught up in the emotional energy of the group. Red clover helps a person remain calm and self-aware during crisis and emergency situations and disconnect from dysfunctional group energy.

Suggested Use

Take 10 drops under the tongue three to four times daily. For acute crisis situations take 5-10 drops every 10-15 minutes as needed. It may be added to drinking water or baths. Distress Remedy may also be applied topically to minor injuries to promote healing. Add 10 drops to four ounces of water in a spray bottle to spray injuries or to “mist” a room to reduce stress and tension.

Selected References
Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski
Flower Power  by Anne McIntyre
Bach Flower Remedies Form and Functionby Julian Bernard