Bach Flower Essences
Bach Flower Remedies
The Bach flower essences were developed by the British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, during the early 1930’s. He discovered a system of flower remedies that can help us rediscover the positive side of ourselves. They were the first form of what would come to be called “vibrational” or “energy” medicine. Energy medicine describes treating the patient as a whole—the mind/body/spirit complex. The goal is to bring these three parts of the whole back into balance. When the body is out of balance, it is more likely to become ill. Dr. Bach believed, as many doctors do today, that attitude of mind plays a vital role in maintaining health and recovering from illness.
The Bach flower essences are extracts taken from 38 flowering plants that Dr. Bach determined to have healing properties. By combining these different extracts, The Kentwood Cat Clinic and Cat Clinic North can make different formulas to meet the needs of our individual feline patients.
Flower essences are not considered herbs or vitamins, and they do not have the same effects as more concentrated forms of the same plants. They do not have the same effects as tranquilizers or antidepressants either. As such, they will not interfere with the effects of other medications. There are also no contraindications for using flower essences—the worst thing that can happen is the mixture doesn’t have the desired effect. (And, if that should be the case, there is always the option to try a slightly different mix of flower extracts!).
The pure flower essences are combined in spring water to make a remedy made specifically for the individual cat being treated. Up to seven different essences can be combined together for each patient. The veterinarian at Kentwood Cat Clinic or Cat Clinic North and the kitty’s care taker will work together to pick out the best flowers to use for a given situation.
Flower remedies are not meant to take the place of traditional medications, but are meant to be used as an aid in the treatment of many problems. We find them especially helpful when treating conditions where stress or anxiety is involved. Some examples include kitties that don’t get along with their housemates, kitties that are urinating outside of the litter box, or kitties with certain types of bladder problems. Since the Flower Remedy is in a liquid form, it can be easily given to most cats by mouth, mixed in food, or rubbed into the ear flaps and top of the head.
Contact us to see if Bach flower essences can play a role in your cats well being.
