Maintaining emotional wellbeing, after a diagnosis of cancer, with Bach Flower Remedies - by Linsey Denham

This article suggests explains how flower remedies can give emotional support for people diagnosed with cancer.

A Healthy Attitude

Dr Bach believed that people who approached illness with a positive attitude made a much better recovery. Of course it can seem like the world has collapsed around you after you are diagnosed with cancer and it can be difficult to be positive about the future. The Bach Flower Remedies work by balancing out any negative feelings that you experience. The remedies are natural and safe to use in conjunction with any medical treatments that are necessary for your cancer.

They are taken in the form of drops which you may put on your tongue or add to any drink. They can also be administered to pulse points or to moisten your lips, if you are unable to take fluids, orally.

Emotional Support

Using the Bach Flower remedies will not change your diagnosis but they will help you to accept it and to remain calm and positive during your treatment. They can assist both you and your family throughout this very stressful time.

The remedies help with:

• Shock-both emotional and physical.
• Fear.
• Guilt.
• Pessimism.
• Change-both physical and emotional
• Resentment
• Feeling Overwhelmed

A commonly known remedy is 'Rescue Remedy' which contains 5 remedies, which in themselves will help the stresses of a cancer diagnosis. Star of Bethlehem and Rock Rose (see below for more details). Clematis will help you to feel grounded and to focus, Cherry Plum will help you if you fear losing control both of your emotions and your life (as you'll be dependant on the professionals treating you) and Impatiens will help you to not be impatient for everything to be done right there and then.

Star of Bethlehem will help you to digest and let go of the emotional shock from your diagnosis. This remedy will also help any physical shock to the system caused by the cancer and any treatment, including surgery, which is necessary.

Mimulus will help decrease the fear of what may lie ahead, after your diagnosis. If you feel terrified then the remedy Rock Rose would be more appropriate.

Pine will help with any feelings of guilt that you may have around the “difficulties” you may cause others who will need to assist you during your illness.

Gorse will be useful if you are feeling very negative about the future and Gentian will give gentle encouragement to you to move forward and not to become despondent if there are setbacks with your treatments.

Walnut will offer protection from any physical changes caused by the cancer and also from changes in your lifestyle caused by illness and treatments.

Willow will help any feelings of "why me" and "this is so unfair" and will help you let go of any resentment towards your having this disease.

Elm will help if you feel overwhelmed by the thought of all that is to come and how you are going to cope with all your responsibilities.

Further information, help and advice:

Linsey Denham is a qualified Bach Flower Practitioner registered with the Dr Edward Bach Foundation. She can offer a stock bottle preparations and/or can consult at her home, by telephone or online. Her website allows you to book arrange a consultation at a time to suit you. To find out more please visit her profile on the Therapies United listing for further information. Just click on 'find a therapist' and type in 'Linsey'.