Has anyone used Bach's Flower Remedies for depression?

Traveler27 · 11-03-2009, 08:00 AM

I have had chronic depression for about 15 years, and I've tried everything to feel better, but I am struggling to cope.

I was wondering if anyone has tried any of the bach's flower remedies to treat their mood problems/depression? Here is a link to the site that explains each of the different remedies. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I can't take anti-depressants due to a medical condition that I already have, so I am looking to try any alternative/homeopathic treatments. I am in therapy, but unfortunately talk therapy has never been very beneficial for me. If anyone has tried these or knows of any other natural treatments for depression I'd be very grateful to hear from you. I am in a lot of pain.

mca1975 · 11-03-2009, 08:11 AM

Ahh, so sorry you are in pain. I do understand.

Yes, I have always used the spray for many years. I hadn't used it for a good couple of years, until recently, and now I have started using it again. I wouldn't say it is really for depression, I would say more for feelings of anxiousness.

I do find that it does help in calming you down when you are feeling nervous, or at least aids the process of calming down.

Traveler27 · 11-03-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks for your reply, mca1975. I think you're thinking of the Rescue Remedy spray, which I use for anxiety too.
I was referring to the flower remedies that come in small bottles with a dropper. They have different remedies such as oak, sweet chestnut, etc. I am really thinking about trying them as they are not that expensive and I am desperate to feel better.
Thanks again for understanding and I hope you feel better as well.

Greedy Toad · 11-03-2009, 08:25 AM

Hi Traveller,

Have you heard of or used St Johns Wort?

mca1975 · 11-03-2009, 08:28 AM

Oh I see, well I think I may look into them myself.

Its worth a go isnt it. What is it that is making you feel depressed, is it circumstances or is it just plain old depression for no reason.

I used to find that buying a good self-help book on the subject used to help me. Another thing that I could do with which I think would help greatly is EXERCISE.

Hope you feel better.... x

Traveler27 · 11-03-2009, 08:41 AM

Hi Greedy Toad,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have in fact tried St John's Wort in the past and never had any luck with it.

Greedy Toad · 11-03-2009, 08:46 AM

Can i ask why you can't take the normal anti-depressants that mos people would be prescribed?

karvala · 11-03-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traveler27

Hi Greedy Toad,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have in fact tried St John's Wort in the past and never had any luck with it.

Well now I'm confused, since St John's Wort has many more dangerous interactions with other drugs than any anti-depressant, and completely subsumes some of their contraindications. Which is a smart way of saying if you've taken St John's Wort and you're still alive, you CAN take some ADs. Who is telling you you can't? If it's a GP/PCP, ignore them and go to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. And which ADs have been discussed? There are many different types, certainly not limited to SSRIs for example; I can't off-hand think of any other medication that interacts with all of them.

Traveler27 · 11-03-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mca1975

Oh I see, well I think I may look into them myself.

Its worth a go isnt it. What is it that is making you feel depressed, is it circumstances or is it just plain old depression for no reason.

I used to find that buying a good self-help book on the subject used to help me. Another thing that I could do with which I think would help greatly is EXERCISE.

Hope you feel better.... x

My depression is mostly circumstantial I suspect...I've got a long list of things that contribute to it which would be too difficult to get into. I think part of it is also that I am just prone to feeling this way. Don't know if I have a true chemical imbalance, but whatever is causing it, it is really starting to make me quite scared as I've felt this way for so long now.

I would give the flower remedies a try - check the link that I included. Boots sells them for about 6 pounds I believe. Thanks for your tip about self-help books. I've read my fair share but couldn't hurt to check out some more.

Traveler27 · 11-03-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karvala

Well now I'm confused, since St John's Wort has many more dangerous interactions with other drugs than any anti-depressant, and completely subsumes some of their contraindications. Which is a smart way of saying if you've taken St John's Wort and you're still alive, you CAN take some ADs. Who is telling you you can't? If it's a GP/PCP, ignore them and go to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. And which ADs have been discussed? There are many different types, certainly not limited to SSRIs for example; I can't off-hand think of any other medication that interacts with all of them.

Karvala, thanks for your reply. I took St. John's Wort many years ago (in the late 90's when its risks weren't as well published.) I have a chronic medical condition and taking anti-depressants worsens the symptoms and has been known to cause this condition in some cases - this has been confirmed by doctors so anti-depressants are not an option. Don't want to say what condition it is for sake of privacy (it's quite rare)

I did take them before I was diagnosed with my medical condition, and I never noticed much relief. I had been on all the major SSRI's.

11-03-2009, 08:00 AM	#1
Traveler27 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 338	Has anyone used Bach's Flower Remedies for depression? I have had chronic depression for about 15 years, and I've tried everything to feel better, but I am struggling to cope. I was wondering if anyone has tried any of the bach's flower remedies to treat their mood problems/depression? Here is a link to the site that explains each of the different remedies. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] I can't take anti-depressants due to a medical condition that I already have, so I am looking to try any alternative/homeopathic treatments. I am in therapy, but unfortunately talk therapy has never been very beneficial for me. If anyone has tried these or knows of any other natural treatments for depression I'd be very grateful to hear from you. I am in a lot of pain.

11-03-2009, 08:11 AM	#2
mca1975 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Gender: Female Posts: 2,302	Ahh, so sorry you are in pain. I do understand. Yes, I have always used the spray for many years. I hadn't used it for a good couple of years, until recently, and now I have started using it again. I wouldn't say it is really for depression, I would say more for feelings of anxiousness. I do find that it does help in calming you down when you are feeling nervous, or at least aids the process of calming down. __________________ mca1975 x

11-03-2009, 08:25 AM	#4
Greedy Toad Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 504	Hi Traveller, Have you heard of or used St Johns Wort? __________________ The road to hell is paved with good intentions

11-03-2009, 08:28 AM	#5
mca1975 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Gender: Female Posts: 2,302	Oh I see, well I think I may look into them myself. Its worth a go isnt it. What is it that is making you feel depressed, is it circumstances or is it just plain old depression for no reason. I used to find that buying a good self-help book on the subject used to help me. Another thing that I could do with which I think would help greatly is EXERCISE. Hope you feel better.... x __________________ mca1975 x

11-03-2009, 08:46 AM	#7
Greedy Toad Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 504	Can i ask why you can't take the normal anti-depressants that mos people would be prescribed? __________________ The road to hell is paved with good intentions

11-03-2009, 08:17 AM	#3
Traveler27 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 338	Thanks for your reply, mca1975. I think you're thinking of the Rescue Remedy spray, which I use for anxiety too. I was referring to the flower remedies that come in small bottles with a dropper. They have different remedies such as oak, sweet chestnut, etc. I am really thinking about trying them as they are not that expensive and I am desperate to feel better. Thanks again for understanding and I hope you feel better as well.

11-03-2009, 08:41 AM	#6
Traveler27 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 338	Hi Greedy Toad, Thanks for the suggestion. I have in fact tried St John's Wort in the past and never had any luck with it.