Dr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified original 38 essences he used in his practice according to 12-7-19 method: Twelve Healers, Seven Helpers, and Second Nineteen. In part I of this series, Twelve Healer flower essences were reviewed, along with underlying theory of flower essence therapy – here we’ll have a look at rhymes and reasons of Seven Helpers.

Dr. Bach prescribed one or more of Seven Helper essences to patients who did not seem to be responding sufficiently to therapy with one of Twelve Healers. The Twelve Healer flower essences – Impatiens, Gentian, Mimulus, Clematis, Agrimony, Chicory, Vervain, Centaury, Scleranthus, Water Violet, Rock Rose, and Cerato – were developed by Dr. Bach to address what he saw as imbalances of twelve archetypal personality types. It is through vibrational transformation of these imbalances that healing of overlying disease states can, in many cases, be initiated. However, Dr. Bach found there were individuals that did not respond to flower essence therapy with Twelve Healers; this lead him to discovery of Seven Helpers.

The purpose of Seven Helpers is to address chronically ingrained negative vibrational patterns which may be obscuring primary personality type. For example, Olive, one of Seven Helper flower essences, is prescribed for states of exhaustion, where one has been worn out by struggle of healing or other life event. In this case, it may be difficult to see what primary personality type of individual may be, as true fatigue does not let a whole lot else show through - this real weariness may mask other personality traits or patterns.

Or it may be that chronic state simply prevents progress on healing path that could otherwise take place. Again, using Olive essence as an example – An individual may clearly be in need of one of Twelve Healers. Perhaps they live in fear and are in need of Mimulus, and clearing this fear would allow them to heal. However, their fatigue is so great as they do not have strength to work with these issues – in this case, it may be helpful to use Olive along with Mimulus to offer a more complete support from flower essence therapy.

The Seven Helper essences can certainly be administered individually as well, particularly if a specific flower essence is strongly indicated. Dr. Bach had also written that if an individual is not responding to other essences, Wild Oat (one of Seven) may be used: “If ever a case does not respond to treatment, give either Holly or Wild Oat, and it will be obvious which of other remedies may be required. In all cases where patient is of active, intense type, give Holly. In patients who are of weak, despondent type, give Wild Oat.”

Beyond original works of Dr. Bach, Flower Essence Repertory from Flower Essence Services offers descriptions of these seven essences beyond what a physician may see. FES broadens application of flowers to include their use for those needing change that may or may not be related to a health condition. This is an important point, as one may have tendencies they may wish to transform, but are at no serious risk. This application of flower essence is encouraged, for any support for personal and ‘soul’ evolution is indeed invaluable. So within following descriptions of Seven Helper flower essences, a broad view will be maintained, so that greatest audience may find a suitable essence.

As always with flower essence therapy, in cases of illness, treatment is not a substitute for proper professional care. It may be case that an illness may have emotional roots, and that flowers can be of help, but one should not solely rely on self-prescription of flower essences as a cure.

And on to descriptions…

The Seven Helpers: