Bach Flower Remedies

Related Terms

Bach flower essence method, Bach flower essence system, Bach flower essences, Bach flower remedies, Dr. Edward Bach, Five Flower Remedy?, flower remedies, Rescue Remedy?, water-brandy mixture.

Background

Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936) was a British physician who believed that illness is the result of disharmony between the body and mind and that symptoms of an illness are the external expression of negative emotional states. The term "flower remedies" refers to a set of preparations developed by Dr. Bach. Flower essences are also products derived from Dr. Bach's work.
Dr. Bach classified various emotions into seven principal categories. These categories were further divided into 38 negative feelings, each of which was associated with a particular therapeutic plant. He also developed a compound of five flowers called Rescue Remedy? to be used in emergency situations for trauma. Bach flower remedies are most often used for treating stress or anxiety.
Bach flower remedies are usually consumed as alcohol-based preparations, but they are also available as creams. Australian bush remedies, Alaskan flower remedies, and treatments made from Brazilian rain forest plants are believed by some to be therapeutically similar to Bach flower remedies.
Bach flower remedies are not listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. However, Bach flower therapy uses essential oils extracted from various plants that may be listed on the GRAS list.

Theory

Bach flower remedies is a therapeutic system that uses specially prepared plant infusions to balance physical and emotional disturbances. It is believed that every Bach flower remedy is related to an area on the surface of the body. Negative moods are thought to change the energetic structure in these places, which may be accompanied by pain and disturbing sensations. A flower diagnosis may be obtained by pinpointing the appropriate area on the body map.
The production of Bach flower remedies is handled in two ways. In the first method, the "sun method," flowers are picked on a warm summer day in full sunshine, placed in a glass bowl with fresh water, preferably taken from a spring close to the location of the flower. The bowl is then placed in the sun for two to four hours. According to Dr. Bach, the sun transfers the vibration of the flowers into the medium of the water, which then becomes energetically infused. The flowers are then removed from the water, and an equal portion of alcohol is added for preservation. (Bach originally used brandy.) This solution is stored in a stock bottle. During treatment, the remedy is usually diluted with water and is consumed as an alcohol-based preparation, although it may also be available as a cream.
The second method of preparation is the "cooking method." Because not all flowers, shrubs, bushes, and trees bloom at a time of year with plenty of sunshine, this approach is considered necessary. In the cooking method, flowers and buds are picked according to the sun method and boiled down. The extract is filtered several times and then mixed with an equal portion of alcohol as a preservative.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


A small number of studies report that the effects of Bach flower remedies are similar to the effects of placebo for the treatment of anxiety. Additional research is needed before a firm conclusion may be drawn.

 C


A small number of studies report that the effects of Bach flower remedies are similar to the effects of placebo for the treatment of anxiety. Additional research is needed before a firm conclusion may be drawn.

 C


Little human data are available on the effects of Bach flower remedies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. More research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C


Little human data are available on the effects of Bach flower remedies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. More research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C


Depression is one of the major uses of Bach flower remedies. Currently, there is not enough high-quality scientific evidence supporting this use.

C


Depression is one of the major uses of Bach flower remedies. Currently, there is not enough high-quality scientific evidence supporting this use.

C


Early, low-quality studies suggest that Bach flower may benefit patients experiencing physical pain. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early, low-quality studies suggest that Bach flower may benefit patients experiencing physical pain. More research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Alex, D, Bach, TJ, Chye ML. Expression of Brassica juncea 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA synthase is developmentally regulated and stress-responsive. Plant J 2000;Jun, 22(5):415-426.
Armstrong, NC. and Ernst, E. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a Bach Flower Remedy. Complement Ther Nurs.Midwifery 2001;7(4):215-221.
Armstrong, NC, Ernst, E. A. randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of a Bach Flower Remedy. Perfusion 1999;11:440-446.
Downey, RP. Healing with flower essences. Beginnings 2002;Jul-Aug, 22(4):11-12.
Ernst, E. "Flower remedies": a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Wien.Klin Wochenschr. 12-30-2002;114(23-24):963-966.
Ernst, EE. Ernst's rejoiner to P. Mittman and D. Ullman on the Bach flower remedy study. Altern Health Pract 2001;6(3):247-248. No PMID.
Howard, J. Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control? A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect, and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2007;13(3):174-183.
Hyland, ME., Geraghty, A. W., Joy, O. E., and Turner, S. I. Spirituality predicts outcome independently of expectancy following flower essence self-treatment. J Psychosom.Res 2006;60(1):53-58.
LaTorre, M. A. Integrative perspectives. Integrating Bach flower remedies into a therapeutic practice. Perspect.Psychiatr.Care 2006;42(2):140-143.
Long, L, Huntley, A, Ernst, E. Which complementary and alternative therapies benefit which conditions? A survey of the opinions of 223 professional organizations. Complement Ther Med 2001;9(3):178-185.
Masi, MP. Bach flower therapy in the treatment of chronic major depressive disorder. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9(6):112, 108-112, 110.
Mantle, F. Bach flower remedies. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1997;3(5):142-144.
Pintov, S, Hochman, M, Livne, A, et al. Bach flower remedies used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children--a prospective double blind controlled study. Eur J Paediatr.Neurol. 2005;9(6):395-398.
Szterenfeld, C. Country watch: Brazil. AIDS STD Health Promot.Exch. 1995;(4):8-9.
Walach, H, Rilling, C, Engelke, U. Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with partial crossover. J Anxiety.Disord. 2001;15(4):359-366.