| Share | | | | Research on the Bach flower remedies is limited. |
| Bach flower remedies were created by Dr. | | | | These flower remedies were tested in a few |
| Edward Bach. He thought that negative emotions | | | | double blind placebo trials. The results of these |
| were the cause of illness. He devised 38 negative | | | | studies are given below. |
| feelings that people have. Dr. Bach matched a | | | | In one trial, 100 university students in England |
| flower remedy to each of emotions. The Bach | | | | were recruited. The trial examined whether |
| Flower remedies are each used for a different | | | | rescue remedy could help relieve stress and |
| type of emotional state. | | | | anxiety as compared to a placebo. The students |
| Contrary to popular belief, Bach flower remedies | | | | were given questionnaires to fill out so |
| are not homeopathic. It is true that both forms of | | | | researchers knew of their mental state. After 8 |
| medicines are diluted and create no side effects. | | | | days, the students were reevaluated. The Bach |
| Homeopathy and Bach Flower essences are both | | | | remedies show no better effect than a placebo.[1] |
| diluted but in a totally different manner. Flower | | | | In a second trial, children with ADHD were given |
| remedies are diluted via the sun method for | | | | Bach rescue remedy. In the three month study, |
| some essences. For plants that bloom when there | | | | Bach flower remedies showed no better effect |
| is limited sunlight, these remedies are diluted by | | | | than a placebo. Although, both the placebo and the |
| boiling method. Bach remedies do not follow the | | | | flower remedies reduced the symptoms with |
| homeopathy laws of similars or successive | | | | ADHD.[2] |
| dilutions. Bach flowers try to create a positive | | | | The final trial is the most recent trial with Bach |
| energy to negate a negative energy. | | | | Rescue Remedy. This trial observed 111 people |
| In the sun method, the flowers are placed in a | | | | between ages 18-49 in a double blind clinical trial. |
| container with fresh water. The container is left in | | | | The standard mean to evaluate anxiety was used |
| the sun for several hours. Bach believes the sun | | | | before and after administering the rescue remedy |
| rays would transfer energy to the medicine. After | | | | and the placebo. The study suggest that rescue |
| the flowers are taken out of the water, they are | | | | remedy may be able to reduce high level of |
| put into a container. Alcohol is added to preserve | | | | situational anxiety as compared to the placebo.[3] |
| the flower. An equal amount of water is also | | | | Bach flowers have not been research extensively. |
| added to dilute the remedy. The final product is a | | | | Some studies suggest the remedies are no better |
| liquid based flower essence. The dilutions can also | | | | than a placebo. Other study suggest that these |
| be made into a cream or spray. | | | | remedies may help in stressful situations. More |
| In the boiling method, flower essences are put | | | | research using well conducted placebo based trials |
| into a pot of water. They are boiled in water. The | | | | needs to be done to give a definite conclusion on |
| remedies are boiled several times with the water | | | | how effective these remedies can be. |
| being replenished after each boiling interval. After | | | | References |
| several boiling intervals, the remedy is mixed with | | | | 1) E. Ernst (December 30 2002). ""Flower |
| an equal amount of alcohol and water. The boiling | | | | remedies": a systematic review of the clinical |
| method is necessary due to the fact that many | | | | evidence". Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 114 |
| flowers bloom when the sun is not shining. This is | | | | (23-24): 963-966. PMID 12635462. |
| really the only way to create the essence without | | | | 2) H. Walach, C. Rilling, U. Engelke (July 2001). |
| the sun. | | | | "Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: |
| The most popular flower remedy is called rescue | | | | a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial |
| remedy. Rescue remedy is a combination of 5 | | | | with partial crossover". Journal of Anxiety |
| flower essences which are Rock Rose, Impatiens, | | | | Disorders 15 (4): 359-366. doi:10.1016 |
| Clematis, Star of Bethlehem and Cherry Plum. | | | | S0887-6185(01)00069- |
| There is also a rescue remedy cream that | | | | 3) University of Miami School of Nursing in |
| contains these 5 flowers plus Crab Apple. Rescue | | | | conjunction with The Sirkin Creative Living Center |
| remedy is suppose to be used during anxiety and | | | | (SCLC) research study on Bach Flower Remedies. |
| panic attacks. | | | | |