Bach flower remedies

Description

The Bach flower remedy solutions contain a 50:50 mix of water and brandy, and are called mother tincture. The solutions do not have a characteristic scent or taste of the plant because of dilution. The dilution process results in the statistical likelihood that little more than a single molecule may remain; it is claimed that the remedies contain "energetic" or "vibrational" nature of the flower and that this can be transmitted to the user.

Effectiveness

In a 2002 database review of randomized trials Edzard Ernst concluded:

All randomized double-blind studies, whether finding for or against the solutions, have suffered from small cohort sizes, but the studies using the best methods found no effect over placebo. Perhaps, the probable means of action for flower remedies is as placebos, enhanced by introspection on the patient's emotional state or being listened to by the practitioner. The act of selecting and taking a remedy may act as a calming ritual.

A systematic review in 2009 concluded:

A newer systematic review published in 2010 by Ernst concluded:{{cite journal

Flower remedies are sometimes promoted as being capable of boosting the immune system, but "there is no [scientific evidence to prove that flower remedies can control, cure or prevent any type of disease, including cancer".{{cite web |access-date=2 September 2013 |archive-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911224802/http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/flower-remedies |url-status=dead

Use

Each solution is used alone or in conjunction with other solutions, and each flower is said by advocates to impart specific qualities. Remedies are usually taken orally.

The best known solution product is the Rescue Remedy combination,

Philosophy

Bach believed that illness resulted from a conflict between the purposes of the soul and the personality's actions and outlook. According to Bach, this internal war leads to negative moods and "energy blocking", thought to cause a lack of "harmony", causing physical diseases.

Bach derived his solutions intuitively{{cite book Later, he found that the amount of dew he could collect was not sufficient, so he would suspend flowers in spring water and allow the sun's rays to pass through them. If this was impractical because of lack of sunlight or other reasons, he wrote that the flowers may be boiled. The result of this process Bach termed the "mother tincture", which is then further diluted before sale or use.

Bach was satisfied with the method, because of its simplicity, and because it involved a process of combination of the four elements:{{cite book

By his death in 1936 at 50 years of age, Bach had created a system of 38 different flower remedies and their corresponding theories of ailments.

References

References

1. D. S. Vohra. (2002). "Bach flower remedies : a comprehensive study". Health Harmony.
2. (26 May 2009). "Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic review". BMC Complement Altern Med.
3. The full making process is described in detail in ''Bach Flower Remedies: Illustrations and Preparations'' by Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen, The CW Daniel Co, 2nd edition 1990. {{ISBN. 9780852072059.
4. Ernst E. (2002). ""Flower remedies": a systematic review of the clinical evidence". Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift.
5. (November 2022). "Bach Flower Remedies as Complementary Therapies in Health Care: A Scope Review". Holistic Nursing Practice.
6. Bach, Edward. (1931). "Heal thyself: an explanation of the real cause and cure of disease". C.W. Daniel.
7. (1997). "The Bach flower remedies". Keats Pub.
8. Wood, Matthew. (2000). "Vitalism: The History of Herbalism, Homeopathy and Flower Essences". North Atlantic Books.
9. "Life of Dr. Bach".