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Other common
name(s): Bach remedies, Bach flower remedies
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Flower remedies are prepared by picking certain plants or
flowers in full bloom and leaving them in water for 2 to 4 hours in the
sun. Alternately, the plants may be picked and boiled for half an hour.
The liquid is then preserved with brandy and further diluted so that
very small amounts of the original plant solution remain in the final
formula. Thirty-eight different flowers are used to make the original
39 remedies.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
flower remedies are effective in treating cancer or any other disease.
Many people report that flower remedies are helpful for stabilizing
emotions. However, available scientific studies have shown no health
benefits when compared to placebo treatments.
How is it promoted for use?
Proponents claim that flower remedies ease stress and reduce
negative emotions, which in turn stimulates the body's healing
processes to help fight illness. Proponents believe that physical
illness is caused by underlying emotional problems or disorders. They
do not claim that flower remedies cure diseases, only that they help
the body's natural defenses so that the body can heal itself.
Supporters suggest that flower remedies can help improve sleep, reduce
stress, calm fears, ease childbirth, reduce anxiety, and lessen
skeletal and muscular pain.
There are 7 categories of emotional problems that supporters
believe can be affected by flower remedies. These include fear,
uncertainty, general disinterest, loneliness, over-sensitivity to
influences and ideas, despondency or despair, and over-concern for the
welfare of others. Flower remedies are said to be safe for everyone,
even family pets.
What does it involve?
Usually, 2 to 4 drops of flower essence preparation are placed
directly under the tongue several times a day. A few drops can also be
put into a glass of water or juice and sipped 3 to 4 times a day. Very
small or even undetectable amounts of the flower extract remain in the
final remedy formula. The patient or practitioner chooses the flower
essences based on the patient's emotional condition.
The original 39 remedies consisted of 38 individual flower
essences and a solution called "rescue remedy," which is a combination
of 5 flower essences. Rescue remedy can be used to deal with emotional
trauma or emergency situations. This remedy comes in a spray bottle so
it can be sprayed into the mouth and in a cream that can be used on the
wrists, neck, or ankles.
What is the history behind it?
In the 1930s, an English homeopathic physician named Edward
Bach developed the theory that the successful treatment of negative
emotions would heal illness. His ideas in this area were shared by
others who believed in the connection between mind and body and that
emotional health influenced physical health. Bach believed flowers were
one key to strengthening the mind-body link and that flower essences
could soothe emotions.
Since Bach's time, more flowers have been added to the
original 38, reportedly following the same general principles he
outlined.
What is the evidence?
Despite numerous personal reports claiming flower remedies
improve health, available scientific evidence does not support claims
that the treatment results in any measurable positive results beyond
that of placebo treatment. Some specific studies have tested for the
effect of flower remedies on attention deficit disorder and anxiety. A
2005 study in Israel tested the remedies to see whether they helped
attention deficit disorder in children. It found that there was no
difference between the effects of the remedies compared with placebo.
In Germany, a group of researchers compared the flower remedies to a
placebo to see whether the remedies helped test anxiety. While there
was no difference between the placebo and flower essence groups, both
groups reported a significant decrease in test anxiety. It appears that
both the sham treatment and the flower essences produced a placebo
effect.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
There are no known harmful effects reported with the ingestion
of flower remedies. People taking medications such as metronidazole
(Flagyl) or disulfiram (Antabuse) may have nausea and vomiting if they
use the brandy- or alcohol-based form of the remedies. Those who wish
to avoid alcohol entirely should not use them. Allergies to the plants
might produce reactions if enough of the flower extract is present in
the remedy, although no reports of this were found in the medical
literature to date. Relying on this type of treatment alone and
avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have
serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Bach flower remedies. Aetna InteliHealth Web site.
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?d=dmtContent&c=358740.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Barrett S. Questionable "self-help" products. Quackwatch Web
site. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mentprod.html.
Updated August 18, 2004. Accessed June 4, 2008.
Ernst E. "Flower remedies": a systematic review of the
clinical evidence. Wien
Klin Wochenschr. 2002;114:963-966.
Kaptchuk TJ. The placebo effect in alternative medicine: can
the performance of a healing ritual have clinical significance? Ann Intern Med.
2002;136:817-825.
Pintov S, Hochman M, Livne A, Heyman E, Lahat E. Bach flower
remedies used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in
children--a prospective double blind controlled study. Eur J Paediatr Neurol.
2005;9:395-398. Epub 2005 Oct 27.
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;15:359-366.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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