Bach flower therapy

Bach flower therapy is an unproven health treatment that, according to a U.K. Parliament study, asserts that flowers contain the life force of a plant and that this is then imprinted into water through "sun infusion", producing a plant extract that is diluted before administration. This is then used to create remedies, which are usually ingested by the patient, and are purported to help them let go of "negative thoughts". The practice was originated and developed by English homeopath Edward Bach (pronounced "Batch", 1886–1936). The 38 specific plants, and the emotional states for which they are indicated, are listed on the Catalogs subpage.

It has not gained any acceptance in conventional medicine or mainstream science. A literature review in 2009 concluded that "Bach flower remedies (BFR)" are probably safe. Few controlled prospective trials of BFRs for psychological problems and pain exist. Our analysis of the four controlled trials of BFRs for examination anxiety and ADHD indicates that there is no evidence of benefit compared with a placebo intervention." Another study, however, found "A double-blind clinical trial comparing a standard dosage of BFE Rescue Remedy against a placebo of identical appearance was conducted in a sample of 111 individuals aged 18 to 49, randomized into treatment (n = 53) and control (n = 58) groups...only the high-state anxiety treatment subgroup demonstrated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. The results suggest that BFE Rescue Remedy may be effective in reducing high levels of situational anxiety."

Bach therapy and phytotherapy

While Bach remedies are derived from plants, the principle is different than phytotherapy (i.e., herbalism). Herbalism assumes the existence of significant healing ingredient(s) in the plant extract.

Bach remedies, however, are more related to the "signatures" of Paracelsus; Bach indeed uses the term "signature". The remedies work on a mental level that transfers the "vibrations" or signature; the vibrations resonate with inherent vibrations believed to be in human cells. According to Bach practitioners, the remedies do not have detectable levels of active chemicals. Independent microchemical analysis does not appear to be available.

Bach therapy and aromatherapy

While there may seem to be a similarity in that flowers contain essential oils, the preparation methods are quite different. Bach extracts use, in chemical terms, solvent extraction, while essential oils are usually extracted with steam distillation.

Bach therapy and homeopathy

Bach flower therapy and homeopathy have similarities in that they involve remedies intended to improve a vital force, and they both have a concept of potentizing. At that point, they diverge significantly. Preparation of the remedies, however, is different. Bach remedies are not selected using the homeopathic principle of the Laws of Similars.

The means of Bach remedy preparation uses a method, described in the British Homeopathic Pharmacopeia, that is used to prepare homeopathic mother tinctures. One involves extraction using ethanol, of a specific type of brandy and extracting with sunshine, while the other involves boiling the flowers with water. Once extracted, however, the tincture is used in a very different manner than in homeopathy.

Bach potentizing

There is dilution, but to what homeopaths call a 5X dilution, which gives a much higher concentration than used in homeopathy.

Efficacy testing

Tbere are a limited number of trials, with small samples; only abstracts were available for this article. They primarily dealt with anxiety. One double-blinded randomized controlled trial, comparing a Bach extract against placebo, reduced situational anxiety in a group of 111 patients.