Bach Flower Remedies: What is That Actually?
The Bach Flower remedies are based on the assumption that all physical illnesses are due to disturbances of the mental balance. Each state of mind is associated with an essence of wild flowering plants and trees.
Bach Flower remedies – what is that actually?
The Bach Flower remedies go back to the British doctor Edward Bach (1886-1936). He assumed that all physical illnesses were due to disturbances of the mental balance.
Bach defined a total of 38 “disharmonious soul states of human nature” – such as irritability, fear, bitterness. Bach assigned an essence of wildly growing flowering plants and trees to each state of mind, including oak, dog rose and holly. The plant essence is said to help release negative emotions and restore emotional balance through its vibrational frequency. This should activate the self-healing powers, strengthen the immune system and in this way also cure diseases.
To extract the plant essence, plant parts are put in spring water and then placed in the sun or heated. In this way they are supposed to give off their energy to the water. The water is then mixed with brandy or cognac for preservation and diluted with large amounts of water, similar to homeopathy.
What methods are used in Bach Flower remedies?
After a detailed anamnesis interview, the therapist selects the Bach Flower remedy that seems best suited to restore the patient’s emotional balance. Individual mixtures of several plant concentrates are also possible. The Bach Flower essences are kept in small bottles, so-called “stock bottles”. Several times a day a few drops are added to a glass of water and drunk.
“Rescue Remedies”, also known as “emergency drops”, are a combination of six Bach Flower Remedies that are said to have a relaxing and emotionally stabilising effect in stress and emergency situations.
For which complaints is the Bach Flower Therapy useful?
Bach Flower Therapy is mainly used for psychological problems such as overwork, nervousness, exhaustion or anxiety. It is used both for acute problems, such as relationship conflicts, and for general strengthening of the psychological balance.
Healing or relief is also promised for illnesses such as headaches, sleep disorders or tension, which could have a psychosomatic origin.
How well is Bach Flower Therapy scientifically proven?
The Bach Flower remedies are not sufficiently proven by scientific studies. The mechanism of action cannot be plausibly proven by orthodox medical practitioners and is justified by the placebo effect.
What are the limitations of Bach Flower remedies?
Side effects of Bach flower concentrates are not known. However, the essences are not suitable for children and “dry” alcoholics, as they contain small amounts of alcohol. For them there are Bach Flowers in Globuli-Forum.
The followers of Bach Flower therapy believe in a quick effect in acute problems. However, using the therapy to restore emotional balance is not for the impatient: the treatment can take several months.
Critics see it as problematic that the Bach Flower therapy attributes illnesses exclusively to psychological states of mind. This could lead patients to believe that they alone are responsible for their illness. Under no circumstances should medical emergencies be attempted to cure a patient with Rescue Drops!
For whom is the Bach Flower Remedies therapy suitable?
The Bach Flower remedies are suitable for everyone who is looking for uncomplicated self-help for everyday problems and who wants to get involved in the somewhat esoteric model of thinking that plants have energetic vibrations that have an effect on human consciousness. Anyone who wants advice from a Bach Flower Therapist must be prepared to talk about psychological states of mind.
What does the treatment cost?
A first appointment with the alternative practitioner costs about 50 euros. 30 millilitres of Bach Flower Essence are available for about 15 euros, 10 millilitres of Rescue Drops from 6 to 8 euros. The statutory health insurance companies do not pay for the therapy.