Bach Flower Remedies
OTHER NAME(S): Bach, Bach Flower, Bach Flower Essence, Bach Flower Remedy, Bach Remedies, Batch Flower Remedies, BFR, BFRs, Edward Bach Remedies, Élixirs Floraux du Docteur Bach, Essences Florales de Bach, Fleurs de Bach, Florathérapie, Flower Dilutions, Flower Essence, Flower Essence Dilution, Flower Remedies, Flower Remedies, Remèdes Floraux, Remèdes Floraux de Bach, Remèdes Floraux du Dr Bach, None., Remedios Florales de Bach, Remèdes floraux de Bach
Overview
Bach ("Batch") flower remedies are very diluted preparations of different species of wildflowers. They were created by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s.
Bach flower remedies are often so diluted that they contain little or no detectable amounts of active ingredients. Similar to homeopathic preparations, they aren't expected to have beneficial drug-like effects or safety concerns. There are 38 different remedies.
People use Bach flower remedies for anxiety, depression, ADHD, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse Bach flower remedies with homeopathy. Bach flower remedies are sometimes called homeopathic products because they are diluted like homeopathic remedies, but they aren't based on the same principles.
Uses
Possibly Ineffective for
- Anxiety. Taking Bach flower remedies doesn't seem to reduce anxiety.
There is interest in using Bach flower remedies for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Bach flower remedies are possibly safe when used in moderation. Since most Bach flower remedies contain little or no active ingredient, these products aren't expected to cause harm. But they are preserved in brandy and therefore contain alcohol.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Bach flower remedies are safe or what the side effects might be. Since most Bach flower remedies contain little or no active ingredient, these products aren't expected to cause harm.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Bach flower remedies are possibly safe when used in moderation. Since most Bach flower remedies contain little or no active ingredient, these products aren't expected to cause harm. But they are preserved in brandy and therefore contain alcohol.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Bach flower remedies are safe or what the side effects might be. Since most Bach flower remedies contain little or no active ingredient, these products aren't expected to cause harm.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bach flower remedies are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding because they contain alcohol. Alcohol can cause birth defects and other harm to infants. The alcohol in these preparations also passes into breast milk and can interfere with the infant's development.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with Bach Flower RemediesBach flower remedies contain alcohol. When disulfiram is taken within 12 hours of alcohol it can cause a reaction. Do not take Bach flower remedies if you are taking disulfiram.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl) interacts with Bach Flower RemediesBach flower remedies contain alcohol. When metronidazole is taken with alcohol it might cause a reaction. Talk to your health provider before taking Bach flower remedies if you are using metronidazole.
Dosing
Bach flower remedies are prepared by soaking plant material in water that is then exposed to sunlight. The plant material might also be boiled. A small amount of this liquid is then mixed with distilled water and preserved in brandy. There are 38 different remedies that vary depending on the plant combinations used. Bach flower remedies are usually so diluted that they contain little or no detectable amounts of active ingredients.
Similar to homeopathy, Bach flower remedies indicate how dilute they are by using specific letters and numbers. Dilutions of 1/10 are signified by "X." So, 1X = 1/10, 2X = 1/100, 3X = 1/1000, and so on.
Dilutions of 1/100 are signified by "C." So, 1C = 1/100, 2C = 1/10,000, 3C = 1/1,000,000, and so on.
Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
References
- Fraser AG. Pharmacokinetic interactions between alcohol and other drugs. Clin Pharmacokinet 1997;33:79-90.
- Dufour MC. If you drink alcoholic beverages do so in moderation: what does this mean? J Nutr 2001;131:552S-61S.
- Mennella J. Alcohol's effect on lactation. Alcohol Res Health 2001;25:230-4.
- Barrett S. Homeopathy: The ultimate fake. Quackwatch.org, 2001. Available at: https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html. (Accessed 29 May 2006).
- Armstrong NC, Ernst E. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a Bach Flower Remedy. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 2001;7(4):215-221.
- 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(4):359-366.
- 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(6):395-398.
- Howard, J. Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control? A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect, and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2007;13(3):174-183.
- Rivas-Suárez SR, Águila-Vázquez J, Suárez-Rodríguez B, et al. Exploring the effectiveness of external use of Bach flower remedies on carpal tunnel syndrome: A pilot study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):18-24.
- Dixit UB, Jasani RR. Comparison of the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy and music therapy on dental anxiety in pediatric patients: A randomized controlled study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. Jan-Mar 2020;38(1):71-78.
- Fusco SFB, Pancieri AP, Amancio SCP, et al. Efficacy of flower therapy for anxiety in overweight or obese adults: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med 2021;27(5):416-22.