Flower Essences and Bach Flower Remedies: What They Are and What Research Shows

What they are

"Flower essence" is a broad term, and the sources we could read cover the best-known system, the Bach flower remedies, created by Dr Edward Bach, a physician and bacteriologist. The Bach Centre says there are 38 remedies in the system, all discovered in the 1920s and 1930s. [1] The Centre associates each remedy with a basic human emotion. [1]

For related topics, see homeopathy and herbalism compared and Western herbal traditions.

If you are in emotional crisis in the US, call or text 988. Flower remedies are not a treatment for anxiety, depression or any other condition that needs care.

How they are made, and the idea behind them

The Bach Centre describes two methods. In the sun method, flower heads float in pure water for three hours in direct sunlight. [1] In both methods the maker says the heat transfers energy in the flowers to the water, and an equal quantity of brandy is added as a preservative to make a mother tincture. [1] Stock bottles are made by diluting the mother tincture at two drops to every 30 ml. [1]

The explanation is the tradition's own. The Centre states that the active ingredient in a flower remedy is an energy from the plant, not a physical substance. [2] This is a belief, not a measured mechanism. We do not present it as established science.

What research shows

Three systematic reviews of controlled clinical trials have examined Bach flower remedies. All are on Bach remedies, not other flower-essence lines.

1. Ernst 2002, controlled trials of any design

   No good evidence of benefit

   Studies that controlled for placebo and used randomisation did not show effects beyond placebo; the hypothesis of effects beyond placebo was not supported by rigorous trials. [3]

2. Thaler 2009, psychological problems and pain

   No good evidence of benefit; evidence low or very low

   Three trials in students with exam anxiety and one in children with ADHD showed no overall benefit versus placebo; no controlled studies for pain were found. [4]

3. Ernst 2010, randomised trials

   No good evidence of benefit

   Seven trials were located. All placebo-controlled trials failed to demonstrate efficacy. [5]

Thaler and colleagues also noted that most of the available evidence has a high risk of bias, and that on the adverse events reported the remedies are probably safe. [4] The Ernst 2010 authors concluded that the most reliable trials show no differences between flower remedies and placebo. [5]

Other flower essences: Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for systematic reviews of Bach flower remedies, which returned only the reviews above and nothing separate on other essence lines.

Trials of any remedy people can taste or expect to work are limited by placebo and expectation. These reviews compared against placebo, which is why their conclusions matter. People may feel better after taking a remedy, but these trials do not show the flowers are the cause.

A common myth

Some sources claim the World Health Organization approved Bach remedies. The Bach Centre says this comes from a misread passing mention and notes that the WHO does not approve or license any treatments. [7]

Who should talk to a clinician first

Anyone with persistent anxiety, low mood, a child's attention or behaviour concerns, or pain that does not settle. Tell your doctor about any remedy you use. [6]