Introduction
Flower remedies, or 'flower essences', are a type of complementary therapy, that is supposed to work on an energetic level. Flower remedies are the (energetic) 'essences' from plants which are imprinted on water. In this topic it will be discussed what they are, how they are made and also the (sceptical/psychological) explanation for them (which is towards the end). Key in point: Do they work through energy, or through Psychology? Find out after all of the other aspects of the world of Bach Flower remedies has been explored. A 'case study' from a website is also critically assessed - are the so-called improvements for the illness really as a result of the Bach Flower Remedy or can they be explained away through sceptical explanations? (As goes for all these posts, I will add to this over time, so please keep checking in).
How they are made
Sun Method
Flower remedies are made using the Sun method, in the follow way:
- Select a blossom to use (e.g. rose bloom)
- Pick it (it is advised that the bloom picked has a bit of stem on)
- Put the bloom into a glass bowl filled with spring or filtered water
- Leave the flower in the glass bowl of water for three hours out in the sun
- After three hours, take out the blossom by grabbing it by the stem
- Fill a small brown glass bottle with the flower-infused water and use up as soon as possible. In order to keep the flower-infused water for weeks/months, put an equal part of 40% proof brandy to an equal part of the flower-infused water in the bottle.
The Boiling Method
1. For plants that do not grown in early spring and woody plants, the Boiling Method is used.
All pans must be sterilised before using. Use a lidded stainless steel or enamelled pot and glass jars and/or bottles.
2. In the morning, pick the plant (twigs or stem) the same way as described for The Sun Method.
3. Cover the twigs in 10 parts water to 1 part twigs and boil for half an hour.
4. Filter all sediment (twigs etc.) out and put into a glass bowl or jar to cool.
5. As with the Sun Method, fill an equal part with the water (once cooled) with an equal part of 40% proof brandy.
The resulting flower-infused water is called a 'flower remedy' or 'flower essence'. These are used for their supposed medicinal purposes.
Types of flower remedy
There are many different types of flower remedy, most of which are made using the above method. However, a recent invention of the method uses crystals, which are said to extract the energetic essence from the flower, then puts this into the water.
The most well-known flower remedies are the Bach Flower Remedies, which consist of 38. A first-aid combination of these is called 'Rescue Remedy' and is used in emergencies to combat sudden trauma and the like.
The Bach flower remedies
1. Agrimony - For a person who is suffering from inner torture. According to The Bach Flower Remedies book by Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen, Agrimony can be used for "...those who hide their worries from others under a cloak of cheerfulness and good humour." So it is the ideal remedy for people who are suffering from pretentiousness - those who hide their true feeling behind a façade of cheerfulness.
The Agrimony Bach flower remedy is made through the sun method.
2. Aspen - For a person who is feeling apprehensive, without a sense or knowing as to why; someone who has an unexplainable sense of dread and anxiety. Aspen Bach flower remedy is made through the boiling method.
3. Beech - For a person who is critical, arrogant and intollerant of others.
4. Centaury - Treats weakness of will
5. Cerato - For a person who doubts their own judgement
6. Cherry plum - For a person who suffers from irrational thoughts
7. Chestnut bud - For a person who repeats the same mistakes
8. Chicory - According to Clare G. Harvey's The New Encylaepedia of Flower
Remedies, The Bach Flower Remedies p. 92, Chicory is "For those feeling empty inside who become manipulative and possessive to get the attention they crave, who dislike being alone, needing their loved ones near to control and direct their activity. For 'the mothering type' as well as children who demand attention. Helps those who are self-pittying, fussy, bossy, critical, smothering, tearful and thwarted. Nourishes by instilling feelings of love and security."
9. Clematis - For a person who is an escapist from reality.
10. Crab Apple - For a person who suffers from self disgust.
11. Elm - For a person who feels overcome with responsibility, though is usually capable.
12. Gentian - For a person who is easily discouraged and sceptical.
13. Gorse - According to A Guide to the Bach Flower remedies by Julian Barnard p.33, Gorse flower remedy is "...for despair, great hopelessness, chronic depression and resignation, loss of will to improve conditions." It is for those who "Believe that nothing can be done to help though may be persuaded to try again whilst thinking it futile, needs to be pushed - Gorse heals the inner will. Symptoms may be a condition that apparently cannot be cured, a generic illness, repeated failure or disappointment. Often seen with dark rings under eyes, hopeless expression, just sits inert, hopeless beyond tears or expression of grief complexion may be sallow in developed state."
14. Heather -For a person who is obssessed with their own troubles.
15. Holly- For a person who is jealous, envious or suspicious
16. Honeysuckle - For a person who dwells in the past
17. Hornbeam - For a person who has the 'Morning blues', but once started, the task is usually fulfilled
18. Impatiens - For a person who is impatient or irritable.
19. Larch - For a person who has despondency due to a lack of self-confidence, so expects failure and consequently fails to make the attempt.
20. Mimulus - For a person who has a fear of known things or a fear of the world
21. Mustard - For a person who has "dark clouds" of depression which comes on for no apparent reason
22. Oak - For a person who is the brave determined type but who struggles on in an illness against and despite adversity.
23. Olive -For a person who is drained of energy and feels physically fatigued.
24. Pine - For a person who blames themselves for the mistakes done by others
25. Red Chestnut - For a person who craves or concerns excessively for others
26. Rock Rose - For a person who is alarmed or panicky and is full of trepidation
27. Rock Water - For a person who is hard on themselves.
28. Scleranthus - For a person who is uncertain or indecisive and suffering from fluctuating moods.
29. Star of Bethlehem - For all the negative effects of serious news, or that following an accident, etc. Releases person's trauma, no matter how long ago it took place.
30. Sweet Chestnut - According to The Bach Flower Remedies by Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen p.78, Sweet Chestnut is for those who have "...extreme anguish in those who have reached the limit of their endurance."
31. Vervain - For a person who is over-enthusiastic and highly strung.
32. Vine - For a person who is dominating, inflexible, ambitious or tyrannical.
33. Walnut - Protects against powerful influences and helps adjustment to change
34. Water Violet - ~For a person who is proud, reserved, yet reliable and dependable
35. White Chestnut - For persistent unwanted thoughts or mental arguments.
36. Wild Oat - Helps determine a person's intended path in life.
37. Wild Rose - For a person who makes little or no effort toward improvement
38. Willow - For a person who experiences resentment or bitterness.
3. Beech - For a person who is critical, arrogant and intollerant of others.
4. Centaury - Treats weakness of will
5. Cerato - For a person who doubts their own judgement
6. Cherry plum - For a person who suffers from irrational thoughts
7. Chestnut bud - For a person who repeats the same mistakes
8. Chicory - According to Clare G. Harvey's The New Encylaepedia of Flower
9. Clematis - For a person who is an escapist from reality.
10. Crab Apple - For a person who suffers from self disgust.
11. Elm - For a person who feels overcome with responsibility, though is usually capable.
12. Gentian - For a person who is easily discouraged and sceptical.
13. Gorse - According to A Guide to the Bach Flower remedies by Julian Barnard p.33, Gorse flower remedy is "...for despair, great hopelessness, chronic depression and resignation, loss of will to improve conditions." It is for those who "Believe that nothing can be done to help though may be persuaded to try again whilst thinking it futile, needs to be pushed - Gorse heals the inner will. Symptoms may be a condition that apparently cannot be cured, a generic illness, repeated failure or disappointment. Often seen with dark rings under eyes, hopeless expression, just sits inert, hopeless beyond tears or expression of grief complexion may be sallow in developed state."
14. Heather -For a person who is obssessed with their own troubles.
15. Holly- For a person who is jealous, envious or suspicious
16. Honeysuckle - For a person who dwells in the past
17. Hornbeam - For a person who has the 'Morning blues', but once started, the task is usually fulfilled
18. Impatiens - For a person who is impatient or irritable.
19. Larch - For a person who has despondency due to a lack of self-confidence, so expects failure and consequently fails to make the attempt.
20. Mimulus - For a person who has a fear of known things or a fear of the world
21. Mustard - For a person who has "dark clouds" of depression which comes on for no apparent reason
22. Oak - For a person who is the brave determined type but who struggles on in an illness against and despite adversity.
23. Olive -For a person who is drained of energy and feels physically fatigued.
24. Pine - For a person who blames themselves for the mistakes done by others
25. Red Chestnut - For a person who craves or concerns excessively for others
26. Rock Rose - For a person who is alarmed or panicky and is full of trepidation
28. Scleranthus - For a person who is uncertain or indecisive and suffering from fluctuating moods.
29. Star of Bethlehem - For all the negative effects of serious news, or that following an accident, etc. Releases person's trauma, no matter how long ago it took place.
30. Sweet Chestnut - According to The Bach Flower Remedies by Nora Weeks and Victor Bullen p.78, Sweet Chestnut is for those who have "...extreme anguish in those who have reached the limit of their endurance."
31. Vervain - For a person who is over-enthusiastic and highly strung.
32. Vine - For a person who is dominating, inflexible, ambitious or tyrannical.
33. Walnut - Protects against powerful influences and helps adjustment to change
34. Water Violet - ~For a person who is proud, reserved, yet reliable and dependable
35. White Chestnut - For persistent unwanted thoughts or mental arguments.
36. Wild Oat - Helps determine a person's intended path in life.
37. Wild Rose - For a person who makes little or no effort toward improvement
38. Willow - For a person who experiences resentment or bitterness.
Rescue Remedy
Consists of the remaining nineteen and consist of remedies that, according to Healing Herbs pocket prescriber "...relate to reactive emotional states - problems which result from life trauma and difficulty." These are: Aspen. Beech, Crab Apple, Chestnut Bud, Cherry Plum, Elm, Holly, Honeysuckle, Hornbeam, Larch, Mustard, Pine, Red Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, White Chestnut, Wild Rose and Willow.
Do they work?
Rescue Remedy is a combination of five of the Bach Flower remedies and according to A Guide to the Bach Flowers by Julian Barnard p.50, Rescue Remedy "...consists of Cherry Plum for loss of control, Clematis for unconsciousness, Impatiens for stress, Rock Rose for terror and Star of Bethlehem for shock. Rescue Remedy is so useful for any situation major or minor that it is wise to have it prepared and on hand in emergencies."
The 'Twelve Healers'
The Bach flower remedies are divided into two groups. The remedies to be used by someone, which are identified through describing the type of person they are, are as follows:
Agrimony, Cerato, Centaury, Cerato, Chicory, Clematis, Gentian, Impatiens, Mimulus, Rock Rose, Scleranthus, Water Violet and Vervain.
The 'Seven Helpers'
The 'Seven Helpers' consist of Rock Water, Gorse, Wild Oat, Olive, Vine, Heather and Oak. They are the remedies, according to Healing Herbs pocket prescriber for Bach flower remedies "...for chronic (long-term) conditions like hopelessness or exhaustion. They are support remedies, often used in combination with a chosen remedy from the Twelve Healers."
The 'Second Nineteen'
Consists of the remaining nineteen and consist of remedies that, according to Healing Herbs pocket prescriber "...relate to reactive emotional states - problems which result from life trauma and difficulty." These are: Aspen. Beech, Crab Apple, Chestnut Bud, Cherry Plum, Elm, Holly, Honeysuckle, Hornbeam, Larch, Mustard, Pine, Red Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Walnut, White Chestnut, Wild Rose and Willow.
Do they work?
I asked if her daughter was quite sensitive and she started saying how nervous she gets with the slightest thing and how her schoolwork suffers because she has no confidence, and that she often has headaches as well. She also said she was quite moody, very up and down. I asked if she was indecisive and her mother raised her eyes upwards and told me that she has spent the last few weeks making her mind up about whether to go on a school trip or not. It was driving her mad."
After the Bach flower practitioner had given a brief introduction to the Bach flower remedies she "...decided to buy the 'rescue' emergency combination. I was itching to put together a mixture for her but she was very sceptical. However, I knew she needed others so in the end she left with a mixture of the emergency combination, Larch, Mimulus, Aspen, Scleranthus and Gentian.
Two days later, her mum came back with a bunch of flowers for me, saying how her daughter had changed overnight. After two doses that evening she had slept well and the next day had come down saying that she didn’t have any tummy ache and that she had made a decision about the school trip! And her teacher had come out at the end of the day and asked her mother what had happened as she had been really good at her schoolwork that day."
Did the Bach flower remedies work, or are there other explanations for the girl's improvement? Consider the following:
- What did the woman say to her daughter about the Bach flower remedies?
- Did the girl actually take the remedies?
- What other treatments might the girl have been taking besides the Bach flower remedies?
- Might the improvement have been down to some other facter besides the Bach flower remedies?
- How well or accurately is the author of the excurpt remembering the event? Did it all happen exactly as she tells it?
- How can we be sure that any part of the "case study" is correct?
The explanations
Do flower remedies work through the energy of the flower that has been imprinted onto the water? Or is there some other way in which flower remedies work? The alternative, sceptical explanations that can explain them are:
- Placebo Effect - According to ... the Placebo Effect is when "a person can have a response to a placebo. The response can be positive or negative. For instance, the person's symptoms may improve. Or the person may have what appears to be side effects from the treatment. These responses are known as the "placebo effect." A placebo is something that doesn't actually do anything, but to which the patient reports some noticeable change in their illness or condition.
- Suggestion - If a person has been told that a flower remedy is good for a particular condition or ailment, that person is more likely going to report that the flower remedy had some sort of affect on that same ailment from which they had been suffering.
- Belief - If a person believes that flower remedies work, then they are going to interpret their experience of using flower remedies for their ailments accordingly.
- Classical conditioning - When a person reports that their ailment 'miraculously' healed or improved following being treated using flower remedies, the improvement may have been down to other healing methods or treatments, or other factors, which actually were responsible for the improvement, but the woman instead credited the flower remedies with having improved the ailment.
- Cognitive dissonance
In other words, flower remedies could just seem to work through psychology.
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