Which flower remedy

All but one RCT [17], the one that lacked a placebo group, failed to show significant differences between verum and control groups. It lacked a placebo group and had a small sample size. Thus its results are not reliable. The trial by the current author [18] was a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with a formal sample size calculation. Unfortunately, the drop-out rate turned out to be high. Its results showed no significant effect for flower remedies.

The study by Walach et al. The main difference was that it had a cross-over design. Pintov et al. The results show no significant inter-group differences. Toyota randomised 40 surgical patients to receive either diluted Rescue Remedies or placebo as premedication before surgery [21]. Anxiety, tension, heart rate and blood pressure showed no difference between the groups. Unfortunately the report is unclear in several respects.

The author draws a positive conclusion which is not borne out by the data. Halberstein et al. During a three-hour class, they received five doses of Rescue Remedy or placebo. Anxiety levels did not differ between groups, but a subgroup of exceedingly anxious nurses generated findings that seemed to favour verum over placebo. Forshaw and Jones randomised 62 students who were submitted to experimental stress into three groups.

Group A received four drops of Rescue Remedy in mineral water. Group B received pure mineral water and were told it contained Rescue Remedy and group C drank pure mineral water and were told it was pure water.

Stress levels decreased in all groups in a similar manner, and there were no significant treatment effects related to Rescue Remedy [23]. The data summarised above confirm that RCTs of flower remedies are possible and demonstrate that several such studies have recently become available. While the previous systematic reviews included three and four RCTs respectively [5—7], the present one is based on seven RCTs. Collectively they fail to produce convincing evidence to suggest that flower remedies are associated with clinical effects that differ from those of placebo.

This systematic review has a number of limitations. Even though the search strategy was comprehensive, there is no certainty that all studies were located. Trials of flower remedies may have been published in journals not listed in electronic databases.

Moreover, negative publication bias may have distorted the overall result. It is known that there is a tendency for negative trials to remain unpublished, and journals of alternative medicine publish very few negative results [24]. The paucity of the available data renders the final verdict about the efficacy of flower remedies problematic.

Data extraction was only done by one person; the author of this paper. This increases the risk of error and bias in interpreting the findings. In most countries, flower remedies are marketed not as medicines but as food supplements.

Therefore there is no legal requirement to demonstrate efficacy and no health claims are permitted. Yet there is an abundance of literature on flower remedies which does make such claims. Customers are thus attracted to flower remedies with certain expectations, and the question arises whether this has the potential for causing harm to patients.

Due to their highly dilute nature, flower remedies are devoid of toxicology. In such a scenario, the use of flower remedies could become life-threatening [25]. This systematic review shows that these claims are not based on evidence. The implication from the negative clinical evidence and the lack of biological plausibility might be that further research in this area is not warranted.

In conclusion, the most reliable clinical trials of flower remedies available to date fail to show efficacy. No funding; no competing interests.

Ernst pms. Bach E. The twelve Healers. Republished in: The collected writings of Edward Bach. Bath: Ashgrove Press. The relationship between homeopathy and the Dr Bach system of flower remedies: a critical appraisal.

Br Homeopath J. Our guide offers expert advice on how to better manage stress levels. Get it FREE when you sign up for our newsletter. Ernst E. Bach flower remedies: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Swiss Med Wkly. The Original Bach Flower Remedies. Rescue remedy, rescue remedy spray. Bach Rescue.

Rescue Remedy dropper. British Homeopathic Association. Is homeopathy safe? How quickly will I feel Rescue working? How much Rescue can I take? Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Rescue Remedy Ingredients. Flower Essense vs. Essential Oils. Possible Benefits. Dosage and Preparation. Side Effects. Frequently Asked Questions. Flower Essences Flowers are submerged in water.

This water is boiled or exposed to the sun and then filtered. The final product does not contain any part of the flower. Essential Oils Plants are steamed or pressed. The extracts are then often combined with a carrier oil. The final product contains actual compounds from the plants. Chestnut Bud Repetition of mistakes and experiences; inability to learn from mistakes.

Ability to learn from mistakes Insight. Chicory Over concern for others; possessiveness. Love and caring. Brings down to earth. Crab Apple Self-disgust, low self-esteem, a feeling of contamination. Elm You feel overwhelmed by your many responsibilities. Strength to perform. Gentian Easily discouraged, dependent and self-doubtful, despondency from set back. Gorse Hopelessness, despair, given up hope. Renewed hope. Heather Preoccupied and concerned for self, talkative.

Good listener; empathy. Holly People overcome by anger, jealousy, envy etc. Honeysuckle Living in the past. Involvement in the present. Hornbeam Monday morning feeling. You procrastinate. Renewed energy. Larch Feelings of inadequacy; lack of self-confidence. Mimulus Fear of everyday things, illness, pain, accident or misfortune. Fearful or anxious about something specific.

Bravery and courage. Mustard Inexplicable sadness, gloom and despair, like a black cloud. Don't know why you feel that way. Clarity of thought. Oak Those who unrealistically never give up. Keep going when you need to rest. Admit limitations.