TREATMENT DATABASE

Bach remedies are herbal essences principally derived from flowers used to remedy specific physical or psychological complaints. They were devised by Dr. Edward Bach, a British bacteriologist, in the 1930s. In the 1920s, he proposed the theory that altered mental and emotional states were brought about by disharmonies that could be corrected with the use of plant essences. Dr. Bach collected these essences, at first, by gathering the dew that had collected on the underside of leaves and flower petals. Because this method proved arduous, he later tried putting plant parts in a bowl of pure spring water, which he left in the sun for a few hours. He then preserved the water in alcohol. To make his remedies, he took a few drops from the bottled essence and added them to an ounce of pure water. He administered four drops in a little water four times a day.

By the time of Dr. Bach's death in 1936, he had discovered 38 such herbal remedies. Dr. Bach claimed that his flower remedies cured various common physical ailments, but primarily the remedies were used to treat emotional problems. For example, he treated fearfulness with mimulus, obsessional thoughts with white chestnut, lack of faith with gentian, and general ailments with a blend of five of the essences, which he called "Rescue Remedy."

USES IN ME/CFS: Although there is no scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of Bach remedies, some people with ME/CFS report good results. Aspen is reputedly effective for fear. Patients report success using scleranthus to control night sweats. Given the low risk associated with Bach remedies, scleranthus might be worth trying if night sweats are severe or resistant to other treatment. Rescue Remedy, a blend of several essences that alleviates many symptoms simultaneously, is popular among those who use Bach remedies to relieve stress and improve sleep.

Treatment rating for Bach Remedies