Healing With Bach® Flower Essences: Testing a Complementary Therapy
1. Robert Halberstein, PhD 1. Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2005, r.halberstein@miami.edu
1. Lydia DeSantis, PhD, RN, MPH, FAAN 1. Department of Anthropology at the University of Miami
1. Alicia Sirkin, RDH, BFRP 1. Sirkin Creative Living Center in Miami, Florida
1. Vivian Padron-Fajardo, PhD, ARNP, FNP 1. University of Miami
1. Maria Ojeda-Vaz, MPH, MSN 1. Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami, FL Abstract
Bach® Original Flower Essence (BFE) Rescue® Remedy, a modality used since 1930 but not yet thoroughly investigated scientifically, was evaluated for the reduction of acute situational stress. A double-blind clinical trial comparing a standard dosage of BFE Rescue Remedy against a placebo of identical appearance was conducted in a sample of 111 individuals aged 18 to 49, randomized into treatment (n = 53) and control (n = 58) groups. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered before and after the use of Rescue Remedy or placebo. Downward trends in anxiety level measurements were discovered in both the treatment (Rescue Remedy) and control (placebo) groups. Statistical analyses indicated that only the high-state anxiety treatment subgroup demonstrated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. The results suggest that BFE Rescue Remedy may be effective in reducing high levels of situational anxiety.