Bach Flower Remedies Interactions Overview

Bach Flower Remedies, pronounced "Batch," are highly diluted preparations of various species of wildflowers developed by the physician Edward Bach in the 1930s. While many people refer to them as homeopathic products due to their dilution process, there are differences in principles between Bach flower remedies and homeopathy. Bach flower remedies are often promoted to help mental and emotional problems rather than directly treat physical ailments. The remedies are produced from a "mother tincture," which is created by placing plant material in a bowl of water exposed to sunlight or by boiling the plant material in water. The essence of the plant is then infused into the water. The mother tincture is further diluted by adding only a few drops to distilled water, which is then usually preserved with brandy. Despite their dilution, Bach flower remedies are believed to retain vibrations or energy that rebalance the conscious and unconscious aspects of a person. The extreme dilution of Bach flower remedies means they contain little or no detectable amounts of active ingredients, similar to homeopathic preparations. Therefore, they are not expected to have pharmacological effects, drug interactions, or side effects. However, the alcohol content in these products may cause adverse effects if consumed in large doses.