Rescue Remedy - does it work?
Rescue Remedy is a flower essence that was developed in the 1930’s by Dr. Edward Bach, the founder of Bach remedies. Flower essences are specific flowers prepared in a traditional process to create medicinal drops. The final product is diluted to the point that it does not contain physical plant matter.
Flower essences are used to balance various emotional states. While the mechanism of action is not fully understood, each flower appears to have unique healing properties. For example, Rescue Remedy contains Rock Rose, known to alleviate panic and terror, and Cherry Plum, known to assist with the sense of ‘things being out of control’. Together, they synergistically promote feelings of calm, along with the other flowers in the mix.
A recent randomized control trial found that a single dose of Rescue Remedy reduced anxiety in 4-6 year old children before a dental procedure. The children’s anxiety score, heart rate and blood pressure remained lower throughout the procedure than the children who did not receive the remedy.¹ Another study found that a specific combination of Bach flowers decreased binge-eating in overweight adults with anxiety. It also improved their sleep and resting heart rate.²
While scientific studies are not always the best way to evaluate natural therapies, these results suggest that flower essences can alleviate stress in a variety of situations.
¹ Dixit, U. B., & Jasani, R. R. (2020). Comparison of the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy and music therapy on dental anxiety in pediatric patients: A randomized controlled study. Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, 38(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_229_19
² Fusco, S. F. B., Pancieri, A. P., Amancio, S. C. P., Fusco, D. R., Padovani, C. R., Minicucci, M. F., Spiri, W. C., & Braga, E. M. (2021). Efficacy of Flower Therapy for Anxiety in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 27(5), 416–422. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0305