Academic Analysis of Bach Essences and Corresponding Therapies

Classically trained as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Edward Bach, for whom “the Bach essences” are named, arguably should enter the annals of medical history as the world’s first “modern” Naturopath. Bach properly located the digestive tract as the bodily organ in which psychological disorders most clearly manifest their symptoms and he carefully correlated the Bach essences with digestive flora to mitigate patients’ symptoms. Following his own strict case-study research protocol, he documented Bach essences’ efficacy in treatment of seven bacterial “nosodes.”

Bach’s theories and the treatments derived from them show the characteristic coherence you would expect from a Cambridge graduate.  Bach’s seven “nosodes” identify constellations of variable digestive bacteria; susceptible and responsive to changes in neurotransmitters, Bach’s seven nosodes correlate with seven distinct psychological states.  Therefore, combinations of Bach essences relieve emotional distress, simultaneously relieving digestive disorders that contribute to a wide array of medical complaints.  Very few naturopathies show comparable levels of coherence, causal linkage, prescriptions for intervention, and careful clinical documentation. 

Far more importantly, however, records from Bach’s clinic indicate exceptionally high recovery rates.  Almost all patients treated with Bach essences reported amelioration of their psychological conditions; and the majority reported relief of their physical symptoms.  Because Bach’s research protocol required independent corroboration of patients’ reports, all the charts and files contain notes and analysis from at least two certified Bach practitioners.  The clinic’s and public documents contain absolutely no evidence of substantial complaint against Bach—a notable accomplishment in light of his unorthodox methods.

Bach Essences Treat Powerful Emotions

Comparable with the fundamentals of modern psychiatry and psychoanalysis, both of which are coeval with Bach’s therapies, psychological disorders and their corresponding physical symptoms derive from “cognitive dissonance.”  Bach essences restore harmony among psyche, spirit, personality, and body.  Restoration of fundamental harmony naturally, almost inevitably leads to restoration of good health.  In Bach’s own words, disease results from “a contradiction between the purposes of the soul and the personality’s point of view.”  Virulent contradictions manifest in one of seven critical emotional conditions, from which Bach essences provide “rescue.”
Bach formulated “rescue remedies” for each of the seven emotional states, the most common of which has also gained widespread acceptance not just from Naturopaths for people but also among veterinarians and animal rescuers.
Independent, objective scholars note the striking correspondence between Bach’s own nomenclature and Freud’s preliminary descriptions of “hysteria,” both of which signify prevalence of the conditions among women.  Intending no misogyny, Bach nevertheless described conditions with which women strongly identity—“over-care for welfare of others,” for example, and “oversensitivity to influences and ideas.”  In fact, brain physiology suggests Bach essences’ special efficacy against archetypally “feminine” complaints.  Feminine attributes and affects reside in the brain’s right hemisphere, where all aromatherapy—especially Bach essences—increases activity and neuro-transmission.

The Place of Bach Essences in Post-modern Psychotherapy

Three of Bach’s terms for profound cognitive dissonance also describe the salient symptoms of “generalized anxiety”; the other four accurately characterize the leading symptoms of clinical depression—especially the phrase “insufficient interest in present circumstances.”  As traditional physicians now recognize naturopathy as a valuable complement to sophisticated treatments for catastrophic illnesses, so psychiatrists and psycho-therapists acknowledge the benefit patients derive from Bach essences as complements to counseling  and prescription serotonin reuptake inhibitors.  Freudian and neo-Freudian psychoanalysts especially report use of “rescue remedies” in diffusers promotes patients’ free associations and negotiation of their meanings.