Flower essence therapy: what the research says

Studies found flower remedies work no better than a placebo for anxiety. Other uses are untested. Use them alongside medical care.

What a session is

A practitioner talks with you about how you feel, then chooses drops made from flowers soaked or boiled in water and usually kept in alcohol, such as Bach flower remedies. The idea is that they balance emotions; science has not shown how they could work.

What the research says

• Stress: No reliable studies show flower remedies help stress. The few studies were small and had serious flaws. No good evidence yet · LBI-HTA (Austria), 2008
• Low mood: No reliable studies show flower remedies help low mood. One small study of students found no difference. No good evidence yet · LBI-HTA (Austria), 2008
• Back, neck and muscle tension: No reliable studies show flower remedies help pain. Reviews found no good studies for back, neck or muscle pain. No good evidence yet · LBI-HTA (Austria), 2008 · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2009
• Sleep, menopause and grief: Not studied in reliable research. A Spanish government review found no reliable evidence that flower remedies help any physical or emotional symptom. No good evidence yet · SESCS (Spain), 2022
• Worry and anxiety: Studies, mostly of exam nerves, found flower remedies worked no better than a dummy remedy (placebo). The studies were few and small. Good evidence it does not help · LBI-HTA (Austria), 2008 · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2009 · Swiss Medical Weekly, 2010

More on each need: Handle stress better · Lift your mood · A relaxed body · Sleep better · Feel calmer

Is it safe?

The drops contain no active plant substances, so they are thought to be safe, but most contain alcohol: check with your doctor if you need to avoid alcohol. Use them alongside, never instead of, medical care. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2009 · NHS, 2026

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

Checked 22 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.