The following is a summary of apresentation given by Jeffrey R. Cram, Ph.D.,at the FES practitioner training in 2002, supplemented with informationfound in the booklet "Two Double-Blind Scientific Studies of Flower Essencesand Stress" by Dr. Cram and available from FES, and supplemented with informationfound in an online article by Dr. Cram for which a link is provided below. 

Double-blind studies are difficultto conduct using flower essences because people who may have the same diagnosisdo not receive the same essence blends.  Essences are chosen specificallyto address the individual personality and set of issues, which vary accordingto the uniqueness of each person and each person's situation, and so notwo clients receive the same essences.  This is very different fromdouble-blind studies conducted with drugs wherein each subject receivesthe same drug. 

The first two attempts to conductdouble-blind studies with flower essences involved formulas:  FiveFlower Formula (the Healing Herbs brand of Dr. Bach's famous combination,Rescue Remedy) and Yarrow Special Formula (by FES). 

Inthe first study, subjects were exposed to an impossible arithmetic problemwhile muscle tension along the chakras was measured.  One group receivedFive Flower Formula and another received a placebo (this was double-blind,meaning that no one involved in the experiment knew which participant wasreceiving the formula or the placebo).  Those who received the FiveFlower Formula experienced the throat and heart chakras remaining openat a statistically significant higher number.  Dr. Cram noted in thestudy that the throat chakra is related to calmness and the heart chakrais related to love and desire.  He hypothesized that flower essencesappear to help us let go of our attachments and desires while promotinga sense of calmness.  This study was published in a peer-reviewedjournal and also in:  Cram, J.R.  "The Psychophysiological andMetaphysical Impact of Bach's Rescue Remedy on the Stress Response." SubtleEnergies, 11:1, 1-22, 2000.

In the second study, a researchermeasured the brain waves in subjects and then stressed them with fluorescentlights.  One group received one of two different flower essence blends(Five Flower Formula or Yarrow Special Formula) and the other a placebo. Those who received flower essence blends had little reaction to the lights. Those who received the placebo underwent a closing of the heart chakraand activation of the frontal lobes of the brain (the part of the brainresponsible for the "fight or flight" syndrome).  Dr. Cram concludedthat the study may provide evidence of the ability of flower essences tostrengthen emotional equilibrium and equanimity in the face of stressesand environmental impacts, thus reducing the typical "fight or flight"stress response.  This study was published in a peer-reviewed journaland also in:  Cram, J.R.  "Effects of Two Flower Essences onHigh Intensity Environmental Stimulation and EMF."  Subtle Energies,12:3, 249-270, 2001.

Dr.Cram's third study was focused on depression.  Researchers used theBeck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Scale to assess mildlyto moderately depressed individuals.  Participants in the study receiveda flower essence blend based on each client's personal issues (no two clientsreceived the same essence blend).  At the end of one month of floweressence therapy, there was a drop of 40% in depressive symptoms, and therewas a 50% drop after two months.  The reduction in depressive symptomsremained at 50% after three months.  This is considered a preliminarystudy due to the complexity of the variables involved.  It was publishedin the InternationalJournal of Caring and Healing but the article is unfortunately no loneravailable online.  This paragraph is only a very broad summary ofthe study, and the interested reader is encouraged to read the full journalarticle.  Ongoing research in this area was being conducted by Dr.Cram at the time of the writing of this website page.

In addition to the above double-blindstudies conducted in the USA, two other studies involving flower essencesand conducted in Europe have been briefly outlined in the Townsend Letterfor Doctors and Patients, August/September 1998 (911 Tyler Street, Pt.Townsend, WA 98368-6541, USA, http://www.tldp.com).  In the firststudy, conducted in 1997, 115 Italian patients suffering from anxiety,depression, and stress, were treated with flower essences over an averageperiod of three and one half months.  The article states that theresults were "positive" for 89% of the patients, and especially those sufferingfrom anxiety.  Children and adolescents responded more quickly tothe treatment.  95% of those who declared themselves initially skepticalabout flower essence therapy experienced, nevertheless, improvement. No further details about this study were offered in the Townsend Letter.

Inthe second European study, conducted in 1996, 24 newly pregnant women werestudied at the University Hospital for Women in Heidelberg, Germany. The study was conducted by G. Ruhle, a candidate for a Ph.D. in psychology,who subsequently was awarded her degree after the completion of this study. Two professors, one from the Heidelberg University Hospital for Women andanother from the Institute of Psychology in Tubingen, supervised the study. The 24 women were divided into three groups:  Group 1 received floweressences, Group 2 received psychological counseling, and Group 3 received"strict care" by an obstetrician.  The results are quoted below (p.82 of the Townsend Letter):

"Group 1, which used the floweressences, delivered infants with significantly less assistance than theobstetrician control Group 3.  More significantly, the flower essenceGroup 1 consumed fewer drugs, exhibited decreased tension, experiencedless pain, and felt reduced levels of anxiety than did both Group 2 andGroup 3."  It was concluded that the use of flower essences duringpregnancy results in an easier delivery.  No further information onthe methodology of the study was offered in the Townsend Letter.

First flower:Pricklywild rose helps one to maintain openness and a courageous interest in lifeamidst adverse circumstances (courtesy of Steve Johnson, Alaskan FlowerEssence Project),

Second flower:Yarrowprovides a protective shield to the energy field (courtesy of  SteveJohnson, Alaskan Flower Essence Project).

Third flower:Thereare many kinds of passion flowers; this one is probably a hybrid. The passion flower of the Aloha essences clears out negativity and inspiresunconditional love.

Fourth flower:Billygoat plum is helpful for shame and fosters love and acceptance of oneselfand one's body (courtesy of Ian White, Australian Bush Flower Essences).