Is there alcohol in Bach Flower Remedies?

Bach Flower Remedies are extracts of flowers picked from trees, shrubs and plants. To transfer the energy from the flowers Dr. Bach did not use alcohol. He used water and sunlight. The way of preparation was very simple and can be done by anyone. It was Dr. Bach intention that everyone should be able to help themselves so he made no secret in how Bach Flower Remedies are made. He picked the flowers of the plants when they were in full bloom and placed them in a bowl of water. He left the bowl standing in the sunlight for three hours. This was sufficient time to transfer the energy of the flowers into the water. Up to this point no alcohol is involved yet.

The other method of preparation, the cooking method as well does not involve the use of alcohol. Here as well the flowers are picked when they are at their best and put in a bowl. In stead of exposing them to the sun, they are put on the stove and boiled for half an hour. This is sufficient time to transfer the energy of the flowers into the water.

Now the only thing left was for Dr. Edward Bach to find a way to preserve the energy of the flowers in the water. Therefor he used brandy. So the brandy was only used to preserve the energy of the flowers, this way the healing effect of the flowers is guaranteed no matter how old they get. To this day flower extracts still exist which Dr. Bach made himself in the Bach Centre in England. The effect of these flowers remains intact.

The amount of alcohol used to make the Bach Flower Remedies combinations is negligible. There are two to fourteen drops of alcohol used and mixed in 30 ml of water.

Still certain people can object to taking even the smallest amount of alcohol, even if it is only a few drops. The solution is to heat the Bach Flower Remedies combination so the brandy evaporates. The effect of the flowers remains intact but the combination will not keep. So this method can only be applied when the flowers are used immediately. The shelf life is about three weeks.