(C) Jeffrey R. Cram, Ph.D. (1949-2005)
101 Providence Mine Rd, Suite 103
Sierra Health Institute,
Nevada City, California 95959

February 5, 1999

The following article summarizes the results of the second Flower Essence Society-sponsored study by Dr. Jeffrey Cram. An earlier study showed the calming effects of Five-Flower Formula in relation to mental stress.

Click here for a slide show summary of the study.

This study explored the effects of two flower essence formulas on the reactions of subjects to intense environmental stimulation by fluorescent lights and their accompanying electromagnetic fields (EMF). The study employed Yarrow Special Formula and Five-Flower Formula™ (a trade name of the emergency formula of Dr. Edward Bach, also sold under the brand name Rescue Remedy®). The effects of these preparations were compared to a placebo preparation in a carefully controlled group design study which utilized 24 subjects (N=8 per cell). Physiological monitoring of a 19 channel qEEG and the activity of six sEMG sites were used to assess the possible attenuation effects of the flower essence on the intense environmental stimulation.

All subjects were monitored using standard qEEG (19 site) montage, along with bilateral surface EMG measurements at six sites. The sEMG sites were located at the frontal, C2 (mastoid to mastoid), Cervical (C4 paraspinal), Thoracic (T6 Paraspinal), Lumbar (T12 paraspinal) and Sacral (L1 Paraspinal) areas. Note: EEG (electroencephalograph) measures the electrical activity of the brain, while EMG (electromyography) measures electrical activity in the muscles.

A ten minute study was conducted on each subject, consisting of the following conditions: A three (3) minute baseline; a one (1) minute period in which the subject was administered either a sublingual flower essence or placebo preparation; a three (3) minute period to observe the physiological response to the essence or placebo; a three (3) minutes period where the subject was exposed to high-intensity photic stimulation from fluorescent lights; and a three (3) minute post stimulation / recovery period.

The qEEG and sEMG data were submitted to standard statistical analysis (ANOVA), in which the effects of SUBSTANCE (Yarrow, Five Flower or Placebo); CONDITION (Baseline, Response, Lights and Recovery) and the interaction of the two variables ( SUBSTANCE x CONDITION) could be assessed. This was done for each of the four brain wave states (Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta) as a function of each qEEG sites, as well as each of the 6 sEMG sites.

The overall findings for the sEMG sites indicated a general trend for SUBSTANCE, in which the placebo group seemed to evidence slightly higher level of sEMG arousal in general. The CONDITION effect was non-significant. The SITE effect, comparing each of the sEMG sites to each other, indicated that the Thoracic / T6 paraspinal site was significantly elevated compared to others. While the overall interaction term for all sites combined was not significant, when the SUBSTANCE x CONDITION interaction was assessed for each of the six sEMG sites, only the C2 (mastoid to mastoid) site was found to be significant (p < .01). Here the placebo group showed an increase in activation, while the Five Flower essence group showed a substantial drop in sEMG during photic stimulation and recovery. Since the C2 site is very sensitive to the effects of emotional stress, the Five Flower essence was observed to reduce the stress of the intense environmental stimulus compared to the placebo group.

However, it was in the brain wave measurements where the most substantial results of this research were found. The qEEG data showed that the main effect for the CONDITION was highly significant for the alpha and theta states. Here 16 of the 19 sites showed significant reductions in alpha activity, while 15 of the 19 sites showed a significant reduction in theta activity. These findings indicate that the environmental stimulation of the fluorescent lights was an adequate stimulus for the study creating a fair amount of physiological arousal in general. The main effect for SUBSTANCE (flower essence or placebo without light stimulation) showed only three strong trends. Two were in the delta range, and were located in the frontal lobes at F8 and F7 sites. Here, the amount of delta activity at these sites was exceptionally low for the placebo group at these sites. The INTERACTION effect (CONDITION x SUBSTANCE) for each energy band of the qEEG is of the greatest interest for the study, for it shows how the flower essences modulate the physiological effects of the intense environmental stimulation of the fluorescent lights..

While the researcher had started with project with the assumption that the alpha band would yield the most significant results, it turned out that the findings for the Beta band of EEG were the most striking. Here, seven of the nineteen recording sites, all located in the frontal and prefrontal area (F7, F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, and C4), showed significant trends (p < .1 or lower), with the two flower essence conditions showing less beta activation during and following the photic stimulation compared to the placebo condition. There were only two substantial trends for the alpha band, being located at the T3 and P4 sites, and no significant trends noted for the theta or delta bands.

It should be noted, however, that none of the qEEG findings reached a .05 level of significance. The .05 level of significance is used in scientific investigations to protect from TYPE 1 errors, and allows for only 1 out of 20 comparisons to be significant by chance alone. In this study we utilized the .1 level of significance. Here, only 1 out of 10 comparisons could be reached by chance alone. The confidence in the qEEG findings in this study centers on the fact that there were seven significant trends for the Beta bandwidth, substantially more than the two which could occur by mere chance alone. And, these significant trends were not randomly scattered around the brain, which one would expect by random significance alone. Instead, they were all clustered tightly together in the frontal lobes of the brain.

The major finding of the study was the substantial attenuation by the two flower essence formulas on frontal lobe activation seen during and following intense photic stimulation.

The frontal lobes of the brain is where our "executive" function take place. It is the location where we interpret, plan, decide and direct things. It is also the location where our emotions are interpreted and regulated. When an emotion is generated by the limbic system of the brain, it is sent to the frontal lobes to evaluate the degree of threat and to plan a strategy to deal with it. For example, if one had seen a bear while walking in the woods, the limbic system would signal fear, and the frontal lobes would evaluate the level of threat, survey the options available and decide whether to throw rocks at the bear, climb a tree or run. A physiological fight or flight activation takes place during this appraisal process. The frontal lobes orchestrate the arousal.

In this study, the "threatening event" wasn't a bear, but rather that of intense environmental stimulation via bright fluorescent lights and its associated EMF. When the placebo group was compared to the two flower essence groups, the placebo group activated the frontal lobes and began to engage in the appraisal of the threat of this event, began the orchestration of a physiological response of fight or flight. While we did not monitor other autonomic indicators of activation, the sEMG site at C2 (mastoid to mastoid) indicated a significant increase in sEMG activity for only the placebo group. This site was found in a previous study (Cram, 1998) to be the most sensitive indicator of stress of all the sEMG sites monitored in this study. This site is physiologically thought to be linked with the level of overall arousal. Thus, the placebo group showed two indicators of physiological arousal and stress, not seen in the two flower essence groups. The two flower essence groups did not show the Beta activation of the frontal lobes, nor activation of any of the sEMG sites.

In conclusion, this study systematically assessed the effect of two flower essences on intense environmental stimulation. Using a scientifically based placebo control group design, the two flower essences were found to reduce physiological activation and stress on the human organism. This physiological homeostasis may be evidence of the ability of the flower essences to strengthen emotional equilibrium and equanimity in the face of stresses environmental impacts, thus reducing the typical "fight or flight" stress response.

Click here for a slide show summary of the study.

Summary of brain wave types:

Beta waves are low amplitude, high frequency waves (> 13 cps). Beta waves characterize the brain when people are awake.

Alpha waves have a higher amplitude than Beta waves and are lower frequency (8-12 cps). When people close their eyes, relax, and think of nothing, the brain shifts into Alpha waves.

Theta waves are higher amplitude than Alpha waves and slower (4-7 cps). Theta waves are characteristic of the lighter stages of sleep.

Delta waves are of the highest amplitude and the lowest frequency (1-3 cps). Delta waves characterize the deepest levels of sleep.