Q. What are flower essences, and how can they help people?

A. Flower essences are botanical medicines made from wildflowers. They were first developed by Dr. Edward Bach, a British bacteriologist, in the 1930s. After years of research, he discovered 38 flower-based remedies and recommended them for helping patients restore emotional balance. Since that time, further research has been done and hundreds of other flower remedies have been classified.

Flower essences are often used to help people experience subtle emotional shifts that may result in a higher quality of life. They may be recommended to help lift a person out of an emotional quagmire or to help an irritated, angry person become calm. They are also used for acute fear and anxiety. Flower essences usually are taken as individual remedies, but they can also be combined.

Many people believe that flower essences work much like homeopathic medicine and acupuncture. The "energetic" properties of the flower — its vital energy, or essence — are captured and delivered to the patient in a way that helps enable an emotional shift to occur. Although there is much we still don't know about flower essences and much that Western science is unable to explain about them, people have continued to use them for the past 75 years and many doctors, therapists and patients swear by them.

One of the most popular flower-essence therapies is Rescue Remedy. It is often used when people feel acute fear — for example, before seeing a dentist for a surgical procedure or any other anxiety-producing event. It also can be taken after a traumatic experience such a car accident. Rescue Remedy contains five different flower essences.

Rescue Remedy is available in many health-food stores as a cream, liquid or pellet. The recommended dose: Every 30 minutes, either apply 1/4 teaspoon of cream to your skin or take five drops of liquid, or three pellets, under your tongue. Flower essences are safe, gentle in their actions, and have no known toxic side effects. To learn more, read "Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment" by Gotz Blome, M.D.

Laurie Steelsmith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist, as well as author of "Natural Choices for Women's Health" (Random House, 2005). You can reach her and read her past columns at www.drsteelsmith.com. This column is for information only. Consult your health provider for medical advice.