Bach Flowers to Body Mass Index

Bach flower therapy
Bach flowers are flower essences, each of which is said to correspond in vibrational frequency to a particular negative state of mind. Developed in the 1930s by the Englishman Edward Bach, the therapy was marketed anew from the 1980s onward. Bach flower therapy is intended to counter negative states of mind through the harmonious vibrations of a range of 38 flower essences. These are “water extracts” from various plants, mixed with alcohol and diluted with water at a ratio of 1:240. The essences are taken drop by drop. They are also supposed to help when you carry a bottle with you or place it beside your bed.
No active ingredients other than alcohol dissolved in water can be detected in the essences. They are unsuitable for people with alcohol problems. The fact that some people feel better after Bach flower therapy may also be due to the placebo effect.

Bathing
A bath lasting about 20 minutes at a temperature of around 35 to 37°C is recommended to avoid putting too much strain on the circulation. A bath relaxes the muscles and opens the pores. After bathing, briefly rinse off with cool water so that the blood vessels contract again, then take a rest for 20 to 30 minutes. The bubbles in a whirlpool massage the skin, while buoyancy reduces body weight and thus soothes tense muscles.

Aromatic oils and herbs can have either an invigorating or calming effect. Their therapeutic substances enter the body through the lungs or the pores of the skin. Valerian eases nervousness; oak bark is good for skin conditions and sweaty hands and feet; eucalyptus combats colds; and spruce needles soothe nervousness and sleep disorders and relieve muscle and joint pain. Candlelight and relaxing music further enhance the feeling of well-being.

Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy, or spa therapy, refers to treatment using therapeutic waters (drinking cures), therapeutic peloids (peat and mud), water (hydrotherapy, medicinal baths), cold and heat (Kneipp therapy), inhalations, and dietary changes. A three- to four-week residential spa treatment is usually intended for rehabilitation after an illness, but can also be beneficial for chronic conditions or psychological stress.

Balneotherapy is scientifically recognized. In addition, the different climatic conditions at a spa resort can have a positive effect on physical and mental well-being. The beneficial effects of a changed daily routine and a change of surroundings also contribute. Balneological treatment produces more than just therapeutic effects: body and mind are strengthened equally.


Body Mass Index
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated as follows: body mass in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A man who is 1.75 m tall and weighs 85 kg has a BMI of 27.76. For his age of 55, this is just within the desirable weight range. A BMI below 18 indicates a risk of anorexia; above 30 is classified as overweight.

However, the BMI says nothing about how any excess weight is distributed, which is also significant for health.

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