Homologia entre os sistemas dos Florais de Bach e dos Florais do Sertão – uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (ICHP) have gained prominence in recent decades for proposing a comprehensive model of care that considers individuals in their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Among these practices, floral therapy has been consolidated as a complementary approach aimed at emotional balance and the promotion of well-being. In this context, the present study aimed to conduct an integrative literature review to establish a homology between the therapeutic effects of the Bach Flower Remedies system and the Sertão Flower Remedies system, developed from native plants of the Brazilian semi-arid region. The methodology consisted of an integrative review with a qualitative and descriptive approach, following the six steps proposed by Whittemore and Knafl. The search was carried out in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and CAPES Periodicals Portal databases, using descriptors related to floral therapies and integrative practices. Studies published between 2020 and 2024, available in full text, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, addressing Bach Flower Remedies were included. For the Sertão Flower Remedies, the main source was the book Terapia Florais do Sertão, by Paixão, Souza, and Bandeira, as established in the methodology. The results indicated that Bach Flower Remedies have been investigated as a complementary practice associated with the reduction of emotional symptoms such as anxiety, stress, fear, and emotional tension, without replacing conventional therapies. The comparative analysis allowed the identification of a homology between the two floral systems, not in pharmacological terms, but in their symbolic and emotional organization. Both systems share similar philosophical foundations, based on the understanding that emotional balance contributes to overall well-being. It is concluded that the Sertão Flower Remedies represent a culturally situated extension of floral therapy, preserving the conceptual framework proposed by Edward Bach and adapting it to the ecological and cultural context of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Thus, the homology between the systems highlights floral therapy as an integrative complementary practice focused on self-care, emotional self-regulation, and the appreciation of traditional knowledge in the field of health.