Flower power ‘soothes children’s tantrums’

FLOWER power has proved to be a remedy for temper tantrums among children, according to research by academics.

The essence remedies had a “significant” effect on behaviour, the University of Plymouth findings revealed.

Studies found that 73% of parents of children with moderate to severe temper tantrums experienced some benefit after giving them the Bach Flower essence remedy — with parents reporting 42% fewer tantrums.

The University’s Professor of Health Psychology, Michael Hyland, who led the research, said the early findings were very encouraging and proved that most parents with children prone to tantrums could see benefits from using the remedies.

“We have been researching the benefits of these remedies for a number of years now and have already proved its effectiveness for adults,” said Prof Hyland.

“These findings suggest that they are equally of benefit to young children.”

Prof Hyland and postgraduate research student Ben Whalley monitored 38 children aged between two and five.

Mr Whalley said: “We are seeing a significant improvement in a large number of the children tested, particularly in terms of screaming and kicking and hitting which has been greatly reduced in percentage terms.

“We have also found that children are much calmer in general since they started taking the remedy.”