Editor's Note: Background of the Project

Prof. Dr. Carla Luzia França Araújo leads the Laboratory for Studies in STDs/AIDS at the Anna Nery School of Nursing  ( Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery or EEAN). It is a research group linked to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

The project, “Technology Applied to the Care of People Living with HIV/AIDS” (PLWHA), was carried out under the Anna Nery School of Nursing's Integrated Research and Assistance Program (PIPA), which cares for HIV-infected men and women, whater recently diagnosed or in the late stages.

This program was implemented in the context of the Ministry Health of Brazil's "National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) in the country's public health care program, the Sistema Único de Saúde (Unified Health System) or SUS . (Read more about Flower Essence Therapy in Brazil .)

The following article draws from Dr. Araújo's project proposal, her report to the Flower Essence Society (FES) and a September 2020 article published in the Journal of Practical and Professional Nursing , written by Dr. Araújo and two colleagues.

Overview: Our Flower Essence Research Projects

We sponsored two research projects involving the use of flower essences. The first project involved a treatment program for AIDS patients, and the second project was directed toward members of the school community, including professors, staff, and students. Flower Essence Therapy and Reiki were used for both projects.

No fees were charged for the flower essences. The financial resources for this project came from the team members and donations of flower essences. Individual consultations were held monthly during the first year, and then at three-month intervals.

Emotional Challenges Faced by HIV / AIDS Patients

Our initial step involved reviewing the research literature regarding the stages experienced by those with HIV / AIDS. Learning one's HIV status is a painful process, often filled with feelings of guilt, anxiety and fear. Serological diagnosis of HIV brings up uncertainty about the future and often mobilizes great anxiety due to socio-cultural construction of AIDS. In this case, anxiety and anguish come from a real danger. The worsening of the disease and the physical consequences, such as weight loss, skin paleness, hair loss, and skin lesions, among others, are quite remarkable and might be followed by mental and emotional imbalance. In addition to clinical anxiety and distress, it is very common for users to show depressive reactions and disorders of emotions and behavior. Patients experience intense sadness, low self-esteem, gloom, and feelings of loss, abandonment and utter hopelessness. They often have intense feelings of guilt, discrimination, self-blame, discouragement, and apathy, as well as insomnia.

The Three Stages of the Disease and Flower Essences Used for each

We decided to organize our treatment approach according to three phases of treatment and care. This allowed us to begin with a systematized approach with our patients and to construct a database for our research records. We selected a group of flower essences that were essential for each stage, yet our formulas were also individualized. These three stages and the flower essences used for each stage are outlined below.

Patient consultation

Stage One: The Diagnostic Impact—Addressing Fear, Disruption and Related Emotions

This phase can last for many months and is not limited only to the actual time of seropositivity diagnosis. In this period, the individual suffers from the shock of diagnosis and the resulting internal and external fears. The individual needs strength and courage to understand that life goes beyond HIV. But it becomes necessary to make changes in one’s lifestyle and draw upon new forces of energy. The following flower essences were used during this period: Mariposa Lily, Canyon Dudleya, Mountain Pride, Penstemon, California Wild Rose, Iris, Sierra Primrose, Saint John's Wort, Angelica, Echinacea, Fireweed, and Love-Lies-Bleeding.

Stage Two: The Treatment Phase and Need for New Life Habits

In this period, the initial impact of the diagnosis has lessened. There is a need to implement new life habits and develop positive coping strategies, especially for the routine and adverse effects of medications. The following flower essences were used for this phase: Penstemon, Red Penstemon, Fireweed, and Love-Lies- Bleeding.

Stage Three: Treating Reactions to Antiretroviral Therapy, Sustained Immune Challenges and General Discouragement

With any therapeutic regimen there can be challenges. Clients can feel discouraged, or question whether to continue the treatment. Clients need to develop sustained immunity and physical and emotional endurance for any adverse effects from the infection and related medical protocols.
The following flower essences were used for this phase: Fireweed, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Aloe Vera, Sierra Primrose, and Green Cross Gentian.

The Foundational Role of Arnica, Hyssop and Love Lies Bleeding Flower Essences

In addition to the flower essences administered during the three stages of treatment, we observed that Arnica was used through all phases of the therapy to treat shock and trauma. We also used Hyssop in the same widespread manner to address profound feelings of guilt, blame or resentment. We must note the outstanding role of Love-Lies-Bleeding as a baseline remedy used with all HIV/AIDS patients. This flower improves general immunity and reaction to pain by helping clients learn to accept and endure their various afflictions.

Each patient received an individual formula. The essences listed above were considered according to the stage of infection of the patient, but other essence were added as appropriate.

Read an article by Patricia Kaminski of the primary flower essences used with the HIV/AIDS patients in Dr. Araújo's program.

Dr. Carla Araújo giving a consultation in a "care tent"

Patient Reports on the Effects of Flower Essence Therapy:

We developed a qualitative research methodology based upon the Narratives of Life model by Daniel Bertaux , featuring interviews with 24 of our patients living with HIV / AIDS. This questionnaire has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The method relies on the actual testimonies of the patients and an analysis of their responses about the changes in their lives brought about by the therapies. This involves examining the themes of the participant's comments, vocabulary used, and indicated changes in experiences, values and points of view.

The most significant themes that emerged from the study were:

• Self-esteem and self-confidence
• Positive interaction with the project team
• Valuing self-care
• Changes in daily life: emotional balance, coping with adversity, developing serenity, improving personal relationships and health in general
  

The following are representative excerpts from the in-person interviews with patients:

Patient responses were documented and then analyzed quantitatively in the following three charts.

Chart 1: The Main Issues Addressed in the Flower Essence Program

Chart 2: Responses to Flower Essences for Four Main Issues.

For each of the four main issues—anxiety, family conflict, personal conflict and depressed mood—almost all the patients reported improvement.

Chart 3: Types of Responses to Flower Essences for the Whole Group

For the totality of the project, the vast majority of the patients reported either partial or total improvement.

Using Flower Essences within the School Community

For our second research project we focused on the nursing school community. Our goal was to provide support, emotional replenishment and a deeper understanding of their healing work with others. We used the same Life Narratives qualitative research methodology developed by Daniel Bertaux.

Students at the Anna Nery School of Nursing

The following are representative excerpts from the undergraduate nursing students who were interviewed. They show a deep appreciation for the positive and unique benefits of flower therapy, distinct from the typical aspects of medical training.

The primary flower essences administered to the nursing students were the following: Echinacea, Self Heal, California Valerian, Chamomile, Arnica, Mariposa Lily, Baby Blue Eyes,Yarrow Environmental Solution (YES), Saint John’s Wort, Lavender, Evening Primrose, Milkweed, Golden Yarrow, Penstemon. Cosmos, Sunflower, Madia, and Shasta Daisy.

Dr. Araújo and Her Colleagues

Prof. Carla Luzia França Araújo	Prof. Vanessa Damasceno Bastos	Prof. Jurema Gouvêa de Souza

Prof. Dr. Carla Luzia França Araújo received her nursing training at the Anna Nery School of Nursing of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the nursing school where she is currently the director. She also teaches as an associate professor, leads the school's "Laboratory for Studies in STDs/AIDS," and is coordinator of the school's Obstetric Nursing Residency Program. Dr. Araújo received her doctorate in public health at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. She trained in Flower Essence Therapy, first completing the postgraduate course at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and then the International Certification Program in Flower Essence Therapy sponsored by Flower Essence Society (FES), and taught by practitioner and educator Rosangela Teixeira .

In the picture below Dr. Araújo (left), receives an award celebrating the Anna Nery School of Nursing’s 95th anniversary in 2018, presented by Rejane de Almeida, head of nursing for the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

See a heartwarming video by the health professionals of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro's hospitals, singing " Heal the World " (in Portuguese) as a message of hope and healing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.