Got a question (for those who use Bach Flower remedies)

[badgerpup]

:hi:
One of my Sainted Vets does a lot of naturopathic medicine, and she has recommended some of these remedies for my cats for various issues.
THEY...WORK. No question there.
First time I tried one out on my kids was when our beloved 14 year-old alpha and Boss-cat Misha was killed by two wandering dogs that came into the yard. :cry:
(Long story, owner chose to euthanize the dogs since she was unable to keep them contained; this wasn't the first time they'd gotten out and caused 'trouble' :nuke: )

There'd been a remarkably stable and affectionate dynamic between the cats. They behaved like littermates, despite the age differences; Misha was 14, Esme was 8, and Riktor was 4. Riktor and Misha especially were close; Misha had 'adopted' him as a kitten, brought him home, raised this young padawan/grasshopper, and taught him everything he needed to know about Being A Cat.

Losing Misha blew this dynamic out of the water- Esme and Riktor became hostile and aggressive towards each other, and Riktor became downright nasty. When he bit me (my fault, I should have paid attention to the set of his ears- Piss off, bitch...I want to be left ALONE!) I told him he'd earned a trip to the vet to make sure he wasn't sick as well as unhappy.

Sainted Vet confirmed that Riktor was indeed grieving, and this was how he was expressing it. She explained about the Bach Flower remedies, and chose one for him. It wouldn't sedate him, or make him high, just help him deal with the loss of his Misha a little more easily.
IT WORKED. Within two days of starting this remedy I had my Purry Boy back...a little subdued, but definitely Riktor and not the aggressive, biting, hostile critter who'd temporarily taken his place.

This was just an example...my point being Riktor couldn't know about thingls like 'placebo effect'...so his reaction to the remedy would be...what's the word I want here...honest? Real?
Anyway...fast-forward a few years.

I've used various remedies for different behavioral issues, mostly for Riktor (he doesn't do 'changes' well).
Right now, both he and Wimsey are on a rather complex mix of several things, including beech, clematis, star of bethlehem...
oh, a bunch of stuff (my boys have ISSUES :yoiks:). Seems to work, for the most part, but (FINALLY! :eyes:)...

HERE'S MY QUESTION:
What is it that makes them ENJOY it so much? Is it the taste, or does it give them a buzz?
Or do they just know that they feel better and their world is a little easier to deal with?

Wimsey and Riktor both LOVE their remedy! They recognize the word 'remedy' (as they do the word 'catnip'). If I ask them if they want some remedy, they approach with perked ears, happitail, a quick show of the tongue (salivation apparantly triggered) and actually cooperate in administration (eyedropper).
They recognize the bottle if I've got it in my hand, and will react in the same way as being asked; approach, salivate, and cooperate. Wimsey will even on occasion reach up and paw at the shelf on which it is kept; I interpret this as he's actually asking for some.

I'm just curious as to what is it about the remedy that they like so...believe me, I'm grateful they do!