Bach Flower Remedies

Keywords:  MENTAL TORMENT BEHIND A BRAVE FACE

People who need Agrimony often appear carefree and humourous, but their joie de vivre is a mask for anxieties, worries and even real inner torment, which they may be trying to conceal from themselves as well as others.

Keywords:  FEARS AND WORRIES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN

Aspen is indicated for people who are seized by sudden fears or worries for no specific reason, and who may therefore be generally nervy and anxious.  A typical need for Aspen is on wakening in fear from a bad dream, even if the dream is forgotten.  It is also helpful for young children experiencing nightmares and night terrors.

Keywords:  INTOLERANCE

Beech is for people who are constantly making criticism, intolerant of other people's shortcomings and unable to make allowances.  They have a strong sense of their own superiority and can be judgmental and arrogant and are easily irritated by other people mannerism or habits.  They are convinced that they are always in the right and everyone else in the wrong.

Keywords:  WEAK-WILLED AND SUBSERVIENT

Centaury is for people who find it hard to say no.  They let themselves be imposed on and even bullied by others.  Usually timid, quiet and anxious to please, they give in to others out of subservience rather than willing co-operation

Keywords:  SEEKS ADVICE AND CONFIRMATION FROM OTHERS

Cerato is for people who do not trust their own judgment.  Although they know what they want and need, have plenty of inner wisdom, they constantly seek advice and confirmation from others and will misguidedly follow someone else's advice rather than trust themselves.

Keywords:  FEAR OF MIND GIVING WAY

Cherry Plum is indicated for people on the verge of breakdown.  Characteristically, these people are sensitive and highly strung.  At times when Cherry Plum is needed they feel about to explode.  Can be indicated for screaming fits in children.

Keywords:  FAILURE TO LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES

Chestnut Bud is for failure to learn by experience, leading to an inability to make progress in life.  This can include falling over and over for the wrong partner, or continuing to work in an unsuitable job. 

Keywords:  SELFISHLY POSSESSIVE

Chicory is for people whose care for others is driven from self-centred or selfish reasons and can even be manipulative.  They are strong willed, and expect others to conform to theim, they are often critical, interfering and nagging, and can be opinionated and argumentative. 

Keywords:  LACK OF INTEREST IN THE PRESENT

Clematis is for people who live in a world of their own with no interest in the real world. They tend to lack energy, and arent really happy - yearning for "something else".  Clematis children have difficulty in concentrating due to a tendency to daydream rather than lack of innate ability. 

Keywords:  SELF-HATRED, SENSE OF UNCLEANLINESS

Crab Apple is the "cleansing remedy" for mind and body, recommended for those who feel unclean and suffer from self-disgust.  Symptoms include being obsessively house proud, frequent hand washing or mental obsession with trivialities. 

Keywords:  OVERWHELMED BY RESPONSIBILITY

Elm can be useful when usually capable and reliable people feel suddenly overwhelmed by their responsibilities and feel inadequate to deal with them or keep up with events.  This is often brought about by taking on too much work and not take care of oneself.

Keywords:  DISCOURAGEMENT, DESPONDENCY

Gentian is for doubt and a negative outlook.  Sufferers are easily discouraged and depressed when things go wrong or when faced with difficulties. The depression is always from an identifiable cause.  They may in fact be making good progress in illness or in life but are easily disheartened by small setbacks.

Keywords:  HOPELESSNESS, DEPAIR

Gorse is for extreme hopelessness and despair, for people who have given up the fight.  They may be suffering from a chronic illness, and have been told that nothing more can be done to help them.  Dr. Bach wrote of this remedy "They look as if they needed sunshine in their lives to drive the clouds away"

Keywords:  SELF-CENTREDNESS, SELF-CONCERN

Heather is indicated for total self pre-occupation, for the type of people who are obsessed by their own ailments and problems.  They can exaggerate their symptoms, or make mountains out of molehills. 

Keywords:  HATRED, ENVY, JEALOUSY

The negative holly state is full of envy and jealousy.  Suffering perhaps unconsciously from insecurity, Holly people are suspicious and aggressive.  They lack the ability to love and feel a generalised anger towards their fellows.

Keywords:  LIVES IN THE PAST

Honeysuckle is for over-attachment to past memories.  It can be very helpful to bereaved or redundant people, or to those who have failed in business and especially to older people who now live alone

Keywords:  "MONDAY MORNING" FEELING

Hornbeam is for weariness, mental rather than physical; for those who wake up doubting their ability to face the day's work.  They find it difficult to face up to problems, or cope with the day's programme, although in fact they usually get everything done.

Keywords:  IMPATIENCE

Impatiens is suitable for people who are easily irritated.  They are impatient and nervy.  The negative Impatiens character wants everything done instantly.  They are capable and efficient but irritated and frustrated by slow co-workers and therefore prefer to work alone.  They are independent, hate wasting time and will finish other people's sentences.

Keywords:  LACK OF CONFIDENCE

Larch is for lack of self-confidence, for people who wont even try because they are sure in advance that they will fail. They are secretly aware they have potential ability but refuse to acknowledge it, thereby avoiding the risk of failure.  Useful before exams, interviews and driving tests.

Keywords:  FEAR OF KNOWN THINGS

Mimulus is for fear from known causes, such as: illness, death, accidents, pain, the dark, damp, cold, poverty, other people, animals, spiders, public speaking, loss of friends or job, dentistry etc.  Good for shy and timid children who are afraid of animals, the dark etc.

Keywords:  DEEP GLOOM WITH NO ORIGIN

Mustard is for sudden depression which descends out of the blue and lifts jus as suddenly for no apparent reason. The sufferer is completely taken over by gloom and unable to shake it off at will

Keywords:  EXHAUSTED BUT STRUGGLES ON

Usually brave and strong, people need Oak when their inner strength wanes and fatigue takes over.  They are over achievers who will overwork and ignore their tiredness. Driven by a strong sense of duty, they are helpful to others - but wont allow themselves to relax if their is work to be done.

Keywords:  LACK OF ENERGY

Olive is for those who are spent in body and mind after a long period of strain through personal difficulties, an intense period of study or work, a long illness, or nursing someone for a long time.  It is a good remedy for convalescence.

Keywords:  SELF-REPROACH, GUILT

Pine is indicated for people who feel guilt and self-reproach, they blame themselves for other people's mistakes and, indeed, anything that goes wrong.  They feel undeserving and unworthy.  Their guilt complex is not necessarily based on any actual wrong doing but destroys the possibility of joy in living.

Keywords:  FEAR OR OVER-CONCERN FOR OTHERS

Red Chestnut is for a selfless over-concern and worry for others, especially of family and close close friends.  They fear the worst for their loved ones: that a minor complaint will turn into something serious, that a child at play will fall, or a holiday plane will crash. Worrying about other peoples problems it is useful for carers, nurses, counsellors etc.

Keywords:  TERROR

Rock Rose is for terror such as may occur after being in an accident or having a near escape, or from witnessing an accident. A sense of frozen fear and helplessness.  Can also be useful for nightmares.

Keywords:  SELF REPRESSION, SELF DENIAL

Rock Water is for inflexibility and indicated for people who may be self-denying but at the same time over-concentrated on themselves. They may stick rigidly to diet and exercise programmes, work routines etc when this may not be best for them. Fixed ideas and dogma, they seek self-perfection

Keywords:  UNCERTAINTY, INDECISION

People in need of Scleranthus find it difficult to make decisions, particularly when faced with a choice of two possibilities. Up and down in mood, they have a changeable outlook which can make them unreliable and can waste time and lose opportunities due to indecision. 

Can be good for children who suffer with travel sickness.

Keywords:  AFTER EFFECTS OF SHOCK

Star of Bethleham is for the after effects of shock, mental or physical as a result of accidents, bad news, bereavement, sudden disappointments, frights etc. It is an important ingredient of Rescue Remedy.  It is useful for both mother and child immediately after a birth

Keywords:  EXTREME MENTAL ANGUISH

Sweet Chestnut is for agonising mental anguish, described by Dr. Bach as "the hopeless despair of those who felt they have reached the limit of their endurance".  It may take the form of sorrow, dejection, loneliness, the feeling is that the future is bleak.

Keywords:  OVER-ENTHUSIASM

Vervain is for those with fixed principles and ideas, which they are confident are right and which they rarely change. They put unnecessary effort into everything, pushing past physical limits.  They may suffer from lack of sleep due to their active minds and inability to relax..

Keywords:  DOMINEERING, INFLEXIBLE

Vine is for people who dominate others.  They after often capable and gifted, but they use them to dominate and bully.  They know better than everyone else and put other people down.  They can be aggressive and proud, and may rule with an iron rod.

Keywords:  PROTECTION FROM CHANGE AND OUTSIDE INFLUENCES

Walnut protects - it is the remedy for times of major life changes, teething, puberty, pregnancy, divorce, changes of religion, moving a job or home.  Also good for regrets caused by change - loss of friends and familiar circumstances, ageing, bereavement.

Keywords:  PROUD, ALOOF

Water Violet people are knowledgeable, calm, and capable.  They are private people who are often asked for advice but will not impose on others. When out of balance they can appear proud, disdainful and condescending, and withdraw keeping their troubles to themselves therefore appearing emotionally cold which they are not.

Keywords:  UNWANTED THOUGHTS, MENTAL ARGUMENTS

White Chestnut is indicated for obsessive, worrying thoughts that seem impossible to control.  Sufferers cannot let go of unhappy events or arguments and keep reliving them mentally.  Difficult to concentrate during the day, or sleep at night due to persistent, unwanted thoughts.

Keywords:  UNCERTAINTY AS TO CORRECT PATH IN LIFE

Wild Oat is helpful in making important decision such as choosing a career.  Useful for people who have reached a cross-roads in life and are completely undecided as to what to do.  They can waste their gifts through lack of a clear direction.

Keywords:  RESIGNATION, APATHY

Wild Rose is indicated for anyone who is resigned to an unpleasant situation, whether illness, a monotonous life or uncongenial work.  Although uncomplaining, they are too apathetic to get well, change their occupation or enjoy simple pleasures.  They make no effort to change their circumstances.

Keywords:  RESENTMENT

Willow is for resentment, self-pity and bitterness.  Most people feel more or less put upon at times, this remedy helps to neutralise resentment and regain a sense of humour and proportion. They may feel "Why should it happen to me?", and feel irritable and gloomy.