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Index
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................3
Bach Flower Remedies..............................................................................................................................4
Holistic approach ......................................................................................................................................5
Bach Flower Remedies Therapy ...............................................................................................................6
Prescribing Remedies.................................................................................................................................7
Taking Remedies........................................................................................................................................9
Agrimony.................................................................................................................................................10
Aspen........................................................................................................................................................11
Beech........................................................................................................................................................12
Centaury...................................................................................................................................................13
Cerato.......................................................................................................................................................14
Cherry Plum.............................................................................................................................................15
Chestnut Bud............................................................................................................................................16
Chicory.....................................................................................................................................................17
Clematis...................................................................................................................................................18
Crab Apple...............................................................................................................................................19
Elm...........................................................................................................................................................20
Gentian.....................................................................................................................................................21
Gorse........................................................................................................................................................22
Heather.....................................................................................................................................................23
Holly.........................................................................................................................................................24
Honeysuckle.............................................................................................................................................25
Hornbeam.................................................................................................................................................26
Impatience................................................................................................................................................27
Larch........................................................................................................................................................28
Mimulus...................................................................................................................................................29
Mustard....................................................................................................................................................30
Oak...........................................................................................................................................................31
Olive.........................................................................................................................................................32
Pine...........................................................................................................................................................33
Red Chestnut............................................................................................................................................34
Rock Rose................................................................................................................................................35
Rock Water...............................................................................................................................................36
Scleranthus...............................................................................................................................................37
Star of Bethlehem....................................................................................................................................38
Sweet Chestnut........................................................................................................................................39
Vervain.....................................................................................................................................................40
Vine..........................................................................................................................................................41
Walnut......................................................................................................................................................42
Water Violet..............................................................................................................................................43
White Chestnut........................................................................................................................................44
Wild Oat...................................................................................................................................................45
Wild Rose.................................................................................................................................................46
Willow......................................................................................................................................................47

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Introduction
It is always very special to see a change in someone, to see the opening, how a different light shines in
their eyes. I found it fascinating to observe this change after giving someone a correct remedy, whether
it was a Bach Flower Remedy or a homeopathic remedy and to see a return of joy to their lives.

I have written this book to make the Bach Flower Remedy therapy accessible to anyone and to make
the possibility of treatment more easy and accessible. I hope that with this book you will be able to help
yourself and anyone who needs it and to bring a little bit of light into your life. I hope you will find it
usefull and enjoy using the system of Bach Flower Remedies to help yourself and others.

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Bach Flower Remedies
Bach flower remedies are remedies developed by English homeopath and physician Edward Bach in
1930s, that target mainly emotional and spiritual problems. They are used all over the world by people
seeking relief from today's stressful life and that want to rebalance their energy and emotional state.

Original Bach Flower Remedies consist of 38 flower essences that target very specific emotional and
spiritual states, ranging from, anxiety, fear, depression to inability to learn from own mistakes. The
prescription and use of Bach Flower Remedies is very easy and intuitive process. Indications for every
remedy create an unmistakable picture of emotional state that can be usually summarized in couple of
words. Based on this remedy picture, it is very easy to decide, which remedy is useful for a specific
situation.

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Holistic approach
The Bach Flower Remedy System is based on the holistic approach to the patient. Unlike modern
medicine, it acknowledges the importance of treating the patient as a whole, rather than focusing on a
condition of an organ or a tissue. Every patient is considered to be an unique human being with rich
mental, emotional and spiritual life that simply cannot be reduced to an organ or a tissue. When a
modern physician sees a patient with kidney problems, he tries to treat the kidney and not the patient.
Patient as a person is not considered to be important.
The holistic approach to the patient casts a different light on the disease and the role of the patient and
the physician. The disease is not taken out of context of being only a fraction of the whole picture. The
focus is still on the patient as an unique and complex being that is not reduced to his physical body, but
experiences emotional, mental and spiritual realities. These experiences cannot be considered
insignificant and unrelated to the condition of the patient. The disease of a physical body is not seen as
a origin of the problem, but as a consequence.
When a patient suffers for a long time emotionally, the whole emotional trauma is not contained in the
realm of emotions only. He starts to change. At first we can observe that he is unhappy and that he does
not find joy in his life. The way how he experiences the reality is filtered through the his suffering.
Nothing brings joy anymore and his whole emotional world gets after a while centered around the
suffering. This can after a while bring a change in mental sphere. He may become pessimistic and he
assumes a new range of belief systems. This will condition the way how he sees solutions to problems
and how he relates to people and to the world. The initial emotional problem has entered the mental
sphere, and it changes patients thinking and rationalizing. After a while the patient assumes a different
appearance. He seems troubled, his shoulders are stooped, his face seems different. He might look pale
and worried and he his sleep might be disturbed. He does not eat or drink, because he might get
lethargic and apathetic. The suffering has changed his habits and the way how he relates to his physical
body. After a longer time of disturbed sleeping, changes in diet and constant suffering, he starts
changing on the physical level. The signs of his problem are obvious, because they have entered the
realm of physicality. It is imaginable, that his physical immune system will get weaker and the first
signs of disease on the physical level will emerge.
From this example, that is indeed very real and can be seen in every day life, we can conclude, that the
emotional, mental and physical worlds are interconnected. When a problem occurs on an emotional
level, if unsolved will eventually transcend to the mental and finally to the physical level.
Now, let's say that we would recognize the problem and that we could treat it in the phase when it was
still in the realm of emotional suffering. We could solve the problem in the beginning and none of the
mental and physical consequences would manifest. But it also means, that when a patient has already
manifested a physical disease, it is our duty to find the real cause of his condition. If the patient is
sleepless and cannot concentrate, we have to keep looking for a cause of his sleeplessness. The
sleeplessness is seen as a consequence and not as a cause of the problem.

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Bach Flower Remedies Therapy
The therapeutic system by using Bach Flower Remedies is designed to tackle the original emotional
and spiritual problems before they manifest into a physical disease. This does not mean, that Bach
Flower Remedies can only be used to treat emotional and spiritual problems. It means, that instead of
focusing on the physical disease, they try to solve the original problem of the disease and to bring a
change and opening on spiritual, emotional and mental level.
The system of Bach Flower Remedies consists originally of 38 flower essences developed and used by
Dr. Edward Bach. Each flower essence is unique and is used to treat a different problem. Dr. Edward
Bach has put a lot of effort into making the remedy pictures as clear and as understandable as possible,
to make this system useful for practitioners and patients alike. Truly, the system of Bach Flower
Remedies makes it easy for patients to help themselves by analyzing their problem and by finding the
matching flower essence.

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Prescribing Remedies
The process of prescribing remedies is based on an idea of holistic approach to the patient. The
practitioner tries to understand the problem behind patient's current situation. The whole process is
done by means of an interview. The practitioner asks questions about the patient, about how he feels,
how his life looks like, how he relates to the people and tries to determine the cause of the problem.
The process of asking the right questions is highly intuitive and depends on the individuality of the
practitioner and also on the individual patient. Some patients require a different approach than others
and the whole process depends on the intuitive know how of the practitioner. He must feel what the
patients tries to tell him, how he feels and what is really hiding behind his words.
A perfect example for this need to intuitively feel the patient can be seen in the remedy Agrimony.
Agrimony patients try to hide their problems behind a mask of happiness and the practitioner must be
able to feel the suffering behind this mask and not to be swayed aside by the appearance.
What usually helps is asking for a reason, why the patient has come to see the practitioner and from
there to try to discern the real problem hidden behind the appearance. The usual areas that you might
want to approach are the problems in personal life, career, interpersonal relationships, to find out what
is missing in patients life and what are his needs that are not met.
Always remember, that you are not limited to prescribing a single remedy in a case, but that you might
end up prescribing a mixture of remedies (although the maximum number of remedies in a mixture
should not exceed seven remedies). Sometimes the case can be quite complex and you might be
tempted to mix more than seven remedies. This was however not proven to be beneficial.
The remedy pictures of Bach Flower Remedies can be usually summarized in couple of words or in a
sentence, thus making the prescription very easy. These provide you only with simple indications to get
you started. The remedy pictures described in the book give you a complete reference to study the
complete remedy picture.

Agrimony - emotional torture behind a cheerful mask

Aspen - fear of the unknown
Beech - intolerance
Centaury - inability to say 'no'
Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions
Cherry Plum - fear of losing control
Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from own mistakes
Chicory - selfish, possessive love
Clematis - dreaming of the future without being present right now
Crab Apple - cleansing remedy
Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility
Gentian - discouragement after a setback
Gorse - despair and hopelessness
Heather - self-concern, self-centeredness
Holly - jealousy, hatred, envy
Honeysuckle - living in the past memories

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Hornbeam - tiredness at the thought of doing something
Impatiens - impatience
Larch - lack of confidence
Mimulus - fear of specific things
Mustard - deep gloom without a reason
Oak - hard-worker who keeps going past the point of exhaustion
Olive - exhaustion after mental or physical effort
Pine - feelings of guilt
Red Chestnut - over-concerned for the welfare of loved ones
Rescue Remedy - sudden state of shock or grief
Rock Rose - intense terror and fright
Rock Water - rigidity, self-denial and self-repression
Scleranthus - inability to choose
Star of Bethlehem - state of shock
Sweet Chestnut - extreme mental anguish, everything has been tried and there is nothing left
Vervain - over-enthusiasm
Vine - inflexibility and dominance
Walnut - protection from changes and influences
Water Violet - pride
White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments
Wild Oat - uncertainty over the life direction
Wild Rose - apathy, resignation
Willow - resentment and self-pity

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Taking Remedies
The Bach Flower Remedies are made from a tincture of flower essences that is usually diluted in a high
quality brandy, to preserve them. Since the alcohol content of the remedy is quite high and the taste of
the alcohol might be unpleasant to some, the usual method of taking remedies consists of diluting the
remedy in a glass of water and drinking it couple of times per day.

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Agrimony
Botanical: Agrimonia Eupatoria
Family: Rosaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Agrimonia Eupatoria (Agri.)
Description: The Agrimony plant consists of a long, black, woody root, the erect cylindrical stem that
has mostly unbranched, or slightly branched limbs with numerous leaves of pinnate form. The flowers
are numerous and grow closely to the terminal spikes that are longest in the time when seeds are
maturing. The whole plant is covered by fine, soft hairs and is softly aromatic. The leaves and flowers
are used as a substitute or an addition to the tea, or a diet drink that was used to cleanse the blood in the
spring.

Medicinal uses: Diuretic, Astringent tonic, Liver complaints, Skin problems, Blood diseases
Keywords: Sad clown, Mask of happiness, Anguish, Pretends that he is happy, Mental torture, Internal
unhappiness, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Evening agg., Weekend agg., Holiday agg.
Dr Bach's description: The jovial, cheerful, humorous people who love peace and are distressed by
argument or quarrel, to avoid which they will agree to give up much. Though generally they have
troubles and are tormented and restless and worried in mind or in body, they hide their cares behind
their humour and jesting and are considered very good friends to know. They often take alcohol or
drugs in excess, to stimulate themselves and help themselves bear their trials with cheerfulness.
Essence: This remedy is suitable for people, who use a mask in order to assure the outside world, that
they are perfectly happy, jovial and without troubles. This means that these people are very closed and
that they do not confide their troubles to no one, but use a easier way to deal with the outside world –
they pretend that they are perfectly happy.
The truth lies hidden under this mask and Agrimony patients are internally unhappy and they feel
anguish. These persons are so closed to the outside world, that even the closest friends do not know the
internal suffering of these people.
The coping mechanism for their unhappy life is seeking out parties, company of other people and
amusement. Another usual coping mechanism is seeking out alcohol, drugs as these help to bear the
internal torment and enable them to show a cheerful face on the public.
It is clear, that the evenings, weekends and holidays are worst for the Agrimony people. They feel all
the anguish, sadness and unhappiness and at the full degree and they cannot hide it under the mask. It is
only understandable, that work amel. since it gives an excuse to concentrate on something different
than on the feelings and on the internal world of the Agrimony person.

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Aspen
Botanical: Populus tremuloides (MICHX.)
Family: N.O. Salicaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Populus Tremuloides (Pop.)
Description: Aspen grows mainly in the America continent. The tree grows up to 100 meters in height.
It has a pale yellowish bark with fine hairs on margin of leaves. The effects of this tree are similar to
the Peruvian Bark (China Officinalis - Cinchona calisaya), since the bark of this tree is a safe substitute
for the China officinalis bark and has the same effects on intermittent fevers (trembling = chills).

Medicinal uses: Febrifuge and tonic mainly in Intermittent fevers, Diuretic, Gonorrhea, Debility,
Chronic diarrhea.
Keywords: Nameless fear, Foreboding, Anxiety, Terror, Night-time terror, Effects of nightmares,
Causeless fear,
Compare: Rock rose, Mimulus, Red Chestnunt, China officinalis
Dr Bach's description: Vague unknown fears, for which there can be given no explanation, no reason.
Yet the patient may be terrified of something terrible going to happen, he knows not what. These vague
unexplainable fears may haunt by night or day. Sufferers often are afraid to tell their trouble to others.
Essence: The main idea of this remedy is the fear, that something bad is going to happen. This idea is
embodied in the very name of the tree – Quaking Aspen, or Trembling Poplar, since the trembling is the
basic reaction of the body to the fear.
The fear in Aspen is a fear that does not have a cause, the person needing this remedy cannot describe
the cause of his fear. It can range from a vague sense of foreboding of a danger, to a real terror with all
the physical constituents (goose-skin, hair standing on end). Aspen is therefore specific for the effects
of nightmares, when a person wakes up from a nightmare, still clinging to the emotional stress caused
by the nightmare, fearing something unknown.
The fears of Aspen may arise during the daytime or during night and it is quite often, that the persons
needing the Aspen remedy are afraid to speak about their fears.
The idea of the fear of an unknown cause is very important in this remedy. If the patient can describe
exactly the cause of his fear, then the Aspen remedy is not the correct remedy. Mimulus is for example
very similar to Aspen with one major difference. Mimulus has a fear of dark, which means, that the
person fears something specific and therefore we can identify the correct remedy as Mimulus and not
Aspen, since Aspen fears something non-specific.
If the person is however so terrified, that he cannot make a conscious decision and when he is
completely controlled by the fear reactions, the specific remedy in this case is the Rock Rose. The fear
as a process often start in a state needing Aspen, Red Chestnut or Mimulus and ends with the state of a
panic characteristic for the Rock Rose.

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Beech
Botanical: Fagus sylvatica
Family: N.O. Corylaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Fagus Sylvatica (Fagu.)
Description: One of the largest trees growing in the Europe. Since the wood of the beech is brittle and
short-grained, it is not suitable for the purposes that require a hard and durable wood. The nuts are used
to feed farm animals except for horses. They should not be fed on the beech nuts or wood. Beech wood
was in the times of distress used by humans as a food and even farm animals may be fed on the beech
wood. The beech has a unique circulation system of roots, that assists in the circulation of oxygen
through the soil and conserves the productive capacity of the soil better than any other kind of tree.
Beech tree improves the growth of other trees that are planted with it.
Medicinal uses: Stimulant, Antiseptic, Expectorant in the chronic bronchitis, Various skin diseases
Keywords: Intolerant of others, Faultfinding, Does not accept differences of other people, Irritable
Dr Bach's description: For those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds
them. And, although much appears to be wrong, to have the ability to see the good growing within. So
as to be able to be more tolerant, lenient and understanding of the different way each individual and all
things are working to their own final perfection.
Essence: The central idea of Beech is the intolerance of others. The Beech person has no understanding
for the differences of other people. They lack the necessary understanding that other people chose
different paths in the world and that they cannot walk the same path as the Beech person. Beech person
has the central idea, that his path is the correct one and that there are no different paths leading to the
same goal.
Beech person fails to see, that other people, even if they are different may be working to achieve the
same goal as the Beech person. This state is sometimes manifested as a sudden outburst of irritability.
The person needing this remedy is irritable, faultfinding and intolerant of others.
The Beech tree teaches us an important lesson. Beech tree helps other trees through its unique root
system in growing, since it improves the soil condition so that other trees can benefit from it. The
Beech can therefore teach a valuable lesson in accepting the differences of other people and in
accepting the fact, that even though other people may be different, it is possible, that they work towards
a noble and correct goal.

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Centaury
Botanical: Erythraea centaurium
Family: Gentianaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: Centaury grows in Europe and North Africa. It is an annual plant with a woody root, a
stiff stem, that is erect and squre-shaped. The leaves are of a pale green color and are smooth and shiny.
The flowers are usually rose-colored, although yellow or pink types of flowes exist in certain parts of
the world.

Medicinal uses: Stomach stimulant and tonic, Liver diseases, Kidney diseases, Blood purifier, Overall
tonic, Muscular rheumatism, Wounds, Sores, Gout, Dropsy
Keywords: Kind, Gentle, Helpful, Slaves, Cannot refuse to help, Cannot say “no”
Dr Bach's description: Kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others. They overtax
their strength in their endeavours. Their wish so grows upon them that they become more servants than
willing helpers. Their good nature leads them to do more than their own share of work, and in so doing
they may neglect their own particular mission in life.
Essence: Centaury people are the natural “helpers”. Most of their time and thought is occupied by
helping other people. But we must not confuse these people with the strong, enthusiastic, rigid helpers,
who see their life’s mission in helping other people by putting them at the right track.
Centaury people are very gentle and kind people who are unable to say “NO” and to refuse the request
even in case that the request would mean a substantial trouble for them or if the request would exceed
their skills. Typically this situation ends up into an exploitation scheme, where others continually
demand services and the Century person is pushed beyond the point of exhaustion and he becomes a
slave to the person he helps.
The core problem of Centaury people is their inability to draw a line between the outer world and his
inner world. This may originate in the fact that they view themselves as unimportant and inferior.
Gradually they will become slaves and are unable to free themselves from the demands of the outer
world.

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Cerato
Botanical: Ceratostigma willmottiana
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: A deciduous shrub from western China (region of Himalayas and Tibet) named after Miss
Ellen Ann Willmott, a celebrated English gardener. The fragile-looking flowers are beautifully blue
with the color tones ranging to reddish violet. They consist of five petals with a small white-colored
centre. The plant grows to a height of 60 cm. The small (about 1 cm tall) flowers last for only a few
hours.
Keywords: Indecisive, Lack of self-faith, Mistrust about own decisions
Compare: Scleranthus
Dr Bach's description: Those who have not sufficient confidence in themselves to make their own
decisions. They constantly seek advice from others, and are often misguided.
Essence: Cerato people do not trust their own decisions. They feel that they are unable to decide
correctly and constantly doubt their decisions. Once they make a decision based on their intuition and
they feel that the decision is correct, the mind starts doubting the basis of such a decision and the
person becomes less and less sure about the correctness of this decision. In the end, the person becomes
very confused and is totally unable to make even simple decisions.
The Cerato people are reliant about the opinions and advice of other people. They constantly ask for
advice in all their decisions and they often are misguided and decide against intuitive feeling . The
uncertainty about the correctness arises from the fact, that Cerato people do not trust themselves and
think that they are unable to make a correct decision. They do not trust their instincts and the fact that
they are able to feel whether they have decided correctly or not.
It is important to understand, that Cerato people fear the results of incorrect decisions. They are afraid
of the potential results of incorrect decisions and about the impacts on their life. They do not trust their
ability to deal with the results of such decisions.

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Cherry Plum
Botanical: Prunus cerasifera
Family: Rosaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, although several trees of Prunus genus are used – Prunus Spinosa
(Prun.), Prunus Cerasus (Prun-c.), Prunus Padus (Prun-p.), Prunus Virginiana (Prun-v.)
Description: Cherry plum is a small tree producing a large quantity of small, white, single flowers in
early spring. The fruits are small, edible and are produces only by the single-flowered species of
Prunus. Double-flowered trees do not produce any fruits at all. The Purple-leaved plum (Prunus
Cerasifera) has new foliage which unfolds as ruby-red, then turns reddish-purple, and finally matures to
greenish-bronze by the end of the summer. The small, white to light pink, springtime flowers, which
usually appear before the leaves unfold, are followed by a heavy crop of edible, purple fruits.
Medicinal uses: Not commonly used for medicinal purposes.
Keywords: Fear of losing self-control, Impulse of hurting someone of himself, Loss of self-control
with screaming and irrational rage, Fear of going mad
Dr Bach's description: Fear of the mind being over-strained, of reason giving way, of doing fearful
and dreaded things, not wished and known wrong, yet there comes the thought and impulse to do them.
Essence: The Cherry plum is one of fear remedies. The fear is however very specific. The Cherry plum
person fears of losing self-control. He fears, that he will lose self-control and that he will cause harm to
the people around him or to himself.
The basis for this kind of fear is an irrational impulse of hurting other people or himself. This does not
mean that these people consciously wish to harm others, but it means, that the person is sometimes
driven by a strong, even irresistible impulse, which he fears. The fact, that the person fears that he may
do something terrible to others means, that he is aware of the fact, that he has something dark within
himself, something he fears, but he tries to control it and tries to suppress these impulses.
Cherry plum is not only specific for the fear of losing the self-control, but also for the state when the
loss of self-control has actually taken place. Best image to describe this kind of behavior is an image of
a small, frightened child screaming, driven by dread and irrational rage.

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Chestnut Bud
Botanical: Aesculus hippocastanum
Family: N.O. Sapindaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Aesculus hippocastanum (Aesc.)
Description: The Horse Chestnut tree should not be confounded with the Sweet Chestnut, which is not
even distantly related to the Horse Chestnut. The Horse Chestnut tree is very erect and columnar. It
grows very rapidly to great heights with widely spreading branches. he bud will sometimes develop the
season's shoot in the course of three or four weeks. The unfolding of the bud is very rapid when the sun
melts the resin that binds it so firmly together. The flowers are mostly white, with a reddish tinge, or
marking, and grow in dense, erect spikes. The fruit is a brown nut, with a very shining, polished skin,
showing a dull, rough, pale-brown scar where it has been attached to the inside of the seed-vessel, a
large green husk, protected with short spines, which splits into three valves when it falls to the ground
and frees the nut.
Medicinal uses: Tonic, Narcotic, It has febrifuge properties, Intermittent fevers, Ulcers
Keywords: Unable to learn from past mistakes, Repeating same mistakes, Moving around in circles
Dr Bach's description: For those who do not take full advantage of observation and experience, and
who take a longer time than others to learn the lessons of daily life. Whereas one experience would be
enough for some, such people find it necessary to have more, sometimes several, before the lesson is
learnt. Therefore, to their regret, they find themselves having to make the same error on different
occasions when once would have been enough, or observation of others could have spared them even
that one fault.
Essence: The main idea of the Chestnut bud remedy is the inability to learn from past mistakes. The
people needing this remedy repeat the same mistakes over and over again without learning the
important lessons that would enable them to move forward. Thus they become trapped in a cyclic
behavior and are unable to move forward, but keep on repeating the incorrect behavior without learning
the required lessons.
The Chestnut bud people too easily let go of the past, and thus they are forced to repeat the same
situations over and over again. If they fail to see the mistakes and stop repeating them, they will
become trapped in their past without the possibility to free themselves from it.
Another indication for this remedy is a state, when the same thoughts are repeated in the mind and the
person is unable to stop these same thoughts and to break the chain. It can be useful in a case when the
sleep does not come because the flow of ideas in the head does not allow the mind to rest.

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Chicory
Botanical: Cichorium intybus
Family: Asteraceae
Homeopathic remedy: Cichorium intybus (Cich.)
Description: A plant native of Europe, growing also in the Northern America. The plant contains a
white, milky sap that appears if the stem is broken. Flowers are blue, remaining on the plant for only a
single day. Chicory is used as a caffeine-free variant of the coffee.
Medicinal uses: Laxative, Eruptions connected with Gout, Diuretic
Keywords: Overly possessive, Self-pity, Self-love, Over-full of care
Dr Bach's description: Those who are very mindful of the needs of others; they tend to be over-full of
care for children, relatives, friends, always finding something that should be put right. They are
continually correcting what they consider wrong, and enjoy doing so. They desire that those for whom
they care should be near them.
Essence: The central idea of Chicory can be described with a picture of a overly caring mother, who
wants to keep the children close, overly protecting them from any harm with the tendency to correct
any mistakes that the children make. This situation is naturally harming the children as they are not
entrusted with any form of independence. The Chicory parent can in this way bind his children to
himself unable to release them even until they are adult.
However, the love of Chicory is not given unconditionally, but the Chicory person always expects to
receive the love from the people he cares about and feels hurt if this does not happen. The state when
the Chicory person does not receive the love it gives back, can lead into a feeling of self-pity.
There exist two polarities of the Chicory state. Compensated Chicory person is loving, caring and
mindful of the needs of the people it cares for. Collapsed Chicory is full of self-pity, unable to free
loved ones from their influence, always correcting the mistakes they make and overly possessive.

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Clematis
Botanical: Clematis erecta
Family: Ranunculaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Clematis erecta (Clem.)
Description: Clematis recta (erecta) is found in Middle and Southern Europe. It has an erect,
herbaceous stem, about two feet high, and is probably the most acrid-tasting species of Europe. It is a
high, leafy, poisonous plant with large opposite leaves. The leaves and flowers have an acrid burning
taste, the acridity being greatly diminished by drying.
Medicinal uses: Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Syphilitic ulcers, Cancerous ulcers, Eye affections, Gonnorheal
affections, Inflammatory conditions
Keywords: Dreamy, Quiet, Fantasies about the future, Fantasies about alternative versions of the
present, Unhappy with the present conditions, Escapes into his fantasies
Compare: Honeysuckle
Dr Bach's description: Those who are dreamy, drowsy, not fully awake, no great interest in life. Quiet
people, not really happy in their present circumstances, living more in the future than in the present;
living in hopes of happier times, when their ideals may come true. In illness some make little or no
effort to get well, and in certain cases may even look forward to death, in the hope of better times; or
maybe, meeting again some beloved one whom they have lost.
Essence: Clematis person is unhappy with the present conditions he lives in. He lives an uninteresting,
conventional life that is dissatisfying and the only possibility to escape the present is the imaginary
world, where he can be whoever he desires to be. The fantasies are either the fantasies of the future, or
the fantasies of the alternative versions of the present where the person is successful, making great
achievements and is being very creative.
People needing clematis appear to be very quiet, uninterested in the outer world, dreamy and drowsy.
They prefer the imaginary world to their unfulfilling present reality. They are not anchored in this
reality and are freely floating in their fantastic worlds.
Honeysuckle remedy is quite similar to the Clematis with one major difference. Honeysuckle person
lives in the past, where he nostalgically relives the old events and old hurts. Clematis lives in the
alternative version of the present or the future. Honeysuckle people feel, that the future will not bring
them happiness, but instead they dwell on the past happiness, or past unhappiness. Clematis person
feels that the future in his version of the reality is the place, where he will achieve all his goals and that
he will be successful.
Clematis is also indicated for the light-headed feeling that is specific for the time of emergency and as
such is used in the Rescue Remedy.
Seriously sick Clematis people make no effort in getting better, but look forward to the death, since
they view death as a possibility to meet the beloved whom they have lost or the possibility of a better
existence.

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Crab Apple
Botanical: Malus pumila
Family: Rosaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: The Crab apple is basically the wild apple tree, that bears fruit of the diameter of less or
equal to 5 centimeters (2 inches). If the diameter of the fruit is greater than 5 centimeters, then the tree
is classified as a common apple tree. Crab apples freely hybridize and up to this time more there exist
more than 1000 varieties. Color of flowers can range from white to the crimson red. Crab apples are
very adaptable and hardy trees that withstand cold weather well.
Medicinal uses: Anti-scorbutic
Keywords: Unclean, Dirty, Poisonous, Repetitive behavior, Anxious, Compulsive behavior
Dr Bach's description: This is the remedy of cleansing. For those who feel as if they had something
not quite clean about themselves. Often it is something of apparently little importance: in others there
may be more serious disease which is almost disregarded compared to the one thing on which they
concentrate. In both types they are anxious to be free from the one particular thing which is greatest in
their minds and which seems so essential to them that it should be cured. They become despondent if
treatment fails. Being a cleanser, this remedy purifies wounds if the patient has reason to believe that
some poison has entered which must be drawn out.
Essence: The Crab apple is described as the “great cleaner”. Whenever a person thinks that he is
unclean, that the poison should be drawn from their body, or simply if he dislikes and is ashamed of a
certain aspect of their personality, physical symptom or physical features.
This great cleaner cleanses repetitive and ritualistic compulsive behavior, that poisons the mind (such
as repetitive hand-washing, checking whether the doors are locked, or whether the gas stove is turned
off). It is typical for the people needing this remedy, that in time when they are seriously sick, they
disregard the sickness as unimportant, but focus on the thing they dislike about themselves. The Crab
apple people focus on one thing they regard as unclean or poisonous and they try to get it cured. If the
treatment fails, they become very anxious and depressed.
The Crab apple is sometimes prescribed for the people characterized as anxious perfectionists, that rely
on their rituals and are unable to free themselves from their routines. They become trapped in their
ritualistic behavior, because it assures their safety.
This remedy is usable even in cases, when the person has a reason to believe, that he was poisoned and
that the poison should be drawn out. This is the main reason why it is the sixth ingredient in the Rescue
cream.

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Elm
Botanical: Ulmus procera
Family: Ulmaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, but another specimen of the Ulmus genus is used- the Slipper Elm
(Elmus Fulva – Ulm.)
Description: The branches of Elm tree are numerous and spreading, the bark rugged, the leaves
alternate, ovate rough, doubly toothed and unequal at the base. The flowers are small and numerous
appearing in March and April before the leaves, in purplish-brown tufts. In age and size, the Elm
closely approaches the Oak, but is more varied, a large number of named varieties being grown.
Medicinal uses: Tonic, Demulcent, Astringent, Diuretic, Cutaneous diseases of a leprous character e.g.
Ringworm
Keywords: Loss of self-confidence, Effects of overworking, Effects of too much taken on
responsibility
Compare: Larch
Dr Bach's description: Those who are doing good work, are following the calling of their life and who
hope to do something of importance, and this often for the benefit of humanity. At times there may be
periods of depression when they feel that the task they have undertaken is too difficult, and not within
the power of a human being.
Essence: Elm is specific for the situation, where the person is overwhelmed by the enormous amount
of responsibility he has taken on, or if he feels that he has set his goal too high and he might not
achieve it. The person begins to doubt whether he is able to achieve his goals, or if he will fail, because
the goals are not within the powers of a human being.
Genuine Elm persons carry out the work they believe in. They are convinced, that their work is
important and they are following the calling of their life. If the person is having self-doubts and he is
carrying out work he does not believe in, or if he is not enthusiastic for his work, the Elm remedy might
not be specific. It is important that the Elm person wants to achieve his goals and that the believes, that
his work is important, or that it serves the humanity.
A similar remedy for the self-doubt if the Larch remedy. The Elm person takes up the work willingly
and only after a period of time, the self-doubts begins to occupy his mind. The Larch person is
convinced from the beginning, that he will fail and he tends not to try the tasks in the first place.

20
Gentian
Botanical: Gentiana Amarella
Family: Gentianaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, but homeopathy uses the Yellow Gentian – Gentiana Lutea (Gent-l.),
Cross-leaved Gentian – Gentiana Crucinata (Gent-c.) and Five-flowered Gentian – Gentiana
quinqueflora (Gent-q.)
Description: The Autumn Gentian has an annual root, twisted and yellowish, somewhat thready. The
stem is square, erect, bearing several pairs of stalkless, dark green leaves, each with three prominent
veins, and clothed from top to bottom with flowers on short stalks in the axils of the leaves, one flower
terminating the stem. In sunshine, the lobes of the corolla are spread wide horizontally, forming
conspicuous blue stars. Fresh Gentian root is used in Germany and Switzerland for the production of an
alcoholic beverage.
Medicinal uses: Tonic in the debility states, Weakness, Digestive organs, Antiseptic,
Keywords: Easily discouraged, Doubtful, Pessimistic, Hesitant
Compare: Gorse
Dr Bach's description: Those who are easily discouraged. They may be progressing well in illness, or
in the affairs of their daily life, but any small delay or hindrance to progress causes doubt and soon
disheartens them.
Essence: The typical Gentian person is very easily discouraged. Even a small hindrance causes doubts
and the person becomes more and more discouraged and pessimistic. Gentian person lacks faith in the
success and even the smallest and unimportant hindrances can cause despondency and doubts. It is
however important, that the discouragement of the Gentian is temporary. The Gentian people will soon
pick up and the faith in the success is restored. Gentian is only used to accelerate the improvement, but
even without the Gentian remedy, the Gentian person will soon be back on the track.
The best example for the lack of faith of a Gentian person is the state of illness. Ill person needing the
Gentian remedy may be progressing towards the cure and may be improving rapidly, but as soon as
first unimportant obstacles turn out, the hope of cure is suddenly lost. This makes the cure even more
complicated, since it is clear, that the person who has faith in the curing process will improve more
rapidly, than the person that does not believe that the cure will take place. It is however fortunate, that
the persons needing Gentian remedy are able to pick up again and even without the Gentian remedy,
they will progress and the faith in the cure is restored.
The Gentian remedy is similar to the Gorse remedy. While the person needing Gentian is temporarily
discouraged, but even without a remedy he will soon pick up and start anew, the Gorse needing person
is completely without hope. Gorse person has abandoned all hope and even if others persuade him to
make an effort to solve his situation, he feels that it will have no effect and that he will fail.

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Gorse
Botanical: Ulex Europaeus
Family: Fabaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: The plant is dense, branched, stunted shrub. The leaves are very small and fall off early,
not being present in the older stages, when they take the form of long, thread-like spines, which are
straight and furrowed. The stem is hairy and spreading. Gorse grown mainly in waste places and on
commons. It is uses as a soap substitute and as a fodder for farm animals.
Medicinal uses: Jaundice, Scarlet-fever, Purgative, Cardiac dropsy
Keywords: I give up, Hopelessness, Pessimism, Depression
Compare: Sweet Chestnut, Gentian
Dr Bach's description: Very great hopelessness, they have given up belief that more can be done for
them. Under persuasion or to please others they may try different treatments, at the same time assuring
those around that there is so little hope of relief.
Essence: The central theme of Gorse remedy is the willful belief, that their case is hopeless. The Gorse
people exchange the hope of success for the consciousness of failure. The typical Gorse situation may
be a situation of a person, that is ill for a long time and he is so used to the illness, that he consciously
refuses the fact that he may get better. He uses many arguments as the affirmation of this state
(inherited diseases, incurable chronic diseases etc.).
We must not however confound the hopelessness of the Gorse remedy for the despair of the Sweet
Chestnut, even though these two remedies are closely related. Gorse hopelessness is not really a
despair, because the situation offers many solutions, but the Gorse person is unwilling to use them.
Sweet Chestnut represents a person in a typical despair situation, since the situation of the Sweet
Chestnut is really a dead-end. There are no solutions left and the only possible reaction is despair.
Another closely related remedy is Gentian. We can differentiate these two remedies quite easily.
Gentian state represents a milder discouragement which will get better by itself after a time. Gorse state
is more severe hopelessness and the person is unwilling to accept that there are solutions for his
situation, even though the solutions present themselves readily.

22
Heather
Botanical: Calluna Vulgaris
Family: Ericaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Calluna Vulgaris (Callun.)
Description: Heather is a highly branched evergreen shrub. The numerous stems take root at the base,
and there are also a large number of short side shoots. The leaves are very small and scale-like, their
sides are often curled back so much that they are triangular in cross-section. The small reddish-purple
flowers are borne on narrow spikes.
Medicinal uses: Antiseptic, Diuretic, Urinary tract, Rheumatism, Arthritis, Astringent, Cholagogue,
Depurative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Sedative, Vasoconstrictor, Bladder, Kidneys
Keywords: Self-absorbed, Self-centered, Being alone agg., Company of people amel., Talks about
himself
Dr Bach's description: Those who are always seeking the companionship of anyone who may be
available, as they find it necessary to discuss their own affairs with others, no matter whom it may be.
They are very unhappy if they have to be alone for any length of time.
Essence: The people needing this remedy are very self-centered and self-absorbed. In a very negative
state they can even think that they are the most important people and that the universe keeps spinning
around themselves.
One of typical situations where you may easily discover a Heather person is in the company of others
where he keeps talking about himself and his problems. He sees other people as the receptors of his
thoughts and his feelings. He does not appreciate the feelings of other people at all.
This behavior however means that people needing Heather are usually excluded from company. It is
not pleasant to hear about one persons troubles all evening and Heather people keep always talking
about this subject.
Very important aspect of this remedy is the aggravation when not in the company of others. It seems as
if the talking about problems ameliorated the emotional state of the Heather person and keeping
troubles to himself aggravates these problems.

23
Holly
Botanical: Ilex Aquifolium
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Compare: Vervain, Impatines, Chicory
Homeopathic remedy: Ilex Aquifolium (Ilx-a.)
Description: A dense pyramidal, heavily branched tree that bears red, yellow and orange berries. It
grows very slowly: when planted among trees which are not more rapid in growth than itself.
The leaves are thick and glossy, edged with prickles, whose direction is alternately upwards and
downwards, and of which the terminal one alone is invariably in the same plane as the leaf. The upper
leaves have mostly only a single prickle. The leaves have neither taste nor odor. They remain attached
to the tree for several years, and when they fall, defy for a long time the action of air and moisture,
owing to their leathery texture and durable fibres, which take a long time to decay.
The berries, though eaten by birds, are injurious to human beings, and children should be warned
against them.
Medicinal uses: Catarrh, Pleurisy, Smallpox, Intermittent fevers and rheumatism (used when China
fails, its active principle is like that of China very bitter)
Keywords: Jealousy, Suspicion, Envy, Revenge, Negative feelings toward others, Absence of love,
Suffering without a real cause
Dr Bach's description: For those who sometimes are attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy,
envy, revenge, suspicion. For the different forms of vexation. Within themselves they may suffer much,
often when there is no real cause for their unhappiness.
Essence: The person needing this remedy feels negative feeling towards others. They may take the
shape of jealousy, envy or suspicion. These variants are only the facets of the central idea of this
remedy, which is the lack of love.
The essence of this remedy is nicely shown on the symbolism of the tree. The leaves are the organs of
the tree that realize the breathing of the tree. Breathing means the acceptance of surroundings and the
acceptance and the giving of love. The leaves of the Holly are covered with stout thorns that symbolize
the negative feelings that the person feels. The leaves themselves are tasteless and odorless. This
symbolizes the emptiness of the person, the lack of love. The leaves, although eaten provide the
consumer with no pleasure and they do not return the given love back.
Although three other remedies are very close to Holly, we can easily distinguish between them. The
anger of Impatiens has the roots (as the name of the remedy indicates) in the impatience. The cause of
anger in Vervain the the feeling of injustice and the Chicory anger is caused by feeling that other people
have hurt the Chicory person by their ingratitude.

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Honeysuckle
Botanical: Lonicera caprifolium
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Lonicera caprifolium (Lon-c.)
Description: A common plant, not a true native, though it occurs occasionally in a naturalized state.
The flowers, borne in clusters, have long tubes, yellowish and blush tinted, and very fragrant. It is a
robust twiner, and grows wild in chalky districts in hedges and woods. The Honeysuckles should not be
planted near any other living shrub, but should be supported by a dead tree trunk or trellis, as then the
Honeysuckles get all the food from the soil.
Medicinal uses: Diuretic, Cutaneous and Mucous Tonic
Keywords: Living in the past, Homesickness, Nostalgia, Attached to Loved-ones, Regrets about Past,
Failure to see happiness in the future
Dr Bach's description: Those who live much in the past, perhaps a time of great happiness, or
memories of a lost friend, or ambitions which have not come true. They do not expect further happiness
such as they have had.
Essence: The Honeysuckle plant should not be planted near living trees, but should be supported by a
dead tree or trellis. This beautifully shows the true nature of a Honeysuckle person. As the Honeysuckle
thrives near dead trees (the past) and dislikes the presence of living flowers (the present), the
Honeysuckle person lives in the past and fails to see anything positive in the present of the future.
Person needing honeysuckle keeps thinking about the past events. The past can be either in a form of
sentimental feelings (presence of lost loved-ones, feeling of happiness of the home) or a time of
unfortunate events which the Honeysuckle person regrets, but is unable to correct them in the present.
A typical example of a collapsed Honeysuckle person is a woman that has lost her partner. She keeps
his room in a perfectly preserved state, takes care of his things and serves two meals in a hope that her
partner will return. This shows another important feature of Honeysuckle - the inability to change and
the adhering to routines. Honeysuckle person can become trapped in a negative past event and although
he can change the outcome of such a event in the present, he rather sticks to it and does not change
anything.

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Hornbeam
Botanical: Carpinus Betulus
Family: Betulaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: The trunk of the Hornbeam is usually flattened, and twisted as though composed of
several stems united. The hornbeam thrives well on stiff, clayey, moist soils, into which its roots
penetrate deeply. Although it is not a very interesting tree it is very durable and lives very long. Its
wood is white, of close-grained structure. It is of considerable tenacity and little flexibility, and is
extremely tough.
Medicinal uses: Difficult urination, Diarrhea
Keywords: Tiredness, Exhaustion, Prostration, Cannot cope with the demands, Weariness
Compare: Olive
Dr Bach's description: For those who feel that they have not sufficient strength, mentally or
physically, to carry the burden of life placed upon them; the affairs of every day seem too much for
them to accomplish, though they generally succeed in fulfilling their task. For those who believe that
some part, of mind or body, needs to be strengthened before they can easily fulfil their work.
Essence: The main problem of the Hornbeam person is that he feels exhausted and that he feels that he
is unable to cope with the problems he must struggle with. The important thing is that the Hornbeam
person feels exhausted before he has made an effort. He does not even try to cope with the problems,
because he feels that the demands are too great and that he is unable to cope with it.
Olive as well as Hornbeam is a remedy suitable for exhaustion. Yet the exhaustion of the Olive is a
physical kind of exhaustion. This does not mean that the Olive would not be suitable for the mental
weariness from too much mental work. The Olive is suitable for the exhaustion caused by too much
work, which means, that the physical body of the patient is exhausted and needs resting.
The exhaustion of the Hornbeam is solely the exhaustion of the soul. The causes are not the exhaustion
of the body, but the soul is exhausted by the incorrect lifestyle and by the way the Hornbeam person
lives his everyday life (watching TV too often, passive lifestyle, no physical or mental motion etc.).
The exhaustion of the Hornbeam person is amel. once he has started to work and the feeling of
weariness will vanish. The physical exhaustion of the Olive person is agg. after starting to work.
The Hornbeam is a very durable and long-living tree that has a very durable and extremely tough wood.
The person needing Hornbeam lacks these qualities and the Hornbeam teaches him the necessary
endurance and perseverance to achieve his goals.

26
Impatience
Botanical: Impatiens Glandulifera
Family: Balsaminaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: Impatiens glandulifera is an herbaceous annual that is succulent and glabrous (smooth
and hairless), and it can range from three to ten feet tall. The overall flower shape resembles an English
policeman’s helmet The fruit is a five chambered capsule. When touched, the mature capsule explodes
and ejects up to 800 seeds. It is considered extremely invasive to moist, natural areas. It is considered
extremely invasive to moist, natural areas. It can distribute itself very quickly through a large area,
since each plant produces 800 seeds in a single fruit.
Medicinal uses: Jaundice, Dropsy, Diuretic, Hepatitis, Warts, Ringworms, Ulcers, Rhus poisoning
Keywords: Quick, Hasty, Fast, Impatient, Hurried
Dr Bach's description: Those who are quick in thought and action and who wish all things to be done
without hesitation or delay. When ill they are anxious for a hasty recovery. They find it very difficult to
be patient with people who are slow, as they consider it wrong and a waste of time, and they will
endeavour to make such people quicker in all ways. They often prefer to work and think alone, so that
they can do everything at their own speed.
Essence: The main theme of the Impatiens remedy is the Speed. People needing this remedy are quick
in making decisions, they are very fast and efficient in their work and they try to finish everything as
fast as possible. Many people can at times end up in this hurried state, but there are also genuine
Impatiens people, that need this remedy constitutionally.
As the remedy name implies, Impatiens people are very impatient, when they feel that they are
hindered in their work and that they cannot work fast enough. They can get very irritated and frustrated
at the presence of other, more methodical and slower people.
The impatience is also shown at times of illness. They get very anxious for a quick recovery. They fail
to see, that the healing process takes time and they always try to speed it up.
The whole essence of speed is also shown in the original plant. Impatiens is a very invasive plant. It
produces a large amount of seeds in each fruit and can therefore quickly spread over large areas of
suitable land. This idea corresponds with the fast and hurried person, who tries to finish everything as
soon as possible. Impatient flower teaches a lesson about the need to slow down and to relax in order to
regain the inner harmony.

27
Larch
Botanical: Larix Decidua
Family: Pinaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: The Larch is a member of the Pines family. It is a conifer tree with a grayish brown outer
bark. Loose elongated plates reveal a reddish inner bark young stems, that are yellowish and furrowed.
Flowers are monoecious, both male and female strobili cover tree in early spring. The purple cones
(fruits) dry to brown young cones somewhat showy ovoid, with pubescent scales on backside,
overlapped but not reflexed. The soft, flat needles, bright green in spring, darkening with maturity,
found in groups on spurs or in a spiral arrangement down long branches turn yellow in the autumn and
fall down.
Medicinal uses: Cough, Cold, Frostbite
Compare: Elm
Keywords: Expecting to Fail, Not as good as anyone else
Dr Bach's description: For those who do not consider themselves as good or capable as those around
them, who expect failure, who feel that they will never be a success, and so do not venture or make a
strong enough attempt to succeed.
Essence: The Larch tree is a deciduous conifer. This means, that unlike other conifers, it drops its
foliage in the autumn. This symbolizes, that the Larch does not even attempt the long fight for survival
in the winter as other conifers. It drops it's foliage to the ground in the symbol of surrender.
The Larch person has similar traits to the Larch tree. He considers himself to be worse than the people
surrounding him. He feels, that he is not as good and not as capable as they are. He is pessimistic about
the outcome of his efforts and he expects his failure in all his actions. This results in a situation, where
the Larch person doesn't try hard enough to succeed and the pessimistic anticipation of his failure
causes the negative outcome.
The problem is, that during the course of life (based on a series of unfortunate events), the Larch has
learned to accept the fact, that he will always fail, and knowing that he does not even try to succeed.
This can, of course lead only to another failure. The Larch people must learn to forget their past
failures, not to anticipate a negative outcome, but to hope for the success in their lives.

28
Mimulus
Botanical: Mimulus Guttatus
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Compare: Aspen, Rock Rose
Description: Mimulus guttatus is an annual to sometimes perennial that grows in seeps, springs or
along creeks. It has yellow flowers with little red spots, with the interior part of flowers covered by fine
hairs. The name Monkeyflower comes from the appearance of the flower, that resembles a a grinning
monkey. The leaves of the Mimulus are edible, of slightly bitter taste and they are used in vegetable
salads.
Medicinal uses: Wound, Burns
Keywords: Fear, Quiet, Shy, Closed, Nervous, Timid
Dr Bach's description: Fear of worldly things, illness, pain, accidents, poverty, of dark, of being
alone, of misfortune. The fears of everyday life. These people quietly and secretly bear their dread, they
do not freely speak of it to others.
Essence: The main essence of the Mimulus if the fear of concrete things, e.g. of things that can be
named. All sorts of different fears, such as the fear darkness, snakes, public appearance or diseases has
a clearly defined source of fear. Even phobias can be treated with the Mimulus, because nearly all
phobias have a definite event, that triggers the fear response.
This fear of concrete things distinguishes the Mimulus from the other major fear remedy – Aspen.
Aspen type of fear is a fear, that has an unknown source – the patient cannot say exactly what causes
the fear. Another very similar fear remedy is the Rock Rose. However, the difference between the
Mimulus and the Rock Rose lies in the intensity of the fear. The Rock Rose fear is perhaps the most
intense fear of all remedies, that can be described as a shear terror paralyzing every conscious thought
of the patient.
The Mimulus people can be generally described as quiet, shy and timid persons, that hide their fears
from the public. They usually avoid social events, because this could expose them to uncomfortable
situations.

29
Mustard
Botanical: Sinapis Arvensis
Family: Brassicaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, although members of the Sinapis genus, such as Sinapis Alba and
Sinapis Nigra are used.
Description: Probably the most common yellow-flowered plant. It has upright stems, branched,
grooved and often clothed with short rough hairs. The leaves are rough, unequally cut and serrated, and
the flowers, which are yellow and large, are followed by nearly erect, angular, knotty pods, longer than
their flattened conical beak. The seeds form a good substitute for Mustard, but are not equal to them in
quality. They yield a good burning oil.
Medicinal uses: Not commonly used
Compare: Agrimony
Keywords: Depression, Sadness, Black clouds, Unhappy, Joyless, Gloomy, Hopeless
Dr Bach's description: Those who are liable to times of gloom, or even despair, as though a cold dark
cloud overshadowed them and hid the light and the joy of life. It may not be possible to give any reason
or explanation for such attacks. Under these conditions it is almost impossible to appear happy or
cheerful.
Essence: The essence of the Mustard is a deep depression, that has no apparent reason. The patient is
unable to explain the reason for his sadness, and although he tries to cheer-up, nothing works and he
sinks further into the depression. It seems as if a dark cloud suddenly filled the whole sky and the sun
ceased to shine. Everything looks hopeless, and it is impossible to find anything in this life, that would
be worth living for.
The Mustard is similar to another great depression remedy – the Agrimony. The essence of Agrimony is
the sad clown, that hides his unhappiness under a mask of joy and good spirits. The Mustard has no
power to cover-up his sadness and the outside world is aware of the terrible situation, of the Mustard
patient. The Mustard depression also is specific in the onset of this depression. It is unexpected and the
patient is not aware of any causative factors.

30
Oak
Botanical: Quercus Robur
Family: Fagaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Quercus Robur
Description: The Oak is noted for the slowness of its growth, as well as for the large size to which it
can grow. In eighty years the trunk is said not to exceed 50 centimeters in diameter, but old trees reach
a great circumference.
The Greeks held the Oak sacred, according to the Romans the Oak was dedicated to the Jupiter, and the
Druids held great respect to the Oak trees.
Although Box and Ebony wood is harder and the Yew and Ash wood is tougher than that of an Oak, the
Oak combines both these qualities in the best possible way. The oak wood is both tough and hard and is
an excellent material for the most demanding construction purposes, such as ship-building.
Medicinal uses: Antiseptic, Diarrhea, Good substitute for Quinine in intermittent fever esp. when
given together with Chamomile, Dysentery, Sore throat
Keywords: Endurance, Perseverance, Steadfastness, Determination, Sense of duty, Busy, Diligent,
Stubborn
Dr Bach's description: For those who are struggling and fighting strongly to get well, or in connection
with the affairs of their daily life. They will go on trying one thing after another, though their case may
seem hopeless. They will fight on. They are discontented with themselves if illness interferes with their
duties or helping others. They are brave people, fighting against great difficulties, without loss of hope
or effort.
Essence: The Oak tree is characterized by its perseverance and endurance. It grows slowly, but as it
grows, it steadily builds up its body from the most durable and enduring wood. This trait is
characteristic for the Oak persons. They never give up, no matter how much they must endure in live,
no matter what the goals are, and how hard the work is. They are the typical fighters. They struggle
with all kinds of obstacles and try one thing after another even if the case seems hopeless.
The Oak people have a very great sense of duty and the determination to achieve their goals. If they are
unable to continue their work because of a disease, or an injury, they are discontented with themselves
and can even get angry at themselves, because they feel, that no matter how sick, or tired they are, they
must fulfil their duties.
Although this kind of perseverance looks like a perfect character trait, it has its negative sides. After a
while people will start exploiting an Oak person and due to his sense of duty, he will perform all duties
imposed on him. This will put an Oak person into a never ending cycle of accepting and performing
duties that are beyond his power. Another major problem of Oak persons is the stubborn refusal of rest.
No matter how tired, or stressed they are, they will never give up, but they will work beyond their
powers. They will not rest, even when the need for rest is obvious. The Oak tree teaches to recognize,
when it is time to strive and when it is time to rest.

31
Olive
Botanical: Olea europaea
Family: Oleaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Compare: Hornbeam
Description: Olive is a neatly shaped evergreen tree with a dense spreading crown of glossy grey-
green to dark-green foliage. Leaves are grey-green to dark-green above and greyish below. The rough,
grey bark sometimes peels off in strips. The live is a very resistant tree. It is frost-, drought- and wind-
resistant. It can live a very long life. Average life expectancy of an olive tree is between 300 – 600
years. In Israel there live olive trees, that are more than 2000 years old and while appearing old and dry,
they still bear fruit. The oldest olive is supposedly a 5000 years old tree that grows in in Pano Vouves,
in Kolymvari, Chania.
Medicinal uses: Eye lotions, Diseases of kidneys, High Blood pressure, Diarrhea, Throat inflammation
Keywords: Prostration, Weariness, Exhaustion, Fatigue, Exertion agg.
Dr Bach's description: Those who have suffered much mentally or physically and are so exhausted
and weary that they feel they have no more strength to make any effort. Daily life is hard work for
them, without pleasure.
Essence: The essence of the Olive is the exhaustion that can take the form of either physical or mental
fatigue. The cause of such exhaustion can be is the mental or physical overexertion. The aftereffects of
such fatigue is the feeling, that everything is too difficult, that there is not enough power to accomplish
even the basic tasks and the lack of pleasure in the daily life.
The Olive is quite similar to the Hornbeam remedy, but it is fairly easy to distinguish between these
two remedies. Hornbeam is suitable for the mental exhaustion - the exhaustion of the soul. The
Hornbeam person is fatigued even before he makes an effort, which means that his soul is tired of the
work and the fatigue not usually caused by the overworking, but by the lifestyle and attitude towards
the daily life.
The Olive tree is full of energy. It is very resistant and can live a very long life while still bearing fruits.
The Bach Flower Essence prepared from the Olive teaches the ways if regenerating powers and
replenishing the energy, just like the live trees regenerate in order to live a long and productive life.

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Pine
Botanical: Pinnus Sylvestris
Family: Pinaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: A coniferous tree 25 to 40 m tall with a straight stem, with 4-7cm needles that are slightly
flattened of blue-green color, having a slightly silvery or white tone. It has a thin, reddish-brown bark,
which turns grey and sheds in papery or scaly plates.
Medicinal uses: Anti-rheumatic, Antiseptic, Aromatherapy, Diuretic, Expectorant.
Keywords: Feelings of Blame, Perfectionists, Guilt complex, Discontented with themselves, they are
not good enough, Perseverance, Hard-working, Humble
Dr Bach's description: For those who blame themselves. Even when successful they think that they
could have done better, and are never content with their efforts or the results. They are hard-working
and suffer much from the faults they attach to themselves. Sometimes if there is any mistake it is due to
another, but they will claim responsibility even for that.
Essence: The most characteristic feature of the Pine people is that they feel that they are not good
enough. If something fails, they place the blame on themselves and even if they are sometimes
successful, they feel that they could have been better. Since, they fell that they are inferior they even
claim responsibility for mistakes that they are not responsible for. This also means that they are every
perseverant, hard-working and that they are at the same time humble about these positive
characteristics.
This guilt complex drives them into a perfectionistic approach towards everything and they work hard
and strive to accomplish everything as best as they can. They strive towards perfection, but they
subconsciously refuse the rewards in the form of a good feeling form the successful efforts. They only
feel blame, because they are inferior and therefore everything that they do MUST be wrong. In such a
situation it is understandable, that the only thing, that the Pine person feels is despair and that he asks
for forgiveness concerning his mistakes.
Although acceptance of own failures is a good trait, dwelling too much on previous mistakes results in
a guilt complex and turns this positive trait into a negative one. The Pine teaches to accept the mistakes
without dwelling too much on them. Every mistake only serves to teach us something and the learning
of this lesson improves us.

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Red Chestnut
Botanical: Aesculus Carnea
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used, although members of the Aesculus genus - Aesculus Hippocastanum
and Aesculus Glabra are used.
Description: The Red Chestnut has a hybrid origin. It is the cross between the Horse chestnut
(Aesculus Hippocastanm) and Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia). Pyramidal in shape when very young,
Red Horsechestnut develops slowly into a round, very dense shade tree by five to seven years of age,
and is outstanding in the landscape for its beautiful springtime display of blossoms. It produces
poisonous nuts enclosed in large husks. The multitude of pink to bright scarlet blooms appear on erect,
panicles at each branch tip and are quite attractive to bees and hummingbirds.
Medicinal uses: Not known.
Compare: Chicory
Keywords: Worry, Anxiety about others, Anticipation of something unfortunate event happening to
others, Caring for others
Dr Bach's description: For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people. Often they
have ceased to worry about themselves, but for those of whom they are fond they may suffer much,
frequently anticipating that some unfortunate thing may happen to them.
Essence: The Red Chestnut is useful in situations, where the patient is anxious for other people. He
may even stop worrying about himself, but he still worries about what will happen to the ones he is
fond of. This can take the form of either a fear, anxiety or uneasiness with anticipation, that something
terrible is about to happen to someone.
The Red Chestnut has certain similarity with the Chicory. The Chicory in one of its phases can be
overly caring about the people he loves. The difference is that the Chicory looks after the closest
persons in every aspect (making decisions, helping), while the Red Chestnut reaction is that he expects
something bad to them. Yet the major difference lies in the fact, that the Chicory expects something in
return for the caring and the Red Chestnut worries so much about others, that he forgets his own
problems.

34
Rock Rose
Botanical: Helianthemum Nummularium
Family: Cistaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Cistus Canadensis
Description: A perennial herb, with a simple, ascending downy stem. Its flowers are large and bright
yellow, some with petals. Rock Rose opens its flowers only in the sunlight, a fact that explains the
genus name, which is derived from the Greek helios ("the sun") and anthemon ("flower"). The common
name refers to the ice crystals that form from sap exuding from cracks near the base of the stem in late
fall. The flower lasts only one day and produces many seeds.
Medicinal uses: Scrofula, Scarlatina, Secondary syphilis, Diarrhea
Keywords: Terror, Fear, Panic, Sudden Shock
Dr Bach's description: The rescue remedy. The remedy of emergency for cases where there even
appears no hope. In accident or sudden illness, or when the patient is very frightened or terrified or if
the condition is serious enough to cause great fear to those around. If the patient is not conscious the
lips may be moistened with the remedy. Other remedies in addition may also be required, as, for
example, if there is unconsciousness, which is a deep, sleepy state, Clematis ; if there is torture,
Agrimony, and so on.
Essence: The Rock Rose is one of the components of the Rescue Remedy and as such it is specific for
the fear. The fear of the Rock Rose can start as a Red Chestnut, Mimulus or Aspen type of fear, but the
intensity of the fear of the Rock Rose is much greater. A fitting word for this type of fear is terror.
Patient is totally hopeless, the extreme fear can produce the state of panic, where every conscious
thought is impossible.
The typical situations, that require the Rock Rose remedy are accidents, serious injuries, shocks of all
kinds, natural disasters, sudden serious illnesses. These situation however describe only the sudden
shock-like experiences, that would require the Rock Rose. Yet the rock Rose terror can evolve from the
fears, that can be easily managed under normal circumstances. If however the conditions are not
favorable the easily managed fear gains strength and evolves into terror and panic. In extreme
situations, where the patient is unconscious or where he cannot drink, the lips of the patient can be
moistened by the remedy and the healing will take place.
The Rock Rose has a great power in calming the patient even in the state of panic and terror and it
brings balance and courage. The inner strength is regained and the patient can face his fears with a
better chance of success.

35
Rock Water
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Medicinal uses: Not used
Keywords: Inflexible, Adamant, Hard, Ascetic, Setting high standards, Typical “mineral persons”:
inflexible, hard, black-or-white perception, achievements, rules.
Dr Bach's description: Those who are very strict in their way of living; they deny themselves many of
the joys and pleasures of life because they consider it might interfere with their work. They are hard
masters to themselves. They wish to be well and strong and active, and will do anything which they
believe will keep them so. They hope to be examples which will appeal to others who may then follow
their ideas and be better as a result.
Essence: The Rock Water is suitable for the introspective people, who always seek ways to improve
themselves. They usually set themselves very high goals and are very hard on themselves, if they fail to
achieve these goals. The reason for the setting of high goals can be a feeling of inferiority. The person
feels that he is not good enough and that he must try his best to improve. If he fails to succeed, he will
punish himself and he will set the next goal even higher.
It is quite symbolic, that the Rock Water bears the characteristics of a Saturnian person. Saturn is the
ruler of the Aquarius sign, which symbolizes water. The Rock water bears is a typical Saturn type of
person: hard, inflexible, adamant, everything must be achieved to 100%, he sets himself rules that must
be adhered to etc. Such behavior naturally restrains and inhibits the person and he becomes trapped in
the network of his own goals and rules.
The Rock Water person can sometimes have the need to influence others, but the influence is based
solely on setting a good example and trying his best to appear at 100%. The Rock Water remedy does
not diminish the need for self-perfection, since it can be a positive trait, but it equalizes the extremes of
this kind of behavior and brings loosens the restraining and inhibiting behavior.

36
Scleranthus
Botanical: Scleranthus annuus
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: This little plant is often overlooked in the field because it is quite small and it has
indistinct green flowers. The linear leaves grow in opposite directions and are about 1cm long and
1mm wide.
Medicinal uses: Not used.
Keywords: Indecision, Unable to choose, Unable to decide
Dr Bach's description: Those who suffer much from being unable to decide between two things, first
one seeming right then the other. They are usually quiet people, and bear their difficulty alone, as they
are not inclined to discuss it with others.
Essence: The keyword of the Scleranthus is indecision. The Scleranthus people are unable to make
their mind about many things. It can range for the indecision in important matters, which is quite
common, but can become quite pathologic, when the person is unable to decide between unimportant
options and is mentally torn apart between these choices.
This chronic indecision can manifest also on the physical plane. The decision-making is a process that
takes the person further, and brings motion into his life. If the person is unable to decide, he does not
progress and is unable to move forward. On the physical plane this can manifest as a car-sickness, sea-
sickness or any other form of motion-sickness.
Another way in which this indecisiveness can manifest is on the emotional plane. The person can
experience mood swings and frequent changes of mood. Although these external manifestation can be
leading symptoms in the process of prescription, its value must not be exaggerated. They can be
common also for other remedies, where there is a problem with the motion.
The important feature of these people is that they are mostly introverted and they do not share their
problems with other people. They experience inner struggle, but they do not discuss about the things
that they cannot decide between and they keep it to themselves.

37
Star of Bethlehem
Botanical: Ornithogalum umbellatum
Family: Liliaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Ornithogalum umbellatum
Description: The flowers of the Star of Bethlehem are white and have six regular parts. Blooms first
appear in early spring and continue into late spring. The center of the flower looks like a small crown.
The whole plant is considered to be poisonous, especially the bulbs. The symptoms of poisoning are
not very severe and include skin irritation, nausea, salivation etc.
Medicinal uses: Not used.
Keywords: Shock, Trauma
Dr Bach's description: For those in great distress under conditions which for a time produce great
unhappiness. The shock of serious news, the loss of some one dear, the fright following an accident,
and such like. For those who for a time refuse to be consoled this remedy brings comfort.
Essence: The Star of Bethlehem is useful for the after-effects of shocks or traumas. It is not important
whether these traumas are recent, or whether they have occurred in the past. Such traumas can include
short-term traumas such as: car accidents, injuries, bad news, death of close persons or the long-term
traumas suffered in the childhood.
The after-effects of traumas can manifest as fear, anxiety, restlessness, but the Star of Bethlehem is very
useful for the feelings of great emptiness that occur, when a close person dies and leaves an empty
space, that cannot be fulfilled. This feeling does not have to be accompanied by the typical feelings of
discomfort (such as fear, anxiety or restlessness), but it can be only the feeling of emptiness, loneliness
and sadness.
The Star of Bethlehem can be prescribed for the acute after-effects of the shocks and traumas
characterized by the typical post-traumatic feelings as well as the chronic aftereffect, where the
symptoms have changed and have become latent. This remedy is the part of the Rescue Remedy and
helps comforting and calming people in the post-traumatic situations and brings inner peace and
harmony in their lives.

38
Sweet Chestnut
Botanical: Castanea Sativa
Family: Fagaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Castanea Vesca
Description: Sweet Spanish chestnut is a large and handsome tree that can get 30 m tall with a crown
spread about half its height. The flowers are in showy spikelike creamy yellow catkins. Chestnuts have
both male and female flowers on the same tree but they are largely self-incompatible so it is necessary
to have at least two trees in order to produce the nuts. Sweet chestnut is the source of the edible
chestnuts . In southern Europe, a flour from chestnuts is made that is similar to wheat flour in protein,
starch and fat but lacks the gluten; breads and cakes made with chestnut flour tend to fall apart unless
some wheat flour is added. Before the potatoes and cord was infroduced, the chestnut nuts were the
primary source of nutrition in the poor countries.
Medicinal uses: Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Expectorant
Compare: Gorse, Gentian
Keywords: Despair, Anguish, No-way situations, End of the line, Hopeless, No escape, It is over
Dr Bach's description: For those moments which happen to some people when the anguish is so great
as to seem to be unbearable. When the mind or body feels as if it had borne to the uttermost limit of its
endurance, and that now it must give way. When it seems there is nothing but destruction and
annihilation left to face.
Essence: A person needing Sweet Chestnut is in a hopeless situation with no way out. He has arrived at
the end of the line and no solution of his problems can be seen. The patient feels that he has endured as
much as he could and that it is time to finally surrender. He feels that he has no energy left to fight, but
that he has lost.
The difference between the Gorse and the Sweet Chestnut is that while the situation of the Gorse has a
clearly visible solution, the Gorse patient is unwilling to accept it, because he feels that there is no
hope, the situation of the Sweet Chestnut has not solution and if a one solution would exist, the Sweet
Chestnut would use it. The major feeling of the Gorse is dejection and hopelessness, while the major
feeling of the Sweet Chestnut is despair and anguish. It is clear that the despair of the Sweet Chestnut is
more intense and critical than the dejection of the Gorse.
The difference between the Gentian and the Sweet Chestnut is even clearer. The Gentian person feels
downhearted when something has gone wrong, but he will soon pick up and will continue to struggle.
The situation of Sweet Chestnut is really the end of the line.
The Sweet Chestnut will help remain in control of the life and perhaps it will uncover an option that
was not previously visible.

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Vervain
Botanical: Verbena Officinalis
Family: Verbenaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Verbena Officinalis
Description: Vervain has a history of being a sacred herb. According to the legend the vervain was
used to stanch the bleeding of Christ’s wounds. It is a common ingredient in various love mixtures and
protective and prosperity spells. The Vervain has tiny purple flowers that grow on tall spikes.
Medicinal uses: Nerve tonic, Sedative, Cholagogue, Not to be taken by pregnant women
Compare: Oak
Keywords: Willpower, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Positive, Fighter, Perfectionist, Persistence, Always
going forward
Dr Bach's description: Those with fixed principles and ideas, which they are confident are right, and
which they very rarely change. They have a great wish to convert all around them to their own views of
life. They are strong of will and have much courage when they are convinced of those things that they
wish to teach. In illness they struggle on long after many would have given up their duties.
Essence: The Vervain people are governed by the combination of Mars and Saturn energy. They focus
their energy to the outside and they try to change the surroundings by their fixed ideas and actions.
They are positive (they achieve a change in the outside environment) and confident that their way is the
best one. This would be impossible without the correct driving force. The Vervain people have plenty
of this energy. It manifests as the enthusiasm, optimism, persistence and extreme willpower. A possible
similarity between the Vervain plant and the Vervain essence can be seen in the function of long spikes
on which the flowers grow. The long spikes put the flowers of the Vervain on a higher position so that it
can attract insects. The Vervain person uses his enthusiasm (he puts his ideas on a higher position) to
attract people and to motivate them.
Although this kind of enthusiasm and willpower can seem like a very good personality trait, it has its
negative aspects. The Vervain people can become overly zealous and can even become fanatics. They
can have problems with relaxation, as they spend too much energy and they do not waste time in
relaxing and regaining strength.
The Vervain is quite similar to the Oak. The difference between these remedies is that the Oak lacks the
enthusiasm of the Vervain. Oak performs his duties because of a very strong sense of duty that does not
allow him to rest or to stop. The Vervain performs his duties because of his enthusiasm and because he
wants to accomplish it. The Oak must finish the work at all costs (sense of duty) and the Vervain wants
to finish the work (motivation is his own need to accomplish the task).

40
Vine
Botanical: Vitis Vinifera
Family: Vitaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: Perennial, woody climbing vine; the stems can grow up to 35 m length, but in cultivation
usually reduced by annual pruning to 1–3 m. The leaves ar equite thin, circular to circular-ovate with
branched tendrils. The fruits of the are used to produce vine or juice that can be directly consumed.
Medicinal uses: Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Hepatic, Laxative,
Lithontripic
Compare: Vervain
Keywords: Confident, Persuasive, Tyrannical, Self-assured
Dr Bach's description: Very capable people, certain of their own ability, confident of success. Being
so assured, they think that it would be for the benefit of others if they could be persuaded to do things
as they themselves do, or as they are certain is right. Even in illness they will direct their attendants.
They may be of great value in emergency.
Essence: The Vine is a very capable person that is confident of his skills, ability and knowledge. He is
certain that he is right and he feels that other people should persuaded by him to follow his goals,
because these goals are the correct ones. In the positive state, this kind of people are very valuable in
the crisis situations, because they have a clear idea about what should be done and they will guide
others from the uncertainty.
In the negative state, the Vine tends to be very stubborn, overly self-confident and he forces other to do
exactly as he commands. He may even use force to persuade them to what he wants. He tends to be
tyrannical and he suppresses all opposition with all means necessary. This train manifests in the times
of sickness. Although the Vine person may have no knowledge of the medical procedures, he will
command the hospital personnel and he will direct them as he sees fit.
The difference between the Vervain and the Vine is that while the Vervain persuades others to follow
his way by the means of example and with his enthusiastic energy, the Vine person is not interested in
setting an example. He will force others to do as he commands without any thoughts whether this is
right or not.

41
Walnut
Botanical: Juglans Regia
Family: Juglandaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Juglans Regia
Description: Deciduous, monoecious tree, rarely up to 60 m tall; brown or grey bark, fissured; leaf-
scars without prominent pubescent band on upper edge. The fruits (walnuts) occur singly or in groups
of 2 or 3. They are of spherical shape. The outer husk is yellow-green, but quickly darkens and turns
black when it falls to the ground. The inner nut has a very hard shell, it is dark brown in color, deeply
ridged and has a sweet tasting edible nut.
Medicinal uses: Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Blood purifier, Cancer, Depurative, Detergent,
Diuretic, Laxative, Lithontriptic, Pectoral.
Compare: Cerato
Keywords: Need for the protection from the outside, Influence of others, Need for stability
Dr Bach's description: For those who have definite ideals and ambitions in life and are fulfilling
them, but on rare occasions are tempted to be led away from their own ideas, aims and work by the
enthusiasm, convictions or strong opinions of others. The remedy gives constancy and protection from
outside influences.
Essence: The essence of the Walnut flower is clearly shown in the Walnut fruit. As the Walnut fruit has
a very hard nutshell that protects the inner parts of the fruit against the outside influences, so the
Walnut essence teaches a person to protect himself from the outside influences. The life and work of
the Walnut person are very fulfilling and they are on the right path, but they can become influenced by
the ambitions and ideas of other people and they may tend to abandon their correct way.
The Walnut helps to perceive the outside influences in a way that does not harm the ambitions and
enthusiasm of the person who walk the right way. He will walk the right way and he will not stray from
the right path. The Walnut essence gives the stability and the strength to constantly see the important
goal of the person’s life and by changing the perception of the outside influences; it allows to create a
shield against the outside influences.
Although the Walnut may appear similar to the Cerato remedy, the essence is very different. The Cerato
person mistrusts his own ideas and decisions and he actively seeks helps from the outside. He is
uncertain about whether he is correct or not and he trusts outside influences more than himself. The
Walnut does not seek an outside influence, since he is convinced that his ideas are correct, but he may
get influenced by others.

42
Water Violet
Botanical: Hottonia Palustris
Family: Primulaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: The Water Violet is an aquatic plant, and is not related to the familiar Violets and Pansies,
but is a member of the Primrose tribe. It is common in ponds and ditches. From the abundance of its
finely divided leaves, which are all submersed, it was also called Millefolium by older writers and
Water Milfoil, Water Yarrow and Feather Foil popularly. It flowers in May and June, the flowers being
large and handsome, pink or pale purple, with a yellow eye, arranged in whorls one above the other
around a leafless stalk, which raises several inches out of the water and forms a handsome spike.
Medicinal uses: Not used.
Keywords: Independent, Self-reliant, Capable, Quiet, Proud, Clever, Talented
Dr Bach's description: For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Very quiet people, who
move about without noise, speak little, and then gently. Very independent, capable and self-reliant.
Almost free of the opinions of others. They are aloof, leave people alone and go their own way. Often
clever and talented. Their peace and calmness is a blessing to those around them.
Essence: The Water Violet is suited for the independent and capable people that don’t seek contact to
others. They are very self-reliant, and since they can be also very talented, they do not even need the
contact to other people. They are usually quiet and dignified; even if they are in contact with others,
they build a barrier between themselves and other people. Even in times of crisis, such as the sickness,
the Water Violet tries to be self-sufficient and does not seek contact or help from the outside.
Unlike Vine or Vervain, they are not interested in leading others or showing them the correct way. They
follow their own goals and they prefer not to interact with others; even the ideas and opinions of others
are not important.
The negative side of such a personality is that the Water Violet people are apart from the company of
closest people isolated form the outside world. The dignified and quiet appearance can turn into a pride
and disdainfulness. In this situation the Water Violet helps restoring the balance and the contact with
the outside world becomes a possibility. The Water Violet might even learn to help others and to
receive their help.

43
White Chestnut
Botanical: Aesculus Hippocastanum
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Aesculus Hippocastanum
Description: The Horse Chestnut tree should not be confounded with the Sweet Chestnut, which is not
even distantly related to the Horse Chestnut. The Horse Chestnut tree is very erect and columnar. It
grows very rapidly to great heights with widely spreading branches. he bud will sometimes develop the
season's shoot in the course of three or four weeks. The unfolding of the bud is very rapid when the sun
melts the resin that binds it so firmly together. The flowers are mostly white, with a reddish tinge, or
marking, and grow in dense, erect spikes. The fruit is a brown nut, with a very shining, polished skin,
showing a dull, rough, pale-brown scar where it has been attached to the inside of the seed-vessel, a
large green husk, protected with short spines, which splits into three valves when it falls to the ground
and frees the nut.
Medicinal uses: Tonic, Narcotic, It has febrifuge properties, intermittent fevers, Ulcers
Compare: Chestnut Bud
Keywords: Recurrent thoughts, Unwanted ideas, Arguments with himself, Worrying thoughts, Circling
thoughts, Repeating ideas
Dr Bach's description: For those who cannot prevent thoughts, ideas, arguments which they do not
desire from entering their minds. Usually at such times when the interest of the moment is not strong
enough to keep the mind full. Thoughts which worry and will remain, or if for a time thrown out, will
return. They seem to circle round and round and cause mental torture. The presence of such unpleasant
thoughts drives out peace and interferes with being able to think only of the work or pleasure of the
day.
Essence: The main problem of the White Chestnut is the inability to rid himself from thoughts that
cannot be stopped or removed from the mind. The thoughts and ideas are circling in the mind and
cannot be stopped. This can even take form of an argument with himself. The fact that the person is
unable to rid himself from the recurring thoughts causes a mental torture. Since the person is unable to
defend himself from the invading thought forms, the problem lies in the non-material defense
mechanism that needs strengthening.
Although it is not apparent, White Chestnut can be best compared to the Chestnut Bud. The Chestnut
Bud is unable to learn from his mistakes literally “walks in circles”. This can take also the form of
repeating ideas and of repeatedly thinking about the past events and about their failures.
The deficiency of the non-material defense mechanism that allow the external thought forms to revolve
in the mind and that occupy the person most of the time can be cured by the White Chestnut and the
person is able to strengthen his non-material defense mechanism. In this way he is able to keep his
mind clean of invading thought forms.

44
Wild Oat
Botanical: Bromus Ramosus
Family: Poaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used.
Description: Wild Oat is a cereal grass with a fibrous root which with a smooth, hollow stem. The
stem is pale green and somewhat rough, it has seedlings with hairy foliage and linear, lanceolate veined
leaves. The flowers are arranged in a loose terminal panicle consisting of two-flowered spikelets. The
hairy, grooved grain has almost parallel sides. It has a tall, pointed ligule with serrate margins and no
auricles.
Medicinal uses: Not used.
Compare: Scleranthus
Keywords: Ambition, No goals, Need to accomplish without the goal
Dr Bach's description: Those who have ambitions to do something of prominence in life, who wish to
have much experience, and to enjoy all that which is possible for them, to take life to the full. Their
difficulty is to determine what occupation to follow; as although their ambitions are strong, they have
no calling which appeals to them above all others. This may cause delay and dissatisfaction.
Essence: The main problem of the Wild Oat is that he does not know his purpose in the life, although
he has an ambition to accomplish something important. He feels a need for a purpose in the life; the
need for a goal. The fact that he does not know his mission causes that Wild Oat is constantly
dissatisfied and that he is searching for his purpose. The long-term outcome of this situation can be
depression and sadness.
Although the Wild Oat is very similar to the Scleranthus, there is one major difference. The Wild Oat
does not know the path and the goal of his life, while the Scleranthus knows the path, but is unable to
decide between the ways how to achieve this goal.
The Wild Oat does not show the correct path to the person, but allows the person to find his role in this
life for himself. After this has been accomplished, the person will find inner peace and harmony. He is
able to enjoy his life completely.

45
Wild Rose
Botanical: Rosa Canina
Family: Rosaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used although a similar remedy Rosa Damascena is used.
Description: This shrub grows 60 centimeters to 2.5 meters high. It has alternate leaves and sharp
prickles. Its flowers can be red, pink, or yellow. Its fruit, called rose hip, stays on the shrub for the
whole year. The flowers and buds can be eaten raw or boiled. The leaves and the fruit of the wild rose
are frequently used as a constituent of various herbal tea sorts.
Medicinal uses: Astringent, Bach, Cancer, Carminative, Diuretic, Laxative, Ophthalmic, Tonic,
Vermifuge
Keywords: Surrendered, Resigned, Joyless, Apathy
Dr Bach's description: Those who without apparently sufficient reason become resigned to all that
happens, and just glide through life, take it as it is, without any effort to improve things and find some
joy. They have surrendered to the struggle of life without complaint.
Essence: The most important keyword of the Wild Rose is the resignation. The people needing Wild
Rose have apparently without reason surrendered and are just gliding through life. All further
inconveniences are dealt with only by a shrug of shoulders, since there is no point in complaining
because nothing will change. These people are just drifting through life, as if the life itself would be a
nuisance that has to be endured until the end.
The Wild Rose has learned that all efforts to change the course of life to the better are hopeless and that
acceptance is the only way. Complaining does not solve anything, and as such it serves no purpose. It is
aparent that living a life in this way, as if life was something that should be endured and not lived does
not create a fulfilled and joyous experiences. The Wild Rose helps to reawaken the lost interest in life.
The apathy will be replaced by the renewed interest and the person will be able to find purpose and joy
in life.

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Willow
Botanical: Salix Vitellina
Family: Salicaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used although other specimen of the genus Salix are used.
Description: Golden willow is a tall and graceful tree which grows to between 10 and 30 m tall. The
trunk is well developed with the main boughs and branches ascending at a sharp angle to form a
pointed or truncated crown, or a number of pointed “turrets”. The bark has deep fissures and it is
greyish-brown colored. The one year old twigs of Salix vitellina can be easily distinguished as they are
bright yellow or orange making them very conspicuous in the winter months.
Medicinal uses: Anodyne, Antiinflammatory, Antiperiodic, Antiseptic, Astringent, Bach, Diaphoretic,
Diuretic, Febrifuge, Hypnotic, Sedative, Tonic
Compare: Holly
Keywords: Self-pity, Resentment, Bitter, Grumbler, Faultfinding, Injustice
Dr Bach's description: For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to
accept, without complaint or resentment, as they judge life much by the success which it brings. They
feel that they have not deserved so great a trial, that it was unjust, and they become embittered. They
often take less interest and less activity in those things of life which they had previously enjoyed.
Essence: The most characteristic picture of a Willow remedy is a never-satisfied, faultfinding, old
grumbler who concentrates only on the negative sides of everything. The Willow is never satisfied with
anything. He always searches for mistakes and he never ceases to criticize everyone. This negativistic
attitude does not concern only other people. Even if something goes well in the life of the Willow
person, he always looks at the negative side of this improvement.
The difference between the Holly and the Willow is in the quality of emotions of these remedies. The
Holly feels hatred and suspicion that are very intense. The Willow does not feel hatred towards others.
It’s only that his “modus operandi” is very critical towards everything. We can say that the Holly is
very negative-thinking remedy, while Willow is a very critical-thinking remedy.
An important aspect of the Willow personality is the sense injustice. The Willow feels that he does not
deserve all the negative things that happen in his life. He feels resentment and a great deal of self-pity.
Yet the truth is, that the things that happen to Willow are not negative. It’s just, that the Willow
perceives everything in a very negative and fault-finding way and this perception modifies everything
that happens in life. The Willow remedy will enable the person to see also the positive sides of
everything and to feel hope and joy of life.

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