Adapted from The Natural Way To Heal: 65 Ways to Create Superior Health by Walter Last (Hampton Roads Publishing Co., 2004).
If you are living too much in the past, maybe honeysuckle will help? Gloomy? Try some mustard flower! Flower remedies represent a combination of herbalism and homeopathy. Their main therapeutic effects are found on the emotional level.
The best known flower remedies are the Bach flower remedies originated in the l930s by Dr. Edward Bach, an English physician. In recent times, Australian wildflower remedies and Californian flower essences have also become available; these are sold mainly in health food stores and by various practitioners.
The usual dosage of a Bach remedy is two to four drops of the composite preparation in a teaspoonful (plastic) of water at least four times daily, taken before meals and especially as the first and last thing daily. Hold this solution in your mouth and under the tongue for some time; store remedies in a cool place.
Reference guide for the selection of Bach flower remedies:
• Agrimony: Suffering or worry hidden by smiling face.
• Aspen: Apprehension, vague fears of unknown origin.
• Beech: Intolerance, arrogance, tendency to be overcritical.
• Centaury: Susceptibility to influence and exploitation, weak will, timidity.
• Cerato: Lack of confidence, doubt, constant requests for advice.
• Cherry Plum: Uncontrolled temper, desperation, fear of loss of mind.
• Chestnut Bud: Slowness to learn, lack of observation, repetition of mistakes.
• Chicor: Possessiveness, self-love, self-pity, attention seeking.
• Clematis: Indifference, dreaminess, lack of interest.
• Crab Apple: Feeling of being unclean, shame, self-dislike; the cleanser.
• Elm: Occasional feelings of inadequacy, too much responsibility.
• Gentian: Discouragement, self-doubt, negative attitudes, depression.
• Gorse: Hopelessness, despair, despondency.
• Heather: Self-centeredness, love of talking, inability to listen.
• Holly: Envy, suspicion, revenge, hatred, jealousy.
• Honeysuckle: Living too much in the past, homesickness.
• Hornbeam: Mental and physical weariness.
• Impatiens: Impatience, irritability, mental tension.
• Larch: Lack of confidence, expectation of failure, feeling of inferiority.
• Mimulus: Fear of known things, shyness, timidity.
• Mustard: Deep gloom or depression of unknown cause.
• Oak: Onward struggle despite despondency/despair.
• Olive: Mental and physical exhaustion or weariness.
• Pine: Self-blame, self-reproach, guilt, false humility.
• Red Chestnut: Fear and anxiety for others.
• Rock Rose: Terror, panic, extreme fear.
• Rock Water: Self-criticism, rigidity, self-denial.
• Scleranthus: Uncertainty, indecision, hesitation, lack of balance.
• Star of Bethlehem: After-effects of shock and trauma.
• Sweet Chestnut: Extreme anguish, hopeless despair, loss of faith.
• Vervain: Over enthusiasm, fanaticism, nervous tension, strain.
• Vine: Dominance, leadership, craving for power, ambition, inflexibility.
• Walnut: Helps in changes, link breaking, protects.
• Water Violet: Aloofness, reserve, pride.
• White Chestnut: Unwanted persistent thoughts, worry, inner mental arguments.
• Wild Oat: Dissatisfaction at not having found goal, uncertainty.
• Wild Rose: Resignation, lack of interest, apathy.
• Willow: Resentment, bitterness, “not-fair” attitude.
• Rescue Remedy (a composite of Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose, and Star of Bethlehem): Use for shock, terror, upsets, fright, accidents; give frequently in all emergencies; apply externally on wounds.
