“Your mind is a garden and your thoughts are the seeds.
You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.”
William Wordsworth
For Purity
Crab Apple
Latin: Malus sylvestris
Chinese: 野生酸苹果 Yěshēng suān píngguǒ
Photo credits Healing herbs
Dr. Bach's Description:
"This is the remedy of cleansing. For those who feel as if they had something not quite clean about themselves.. Being a cleanser, this remedy purifies wounds if the patient has reason to believe that some poison has entered which must be drawn out."
Positive:
Self-acceptance, broad mindedness, see things in perspective.
Negative:
Self-hatred, disgust, ashamed of physical appearance, obsessive over a particular perceived flaw.
For Support
Elm
Latin: Ulmus procera
Chinese: 榆树 Yúshù
Photo credits Healing herbs
Dr. Bach's Description:
"Those who are doing good work, are following the calling of their life.. 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."
Positive:
Self-assured of capabilities, learn to ask for help and delegate responsibilities.
Negative:
Overwhelmed, temporarily feeling inadequate, doubts ability to cope.
For Confidence
Larch
Latin: Larix decidua
Chinese: 落叶松 Luòyè sōng
Photo credits Healing herbs
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."
Positive:
Focus on gaining experience rather than the outcome, realises that faults and failings are a part of the path towards success.
Negative:
Lack of self-confidence, inferiority complex, avoids failure by not attempting.
For Strength
Oak
Latin: Quercus robur
Chinese: 橡树 Xiàngshù
Photo credits Healing herbs
Dr. Bach's Description:
"For those who are struggling and fighting strongly to get well.. They will go on trying one thing after another, though their case may seem hopeless. They will fight on.. They are brave people, fighting against great difficulties, without loss of hope or effort."
Positive:
Works hard but does not overexert, allows life to flow, learn to surrender.
Negative:
Overwork, obstinate, relentless effort, does not bend but eventually breaks.
For Pardoning
Pine
Latin: Pinus sylvestris
Chinese: 松树 Sōngshù
Photo credits Healing herbs
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."
Positive:
Fair, balanced and non-critical attitude towards the self. Kind inner voice, self-forgiveness.
Negative:
Guilt, self-reproach, unworthiness.
For Comfort
Star of Bethlehem
Latin: Ornitholagum umbellatum
Chinese: 圣星百合 Shèng xīng bǎihé
Photo credits Healing herbs
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."
Positive:
Neutralise shocks, comforts, soothes and nurses the heart.
Negative:
Bereavement, grief with shocks, trauma aftermath.
During a Crisis:
Star of Bethlehem is one of the five flowers in the Rescue Remedy formula. It comforts great distress from shock, grief and trauma.
For Solace
Sweet Chestnut
Latin: Castanea sativa
Chinese: 甜栗花 Tián lì huā
Photo credits Healing herbs
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."
Positive:
Light at the end of the tunnel, offers solace, cries for help is answered.
Negative:
Close to being emotionally destroyed, isolated in suffering and darkness.
For Positivity
Willow
Latin: Salix vitellina
Chinese: 杨柳 Yángliǔ
Photo credits Healing herbs
Dr. Bach's Description:
"For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to accept, without complaint or resentment.. They feel that they have not deserved so great a trial, that it was unjust, and they become embittered..."
Positive:
Gratitude, positivity, take responsibility for own thoughts and feelings.
Negative:
Ungrateful. Self pity. Sulky, enjoys spreading gloom and grumbles. Speaks with unkindness, unwilling to admit improvement.