“For those who feel an overwhelming need to see only the good and the beautiful in everything around them. Even when much is obviously wrong, they must nevertheless develop the ability to recognise the good within. They should therefore strive to be more tolerant, forgiving and understanding of the various ways in which each individual and everything else approaches its own fulfilment.” ^[1]

The Bach flower remedy Beech: The plant

Beech (Fagus sylvatica) belongs to the Fagaceae family. It is a European plant whose branches are harvested when they bear young leaves. The tree flowers in spring, bears male and female catkins, and reaches a height of 20 to 30 metres. The beech towers above other plants and has a dense, branched canopy with long, hanging branches and large, wavy, alternate leaves. The Beech flower is primarily suitable for intolerant people who are critical of others and have very little capacity for tolerance.

What are the effects of the Bach flower remedy Beech?

The Bach flower remedy Beech is used to help with hypersensitivity and intolerance towards other people. It is said to help foster tolerance, understanding and compassion, and to reduce negative thoughts and feelings towards others.

The Bach flower remedy Beech in a balanced state

People with a balanced Beech temperament do express their opinions and identify points of criticism, but they do so in a polite manner. Thanks to their exceptional powers of observation, they are regarded by those around them as reliable and sincere.

The Beech personality type

People who respond well to the Bach flower remedy Beech are intolerant and overly critical. They cannot find anything good in their lives and find fault with everything and everyone. Thanks to their keen powers of observation, nothing escapes their notice. Their critical attitude is particularly evident within the family, but also at work, amongst friends or whilst shopping. They sometimes voice criticism without hesitation in the presence of others, even at the risk of hurting them. The aim of these people is to point out the other person’s fallibility – whilst believing themselves to be superior to everyone else. This supposed superiority triggers a feeling of joy within them.

Short-tempered behaviour and a lack of insight

The Beech personality is also characterised by nervousness and aggression. If they have a weaker personality structure, they quickly lose control of themselves, particularly when a mistake has been made in their immediate surroundings. They then become angry and abusive and resort to shouting fits. Occasionally, the person may even become violent. An apology for their misconduct usually does not follow, as the person believes that no one is their equal. They accept being alone. These people can only be tolerant towards others if they keep a great distance from them. If they feel that their value system is threatened or undermined, they sometimes react defensively and isolate themselves. They respond with pride, contempt and arrogance, and regard those around them as the cause of their misfortune.

The origins of intolerance

The intolerant and critical attitude of the Beech type stems from their inability to accept criticism. These people often grew up in a critical and harsh environment and are therefore very vulnerable and insecure. In this sense, their intolerance is a defence mechanism and the foundation upon which they build their self-esteem. They elevate themselves by discrediting others – in this sense, they display narcissistic tendencies. They cannot tolerate criticism, which betrays a lack of self-esteem. They attach excessive importance to their own actions, whilst belittling those of others. They also believe they can only be understood by people who are just as special as they are. Beech types believe they deserve constant attention and admiration.

Further aspects of the Beech personality

A person under the influence of Beech could lead a peaceful life if they focused less on what needs to be corrected. “Even if much seems to be wrong,” says Bach, “they must be able to see the good growing within.” However sound or accurate their judgement may be, the Beech personality restricts their own zest for life and vitality and inevitably creates unease amongst those around them.

Beech types are not necessarily dominant, but they have a compulsive need to restrict others’ freedom of expression. This behaviour is not innate, but learnt.

The pursuit of control

Those under the influence of Beech are constantly accompanied by the feeling: ‘Life isn’t going the way I want it to, so I criticise everything and everyone to show just how unfair this is.’ This conviction is rooted in the desire to control the course of one’s life. A person in ‘Beech mode’ is driven by a demand for precision, order and discipline, by a striving for perfectionism and a compulsive obsession with cleanliness and detail. These aspects are the outward manifestation of the person’s inner dissatisfaction and compulsion to control.

The Bach flower remedy Beech as an emotional state (mood)

Everyone finds certain things or situations difficult to tolerate, but as soon as reactions become exaggerated and inappropriate to the context, one can assume that the Beech mode is at play. This is not only linked to narcissistic tendencies. Often, life circumstances that do not correspond to one’s own expectations are repressed or ignored, sometimes through isolation.

The reharmonising effect of the Beech flower enables the person to open up to a different, more mature perspective on their life circumstances. They begin to understand what the events they are experiencing mean for their personal development. They realise that every life experience, however it may unfold, brings with it an important learning process that must be worked through.

Reaction patterns of a person in the disharmonious Beech state

People in a disharmonious Beech state

can spot other people’s mistakes straight away
observe keenly and immediately point out what is wrong
have no understanding of human weaknesses and show no consideration for them
see only the shortcomings of others and condemn them for it
are also overly critical of themselves
get annoyed by other people’s ‘stupidity’
sometimes react in a mean, insensitive manner
feel annoyed by minor gestures or ways of speaking, although the intensity of their irritation is out of all proportion to the cause
tend to become entrenched in their prejudices
do not accept criticism, yet still try to avoid open confrontation
are generally unable to empathise with others because their emotional response is blocked
see only the weaknesses of a situation, without being able to recognise the potential positive outcomes

Moods and symptoms of the Beech personality type

Compulsive tendency towards order – they tolerate neither disorder nor untidy people
Lack of flexibility
Nervousness
Loneliness
Intolerance
A domineering and condescending attitude
Excessive anger
Arrogance
Rejection of others who do not conform to one’s own expectations
Excessive, sometimes obsessive attention to detail

Typical statements of the Beech personality

What a mediocre lot!
My colleagues are no match for me; they’re always making mistakes!
What on earth are you wearing?
There’s nothing good around me!
What an ugly car have you gone and bought?
I have to criticise!
Nobody dares to criticise me!
Old people are clumsy when they drive!
Why doesn’t anyone like me?
It’s too hot, I can’t stand it!
You’re always wrong, you idiot!
You look so ugly with that make-up on!
The food at this pizzeria is rubbish – I’ve got to tell everyone!
Leave that to me – you’re not capable of doing it!

Physical aspects in which Beech is indicated

Allergies (pollen, dust mites)
Skin irritations
Contact dermatitis
Dermatitis (eczema)
Hives
Other intolerances
Physical stiffness
Chronic back pain
Chronic headaches
Nausea during pregnancy
Graft rejection (including preventative treatment)
unbearable physical conditions (heat, etc.)

Notes

Beech should be included in all creams designed to treat acute, allergic and non-allergic skin irritations. When applied topically (as a cream), Beech takes effect quickly and helps to soothe itching and inflammation naturally. When used as eye drops, this Bach flower remedy is also effective for allergic conjunctivitis.

With the help of Beech, people can express their thoughts and courageously and clearly communicate any inner resistance that might otherwise manifest itself in the form of allergies and intolerances.

Taking Beech in combination with Walnut is also recommended for the prevention and treatment of food and medication intolerances, as well as in connection with transplants and implants.

Psychological aspects in which Beech is indicated

Mood swings
Anxiety
Phobias
Avoidance behaviour
Difficulties in externalising problems
Addiction (alcohol, drugs and sexuality)
Compulsive thoughts or behaviours
Dissociation
Emotional fragility
Hypersensitivity
High vulnerability
Intolerance of disharmony
Relationship difficulties
Loneliness and fear of loneliness
Aversion to silence
Restlessness of the soul
Excessive optimism
Excessive pursuit of pleasure and intense emotions
Lack of self-control
False light-heartedness
Suppression of emotions
Denial of conflicts or one’s own dark aspects
Severe mental and/or physical anguish (which is often concealed)
Unreliability
Indecisiveness
Loss of consciousness
Susceptibility to influence by figures of authority
histrionic
Lack of genuine involvement
Nail-biting
Preoccupation with the judgements of others
Superficiality

The positive potential of Beech

mental clarity
Ability to distinguish
strong judgement
A talent for constructive criticism
Identification with others
Acceptance of criticism
Self-acceptance
Acceptance of both the merits and the faults of those around them
Ability to recognise opportunities for growth and development behind a negative façade

Harmonising the Beech state

The positive or transformed aspect of Beech is found, for example, in the professional fields of literary or film criticism, but also in the fields of therapy and analysis. In these disciplines, the Beech type can put their strong analytical and critical skills, as well as their powers of observation, at the service of others without straining their own relationships.

Bach flower Beech for animals

Animals in the negative Beech state harbour deep-seated anger. They display intolerance towards other animals and people, or in certain situations. Furthermore, they are easily agitated and quickly feel harassed, both by people and other animals. Dogs of this type, for example, will bristle. Beech animals generally prefer to be alone. They may also display an exaggerated protective instinct. However, they do not wish to be protected themselves – on the contrary, they want to be as independent as possible and shape everything according to their own ideas. Sometimes, an overly strong sense of self-confidence lies behind all these behavioural patterns.

Bach flower Beech for children

Beech is suitable for children who find it difficult to develop understanding and tolerance towards others. These children can sometimes come across as arrogant and always seem to think they know what is right or wrong, better or worse – and they express this view. They tend to make fun of their peers who do not meet their expectations, for example at school or in sport.

Children in a negative Beech state bite their nails – as they cannot do anything to express their displeasure, they clip their own nails. Their motivation is the search for beauty and goodness, but their difficulty in accepting ways of functioning other than their own means that, in the long run, they are shunned by others. Taking Beech helps them to become more understanding and cheerful, whilst retaining sound judgement.

Differences and similarities when compared with other Bach flowers

When the Beech and Vine remedies are used together, tolerance is fostered. Both remedies promote wisdom and encourage the expression of justified criticism, both towards oneself and others – yet intolerance and disparaging behaviour are mitigated.

The Vine potential transforms the individual into a flexible person. As such, they are able to take the lead, but also to pause and reflect on the difficulties and needs of those around them. The harmonisation of their state transforms this character into a person who helps others, shows them the way and even issues commands when necessary, for example in emergency situations.

This person inspires trust and a sense of security in those around them. They come across as friendly and open-hearted rather than ‘rude’ or critical.

Common combinations of Beech with other Bach flowers

For those who display artificial friendliness and tolerance: Agrimony with Beech

For those who display opportunistic tolerance:
Heather with Beech

For those who experience an allergic shock reaction:
Holly with Beech

For those who display tolerance out of a lack of self-confidence:
Larch with Beech

For those who show tolerance out of fear:
Mimulus with Beech

For those who show tolerance on moral grounds:
Pine with Beech

For those who show generosity towards others whilst being strict with themselves:
Rock Water with Beech

For those who display total intolerance:
Vine with Beech

For those who display an overly tolerant aloofness:
Water Violet with Beech

For those plagued by general anxieties and insecurity:
Aspen with Beech

The credo of the Beech personality

“It can’t be that other people are like that and behave that way.”

Positive affirmations for the Beech personality type

I am tolerant and understanding of my own weaknesses as well as those of other people.
I open my heart to those around me.
I treat my fellow human beings with respect and tolerance.
I recognise the inner beauty of those around me.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this article. If you have any further questions or would like to share something with us, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Bibliography

Bach, Eduard (2000): Heile Dich selbst: die geistige Grundlage der Original-Bach-Blütentherapie. Munich: Hugendubel.

Krämer, Dieter (2017): Neue Therapien mit Bach-Blüten 1: Die sanfte Heilmethode effektiver angewandt über die zwölf Schienen. Bad Camberg: Isotrop Verlag.

Krämer, Dieter (2017): Neue Therapien mit Bach-Blüten 2: Die sanfte Heilmethode effektiver angewandt über die zwölf Schienen. Bad Camberg: Isotrop Verlag.

Orozco, Ricardo/Rodríguez, Boris C. (2007): Intelligenza emozionale e fiori di Bach. Tipi di personalitá nella psicologia contemporanea. Moriondo Torinese: Centro Benessere Psicofisico.

Orozco, Ricardo (2009): Fiori di Bach. 38 descrizioni dinamiche. Moriondo Torinese: Centro Benessere Psicofisico.

Orozco, Ricardo. (2017). FLORES DE BACH Patrón Transpersonal® y aplicaciones locales Territorios tipológicos. Barcelona: El Grano de Mostaza Ediciones

Scheffer, Mechthild (2015): Die Original Bachblütentherapie: Das gesamte theoretische und praktische Bachblüten-Wissen. 2nd edition. Munich: Irisiana Verlag.

Scheffer, Mechthild (2020): Die Original Bachblütentherapie für Einsteiger: Die Blüten – Die Anwendung – Die Wirkung. 6th edition. Munich: Irisiana Verlag.

Bach, Dr. Edward /Petersen, Jens-Erik R. (1988): Heile dich selbst mit den Bach-Blüten. Munich: Knaur, p. 205. ↑

3. Bach flower Beech: Find your inner truth and open your heart

The Bach flower remedy Beech: the tolerance flower