A wide variety of plants can have a positive influence on our mental and physical wellbeing and help free us from our fears. It should be noted that there are many different types of fear. This means that there are also many causes of anxiety, as well as many forms in which it manifests itself, including: panic, pessimism, phobias and obsessions, performance anxiety, anxious anticipation, and anxiety caused by stress or triggered by various traumas.

Below you will find a description of some valuable Bach flowers and their use for various anxiety conditions.

Impatiens

This Bach flower remedy is ideal for use in cases of mental tension. It was the first plant discovered by Bach, and its life cycle truly speaks for itself: Impatiens strives to grow, reproduce and make space for itself.

It is particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to slow themselves down a little and who want to live every aspect of their lives and surroundings at a fast pace. Everything has to happen immediately and without delay. Furthermore, this Bach flower remedy is used for people who are easily irritated or who often sulk.

Star of Bethlehem

This Bach flower remedy is particularly suitable for anyone experiencing a state of deep anxiety linked to trauma caused by a major misfortune. The shock following bad news, the loss of a loved one, trauma caused by an accident, etc., has in the past led the traumatised person to reject the presence and closeness of other people.

Star of Bethlehem acts as a kind of anti-trauma and anti-panic Bach flower remedy. It reduces feelings of shock and restores presence of mind.

Rock Rose

Rock Rose is regarded as ‘the’ emergency remedy. When someone is experiencing a panic attack, Rock Rose intervenes at the point where everything seems lost and hopeless. It is a Bach flower remedy for those forms of depression from which there appears to be no way out.

Oak

The oak is suitable for people who are fighting with all their might for healing. It is a plant of perseverance, precisely because it is used for people who do not feel the need to sleep or give up, but who, by overestimating their energy reserves, are at risk of a nervous breakdown.

This plant is also used for those who are rigid in their thinking. It alleviates inner tension, which can manifest as chronic pain. The Oak remedy can also be combined with the Bach flower remedy Olive to help those who feel tired and drained following intense bouts of anxiety and no longer have the mental strength required to carry on with life.

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum can help users find spontaneity and courage. This Bach flower remedy helps with depression and provides support for anxiety about being unable to carry out everyday tasks. This type of anxiety occurs particularly when a person feels very tired and fears they can no longer bear their inner tensions.

Aspen

Aspen is used primarily for anxieties whose triggers are unknown to the person: the person affected cannot identify the reason or source of this anxiety; there is no explanation for it. This is a typical case of unmotivated anxiety. Not even the person trying to free themselves from it can define it. Together with Cherry Plum, Aspen is the Bach flower that blooms first in spring.

It is used primarily for people who have a feeling that something bad is going to happen, without, however, having any idea what that might be. These unspecified and vague fears can plague those affected day and night.

Furthermore, they are immense and cause the following behaviours in those affected: They isolate themselves in their somewhat ethereal world, which carries the risk of them becoming detached from the real world, almost like sleepwalkers, and in doing so are very unbalanced – like a plant stretching its branches in the direction of the wind.

Red Chestnut

Red Chestnut helps people who constantly worry about their loved ones and care more about others than about themselves. They suffer because they fear that something bad might happen to their loved ones. They are very sensitive, pick up on every signal sent by others and, so to speak, ‘store’ every unease, every expectation and every disappointment within themselves. In this way, the emotions of others become their own. Red Chestnut can also provide relief from fears of loss.

Agrimony

Agrimony is the remedy for uncovering inner problems and overcoming existential fears. It is the flower of inner exploration and the fundamental remedy for anxiety.

This Bach flower remedy therefore primarily helps people who are constantly wearing a mask: outwards, they radiate calm and happiness, but they falter when they have to face a difficulty or a problem. They feel anxious and tormented and prefer to escape from the pretence they put on for the outside world – that is, to reveal their true selves – so as not to depress others with their problems. These personalities are somewhat reminiscent of clowns who smile until they finally take off their mask and their façade begins to crumble.

Cerato

Cerato gives greater self-confidence to those who rely too heavily on the advice of others. They lack self-esteem, which means they place too much trust in the opinions of others, causing them to lose sight of their own path. This leads to intense self-doubt and deep-seated fears. Because they rely entirely on others, these individuals often suffer from tension, restlessness, nervousness and stress.

Centaury

Centaury frees one from the fear of spending one’s whole life serving others. People for whom Centaury is used want to find peace in their lives at any cost. They would do anything to achieve this; they do not even shy away from self-destruction. These individuals are often treated condescendingly by others and seen as a sort of ‘doormat’. Centaury helps them to assert themselves towards those around them, and gives them the confidence to realise they do not have to serve others or be at their mercy.

Treating anxiety with Bach flowers and Australian Bush flowers using a pipette with drops

The use of Australian Bush flowers for anxiety

The Australian Bush flowers (Australian Bush Flower Essences) currently comprise 69 plus 19 essences, created from a combination of Australian flowers and introduced by Ian White, an Australian biologist and psychologist.

They are among the most powerful and widely used flower essences after Bach flowers. They possess a very high energy and a broad spectrum of effects.

Below you will find descriptions of flower essences that may be helpful for various anxiety conditions.

Crowea

Crowea provides relief from anticipatory anxiety – the fear of ‘what might happen’. It helps all those who are constantly worrying and are therefore unable to relax. The remedy can also be used for anxiety- and stress-related psychosomatic disorders that primarily affect the stomach. Crowea helps to eliminate excessive worry by promoting calm and relaxation in both body and mind.

Dog Rose

Dog Rose is recommended for people who are anxious about dealing with simple, everyday tasks, such as driving a car, speaking to strangers, falling ill or going to the doctor. Similarly, difficulties in interacting with others, joining a new group or coping with new situations are among the areas in which Dog Rose can be used.

The flower essence promotes the courage to face life’s situations and the ability to express oneself in a more relaxed and spontaneous manner.

Dog Rose of the Wild Forces

Dog Rose of the Wild Forces promotes self-control, self-restraint and better emotional balance. It is therefore particularly suitable for people who are afraid of losing control completely and of being unable to cope with a situation, or who feel overwhelmed by the intensity of their own emotions and unable to control them. Dog Rose of the Wild Forces is also recommended for cases of intense inner unease.

Grey Spider Flower

Anyone who finds themselves in a state of constant tension and anxiety, who fears intense emotions that block their ability to act and cloud their mental clarity, who is in a constant state of alertness, or who feels that something dangerous is about to happen, would be well advised to use Grey Spider Flower. The flower remedy can also provide reassurance when one fears that one’s own life or identity is in danger.

Grey Spider Flower promotes calm, courage and presence of mind. With its help, one can face reality with confidence.

Black-Eyed Susan

Anyone experiencing anxiety due to days filled with commitments and a frenetic pace would do well to turn to Black-Eyed Susan.

This Australian Bush flower remedy helps with stress management and promotes calm, inner peace and the ability to respect one’s own biological rhythms.

Treating anxiety with Bach flowers and Australian Bush flowers

The use of Bach flowers for anxiety