April 1933: Dr Bachs Twelve Remedies From a Lay Point of View, by Nora Weeks

 

Dr BACHS TWELVE REMEDIES FROM A LAY POINT OF VIEW
by N. weeks

WITH these remedies it is possible for many to help themselves and others in times of sickness, and to keep their health without fear of relapse for, instead of requiring a trained knowledge of disease, all that is needed is the knowledge of the characters of those around us which we already possess.

When anyone is ill, it is often said, “She is not herself,” and on recovery, “She is herself again,” showing that disease is truly a state of mind which is not normal to the patient. For instance, losing one's temper may result in a headache, being frightened may make one feel cold and shivery, or may cause ones hands and knees to tremble, but if the fear is dispelled the body becomes normal again. Disease is a more lasting result of a continued abnormal state of mind and when the patients healthy outlook upon life returns, the bodily health will also return.

In the treatment of the sick the kind of disease may be ignored, but the state of mind they happen to be in must be considered.

There are twelve of these phases or states of mind which are the real causes of disease, and for each of these states, whether accompanied by physical disease or not, there is a remedy. They are:

State and Remedy.
1. The terrified state Rock Rose.
2. The frightened Mimulus.
3. The restless, tortured Agrimony.
4. The undecided, wavering Scleranthus.
5. The dreamy, indifferent Clematis.
6. The self-pity Chicory.
7. The foolish, self-distrustful Cerato.
8. The discouraged, depressed Gentian.
9. The strong-willed Vervain.
10. The impatient, irritable Impatiens.
11. The quiet, aloof, proud Water-violet
12. The weak, exhausted Centaury.

The patients themselves often give their keynote when they talk to you. They may say, “I seem to have lost all interest in things now” (Clematis). “I am afraid to try” (Mimulus). “I don't seem to be able to make up my mind” (Scleranthus).

The following short description may help to bring into concrete form the different attitudes of mind we have always noticed in ourselves and others but have perhaps considered of no importance, not realizing that the state of our bodies depends upon the state of our feelings, just as we smile or frown according to how we feel at that moment.

Rock Rose. The terrified. The people who in normal life seem to be always in a terrified state of mind: terrified of meeting people, of being alone, of doing fresh things, of going upstairs in the dark; who are made really ill by some sudden noise or shock, have a terror of anything unknown. They may have a great dread of insanity, of suicide, suffer utter despair, have terrifying nightmares, wake up screaming.
You often see that look of terror in their eyes and depicted in their whole attitude. This state of mind affects the body in sudden acute dangerous illness or accidents, those times when something must be done quickly or there may be fatal results, when the patient is in a panic, extreme danger. Rock Rose is the “rescue” remedy for people in danger whatever the disease may be.

Mimulus. The frightened. This place is the fearful, frightened one. These people usually begin every sentence with, “I am afraid I cannot.” They are timid, nervous, rather excitable, get flustered, blush easily, are shy, either hide their fear and shyness by much talking or by not talking at all; dislike noise and much talking in other people. When ill, are afraid to move in case the pain comes back, afraid to begin doing things again, such as walking in case they are not strong enough, afraid of facing ordinary life again.
They are nervous for other people, their children, husbands, wives, etc., never take any risks for fear of the consequences, are afraid to sit in a draught, to get their feet wet, afraid of being ill, and of what “might be”. They are sensitive to the opinions of others because of the fear in them.
Note, 2024, HG: For people who say "I am afraid I cannot", you may also read the description of Larch, which Bach found in 1935 (2 years after this article was written).

Agrimony. The restless tortured attitude of mind is quite common. They are usually outwardly very cheerful plucky people, make light of their troubles so that others think they have not a care in the world. They have mostly a healthy colour like people who live much in the open air. They are restless, cannot sit still for long, must always be doing something, they need company, amusements, sometimes drink to excess and even take drugs in an attempt to deaden their pain or suffering.
When ill they are always cheery and make fun of their disability, they have great courage and put up a good fight, but as they never take anything seriously it is difficult to discover from them how much they are suffering. They are restless in bed, but make no fuss although they may be in great pain: even when very ill show courage, like a young girl who, during a bad attack of asthma, still managed to gasp out with a smile, “I'm making a noise like a traction engine”.

Scleranthus. The undecided wavering state. The people of whom we say “He never knows his own mind, he says one thing one moment and another the next, he is so erratic in everything he says and does.” Indecision and uncertainty are shown also in their movements, they are jerky, unable to walk quite straight, they hesitate when crossing the road, go half-way and then come back.
They cannot make up their minds quickly, they are alternately optimistic and pessimistic, their spirits are up in the heights at one moment and down in the depths the next. In disease their symptoms will come and go, the pain be first in one place and then in another, their temperature of the swinging type. They change their minds constantly as to what they want to eat, or how the pillows should be arranged.
Their mental uncertainty results in bodily uncertainty, such as giddiness, shakiness, uncontrolled actions and movements. In convalescence this phase often occurs, showing itself in the uncertain, stumbling, walking, and the dizziness which usually accompanies the change from lying down to sitting, standing and walking.

Clematis. The dreamy, indifferent. You notice these people everywhere amongst children and adults, and there is frequently a Clematis phase during illness and convalescence. “She is such a dreamy sleepy person, her thoughts always seem so far away, she does not hear half you say.” People who need so much sleep and do not wake quickly in the mornings and then do not feel fresh or rested; those who drop asleep frequently in quiet moments during the day, the day-dreamers, who have no active interest in the things around them, are apathetic, listless, indifferent, live wrapped up in their own thoughts, in whom it is difficult to arouse any enthusiasm.
They are really living in the past, with their memories, or with someone who had passed over, so that the present has no interest for them. Watch them in the streets. They will cross a busy road without looking for the traffic, and walk along the pavement so oblivious to their surroundings that they bump into others.
You can see by the far-away look in their eyes and their dreamy expression that their attention is not held by the present, you may hear them say, “Since my brother or sister died I have nothing to live for, no interest in life at all.” When ill, they often do not care whether they get well or not.
Note, 2024, HG: For people who "are really living in the past", you should also read the description of Honeysuckle, which Bach found in 1935 (2 years after this article was written).

Chicory. The self-pity attitude of mind is one we all suffer from at times. When we feel badly used and really deserve better than this, that nobody loves us, we are neglected and we feel very sorry for ourselves, that no one else suffers as much, has such pain, such hardships, such difficulties, in fact that the whole world is against us. Then we become reserved and restrained, bottle up our feelings, suppress them so that we become congested both mentally and physically and we feel ”hurt and pained”.
The diseases correspond with that particular state of mind, of bodily congestion and of suppression. The patients colour is high and congested. They often say, “My looks don't pity me.”.

Cerato. Self-distrust results in many foolish actions because, against their better judgment, patients are led to try, and do, much that is wrong for them through the advice of others. They are irritating, because they will so often quote other people, instead of saying what they themselves think or want. They are apt to follow conventions and fashions, and to them public opinion is very important.
They make foolish excuses for their actions when they should know better. When ill, they will take anyone's advice and seriously put it to the test, not like the Scleranthus people, who are too undecided to act on any advice.
The Cerato class may make themselves very unhappy and uncomfortable wearing someone's patent belt or elastic stocking trying some rigid diet or some special food because a friend advised them to try it, when they know perfectly well what kind of food or clothes or exercise suits them most and that they had much better trust to their own instincts. They are imitators, even likely to contract a disease if it is a fashionable one at the moment. They are too conventional to be themselves.

Gentian. The discouraged, depressed state of mind is very, very common and results in much illness. We are all apt to pass through this phase when up against difficulties. Many diseases throughout their whole course require Gentian. The melancholic, disheartened, pessimistic frame of mind lowers the whole tone of the body leaving it open to any form of attack.
In convalescence and chronic disease, too, even though the patient is doing well, he may suffer from depression and become disheartened and discouraged and feel inclined to give up fighting and, unless this phase is overcome, it will naturally prolong the illness.

Vervain. The strong, self-willed type cannot be mistaken. They suffer from over-much enthusiasm, the opposite of the Clematis people. They are so convinced they are right that they will not listen to advice. They always know what is best for them and do not like to admit they are wrong. This very obstinacy causes them to suffer much. In illness they are difficult people to treat and need tact, their obstinacy often making them refuse help or medical attendance.
They insist upon carrying on with their work, even when too ill to do so, and when they do go for advice, they mostly tell the doctor what treatment they think they ought to have. Their will is such a driving force that they wear themselves out.
Note, 2024, HG: For people who "insist upon carrying on with their work", you may also read the description of Oak, which Bach found in May 1933 (just after this article was published).

Impatiens. The impatient frame of mind. These people cannot wait, are always impatient to be doing, to see a thing finished. They rush at things and, if interfered with, become irritable. They cannot understand why others do not see as clearly, or are not as quick as they, and this makes them impatient. In illness and convalescence many go through this phase. In fact it is a general idea that patients are well on the road to recovery when they become irritable and impatient.
It shows they want to be doing things themselves and are fretting to be up and about, for nothing that is done for them pleases them, the food is wrong, the room is wrong, etc. Most people in pain are very impatient, and in many diseases where there is great pain accompanying this irritable state, Impatiens will give almost instant relief. In chronic disease the patient may become impatient of inaction or lack of progress, not realizing that this very impatience retards the recovery because it is exhausting and uses up vitality unnecessarily.

Water Violet. This quiet, proud, aloof phase is not so usual, but is a very definite one. These people take all that comes to them, pain, hardships, difficulties, with a calm quiet courage, never complain or pity themselves, but are patient, know their own minds, and see to it that they are as little trouble to others as possible. They prefer to be much alone in health and sickness.
They suffer because of their pride which attacks them in many subtle ways. They are quietly proud of their aloofness, of the way they can look after themselves, of their capabilities (which are great), of their ability to overcome difficulties. They are proud of their family, pride themselves even upon being proud. All is done not in a boastful talkative manner, but in a calm quiet gentle way so that others do not suffer through their pride, though they themselves may suffer greatly. Once this pride is overcome, they are very fine characters indeed.

Centaury. Those who are so exhausted, weak and limp that they have no power left to help themselves. They are apt to give in because they have no strength left, they are too weak to make any effort. It is the “peace at any price” state of mind. They are too tired ever to claim their rights. They are the weak-willed, the opposite of the self-willed Vervain people.
They look drained of vitality, often pale and insignificant. You should once have said they needed an iron tonic. In sickness they put up no fight, are passive. Centaury will help them and can be given in any disease which shows particularly this state. Sometimes after an acute attack during a prolonged illness or in convalescence you will notice these signs.

These are the twelve diseases against which we must be on guard. The way in which the body is attacked is only of importance in that it shows us that our healthy normal outlook is on the sick list.

Watch several people do the same thing, such as order tea in a restaurant, and you will notice that each one does it in a different way, one acts confidently, one timidly, one impatiently, one calmly and so on. Then you will understand how that, although several people may suffer from the same bodily disease, each will have it differently according to his nature so that the remedy required for the cure of each patient will need to correspond with his particular type.

I have seen haemorrhage in three patients treated and cured by three different remedies. The first, a child with severe nose-bleeding, was in a state of utter exhaustion and weakness and required Centaury. Then a lady suffering from uterine haemorrhage who belonged to the self-pity class was given Chicory which gave her back her health and prevented a major operation. The third was an acute intestinal haemorrhage which might in the ordinary way have proved fatal but for Rock Rose.

During the course of an illness the patient may pass through many phases needing the specific remedy for each phase.

In the acute stage it may be terror, then fear, and as that stage passes exhaustion or sleepiness, followed in convalescence by indecision, self-pity or impatience, or depression according to the personality of the patient. On the other hand a single remedy may be all that is required to restore health.

No disease belongs exclusively to any particular remedy, but each remedy corresponds with a definite state of mind or mental attitude. I would like to stress this fact. Study the patient himself, not his bodily disease. In fact, you encourage your patient more by not dwelling on his illness, and encouragement is what he needs above all.