38 Willow

38 Willow, Salix vitellina

Guiding principle:
DESPONDENCY or DESPAIR - Poor old me, resentment

About this herb:
Scientific name: Salix vitellina
Description: Willow is a large deciduous tree up to 90 feet tall. There are different species of willow, but this one used for the Bach essence is easy to recognise by the branches, which turn a glowing yellow-orange in winter and spring. Willow prefers damp terrain near seas and watercourses. Its leaves are long and come to a point, and they have fine hairs on the underside. The male silvery-grey willow catkins and the female light green, oblong blossoms grow on separate trees. It blooms in April/May.

The aims of this flower essence:
One is helplessly at the mercy of the circumstances, is embittered, sees oneself as the victim.

Dr. Bach wrote:
For those who have suffered adversity or misfortune and find these difficult to accept, without complaint or resentment, as they judge life much by the success which it brings. They feel that they have not deserved so great a trial, that it was unjust, and they become embittered. They often take less interest and less activity in those things of life which they had previously enjoyed.   (The 12 Healers and other remedies, 1936)