Sometimes herbs are not the best choice. While they can be amazingly helpful, some of them interact quite a bit with pharmaceuticals, and some are just not for certain people. As an example, I’ve found if I use chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) I tend to get depressed. It is a great choice for other people – just not me.

Flower essences are a bit different. If you choose the ‘wrong’ essence, there is no effect at all. But if you choose the right one, the effects are dramatic. If you are unfamiliar with flower essences, here is a primer:

Flower Essences 101 – Simple Thrift and Herbs

Using flower essences for anything requires sitting with your emotions for a bit. What is the root of your anxiety? Is it fear? Fear of what? Is it overwhem or shame or guilt? I would suggest making an appointment with a flower essence practitioner like myself to drill down a formula that best fits you, but if that is not an option, here are some common (Bach) FEs that are available at most health food stores.

Rescue Remedy (Five Flower): Rescue Remedy, a blend of 5 flower essences, is great as an all-purpose flower essence: the Tylenol of flower essences, maybe! Rescue Remedy contains the flower essences of Star of Bethlehem, Clematis, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Impatiens. Some of these are specific for anxiety, but this blend is a great one to just have on hand for overwhelming emotions of any type.

Rock Rose: specific for panic attacks. It is most often used in the blend above, but can be used alone. Indicated for when you feel you don’t have any control of your body – that ‘flight’ part of fight or flight episodes.

Mimulus: for KNOWN fears (can you name it?). I have used this with Rock Rose when I had to go where there were snakes (I’m terrified of them!). It helped me to at least be able to function, where without it, I don’t know that I could have completed the tasks I needed to do. If you can name your fear (failure, water, a person), Mimulus is for you.

Aspen: for UNKNOWN fears. The kind of nebulous ‘something’s not right and it’s gonna get me’ kind of fear. It can be just as debilitating as a known fear, but you can’t really put a name to it.

Elm: for feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps your anxiety is related to a fear of letting others down or of failure, but there is just so much of whatever it is overwhelming and setting off your anxiety.

Mustard: I think of this one more for depression, but it could fit with anxiety, too. The mental picture I have of this is the cartoon character that has the rain cloud over his head. The feeling comes out of nowhere, and is just all of a sudden there.

I am trying to keep these pieces on anxiety bite-sized. Thinking about the subject can be overwhelming for some people – and they fit better on FaceBook this way. I’ll be back next week with another 4-6 flower essences for anxiety. I hope you all have a peaceful week.