Herbs as Emotional Healers

I have never felt entirely comfortable with the positive thinking/positive feeling link that places thinking in a superior position to feeling.  I see the idea as an outgrowth of the masculine dominated world where diminishing the heart’s importance is key to locking in the current masculine/feminine imbalance.  New research shows that we have a heart brain that’s capable of processing information independently, a gut brain, and a mind brain…three different centers that inform us and must remain in balance.   Emotions are the “thoughts” of the heart.

As a nurse I remember learning that memories can be transfered from one person to another via heart transplant.  It’s a hard fact to wrap your head around and the implications are astounding.  Heart surgery changes the emotional landscape.  The heart is composed of nerve cells that carry memory. The heart “thinks” independently. Feelings are the result of electromagnetic vibrations in the heart influenced by other people, living things and the environment. Flower essences are essentially vibrational.   Plants as living things are capable of changing the electromagnetic energy of the heart and transforming emotion.

Emotions have biological counterparts related to metabolic rate, tissue density and tissue tone.  Transforming an emotion changes its biological counterpart just as changing the biology transforms the emotion. Too much energy production in the tissues (a high metabolic rate) causes fever and inflammation – the body is fighting something.  High tissue energy production corresponds to anger, irritation and all “hot” emotions.  Hawthorne is an herb that reduces cardiovascular inflammation, eases anger and irritation, and opens the heart helping to heal disappointment, anger, and bitterness after a failed romance.  Willow also reduces inflammation and as a flower essence helps people to forgive and let go of resentment and bitterness.  Scarlet Monkeyflower helps those who suppress anger to acknowledge it.

Low energy production within tissues causes chills and fatigue.  The body has no energy to fight.  This condition corresponds to depression, discouragement, jealousy, and envy.  Echinacea boosts the bodies ability to fight infection and helps restore self-esteem that’s been shattered by abuse or trauma.  It can also restore healthy boundaries. Thistle is a warrior plant that enhances the ability to protect and defend. Holly as a flower essence relieves envy,  jealousy, and feelings of hatred.  Mustard relieves deep gloom with no known origin.

Tissue density relates to the ratio between fluids and mineral salts.  Too much fluid results in edema, swollen lymph nodes, and congestion.  It corresponds to grief, sadness, and unfulfilled desire.  Bleeding Heart helps a person to love unconditionally with an open heart.  It relieves grieving due to divorce and breakups. Too much mineral salt produces hardening of the arteries and calcium deposits.  The body is rigid and inflexible and corresponds to a frozen heart, insensitivity and emotional numbness.  Rose is the traditional essential oil associated with love and comfort.  It helps to heal grief.

Tissue tone either enhances fluid flow or blocks it.  Too much tissue tension inhibits flow. Muscle spasms, high blood pressure, and cramps correspond to fear, anxiety and stress.  Mimulus relieves fears that can be named. Black cohosh  helps free those who feel entangled and trapped.   Many herbs address stress, the most common being Skullcap, Kava Kava, Valerian root, and Passionflower.  Too little tension causes fluid leaks, flaccid muscles, incontinence, diarrhea, and bleeding.  The body lacks tone and the emotional conditions associated are compulsion, obsession, and recklessness.  Oak is a tonic to tissue that is weak, spongy, or bleeding.  Oak as a flower essence heals those who have been broken down by life. White Chestnut is indicated for unwanted and obsessive thoughts.  It can result in a more peaceful state of mind and heart.

 

Warning:  Because Flower Essences are preserved with brandy they are not appropriate for those with addiction problems.

Thanks to Steven Horne, a Registered Herbalist and AHG member.  He wrote the Heart’s Key to Health, Happiness, and Success a book I have not read but suspect it’s very informative if you’d like to know more on the topic of natural emotional healing.