Bach Flower Remedies
Mimulus

Mimulus guttatus

Mimulus grows with the fleshy green stems of a water plant to a height of about 50cm, the leaves are opposite and clasp the stem. Flowers are five-petalled but they fuse to form an open mouth, about 25-30mm; they are bright yellow with a few red spots on the lower lip. Bach originally nominated the yellow flower as M. luteus but it was later identified as M. guttatus. The Blood-drop Emlets, M. luteus, is a similar flower from Chile, being smaller with a distinctly red-spotted flower. The two species hybridize freely with the red M.luteus appearing to dominate the yellow M. guttatus. In adjacent valleys the two may grow separately but when they meet downstream the yellow flowers will be darker with more red spots. Plant breeders too are creating hybrids and as these in turn escape and cross pollinate they alter the natural plant form. The yellow M. guttatus is the one to use.

Flowering Period

Mimulus flowers from June through to August.

Preparation

Mimulus is prepared by the sun method. Find a place where the wild flowers are growing strongly by a bright stream and select from several different plants. Pick the flowers by their stalks and float them on to the surface of the water bowl.

Uses

Shyness, timidity, everyday fears of known things.

Fear of crowds, fear of people and of being in the public eye are all characteristics of the Mimulus type, who tends to be shy and timid. As a mood remedy, Mimulus is for anyone who suffers from a fear that can be identified clearly - fear of pain, poverty, spiders, of being killed in an accident, of being burgled etc.

Fear of failure is a Larch indication as it suggests a lack of confidence in one's ability to succeed; but Mimulus fear of the consequences may be more specific such as fear of what people might say; or fear of having to make the winner's speech. As this suggests, it is not always easy to draw a clear line between Larch and Mimulus, and they are often given together. The normal way to tell them apart is this: if there is a lack of confidence but no actual anxiety, give Larch alone; if there is a fear of something specific but away from this the person is confident of his or her abilities, then give Mimulus alone.

Animals that need Mimulus as a type remedy are fearful, nervous creatures. They may demonstrate their fear quite openly by shaking or shivering or using other body language when confronted with the thing that frightens them: animals that whimper or hide behind the settee when a stranger enters the house are very likely to be in need of Mimulus.

Animals that are afraid of thunder, fireworks, other animals, or the cracking of wood burning in the grate would all benefit from Mimulus. The remedy should also be considered (as should Centaury and Larch) for animals who find it difficult to assert themselves; but where there is sheer terror, or the fear is not of something specific, other remedies will apply (Rock Rose and Aspen).

Comments