Bach Flower Remedies
Pine

Pinus sylvestris

Pine trees are tall evergreens growing up to 35m high. The leaves of P. sylvestris are clusters of paired needles 50-75mm, shorter than some other pines. Male and female flowers are on the same tree; males are a cluster of small yellow balls at the base of the new shoot; females are red, cone-shaped and appear at the end of the new growth. All the pines display a kind of continuous growth with old cones ripening as new ones form. The differences can often be detected in the cone but the general form of the tree is a good guide: the Scots Pine, which Bach chose, has the characteristic head of branches on a pale rust colored trunk.

Flowering Period

Pine flowers in May.

Preparation

Pine is prepared by the boiling method. Both male and females flowers are gathered from several different trees, on twigs about 15 cm long so as to fit the saucepan. The remedy should be made when the male flowers are mature: shake the branch gently and you will see a cloud of yellow pollen if the time is right.

Uses

Guilt, self-reproach.

Pine is for people who blame themselves, and who even take the blame for the mistakes of others. They tend to apologize frequently and are hard on themselves in an attempt to correct their perceived misdeeds or negligence. The remedy is indicated whenever guilt is apparent, whether it is due to a recent happening or is concerned with a long-standing and deep-rooted guilt complex.

Animals may also feel guilty at times, but as with Holly, many animals are given Pine inappropriately. If you shout at your puppy for destroying your best shoes, it may look ashamed by averting its eyes, but the actual emotion felt is more likely to be submission and fear. Mimulus is a more helpful choice in these circumstances. An animal that is constantly reprimanded may need Pine if it begins to think that everything is its fault, but in general the Pine state is more likely to exist between animals - cat and cat, dog and dog, horse and horse - since there the emotion would not be swamped by our overwhelming dominance.

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