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Willow

Salix vitellina

Willows take several different forms and some care is required to recognize the correct one. Salix vitellina, which Bach chose, resembles the White Willow (S. alba) in almost all respects. It is a large tree, up to 25m, with roughly furrowed yellow-green bark. The main trunk is not tall, maybe 3-4m, as it can branch into several large, spreading boughs. It is often pollarded at this height. The leaves are lanceolate, long and pointed and finely toothed. They have fine white hairs on the underside, unlike the Crack Willow (S. fragilis) which has smooth leaves. Male and female flowers appear on different trees: long slightly stiff green catkins. The way to distinguish S. vitellina from the White Willow is by the winter twigs which are bright golden yellow, the color of egg-yolk (hence vitellina). The twigs are flexible and do not snap like the Crack Willow. A cross between S. vitellina and S. babylonica, the Weeping Willow, produced the ornamental Golden Weeping Willow, easily recognized as different because of the drooping twigs.

Flowering Period

Willow flowers during April or May as the leaves unfold.

Preparation

Willow is prepared by the boiling method. Male or female catkins are collected from several different trees with about 15cm of twig and young leaves, so as to fit the saucepan.

Uses

Resentment, bitterness, self-pity.

Willow is the remedy for those who are filled with self-pity: 'poor old me' is their motto. People in the Willow state will grumble and moan about their lot in life, as though they and they alone are carrying the burden of life. If something goes wrong, it is always someone else's fault; and if someone else has some good fortune then it is always seen as undeserved.

The Willow mood is an introspective one, and by its very nature it draws the emotions down into a spiral of negativity. The remedy helps people in this state of mind to look beyond their own troubles. It lets them look at life more optimistically and recognize the positive things that it has to offer.

Animals in a similar self-pitying, tail-between-the-legs mood will also benefit from Willow. The remedy will help rid them of the depressing, resentful self-pity which causes them to mooch around and feel sorry for themselves.

More about Willow

The 38 Bach Flower Remedies

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