White Chestnut

For those who are irresolute, whose thoughts spin in circles in their heads without finding a solution. Well-adapted to parks and gardens, the white-flowered horse chestnut is actually native to Central Asia, the Himalayas, or the Caucasus. Bach used it twice, for its buds as well as for its very fragrant flowers when ripe and appreciated by bees. They reveal white petals speckled with yellow, turning red after pollination. Grouped in pyramidal clusters, they open irregularly, giving an overall confused impression. Despite their profusion, they produce few seeds, only a few of which will ever form chestnuts. This floral profusion, which bears so little fruit, is an evocative illustration of the remedy, intended for the mentally hyperactive, for those whose intrusive and obsessive thoughts spin in circles in their heads without reaching a conclusion. This harassing, looping internal dialogue often fuels insomnia. White horse chestnut is recommended to dissolve this stuttering thought process and bring calm and clarity of mind. "For those who cannot stop unwanted ideas, thoughts, and reflections from swirling around in their heads. This usually occurs when their interest in the present moment is too weak to occupy their entire mind. Thoughts torment and remain, and if one manages to chase them away, they return, circle around, and torture the mind. This kind of unpleasant thought drives away rest and prevents one from being present to what one has to do or to the pleasures of life." Excerpt from the 1936 edition of "The Twelve Healers," translated into French by C. Lévi and G. Wolf.