FLOWER RXS HOME

AGRIMONY
ASPEN
BEECH
CENTAURY
CERATO
CHERRY PLUM
CHESTNUT BUD
CHICORY
CLEMATIS
CRAB APPLE
ELM
GENTIAN
GORSE
HEATHER
HOLLY
HONEYSUCKLE
HORNBEAM
IMPATIENS
LARCH
MIMULUS
MUSTARD
OAK
OLIVE
PINE
RED CHESTNUT
RESCUE REMEDY
ROCK ROSE
ROCK WATER
SCLERANTHUS
STAROF BETHLEHEM
SWEET CHESTNUT
VERVAIN
VINE
WALNUT
WATER VIOLET
WHITE CHESTNUT
WILD OAT
WILD ROSE
WILLOW

Chicory belongs to the group of Overcare for Welfare of Others, as classified by Bach. The other remedies in this group are Rock Water, Beech, Vine, Vervain. This group deals with mental/emotional imbalances in regard to caring for or controlling others. Specifically, Chicory treats a heightened care for others that is marked by possessiveness.

In the Chicory state, the mind is bent on taking care of others according to its own design or idea. It is a self-centered approach to caring, since the true needs of the care recipient may not be noticed or found unimportant by the caretaker. The care received may be interpreted as too forceful or unnecessary, and, as soon as this message is conveyed, there develop sentiments of self-pity in the care-giving person, a sense of not being appreciated for one's efforts. This is the double-sided dynamic of the Chicory state.
The Chicory mind sets up fairly rigid opinions and ways of working with others. There is the conviction that one's perceptions and opinions are correct, and one assumes the right to force them on others. This usually happens with good intentions of passing on the right way but may be experienced by others as too controlling or interfering. There is also the tendency to be overly careful with details, one's daily duties, and with cleanliness. Possessiveness of people, as well as of goods, is another indication for this remedy.
There also exists an inactive Chicory state when attention is desired through retreat, manipulations, and pretense, and one waits for others to connect and provide security and love, rather than actively going out toward them. In both cases, the goal is to bind others closely to the self. The active Chicory type may experience the inactive Chicory state during times of illness when self-pity and demands for attention are forthcoming.

This remedy is indicated in the treatment of feigning of sickness in order to gain attention, called factitious disorder (cf. Chestnut Bud, Heather), in eating disorders (cf. Crab Apple, Mustard), should the inactive Chicory dynamic be present. In conversion disorders, also called hysterical neurosis of the conversion type, when the body expresses through illness the unvoiced psychological need for attention and love, Chicory can help heal the underlying dynamic.(1) Hypochondriasis (cf. Heather, Mimulus), somatoform pain disorder, which is a preoccupation with pain without physical findings, and somatization disorder, this being long-standing medical complaints without actual illness, can also rest on a Chicory need for attention gain. In histrionic personality disorder, based on attention-seeking within the sexual sphere, Chicory can remove the underlying dynamic (cf. Cherry Plum).
The Chicory state, although seemingly overbearing to others, does root in a heartfelt desire to love and serve and find closeness. Devotion and caring are undermined, however, by the person's insistence on their own style and their self-centered idea of how to convey their care for and interest in others.
Furthermore, there is the underlying motive of binding others closely to oneself for the sake of power, influence, or to escape loneliness. In the Chicory state, one has a very hard time letting go of others and relinquishing one's rights as caretaker.

Another personal reason, sidetracking with true love and devotion, is the need for attention and appreciation. One serves others with the intention to find recognition and be seen as valuable or indispensable. The typical Chicory self-pity comes in as appreciation is not expressed, efforts overlooked or even resented. Self-pity, hurt feelings, and retreat are also common in courtship when a partner is rebuffed or treated unfairly.
Next to the active Chicory attitude, there is also the inactive attitude of expecting attention and caring, simply for being in the world. There is the need to be the center of attention and be appreciated, even though special efforts have not been forthcoming. Self-pity, sulkiness, and pouting are common if affectionate attention is not offered. If consoled, there may be annoyance and persisted-in self-pity, as if intended to arouse even more sympathy in the other. This state is commonly experienced in children, although seen in adults as well, except that the adults' mannerisms or ways of expressing the emotional message may be less childlike and differ more from person to person. People may resort to manipulation, power play, pretense, threat, possessiveness, or feigning of sickness in order to convey that they feel hurt, offended, or overlooked. If attended to, they may reject being consoled which increases their self-pity and may create further alienation in others rather than bring the desired appreciation. In case attention is accepted, there may be fussiness and capriciousness, and nothing may please. Overcoming a self-centered attitude and self-pity, while tuning in to the needs of others, helps to break this fruitless cycle.

To instill love that seeks not to acquire for personal gain but is selfless and self-forgetful in service and true understanding of another person's individuality, potential, and needs.