Crab Apple
Botanical: Malus pumila
Family: Rosaceae
Homeopathic remedy: Not used
Description: The Crab apple is basically the wild apple tree, that bears fruit of the diameter of less or equal to 5 centimeters (2 inches). If the diameter of the fruit is greater than 5 centimeters, then the tree is classified as a common apple tree. Crab apples freely hybridize and up to this time more there exist more than 1000 varieties. Color of flowers can range from white to the crimson red. Crab apples are very adaptable and hardy trees that withstand cold weather well.
Medicinal uses: Anti-scorbutic.
Keywords: Unclean, Dirty, Poisonous, Repetitive behavior, Anxious, Compulsive behavior.
Dr Bach's description: This is the remedy of cleansing. For those who feel as if they had something not quite clean about themselves. Often it is something of apparently little importance: in others there may be more serious disease which is almost disregarded compared to the one thing on which they concentrate. In both types they are anxious to be free from the one particular thing which is greatest in their minds and which seems so essential to them that it should be cured. They become despondent if treatment fails. Being a cleanser, this remedy purifies wounds if the patient has reason to believe that some poison has entered which must be drawn out.
Essence: The Crab apple is described as the "great cleaner". Whenever a person thinks that he is unclean, that the poison should be drawn from their body, or simply if he dislikes and is ashamed of a certain aspect of their personality, physical symptom or physical features.
This great cleaner cleanses repetitive and ritualistic compulsive behavior, that poisons the mind (such as repetitive hand-washing, checking whether the doors are locked, or whether the gas stove is turned off). It is typical for the people needing this remedy, that in time when they are seriously sick, they disregard the sickness as unimportant, but focus on the thing they dislike about themselves. The Crab apple people focus on one thing they regard as unclean or poisonous and they try to get it cured. If the treatment fails, they become very anxious and depressed.
The Crab apple is sometimes prescribed for the people characterized as anxious perfectionists, that rely on their rituals and are unable to free themselves from their routines. They become trapped in their ritualistic behavior, because it assures their safety.
This remedy is usable even in cases, when the person has a reason to believe, that he was poisoned and that the poison should be drawn out. This is the main reason why it is the sixth ingredient in the Rescue cream.